Agenda item

It was moved by Councillor Rosanne Kirk, seconded by Councillor Donald Nannestad and

 

RESOLVED that Council Procedure Rule 17.4 regarding the content and length of speeches be suspended to allow the Leader of the Council and the Leader of the Opposition unlimited time to speak on Minute 47a.

 

Councillor Ric Metcalfe, Leader of the Council, proposed the recommendations contained within the report, as detailed on page 33 of the agenda pack, in relation to the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2023-2028 and budget.

 

He reflected on strategic considerations and long term financial sustainability, highlighting effective use of resources and demonstratable progress to support effective delivery of services and alignment with aspirations for strategic priorities. In addition, there were a number of Councils that had been served with or faced a Section 114 notice, a power given to s114 Officers within Council’s to challenge the sustainability of a Council’s plan. Due to the determination of elected Members, the skills of Officers and excellent financial stewardship, the City of Lincoln Council (CoLC) had not received such notice.

 

Reference was made to budget pressures and the reduction of Drainage Board Levy’s of £1.75M with a timescale of 2025/26 for achievement. It was noted that the Council had retained the £1.7M Council Tax Support Scheme and the average increase proposed for Fees and Charges was approximately 5% although many would not increase at all.

 

The Leader of the Council referred to section 4.4 of the report and confirmed that achievement for Council Taxpayers was significant when considered with the size of the authority in mind. He offered his thanks and gratitude to the hard working and dedicated staff for all achievements gained against the five strategic priorities.

 

Reference to achievements included, but were not limited to, growth within the City and urban regeneration projects, support for poorer households struggling with the cost of living crisis, investment of £50M in Council Housing stocks, the building of new homes and reduction in homelessness and aspirations for a carbon natural city by 2030.

 

An increase of 2.9% in Council Tax was proposed, which averaged approximately 9-11p per week for approximately 80% of residents paying Council Tax. The proposed 2.9% increase was below the 3% Government imposed cap and it was highlighted that 14.3% of the total Council Tax bill for the City of Lincoln was attributable to the City Council, with the remainder going to Lincolnshire County Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner.

 

Councillor Donald Nannestad, Deputy Leader of the Council, seconded the proposition and reiterated the points made. In addition, he referred to page 33 of the agenda pack and added that there was a series of additional pressures such as inflation, difficulties in the supply chain and the cost of living crisis, all of which affected residents.

 

The Council’s housing stock was in good condition and the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) as seen at Appendix A to the report, outlined the considerable investments to be made to homes within the next five years. Referencing the Capital Programme, the Deputy Leader confirmed that since 2018/19, we had added 362 homes and 75% of stock had an EPC rating of C or above.  The Western Growth Corridor development was awaited in anticipation which would benefit from 640, much needed affordable homes.

 

The Mayor, having received notice of the Leader of the Opposition’s intention to propose a number of amendments and notice of the Liberal Democrats intention to propose a number of amendments, permitted that more than one amendment may be discussed and debated at once to facilitate the proper and efficient conduct of the Council’s business in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 17.6(b). She reported, however, that each amendment would be voted upon separately.

 

Councillor Thomas Dyer, Leader of the Opposition, proposed the following amendments to the Medium Term Financial Strategy, which we seconded by Councillor Hilton Spratt, Deputy Leader of the Opposition:

 

Amendment 1 – Improving standards within the Private Rented Sector

 

(a)  Increase the budget for the Council’s Private Housing Team by £177,780.

(b)  This increased budget is to be spent on increasing staff capacity to turbo charge the Council’s efforts in tackling poor quality housing standards within Lincoln’s private rented sector.

(c)  The £177,780 will be funded by reducing a City Council budget within the DCE to £0. To keep this budget amendment in Part A, the specific service area cannot be detailed.

(d)  Current staff working in the area proposed to have its budget removed will be redeployed into other service areas where there are vacancies. Alternatively, any redundancy costs can be funded from the earmarked reserves.

 

Amendment 2 – Improving the Council Housing Tenant experience

 

(a)  Create an additional 2.5 FTE Assistant Housing Officers to give Council housing tenants better service levels and response times.

(b)  The additional capacity will cost £74,672 PA and will be fully funded by deleting the current vacancy for an Assistant Director for Housing.

(c)  By generating the additional capacity, tenants will receive better service levels than they already do.

 

Amendment 3 – Supporting Residents with the Cost of Living

 

(a)  The deleted Assistant Housing Director role also contains £24,833 of General Fund Budget.

(b)  For the 2023/24 financial year, the £24,833 remaining from the deleted Assistant Director post is to be allocated to Citizens Advice Lincoln.

