The Growth Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to discuss capital repairs and maintenance funding, the Business Lincolnshire Growth Hub's performance, and the implications of the government budget for Lincolnshire's growth programme. The committee will also review its work programme for the coming year.

2026/27 Capital Repairs and Maintenance Funding

The committee will be invited to consider a report regarding the 2026/27 Capital Repairs and Maintenance Funding, before a decision by the Executive on 6 January 2026. The report pack includes the full report to the Executive, which details how the Facilities Management (FM) service supports the council's operational estate and ensures compliance with statutory obligations.

The report to the Executive notes that the Capital Repairs and Maintenance (R&M) programme aims to ensure timely repairs to preserve property asset condition and provide safe environments. The programme covers both Lincolnshire County Council maintained schools and non-school assets, with a proposed budget limit of £3.5 million for each in 2026/27.

The report pack states that VINCI Facilities, the FM service provider, conducts condition surveys on a rolling five-year programme, and the results inform the Capital R&M programmes. The works are prioritised using a risk-mitigation based approach, considering legal compliance, health and safety, building fabric, and condition survey categorisation.

The report pack includes provisional schemes, with the caveat that adaptations may be required to manage emergent issues. The condition survey uses a classification structure that prioritises items based on their current condition and timescale rating, from A (good) to D (bad) and 1 (urgent) to 4 (future planning).

The report to the Executive also notes that a reserve list of activities is maintained, valued at £0.282m for schools and £2.9m for non-schools. These activities may be moved forward if funding allows or if conditions worsen. The report pack states that there is also provision for urgent issues to be addressed within the year to maintain legal compliance and safety standards.

The report to the Executive states that individual schemes are delivered by VINCI under the New Engineering Contract 4th edition (NEC4), using local and national contractors. More complex projects are commissioned via the Corporate Property Capital Delivery team. The report pack states that best value for money is considered for all schemes, and the NEC4 Framework provides a structured approach to cost control and risk management.

The report to the Executive notes that the non-schools programme has an allocation of £0.465m for accessibility works, asbestos management, and essential maintenance for County Farms. The report pack states that the £3.5m allocation for non-school repairs and maintenance is insufficient to address all identified activities, requiring a further £8.5m of capital investment to complete all essential repairs with condition ratings of C1 or worse. The schools programme is funded via the Schools Condition Allocation (SCA) from the Department of Education (DfE).

The report to the Executive states that the Capital Repairs and Maintenance Programme has been assessed for its impact on individuals with protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010, and it advances equality by ensuring inclusive and accessible facilities. The programme also contributes to the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy (JHWS) by ensuring Council-owned properties remain safe and fit for purpose.

Business Lincolnshire Annual Performance and Future Business Support Landscape

The committee will be invited to review and comment on the annual performance of Business Lincolnshire Growth Hub and the future business support landscape. The report pack includes a report stating that Business Lincolnshire aims to serve the support needs of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) by raising awareness of business support, providing a doorway to support across all providers, and delivering activities that meet local needs.

The report pack states that the Business Lincolnshire Growth Hub has provided advisory support to more than 900 businesses this year and is confident of hitting its target of assisting 1700 by the end of the financial year.

The report pack states that a new website has been created to meet service users' expectations, with interactive tools, easy navigation, and video content. Customer satisfaction is reportedly high at 93%. The report pack notes that the main reason for dissatisfaction among the remaining 7% was a lack of grant support.

The report pack states that although future funding from the Department for Business and Trade for Growth Hub operations has been confirmed, additional grant support for business support delivery activity from April 2026 is uncertain, and the team are exploring different delivery options.

The report pack states that between 1 April 2025 and 30 September 2025, Business Lincolnshire received 1027 enquiries from businesses and 278 enquiries from individuals. The report pack notes that over half of enquiries come via the Business Lincolnshire email address, with the Business Lincolnshire website enquiry form the next most popular route.

