Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 29 November 2022 be confirmed and signed by the Chair as an accurate record.

Please note that, in accordance with the Members' Code of Conduct, when declaring interests members must disclose the existence and nature of the interest, and whether it is a disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI) or personal and/or pecuniary.

Councillor Pat Vaughan declared a Personal Interest with regard to the agenda item entitled ‘Fees and Charges'.

Reason: His granddaughter worked in the finance department at the City of Lincoln Council.

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

·       Opening of the 40^th Anniversary Lincoln Christmas Market

·       Welcoming German guests including the Oberburgermeister

·       Attendance to Cinderella in Pantomime

·       Christmas Carol Concerts

·       The 2022 Lincoln Santa Fun Run and Walk

No questions had been submitted by members of the public.

Councillor Martin Christopher to Councillor Ric Metcalfe, Portfolio Holder for Our People and Resources

Question

The waste to energy facility at North Hykeham has made a considerable profit this year burning waste we pay an equally considerable sum to collect for them. Due to energy price increases this past year, it has allegedly paid approximately £3,000,000 in profit share to the County Council.  I would like to know if any of this money will come back to us?

Answer

There were no requirements for any Wase Disposal Authority to make payments to a Waste Collection Authority if the value of any commodities collected, resulted in the generation of an income stream. Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) had not declared any intention as to how they planned to use any ‘windfall income’, but it would feature as an issue in future Lincolnshire Waste Partnership meetings.

Councillor Clare Smalley to Councillor Donald Nannestad, Portfolio Holder for Quality Housing

Question

Following the tragic death of a young child in Rochdale caused by mould in the boy’s home, I understand that many residents have been reporting similar issues in our own properties. How many have we received since this case was in the news please?

Answer

All reports of damp and mould were treated seriously and we responded to all service requests. If damp and mould was left untreated within a property and all the causes of damp and mould were not adequately identified or resolved, this could cause serious health complications to our customers, especially those under 16 and over 65.

The Portfolio Holder confirmed that further to 14/11/2022, the date of publicity post inquest into the tragic death of Awaab Ishak, the current data relating to the reports of damp and mould were:

·       319 households had reported damp and mould within their properties to the Council.

·       Our repairs service (HRS) had conducted inspections and completed all identified repairs at 71 of those properties. These repairs had now been billed and the repairs closed.

·       248 jobs remained open for HRS to complete.

The Portfolio Holder confirmed that the 248 jobs were at various stages from pre-inspection, works ordered, works completed on site and due to be billed.  As part of the billing process, we needed to wait a minimum of 30 days for all costs to be allocated to jobs before they could be set to ‘closed’ and therefore, the true figure of open jobs would appear inflated whilst the billing process completed its cycle.

Supplementary

Were any of the homes awaiting repairs, classed as a danger to health?

Answer

All cases of damp and mould were treated seriously with considerable time given to evaluate the problem. The Portfolio Holder confirmed that figures of Category A Hazards due to damp and mould would be distributed to members further to the meeting.

Councillor Emily Wood to Councillor Donald Nannestad, Portfolio Holder for Quality Housing

Question

The Government have announced £4,000,000 pounds of extra funding to help deal with homelessness, £803,422 of which will be directly  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

Councillor Bob Bushell, Portfolio Holder for Remarkable Place, presented his report to Council, which had been set out on pages 11-40 of the agenda. Tributes were paid to all staff and contractors that had worked hard within the Portfolio.

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

• The Portfolio Holder was not aware of any negative feedback regarding the appearance of the flower beds at Lincoln Crematorium and was proud of the progress made. The staff were commended for the pride they took in their work.
• The reopening of Yarborough Leisure Centre was welcomed and was completed within budget. The amount of compensation paid to Active Nation was financially sensitive information and in compliance with legal rules, would not be disclosed in the public domain.
• Any works identified at Yarborough Leisure Centre at an earlier date would have been completed in accordance with Health and Safety reports. Works had been carried out to a high standard and would be regularly scrutinised in the interest of public safety.

The report was noted.

Councillor Chris Burke, Portfolio Holder for Customer Experience and Review, presented his report to Council, which had been set out on pages 41-48 of the agenda.

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

Councillor Chris Burke, Portfolio Holder for Customer Experience and Review, presented his report to Council, which had been set out on pages 41-48 of the agenda.

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

• The efforts of the City Solicitor and Democratic Services team resulted in a smooth and successful planning meeting which considered the Council’s largest planning application on the 12 January 2022.
• The dedication and commitment from the Democratic Services team ensured elections continued to be successful. Recognition and thanks were given to Julie Rouston prior to her retirement. Her work over many years to ensure the democratic process expediated at all times, was appreciated and she was considered to be an excellent employee of the Council.
• It was important to balance the request for live streaming and initial cost of the equipment to provide the service. The Portfolio Holder was aware of the need for an increase in accountability and openness to the public and this was of importance.
• Customer services vacancies were being dealt with however it was important to fill vacancies with the right staff. Call waiting times had reduced further to appointment of additional staff. Recognition was given to customer service staff for their commendable work, empathy, and commitment to customer care.

The report was noted.

Councillor Jane Loffhagen, Chair of Policy Scrutiny Committee presented her report to Council, which had been set out on pages 49-50 of the agenda. Councillor Loffhagen highlighted that the minutes of the Committee were available to the public.

The report was noted.

Councillor Rebecca Longbottom, Chair of Audit Committee presented her report to Council, which had been set out on pages 51-62 of the agenda. Thanks were expressed to members of Audit Committee for contributions and officers who had supported the work of the Committee.

The report was noted.

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RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

It was moved by Councillor Ric Metcalfe and seconded by Councillor Donald Nannestad that the Council Tax Base 2023/24 be approved.

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

RESOLVED

That the Council Tax Base 2023/24 be approved.

It was moved by Councillor Ric Metcalfe and seconded by Councillor Donald Nannestad that the Localised Council Tax Support Scheme 2023/24 be approved.

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

RESOLVED

That the Localised Council Tax Support Scheme 2023/24 be approved.

It was moved by Councillor Ric Metcalfe and seconded by Councillor Donald Nannestad that the Review of the Constitution – Financial Procedure Rules be approved.

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

RESOLVED

That the Review of the Constitution – Financial Procedure Rules be approved.

It was moved by Councillor Donald Nannestad and seconded by Councillor Ric Metcalfe that the Council House and Garage Rents 2023/24 be approved.

Councillor Thomas Dyer highlighted that the Conservative party supported proposed rent increases and given the demand and increase in cost of materials, the rent increase was reasonable. However, it was essential to ensure that service provision was maintained especially in the circumstance of rental increase.

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

RESOLVED

That the Council House and Garage Rents 2023/24 be approved.

Councillor Clare Smalley and Councillor Martin Christopher requested that their votes against the proposals be recorded.