The Children's and Culture Scrutiny Committee are scheduled to meet to discuss a range of topics, including the Culture Service's activity and impact, an update on the Lincoln Museum redevelopment, performance reporting, supported accommodation for young people, and a roof replacement at Boston Hawthorn Tree Primary School. The committee will also have the opportunity to review and comment on its work programme. As the meeting is in the future, it is not possible to determine whether these topics will be discussed, or what decisions will be made.

Young People's Supported Accommodation

The committee will be invited to consider a report on young people's supported accommodation, ahead of a decision by the Executive Councillor for Children's Services, Councillor Natalie Oliver, between 15 and 19 December 2025. The report, titled Young People's Supported Accommodation - Executive Report, considers proposals for young people's supported accommodation from April 2027.

The report highlights that county councils in England have statutory responsibilities for providing supported accommodation for vulnerable young people, particularly those aged 16-17 who are in care or homeless, and to support care leavers aged 18+ to access suitable accommodation.

The report states that in Lincolnshire, there are currently a range of supported accommodation options for young people:

• Lincolnshire County Council provided supported accommodation in Grantham and Gainsborough
• Supported Lodgings in family/home-based settings (to be insourced to the Council from Barnardo's by January 2026)
• A commissioned Youth Housing Service
• Independent Supported Accommodation (ISA) commissioned from providers where the capacity above cannot be used or an out of area placement is needed.

The report sets out a review of Lincolnshire's supported accommodation needs for young people, and puts forward an updated service model, and different delivery/commissioning options.

Children in Care Transformation - Step Forward Children's Home

The committee will be invited to consider a report on the Children in Care (CiC) Transformation – Step Forward Children's Home, prior to a decision by the Executive Councillor for Resources, Councillor T C Catton, and Councillor Natalie Oliver between 8 and 19 December 2025. The report, titled Children in Care Transformation - Step Forward Childrens Home - Exec Report, seeks approval for utilising £750,000 in capital funding to develop a two-bed Step Forward Children's Home.

The proposed home will offer short-term, therapeutic care to support children who need the care of the local authority, aiming to stabilise placements, prevent escalation to high-cost residential care, and support reunification or transition to family-based settings.

The report states that the proposal aligns with the council's strategic priorities to reduce statutory interventions, improve placement sufficiency, and enhance outcomes for children and young people, while delivering significant cost avoidance and ensuring compliance with legal requirements.

Boston Hawthorn Tree Primary School - Roof Replacement

The committee will be invited to consider a report on the Boston Hawthorn Tree Primary School Roof Replacement, prior to a decision by Councillor T C Catton and Councillor Natalie Oliver between 10 and 19 December 2025. The report, titled Boston Hawthorn Tree Primary School - Roof replacement, sets out the case for replacing the flat roofs at Boston Hawthorn Tree Primary School, which have reached the end of their serviceable life.

The report notes that a full flat roof replacement is the only practical long-term solution, and that it will prevent future structural issues, reduce ongoing maintenance costs, improve energy efficiency, and ensure the school remains a safe and functional learning environment.

The works form part of the council's 2025/26 Schools Capital Repairs and Maintenance Programme and have been prioritised due to the urgency and scale of deterioration.

Culture Service Activity and Impact

The committee will be invited to review a report from Nicole Hilton, Assistant Director – Communities, and Will Mason, Head of Culture, which provides an overview of the activity and impact delivered by the Culture Service. The report, titled Culture Service Activity and Impact, notes that Lincolnshire County Council's Culture Service delivers heritage, library and archives services, driving tourism, connecting communities, creating lasting economic benefits and delivering cultural value.

The report states that the heritage visitor attractions have an economic impact of nearly £15 million per year on the local economy, and that the library service provides social value of over £25 million per year, through improvements in personal wellbeing, quality of life, increased educational attainment and reduced medical service usage.

The report also notes that Lincolnshire County Council's cultural enterprise model ensures that culture-based products and services generate a surplus which is then used to ensure long-term sustainability and value for money.

Lincoln Museum Redevelopment Project Update

The committee will be invited to review a report from Nicole Hilton, Will Mason, James Sharple, Business Transformation Manager – Culture, and Charlotte Lane, Culture Service Manager, which provides an update on the Lincoln Museum refresh project. The report, titled Lincoln Museum Redevelopment Project Update, notes that in February 2025, Culture Services presented a Scheme Appraisal and recommendation for the approval to proceed with the main works for the Lincoln Museum Redevelopment to the then Leader of Lincolnshire County Council. This recommendation was approved on 7 March 2025, and as a result, Culture Services entered into a main works contract with the appointed contractor 'The Creative Core Group Ltd'.

The report states that since receiving formal approval, the redevelopment has made progress, marking a transformative phase for the project. The report provides an overview of the actions undertaken, highlighting the progress achieved to date, and sets out the upcoming key milestones and strategic plans that will guide the project through to successful completion, increasing the profile of Lincolnshire's heritage, and strengthening Lincoln Museum as a key player within the heritage sector.

Service Level Performance Reporting against the Performance Framework 2025-26 as at Quarter 2

The committee will be invited to review a report from Jo Kavanagh, Assistant Director – Early Help, and Nicole Hilton, which provides a summary of the Children's and Culture Service Level Performance reporting against the Success Framework 2025-26 for Quarter 2. The report, titled Service Level Performance Reporting against the Performance Framework 2025-26 as at Quarter 2, details the Service Level Performance measures for the Children's and Culture Scrutiny Committee that can be reported as at Quarter 2.

The report notes that of the measures:

• 6 exceeded their target
• 2 achieved their target
• 5 did not meet their target

Special Guardianship Order Procedure

The committee will be invited to consider a report from Nicola Brangam, Head of Service – Fostering and Adoption, which invites the committee to consider the Special Guardianship Order Procedure, prior to a decision by the Executive on 6 January 2026. The report, titled Special Guardianship Order Procedure - Scrutiny Covering Report, notes that the Special Guardianship Order route is the main route for children to safely exit care from this local authority.

The report states that a review of the Special Guardianship Order procedure has been undertaken to ensure full legal compliance in line with both statutory and Local Government Ombudsman findings. The report makes recommendations for the Special Guardianship Financial Procedure.

Children's and Culture Scrutiny Committee Work Programme

The committee will be invited to consider a report from Tracy Johnson, Senior Scrutiny Officer, which enables the committee to consider and comment on the contents of its work programme to ensure that its scrutiny activity is focused where it can be of greatest benefit.