The Executive of Lincolnshire Council met on Tuesday 3 February 2026 to discuss the future of the Integrated Lifestyle Service (ILS), with a decision made to support the recommendation to the Executive to dissolve the service. The council also considered its budget for 2026/27, approving initial proposals subject to further consultation and scrutiny, and discussed updates to the Lincolnshire Minerals and Waste Development Scheme and Statement of Community Involvement.

Integrated Lifestyle Service - Future Arrangements

The committee considered a report inviting them to consider future arrangements for the Integrated Lifestyle Service (ILS) before a decision by the Executive on 3 February 2026. The ILS provides integrated support for individuals seeking to stop smoking, increase physical activity, and manage weight and alcohol intake. While independently valued as a positive investment, the council is facing budget challenges. National funding changes necessitate that grants relating to smoking cessation must total £29 million, which will be uprated with inflation. This means Lincolnshire must have a smoking cessation service, or funding will be provided to another organisation. Officers proposed economies from other ILS elements, with funding redistributed to child-focused preventative schemes. The ILS contract is proposed to be extended to the end of March 2027, with funding reallocated to the Best Start Lincolnshire Service.

During a lengthy debate, councillors raised concerns about the impact on existing service users, the potential loss of weight management, physical activity, and alcohol reduction services, and the risk to £500,000 of funding from NHS Lincolnshire. Arguments for the proposal centred on the need to prioritise children's services and the belief that residents could be guided towards making better lifestyle choices themselves. Councillor Woolley highlighted that a public consultation showed overwhelming public and stakeholder support for retaining the ILS, expressing confusion at the decision to move funding to children's services despite pre-existing funding arrangements. Councillor Clegg responded that while it was a consultation, it also noted the benefit of providing public health services to young people and families, which would be prioritised. He reiterated that smoking cessation and falls prevention were not being dispensed with, and that investing in children was important.

Ultimately, the committee voted to support the recommendation to the Executive as detailed in the report. However, a recorded vote was taken, with the recommendation carried by 6 votes to 5. A subsequent vote on whether to submit the committee's comments to the Executive for its consideration was lost by 5 votes to 6.

Council Budget 2026/27

The Executive considered an updated Council Budget proposal for 2026/27, which was substantively the same as the initial proposal considered on 6 January 2026, with minor adjustments. The report highlighted the challenging budget environment due to the late national settlement timing and ongoing fair funding review. Key points included the funding simplification of specific grants into core funding, a net benefit of £36 million for Lincolnshire County Council in 2026/27, and a phased transition over three years. The consultation modelling assumed a council tax increase limit of 4.99% without a referendum, but this remains a local decision for the full council. Savings and efficiencies are being developed alongside significant demand and inflation pressures across Adults and Children's Services.

The Executive resolved to approve the budget requirement, savings, cost pressures, draft capital programme, and Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2025/26 as initial proposals, subject to further consultation and scrutiny. They noted the assumption of a 4.99% council tax increase and that different options are being considered. The Executive also noted the potential for further refinements to the budget proposal due to the timing of the settlement and funding reforms. Their position on precept setting and the consequent use of reserves for the 2026/27 budget was reserved pending further consultation, scrutiny, and final funding announcements. The carrying out of consultation and scrutiny on the initial proposals was approved.

Updates to the Lincolnshire Minerals and Waste Development Scheme and Statement of Community Involvement

The Executive considered a report inviting them to consider and approve the revised Minerals and Waste Local Plan timetable and revised Lincolnshire Statement of Community Involvement. The County Council has a statutory responsibility to plan for future minerals supply and waste management through a Minerals and Waste Local Plan. The current plan needs updating to reflect revised timetables and new planning requirements, including biodiversity net gain and mandatory housing targets. The revised MWDS sets out a three-year work programme (2025-2027) covering consultation to adoption. The Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) also requires updating as it is over five years old. The Environment Scrutiny Committee supported the recommendations, noting pressures from prescribed timetables and a shortage of experienced planning officers. They were assured that the SCI aims for inclusive engagement, and that the MWDS has no direct equality impacts. The Executive resolved to approve the revised MWDS and SCI, and delegated authority to the Head of Planning to make minor changes before publication.

Engagement Strategy 2026-2030

The Executive considered a revised Engagement Strategy for 2026-2030, which aims to place the community at the heart of decision-making and service delivery. The strategy updates previous approaches to ensure compliance with current legislation and best practice. The Community Safety Scrutiny Committee supported the recommendations, noting that engagement levels in Lincolnshire are comparable to other counties and that the Let's Talk Lincolnshire platform has seen significant growth. They were assured that AI is used to support thematic analysis of responses, but human oversight remains central. The strategy aims to build trust and accountability through transparent communication and timely feedback. The Executive resolved to consider and support the draft Council Plan, recommending it to the Council for approval, and delegated authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Community Engagement, to make any necessary amendments or design changes.

Council Plan 2026-2031

The Executive considered a draft Council Plan for 2026-2031, which will replace the existing Corporate Strategy and form part of the Council's Policy Framework. The plan has been shaped by discussions with Members, the Corporate Leadership Team, and Directorate Leadership Teams, informed by a wide evidence base. The Executive resolved to consider and support the draft Council Plan, recommending it to the Council for approval on 20 February 2026. Authority was delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Community Engagement, to make any necessary amendments or design changes before the Council meeting.

Director of Public Health Annual Report 2025 - The Public Health Case for Quality Employment

The Executive received the Director of Public Health's Annual Report for 2025, which focuses on the critical relationship between employment and health. The report highlights the scale of the challenge in Lincolnshire, the impact of poor-quality work and worklessness on population health, and opportunities for cross-sector action. It calls for expanding supported employment schemes, removing wider barriers to work, providing effective health services, encouraging employers to plan for workforce health, and raising awareness of the benefits of good work. The Executive resolved to approve the publication of the Annual DPH Report to the Lincolnshire County Council's website following the inclusion of any further comments or changes specified by the Executive.