The report pack states that the www.businesslincolnshire.com website is an important tool to support wide engagement and access new clients. The report pack notes that a new and improved website was launched in late August, featuring a modern look and improved navigation. The report pack also mentions the 'Growth Bot' AI search tool, which answers user queries by scanning site content.

The report pack states that Business Lincolnshire is active on social media, with a total audience of 11,611 across X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. The report pack also notes that the bi-weekly business newsletter has 5,729 subscribers with an open rate above 50%.

The report pack includes an independent evaluation report highlighting that 93% of respondents were satisfied with the quality of the service, and 92% were likely to recommend the service. The report pack notes that the most common reason for negative feedback is where businesses seek larger grants to support growth.

The report pack states that for 2026-27, a tiered delivery model has been developed, which can be tailored and flexed dependent on the levels of funding that might be announced and the strategic and thematic priorities. The report pack notes that this model prioritises start-up and general advice as a core delivery service at Tier 1.

The report pack states that Business Lincolnshire undertakes an ongoing review of the specialist services available to ensure they are meeting the needs of businesses. The report pack notes that there is consistently high demand for AI support, and strong demand for support in Leadership and Management topics.

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

The committee will be invited to consider and comment on the Service Level Performance reporting against the Performance Framework 2025-26 as at Quarter 2. The report pack includes a report summarising the performance, noting that one measure exceeded its target, none achieved their target, and two measures did not meet their target.

The report pack states that the Economic Development Service has supported 1,769 businesses in 2025/26 Quarter 2, exceeding the target of 1,469. The report pack notes that the Business Lincolnshire Growth Hub supported 516 businesses in Quarter 2, and enhancements to the business support offer have been commissioned.

The report pack states that the Inward Investment Service supported 75 businesses in Quarter 2, and the Made Smarter Programme supported 10 businesses. The report pack also notes that the UK Food Valley Team supported 25 businesses, the Greater Lincolnshire Careers Hub supported 30 businesses, and Skills Bootcamps supported 66 businesses.

The report pack states that the Economic Infrastructure Business Accommodation Portfolio has 231 leasehold properties with 240,485 square feet of lettable floor space. The report pack notes that at the end of Quarter 2, 144 tenants were receiving accommodation support, and 28 businesses received additional support during the quarter.

The report pack states that the number of Qualifications achieved by adults at the end of 2025/2026 Quarter 2 was 574, behind the target of 942. The report pack notes that Lincolnshire typically receives around £11 million of Adult Skills funding, but Lincolnshire County Council's (LCC) allocation in 2025/26 is just under £3 million.

The report pack states that additional £1,780,926 of external funding attracted to Lincolnshire was received at the end of 2025/2026 Quarter 2, bringing the total for the year to date to £3,389,588, below the target of £5,300,000. The report pack includes a breakdown of the funding received.

Government Budget - Presentation on Implications for Lincolnshire's Growth Programme

Justin Brown, Assistant Director – Growth, is scheduled to present a verbal report on the implications of HM Government's Budget on Lincolnshire's Growth Programme. Members will be invited to comment on the implications.

Growth Scrutiny Committee Work Programme

Kiara Chatziioannou, Scrutiny Officer, is scheduled to present a report to enable the committee to comment on its work programme for the coming year. Members will be invited to highlight any additional scrutiny activity for consideration.

The report pack includes a table outlining the scheduled items for the Growth Scrutiny Committee meetings on 27 January 2026 and 24 March 2026, as well as 12 May 2026.

The report pack also includes a list of topics to be programmed, including a Federation of Small Businesses update, a review of town centre improvements, an Advanced Manufacturing Centre Scheme Appraisal, a County Farms Estate Strategy, and Service Level Performance Reporting against the Performance Framework 2025 - 2026 Quarter 4.

The report pack includes the forward plan, which lists decisions relating to the Growth Scrutiny Committee, including a Defence Sector Incubator Space, an Agri-tech sector facility, Fairfield Industrial Estate, 2026/27 Capital Repairs and Maintenance Funding, Service Budget Proposals 2026/27, and a Coastal Car Park Strategy.