(c)  This funding is to provide Citizens Advice with additional capacity for cost of living support.

 

During the discussion on the proposed amendments, the following points were noted:

 

• Citizens Advice (CA) provided quality advice on issues such as housing and debt. The Council did not have the same depth of knowledge and additional capacity within CA would alleviate pressure on existing staff
• A great number of private sector landlords took pride in their stock however private rent cost had risen significantly and there was a shortage of housing available.
• Additional housing officers would result in the helping of more residents
• The figures had been verified by Financial Services and were in accordance with budget estimates included in the proposed MTFS 2023-2028

 

Councillor Ric Metcalfe, using his right to reply, advised that he would not be in support of any of the amendments despite the laudable desire to improve standards of housing within the private sector. It was noted that a great deal of work had already been carried out within the area. The reduction of £177,780 to £0 with the DCE would not be supported based on unverifiable claims.

 

Referencing amendment two, it was noted that the Council could not run effectively in the absence of suitable management. Housing services within the Council employed over 300 individuals and spent millions of pounds or tenants’ money on a wide range of investment – under the supervision of appropriate management.

 

Referencing amendment three, it was noted that significant support was in place for CA and the Council’s benefit team worked hard and their work was valued and recognised. There was no rationale to support the amendment.

 

Having been proposed and seconded, the amendments were voted upon. Amendment 1 was voted upon individually and Amendment 2 and Amendment 3 were voted on in collaboration. In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 19.7, a recorded vote was taken for each amendment, the result of which were as follows:

 

Amendment 1:

 

For (8)	Against (23)	Abstention
Councillor Alan Briggs	Councillor Debbie Armiger
Councillor David Clarkson	Councillor Biff Bean
Councillor Thomas Dyer	Councillor Chris Burke
Councillor Matthew Fido	Councillor Sue Burke
Councillor Hilton Spratt	Councillor Bob Bushell
Councillor Mark Storer	Councillor Liz Bushell
Councillor Rachel Storer	Councillor Martin Christopher
Councillor Edmund Strengiel	Councillor Gary Hewson
	Councillor Jackie Kirk
	Councillor Rosanne Kirk
	Councillor Jane Loffhagen
	Councillor Rebecca Longbottom
	Councillor Ric Metcalfe
	Councillor Neil Murray
	Councillor Donald Nannestad
	Councillor Lucinda Preston
	Councillor Clare Smalley
	Councillor Naomi Tweddle
	Councillor Pat Vaughan
	Councillor Calum Watt
	Councillor Joshua Wells
	Councillor Emily Wood
	Councillor Loraine Woolley

 

Amendment 2 & 3:

 

For (10)	Against (21)	Abstention
Councillor Alan Briggs	Councillor Debbie Armiger
Councillor Martin Christopher	Councillor Biff Bean
Councillor David Clarkson	Councillor Chris Burke
Councillor Thomas Dyer	Councillor Sue Burke
Councillor Matthew Fido	Councillor Bob Bushell
Councillor Clare Smalley	Councillor Liz Bushell
Councillor Hilton Spratt	Councillor Gary Hewson
Councillor Mark Storer	Councillor Jackie Kirk
Councillor Rachel Storer	Councillor Rosanne Kirk
Councillor Edmund Strengiel	Councillor Jane Loffhagen
	Councillor Rebecca Longbottom
	Councillor Ric Metcalfe
	Councillor Neil Murray
	Councillor Donald Nannestad
	Councillor Lucinda Preston
	Councillor Naomi Tweddle
	Councillor Pat Vaughan
	Councillor Calum Watt
	Councillor Joshua Wells
	Councillor Emily Wood
	Councillor Loraine Woolley

 

Amendments 1 to 3 were therefore declared lost.

 

Returning to the debate on the original motion, Councillor Clare Smalley proposed the following amendments:

 

Amendment 1 - Bus Shelter Improvement Programme

 

(a)  £20K to be allocated from the Corporate Repairs and Maintenance Reserve. This new programme will provide repairs, replacement and new installations where necessary across the city to City of Lincoln owned bus shelters. 

 

Amendment 2 - Pride in Lincoln Programme

 

(a)  £33K to be allocated from the Community Chest Fund. This funding will retain its community focus, but will empower Lincoln’s community by investing in targeted improvements. Funding would be allocated per member (£1K per member) and will allow local wards to invest directly in improvements to local communities, from installing new benches to making grants to community and voluntary organisations.

 

In proposing the amendments, Councillor Clare Smalley highlighted the disappointment in the proposed increase in Council Tax at a time where the Council may have used some resources and reserves to offer residents rest bite in the current climate. Councillor Martin Christopher seconded the proposal but reserved his right to speak.

