Agenda and minutes

The Council observed a minute’s silence to mourn the passing of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II.

The Council also observed a minute’s silence in memory of former city councillor, mayor and sheriff, David Jackson. 

Councillor Pat Vaughan declared a Personal Interest with regard to the agenda item titled 'Councillor R Metcalfe, Portfolio Holder, Our People and Resources'.

Reason: His daughter worked within the benefits department at the City of Lincoln Council, and similarly his granddaughter worked in the finance department.  

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 18 October 2022 be confirmed and signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

The Mayor referred to her engagements since the last meeting of the Council, some of which had included:

·        The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth games Queen’s Baton Relay, which had visited Lincoln.

·        Bishop Grosseteste University graduation.

·        Ceremonies to mark the passing of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II.

·        Local Proclamation ceremonies for King Charles III.

·        RAF Scampton Closure Parade.

·        The launched of a TikTok account for the Mayor of Lincoln.

·        The unveiling of the George Boole Statue at Lincoln Central Railway Station.

The Mayor also took the opportunity to promote two events to raise money for her chosen charities. 

No questions had been submitted by members of the public.

Councillor Clare Smalley to Councillor Ric Metcalfe, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Our People and Resources

Question

Whilst cost of living remained a concern, with food and bills rising, and the council is under similar pressures, what assurances could be given to residents and tenants that essential services would not be cut?

Reply

All political groups across the council had been briefed by senior finance colleagues on the financial position of the Council.  A range of options were currently being explored by the Council to close the financial shortfall.  However, all options would include difficult decisions to be made and therefore it was not possible to provide any assurances.  Options would continue to be explored and shared with all councillors in due course. 

Councillor Martin Christopher to Councillor Donald Nannestad, Portfolio Holder for Quality Housing

Question

How many homes would be needed to provide adequate housing provision for every family currently on our waiting list?

Reply

It was noted that the Council did not operate a waiting list, it had a housing register, which was split into bands 1,2 and 3.

Bands 1 and 2 relate to demonstratable housing need:-

Requirement:-

1 Bed 282

2 Bed 192

3 bed 227

4+ Bed 30

Therefore to accommodate this need the council would require 731 properties split in house type as above.

Band 3 is defined as having very little or no housing need.

Requirement:-

1 Bed 530

2 Bed 233

3 Bed 69

4+ Bed 1

Therefore, if the council were to accommodate all band three customers as well, the council would need an additional 833 properties split in the house type as above.

In summary, to accommodate all those on the current register the Council would require:

812 one-bedroom homes

425 two-bedroom homes

296 three-bedroom homes

32 four (+) bedroom homes.

This would create a grand total of 1,565 additional homes.

However, it was clearly not as simple as this as you would normally provide approximately 15% of unmet housing need, because if you provide for everyone then when a property becomes vacant arguably you would have no new tenants to take up the void.

Supplementary

If there were 1,565 inadequately housed, why was it that this number did not appear on the housing register?

Reply

It was reiterated that there were 833 considered to be inadequately housed.  However, it could simple be that a large proportion of this number included tenants that simply just wished to move elsewhere.

Councillor Mark Storer to Councillor Neil Murray, Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth

Question

What assessment has been made on the additional costs of this year’s Christmas market given the predicted reduction in stallholders and contractual cost increases? 

Reply

The Christmas market budget was made up of a number of aspects:

·        expenditure primarily related to the many contracts required to deliver the market; and

·        income mainly derived from stall fees and park and ride usage.

The budget for the market was a difficult balancing act, , which was why  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

Councillor Ric Metcalfe, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Our People and Resources, presented his report to Council, which had been set out on pages 17 – 38 of the agenda.

The report was noted.

Councillor Gary Hewson, Chair of Performance Scrutiny Committee, presented his report to Council, which had been set out on pages 39 – 42 of the agenda. Councillor Hewson thanked all members and officers involved in the Committee.

The report was noted. 

Councillor Jane Loffhagen, former Chair of Community Leadership Scrutiny Committee (2021/22), presented her report to Council, which had been set out on pages 43 – 52 of the agenda. Councillor Loffhagen thanked all members and officers involved in the scrutiny reviews, details of which were included within her report.

The report was noted. 

Councillor Calum Watt, Member Safeguarding Champion, presented his report to Council, which had been set out on pages 53 – 56 of the agenda. The Council was provided with an opportunity to ask questions, where the following points were noted:

·        The Modern Slavery member development session, which had been cancelled owing to the death of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II, would be rescheduled for a later date.

·        It would be fed back to officers that there was a desire for a streamlined way of signposting safeguarding information, which would be particularly helpful for councillors.

·        It was confirmed that future reports would include detail on funding and where monies were spent.

The report was noted. 

It was moved by Councillor Loraine Woolley and seconded by Councillor Ric Metcalfe that Option 2, as detailed in the report and Appendix D, be adopted by the Council for implementation, provided that the unit of measurement be converted from metres to miles and yards.

On being put to the meeting, the motion was declared carried.

RESOLVED

That Option 2, as detailed in the report and Appendix D, be adopted by the Council for implementation, provided that the unit of measurement be converted from metres to miles and yards.