This week, South Kesteven District Council (SKDC) are meeting on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to discuss Culture and Tourism, Planning, and more.

Tuesday, February 28

On the agenda is:

Announcements or updates from the Leader of the Council, Cabinet Members or the Head of Paid Service

Verbal presentation from the Chief Executive of Destination Lincolnshire

Update on Heritage Action Zone shop front improvements in Grantham - The purpose of this report is to provide a progress update on the Grantham High Street Heritage Action Zone scheme and summary information on the Academy of Urbanism 'Great Town' Award 2022 and the Arts Fund 'Reimagine' Grant programme.

Arts Service Transitional Funding (Verbal Update)

Sport and Physical Activity Strategy Action Plan six-monthly update - To provide an update on the progress and delivery of the Sport and Physical Activity Strategy.

Performance of LeisureSK Ltd - To provide an update to the Culture and Visitor Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the performance of LeisureSK Ltd against the leisure management contract objectives.

Work Programme 2022-2023 - To consider the Committee's Work Programme for 2022-2023.

Any other business which the Chairman, by reason of special circumstances decides is urgent

Wednesday, February 29

On the agenda is:

Communications (including Chairman's Announcements)

Budget Proposals for 2023/24 and indicative budgets for 2024/25 and 2025/26

The Council is required to set a balanced budget and agree the level of Council Tax for 2023/24 and this report contains a summary of the proposals that have been considered for inclusion. The proposals were considered and scrutinised in detail by the Budget Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 9 January 2023. The budget proposals were considered by Cabinet on 10 January and 7 February 2023 and the final proposals are included in this report.

Pay Policy Statement 2023-2024 - This statement summarises current policies and arrangements already in place relating to pay – as such the Pay Policy Statement is one of fact. The Pay Policy Statement is presented each year to Council as part of the budget setting and approval process.

Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) Update - To seek approval from Council to accept the grant from the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) which has been made available from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. If accepted the funding will support the delivery through the purchase of 21 new homes in the District to meet short, medium and long-term housing need.

Appointment of Deputy Electoral Registration Officers - To consider the appointment of three Deputy Electoral Registration Officers

Proposed Amendments to the Constitution - This report provides Full Council with an opportunity to consider recommendations from the Constitution Committee meeting held on 14 February 2023.

Proposed Amendments to the Constitution - This report provides Full Council with an opportunity to consider recommendations from the Constitution Committee meetings held in October and December 2022.

Community Governance Review for Grantham - To report the outcome of the additional consultation exercise undertaken and consider recommendations from the Community Governance Review Working Group regarding the proposed creation of a Parish Council for Grantham.

Members' Open Questions - 45-minute period in which members may ask questions of the Leader, Cabinet Members, the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees and opposition group leaders excluding the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Planning Committee, Licensing and Alcohol, Entertainment and Late Night Refreshment Licensing Committees and Governance and Audit Committee.

Councillor Amanda Wheeler to address - Proportional Representation:

• The UK's current voting system (known as First Past the Post) originated when land-owning aristocrats dominated parliament and voting was restricted to property-owning men.
• Currently in Europe, only the UK and authoritarian Belarus still use the archaic single-round FPTP for general elections. Meanwhile, internationally, Proportional Representation (PR) is used to elect parliaments in more than 80 countries. These countries tend to be more equal, freer and greener. Under PR, MPs and Parliaments better reflect the age, gender and protected characteristics of local communities and the nation. MPs better reflecting their communities leads to improved decision-making, wider participation and increased levels of ownership of decisions taken.
• Proportional Representation ensures all votes count, have equal value, and those seats won match votes cast.
• PR would also end minority rule. In 2019, 43.6% of the vote produced a government with 56.2% of the seats and 100% of the power.
• PR is already used to elect the parliaments and assemblies of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. So why not Westminster?
• South Kesteven District Council therefore resolves to write to Government calling for a change in our outdated electoral laws to enable Proportional Representation to be used for general elections.

Thursday, February 28

On the agenda is:

Application S22/0683 Proposal:

Demolition of existing buildings and erection of 41 unit retirement living facility, car parking spaces, access, landscaping and ancillary development

Land off Priory Road, Stamford

To authorise the Assistant Director – Planning to grant planning permission, subject to conditions and completion of a Section 106 Agreement.

Application S22/2073 Proposal:

Residential development comprising the erection of four detached dwellings and renovation/enlargement of existing dwelling

The Gables, Honington Road, Barkston, Lincolnshire, NG32 2NG

To authorise the Assistant Director of Planning to GRANT planning permission, subject to conditions

Application S22/1718 Proposal:

Outline application for redevelopment of site for mixed use development comprising of Class C3(a) (Residential) and Class E(c)(ii) (Office) (Appearance, Layout and Scale for Approval)

Ross Thain & Co LTD, Belton Street, Stamford

To authorise the Assistant Director to GRANT planning permission, subject to conditions and completion of a Section 106 Agreement.

Application S22/1567

Erection of four detached bungalows

Land at 255 Harrowby Lane, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 9TT

To authorise the Assistant Director of Planning to GRANT planning permission, subject to conditions

Application S22/2287 Proposal:

Erection of a single-storey flat roof extension to rear elevation

following demolition of existing conservatory 51 Stanley Street, Bourne, Lincolnshire, PE10 9BJ

To authorise the Assistant Director of Planning to GRANT planning permission, subject to conditions

All of these meetings are subject to change,