 

During the discussion on the proposed amendments, the following points were noted:

 

• There had been numerous complaints received regarding bus shelter vandalisation and as such, the Conservatives would support the proposed amendments
• The revenue stream required for maintenance of bus shelters was a concern
• It was positive to encourage residents to use public transport to reduce congestion and carbon emissions
• It was commented that similar schemes in neighbouring authorities had worked well

 

Councillor Martin Christopher, who had reserved his right to speak, advised that an effective bus shelter improvement programme was important and a vital step for the Council. The use of public transport was essential in the achievement of net zero emissions by 2030. Bus shelters displayed the City of Lincoln Council logo upon them and as such, if a bus shelter fell into disrepair, there was the potential that the perception of the Council could be negatively affected. Referencing amendment 2, it was noted that a small pot of funding to represent a number of people individually was positive.

 

Councillor Ric Metcalfe, using his right to reply, advised that bus shelter in disrepair would require the deployment of considerable resource. The Council position was that there was not surplus funding within the corporate repairs and management revenue. The issue arose from a legacy element. It was not the City of Lincoln Council’s responsibility nor was a financial contribution possible. As a result of governance issues surrounding the dispensation of funding to small groups, amendment 2 would not be supported.

 

Having been proposed and seconded, the amendments were voted upon individually. In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 19.7, a recorded vote was taken for each amendment, the result of which were as follows:

 

Amendment 1:

 

For (10)	Against (21)	Abstention
Councillor Alan Briggs	Councillor Debbie Armiger
Councillor Martin Christopher	Councillor Biff Bean
Councillor David Clarkson	Councillor Chris Burke
Councillor Thomas Dyer	Councillor Sue Burke
Councillor Matthew Fido	Councillor Bob Bushell
Councillor Clare Smalley	Councillor Liz Bushell
Councillor Hilton Spratt	Councillor Gary Hewson
Councillor Mark Storer	Councillor Jackie Kirk
Councillor Rachel Storer	Councillor Rosanne Kirk
Councillor Edmund Strengiel	Councillor Jane Loffhagen
	Councillor Rebecca Longbottom
	Councillor Ric Metcalfe
	Councillor Neil Murray
	Councillor Donald Nannestad
	Councillor Lucinda Preston
	Councillor Naomi Tweddle
	Councillor Pat Vaughan
	Councillor Calum Watt
	Councillor Joshua Wells
	Councillor Emily Wood
	Councillor Loraine Woolley

 

Amendment 2:

 

For (10)	Against (21)	Abstention
Councillor Alan Briggs	Councillor Debbie Armiger
Councillor Martin Christopher	Councillor Biff Bean
Councillor David Clarkson	Councillor Chris Burke
Councillor Thomas Dyer	Councillor Sue Burke
Councillor Matthew Fido	Councillor Bob Bushell
Councillor Clare Smalley	Councillor Liz Bushell
Councillor Hilton Spratt	Councillor Gary Hewson
Councillor Mark Storer	Councillor Jackie Kirk
Councillor Rachel Storer	Councillor Rosanne Kirk
Councillor Edmund Strengiel	Councillor Jane Loffhagen
	Councillor Rebecca Longbottom
	Councillor Ric Metcalfe
	Councillor Neil Murray
	Councillor Donald Nannestad
	Councillor Lucinda Preston
	Councillor Naomi Tweddle
	Councillor Pat Vaughan
	Councillor Calum Watt
	Councillor Joshua Wells
	Councillor Emily Wood
	Councillor Loraine Woolley

 

Amendments 1 and 2 were therefore declared lost.

 

Council returned to the original motion.

 

Councillor Edmund Strengiel referred to the Western Growth Corridor development and the build of two bridges with a suggested budget of £20M. It was noted that the proposed budget would not be sufficient to build and construct two bridges, both over Beaver Street and Tritton Road. Councillor Strengiel requested clarification.

 

Councillor David Clarkson referred to the climate emergency declared by the City of Lincoln Council in July 2019 and the commitment to achievement of net zero emissions by 2030. The estimated cost of improvement of Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) of the Council’s housing stock was estimated to be circa £221.8M. The proposed MTFS had not proposed any provision for the cost to achieve net zero standards. Therefore, it was difficult to offer support for a budget that made no reference to a self-imposed target of 2030.

 

Councillor Neil Murray referred to the Western Growth Corridor development and the build of two bridges. Clarification was offered that one bridge was to be a pedestrian bridge. It was added that the Council had been inadequately funded since 2010 and cuts to budgets were necessary since that time. Recognition and gratitude was offered for funding for the Heritage Action Zone, Levelling up funding and Lincoln Town Deal funding.

