Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 18 October 2022 be confirmed.

Councillor Pat Vaughan declared a Personal Interest with regard to the agenda item titled 'Statement of Accounts 2021/22'.

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

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

·         The opening of the Cornhill development.

·         Remembrance Services.

·         The Diwali celebration at the Lincolnshire Showground.

·         The switching on of the Christmas Lights.

The Mayor was also pleased to report that she had raised £2,313 as part of her recent charity auction.

No questions had been submitted by members of the public.

Councillor Watt to Councillor Sue Burke, Portfolio Holder for Reducing Inequality

Question

Could the Portfolio Holder comment on the effectiveness of the council’s information campaign and distribution of aid to people in Lincoln with regards to the cost-of-living crisis?

Reply

In terms of cost-of-living challenges, the Council was a direct deliverer of some schemes but it was a communicator/co-ordinator/facilitator/’sign poster’ for other schemes, helping to support and assist other organisations to deliver wherever possible. Angela Andrews, Chief Executive and Town Clerk co-chaired a countywide Cost of Living Challenge Stakeholder Group.

In terms of schemes directly delivered:

·         Household Support Fund payments for first two schemes to Lincoln residents:

- December 2021 to March 2022: £427,542

- August 2022 to September 2022: £318,570.

·         Council Tax Energy Rebate:

- April 2022 to November 2022 (mandatory scheme): Almost 40,000 households

- September 2022 to November 2022 (discretionary scheme): Entire government fund of £196,950 allocated.

·         Discretionary Housing Payments:

-       Up to the end of October 2022, over £93,000 paid out for 2022/23.

It was also noted that there were a large stock of posters available within the Members’ Room on the cost of living crisis for distribution by councillors across their respective wards.

All staff involved in the support and above mentioned schemes were thanked for their hard work.

Councillor Mark Storer to Councillor Nannestad, Portfolio Holder for Quality Housing

Question

Following the inquest into the tragic death of the two-year-old-boy, Awaab Ishak, in Rochdale, please can the Portfolio Holder outline what steps the Council is taking to ensure that it protects its residents from mould within its own social housing stock?

Answer

The Council was taking its responsibilities as a landlord very seriously, and this included making every effort to ensure its tenants lived in a safe environment. The Council had information on its social media channels on how to manage airflow, ventilation and any mould and damp appearing. When the Council was asked to visit customers properties due to their concern over mould and damp issues, the Council provided leaflets and face to face advice on ventilation and airflow around the home.

Due to the understandable, significant additional demand for mould and damp surveys since the incident in Rochdale the Council had set up a short-term intervention team that had a range of specialised skills in order that the Council could respond more quickly and provide customers with the reassurances they required. Customer services had been asked to put mould and damp enquiries through to a repair ticket immediately, so the Council triaged, prioritised and ensured the correct categorisation for response.

Supplementary

How many council-owned properties had reported damp or mould?

Answer

The total number was unknown and was not available to the Portfolio Holder at the meeting however, it was noted that enquiries had increased tenfold since the incident in Rochdale. The Portfolio Holder agreed to share this information with the Council once known.

Councillor Rachel Storer to Councillor Bushell, Portfolio Holder for Remarkable Place

Question

What progress had been made with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

Councillor Neil Murray, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, presented his report to Council, which had been set out on pages 15 – 20 of the agenda. Councillor Neil Murray thanked in advance of the event all officers involved in the 40^th Lincoln Christmas Market.

The Council was provided with an opportunity to ask questions, where the following points were noted:

·         The investment into Greyfriars was welcomed and it was acknowledged that the project was positive for the City.

·         The Portfolio Holder was not aware of any significant overspends on any of the Lincoln Town Deal projects. However, this would be clarified and all members of the Council would be advised if there were any.

·         It was not anticipated that the Council would be offering free car parking for Christmas shoppers on the late night shopping days, as per previous years owing to the impact of the cost of living crisis on the Council.

·         The Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive would write to Ursula Lidbetter, Lincolnshire Co-op’s Chief Executive, thanking her for her hard work within the City and to wish her a long and happy retirement.

The report was noted.

Councillor Naomi Tweddle, Chair of Equality and Diversity Advisory Panel presented her report to Council, which had been set out on pages 21 – 56.

As part of discussion on the report, it was suggested that whilst the Council had mental health first aiders in place, the specific ongoing mental health crisis and increased suicide rates within the male population would be considered by the Advisory Panel. 

The report was noted.

It was moved by Councillor Ric Metcalfe and seconded by Councillor Donald Nannestad that the Statement of Accounts 2021/22 be approved.

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

RESOLVED

That the Statement of Accounts 2021/22 be approved.

Order of Proceedings

a)     The Mayor will call upon Councillor Ric Metcalfe to propose the following resolution: -

That in pursuance of the statutory powers derived from the Court Acts 1971 and the Local Government Act 1972, His Honour Judge Simon Hirst be appointed Honorary Recorder of the City.

b)     The Mayor will call upon Councillor Donald Nannestad to second the resolution.

c)     The Honorary Recorder will be invited to subscribe to a Declaration of Acceptance of Office at a later date to formalise his appointment.

It was moved by Councillor Ric Metcalfe and seconded by Councillor Donald Nannestad that

In pursuance of the statutory powers derived from the Court Act 1971 and the Local Government Act 1972, His Honour Judge Simon Hirst be appointed Honorary Recorder of the City.

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

RESOLVED

That in pursuance of the statutory powers derived from the Court Act 1971 and the Local Government Act 1972, His Honour Judge Simon Hirst be appointed Honorary Recorder of the City.