The Council approved the adoption of the Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles (Policy) 2025-2028, noted the Equality Journal April 2023 to March 2024, noted and approved the Prudential and Local Indicators and the actual performance against the Treasury Management Strategy 2024/25 for the half-year ended 30 September 2024, approved the establishment of a District Joint Committee of the Lincolnshire Districts for the purposes of devolution, and resolved to hold an extraordinary meeting on 17 December 2024 to award the Freedom of the City to Rob Bradley. A motion to consult on bringing back a safe and sustainable Lincoln Christmas Market was defeated.

Christmas Market

A motion was proposed requesting that the Executive consult with local businesses, stallholders and residents to consider the possibility of bringing back the Lincoln Christmas Market. The market was cancelled by the Executive in February 2023, and replaced with a year-round programme of events. It was argued that the vast majority of residents of Lincoln had moved on from the Christmas Market , and that alternative events like Lincoln Live, the Ice Trail, the Festival of History, Monsters Invasion, Lincoln Pride and the Steam Punk event had brought visitors to Lincoln throughout the year. However, supporters of the motion pointed out that the Lincoln Christmas Market had generated millions of pounds for the local economy, and that the same level of visitors was not being drawn in by the year-round events programme . Concerns about the safety of the event, and the fact that Christmas Markets were now subject to VAT and business rates were highlighted as reasons why the market should not return. The motion was defeated.

Two Child Benefit Cap

The meeting discussed a letter that was sent to the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 22 November 2024 regarding the impact of the Two Child Benefit Cap on Lincoln residents. The letter urged the Chancellor to lift the cap when the financial position allows and highlighted the fact that Lincoln’s employment rate is 73.5% and that over 22,000 residents are in receipt of Universal Credit.

Empty Stalls at Cornhill Market

Councillor James Brown asked Councillor Joshua Wells about the number of empty stalls at Lincoln Cornhill Market. Councillor Wells reported that there had been six vacant stalls in the market from May to September, increasing to nine since then. He reported that The Council was working with a number of businesses who had expressed an interest in the market, but they were not quite ready to make the leap.

Homelessness in Lincoln

Councillor Clare Smalley asked Councillor Donald Nannestad if he could provide an update on the situation of homelessness in Lincoln with an assurance that no one will be homeless on the streets this Christmas? Councillor Nannestad said that the Council was actively engaging with those rough sleeping or at risk of rough sleeping, and that temporary accommodation was provided to those that were in priority need or under a rough sleeping power. It was noted that some people had complex needs and chose to rough sleep.

District Joint Committee - Greater Lincolnshire Devolution

The Council discussed the formation of a District Joint Committee, consisting of members from seven Lincolnshire district councils. The Committee would be responsible for nominating four district member representatives to sit on the Greater Lincolnshire Mayoral Combined County Authority (MCCA), which will oversee the allocation of £720 million of funding to Greater Lincolnshire as part of the devolution deal. It was resolved that Councillor Naomi Tweddle, Leader of the Council, be appointed to the committee, and that the Chief Executive and Town Clerk and the City Solicitor be given authority to review or amend the Committee's terms of reference.

Gambling Act 2005

The meeting approved the adoption of a new Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles Policy, covering the period 2025-2028. The policy sets out how the Council will respond to applications for new gambling licences. It requires applicants to produce a local risk assessment that takes into account issues like high levels of crime and disorder, the presence of children, and whether there is a prevalence of street drinking in the area . The Policy also sets out the Council's expectations with regards to safeguarding, in particular stating that stringent safeguarding measures should be in place to prevent under-18s from accessing adult gambling activities.

Green Flag Award for Hope Wood

The Portfolio Holder for Remarkable Place, Councillor Bob Bushell, reported that Hope Wood had been awarded a Green Flag Award. The rewilded area of land off Newark Road now joins the Arboretum, Boultham Park and Hartsholme Country Park as Green Flag parks in Lincoln. Councillor Bushell also announced that he would be exploring the possibility of working in partnership with Lincolnshire County Council’s Probation Service to utilise the community payback scheme in removing graffiti from the City.

Revenues and Benefits

Councillor Naomi Tweddle, Leader of the Council, reported that the Council’s financial outturn for 2023/24 was a small underspend, despite the challenging financial pressures faced by the Council . She attributed this to the hard work of officers and exceptional financial management .

Freedom of the City

The Council resolved to hold an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday 17 December 2024 to award the Freedom of the City to Rob Bradley. The report nominating Mr Bradley for the award highlighted his lifelong support of Lincoln City Football Club and his work as Chair of Lincolnshire Cricket Ltd (commonly known as Lincolnshire Cricket Board).