 

Councillor Naomi Tweddle referred to the Lincoln Good Design Awards and the celebrations as part of the awards, of all the things the Council had achieved. The emergence from the Covid-19 pandemic had resulted in difficulties however investment was important, despite cuts to budgets. Lincoln had maintained delivery in spite of this. The Cornhill and Central Market were excellent examples of successes within the City.

 

Councillor Jane Loffhagen referred to the pride held for the City and the recognition that many town and city centres had become deprived in their appearance. There was many investment opportunities within the City as demonstrated by the Lincoln Town Deal programme. Referring to the Executives decision taken in February 2023, to disperse of Lincoln’s famous Christmas Market, Councillor Loffhagen reiterated that there was no decision to take in the face of the report received from the Safety Advisory Group.

 

Councillor Chris Burke referred to the Council’s fight to raise standards, especially demonstrated in the Sincil Bank area. Lincoln was a City we should all be proud of.

 

Councillor Lucinda Preston referred to Council’s positive impact upon the City. She noted that maintenance, development and improvement of parks was important and the City Council worked hard daily. Her tributes were offered to all officers.

 

Councillor Hilton Spratt echoes comments from Councillor Lucinda Preston. The regeneration works to the City Centre had made Lincoln a better place to be both a tourist and resident. He offered his thanks to officers for their hard work. Recognition was given to the national issues identified in the proposed MTFS however it was important to recognise and acknowledge international issues such as Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine.

 

Councillor Matthew Fido referred to the positivity that had occurred with the City. Residents expected the best from elected Members and a collaborative approach was positive.

 

Councillor Calum Watt referred to the MTFS and clarified that the proposal had been carefully considered and well thought out.

 

Councillor Ric Metcalfe, using his right of reply, referred to the previous thirteen years of austerity experienced which had necessitated budget cuts of circa £10M. Capacity had been affected however officers and members had done an extraordinary job maintaining service delivery despite significant cuts to budget.

 

Referring to Councillor Edmund Strengiel’s comments, it was unknown if the budget of £20M for the bridges planned as part of the Western Growth Corridor development would be sufficient.

 

Referring to Councillor David Clarkson’s comments, confirmation was given that the Council had an ambition to decarbonise. It was important to consider and attempt the impossible. The urgency compelled the Council’s commitment to achievement as quickly as possible. A considerable number of the Council’s housing stock was already reasonably well insulated and as such, we had begun from a positive point in the Council’s ambitions.

 

Having been proposed and seconded, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 19.7, a recorded vote was taken, the result of which was as follows:

 

For (21)	Against (10)	Abstention
Councillor Debbie Armiger	Councillor Alan Briggs
Councillor Biff Bean	Councillor Martin Christopher
Councillor Chris Burke	Councillor David Clarkson
Councillor Sue Burke	Councillor Thomas Dyer
Councillor Bob Bushell	Councillor Matthew Fido
Councillor Liz Bushell	Councillor Clare Smalley
Councillor Gary Hewson	Councillor Hilton Spratt
Councillor Jackie Kirk	Councillor Mark Storer
Councillor Rosanne Kirk	Councillor Rachel Storer
Councillor Jane Loffhagen	Councillor Edmund Strengiel
Councillor Rebecca Longbottom
Councillor Ric Metcalfe
Councillor Neil Murray
Councillor Donald Nannestad
Councillor Lucinda Preston
Councillor Naomi Tweddle
Councillor Pat Vaughan
Councillor Calum Watt
Councillor Joshua Wells
Councillor Emily Wood
Councillor Loraine Woolley

 

The motion was declared carried.

 

It was therefore RESOLVED that the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2023-2028 and the Capital Strategy 2023-2028, including the following elements, be approved:

 

·       The Council was a member of the Lincolnshire Business Rates pool in 2023/24.

 

·       The General Fund Revenue Forecast 2023/24-2027/28, as shown in Appendix 1 to the report, and the main basis of which this budget had been calculated (as set out in paragraph 4 of the report).

 

·       The General Investment Programme 2023/24-2027/28, as shown in Appendix 2 of the report, and the main basis on which the programme had been calculated.

 

·       The Housing Revenue Account Forecast 2023/24-2027/28, as shown in Appendix 3 of the report, and the main basis on which this budget had been calculated (as set out in paragraph 5).

 

·       The Housing Investment Programme 2023/24-2027/28, as shown in Appendix 4 of the report, and the main basis on which this budget had been calculated (as set out in paragraph 7).

 

(Proceedings adjourned at 20:37)