The Public Protection and Communities Scrutiny Committee met on Tuesday 25 June 2024 to review reports on a number of services and to scrutinise the work of the Safer Lincolnshire Partnership.

Councillors endorsed reports on the Coronial Service, the Registration and Celebratory Service, and Voluntary Center Services, and requested updates in 12 months.

They also reviewed the Safer Lincolnshire Partnership Annual Report 23/24 and the work of Safer Lincolnshire Partnership's Lincolnshire Womens Strategy.

HM Senior Coroner Annual Report

The HM Senior Coroner Annual Report for 2023 was presented by Paul Smith, His Majesty's Senior Coroner for greater Lincolnshire. The report detailed a 9% fall in the number of deaths referred to the coroner, which Mr Smith attributed to the service's efforts to reduce the backlog of cases more than 12 months old. The number of such cases fell from 99 in early 2023 to 27 by the end of the year. Mr Smith argued that, When one deducts from that figure, the number of cases which are stayed as a matter of law awaiting criminal process, those which require a jury and the involvement of the health and safety executive, etc., I can advise the committee that we are comfortably within the threshold allowed or permitted by the Chief Coroner.

Councillors raised concerns about the relatively high proportion of deaths by 'accident' recorded by the service. In response, Mr Smith suggested that the difference in the percentage of 'accidental deaths' between Lincolnshire and the national average was less significant in real terms than it appeared. He explained, If we were achieving an accident figure of 24 per cent, we would probably be talking about reallocating 50 cases, one a week. Mr Smith went on to suggest that Lincolnshire's demographic profile, with a higher than average number of care homes, might also contribute to the difference.

Mr Smith also discussed the challenges facing the service as a result of the merger with North and North East Lincolnshire Coronial Service on April 1 2024. The merger saw the Lincolnshire service inherit around 600 cases, many of which were more than 12 months old, and Mr Smith explained that the service was working through integrating these cases while also working to integrate the two services' IT systems. He was confident that the expanded service would soon be able to achieve the same level of performance as the pre-merger Lincolnshire service.

Voluntary Sector Annual Position Report

Ben Rollicks, Chief Executive of Voluntary Center Services, presented the Voluntary Sector Annual Position Report.

The report set out the work the organisation undertakes to support volunteers and community groups in Lincolnshire, and highlighted the success of their volunteer matching service, which had seen a 50% increase in the number of volunteers placed.

Mr Rollicks told the meeting that VCS had supported 2,191 volunteers in the county over the past year, and argued that the impact of their work was significant. He said, During the last year we've argued the impact of volunteering through social value, [at] around £2 million.

The report also set out VCS's priorities for the coming year, which included the development of a Lincolnshire Vision for Volunteering, and increased outreach work, particularly in areas where VCS do not regularly operate.

Responding to a question from Councillor Alison Sploutwright, Mr Rollicks said that the recent Lincolnshire Volunteering Conference had been a success. He said, We had about 80 people that attended from Lincolnshire. We had some national speakers. Really pleasing for roles, about two thirds of those people that attended the Lincolnshire volunteering conference weren't organisations that regularly were part of our network so actually it was good that we could broaden the reach there and engage with new organisations that are, have a hosting volunteers or keen on hosting volunteers going forward.

Registration and Celebratory Services Annual Report

The Registration and Celebratory Services Annual Report was presented by James Chappell, Head of Registration Celebratory and Coroner's Services.

The report set out the performance of Lincolnshire's Registration Service over the past year, highlighting that while the total number of births and deaths registered in the county had fallen slightly, the service had continued to make progress on improving its digital offering.

Mr Chappell told the meeting that the service was on target to meet the national target for registering births within 42 days, and pointed out that over 80% of all registration appointments were now booked online. He also highlighted the introduction of a new online payment system for ceremonies which had seen a take-up rate of 90%.

Mr Chappell also discussed the forthcoming move of the Lincoln Register Office to Orchard House in 2025. He explained that the move would allow the service to offer, a more modern environment for registration activity to take place and an improved offering for ceremonies.

Mr Chappell also discussed the impact of planned national legislative changes to registration services. In particular, he explained that the introduction of the Statutory Medical Examiner scheme in September 2024 would mean changes to the way death certificates are processed, and that the Electronic Burial Assessment Registers and Telephone Registrations Bill, currently progressing through Parliament, would, if passed, allow people to register deaths by telephone. He said, This is still working through the parliamentary process but will provide residents with an option to undertake registration events either face to face or over the telephone. No date has been set by the General Register Office for this to come in but this is likely to start with deaths first followed by birth registrations at a later date.

Responding to a question from Councillor Mrs Clark about the possibility of fraud under a telephone registration system, Mr Chappell said that while there were always risks, the registration service would continue to operate the same checks and balances regardless of how registrations were conducted.

Safer Lincolnshire Partnership Annual Report 2023-24

The Safer Lincolnshire Partnership Annual Report 2023-24 was presented by Zoe Waters, the partnership's Business Manager. The report set out the work that the partnership has done over the past twelve months on its four strategic priorities: reducing anti-social behaviour, reducing reoffending, tackling serious violence, and preventing crime and disorder.

Councillor Mrs Clark asked Ms Waters about the Partnership's work on tackling problems with noxious odours, and in particular how the recently introduced noxious odours procedure worked in practice. Ms Waters explained that the report contained findings from the pilot phase of the procedure, and that the partnership would continue to monitor its effectiveness.

Ms Waters explained that people should report noxious odours to their district councils, and suggested that the best way to find out how to report an odour was to visit the Safer Lincolnshire Partnership website.

Councillor Mike Hulme asked whether there was a joined-up way for the police and other agencies to share information about anti-social behaviour.

Martin Hill, Lincolnshire County Council's Section Head for Public Protection, explained that the council commissions a system called ESINS which allows different organisations to share information about anti-social behaviour. He said, LCC Commission, a partnership case management system called ESINS, now that's a case management system that all kind of statutory bodies who are involved in the reduction of antisocial behaviour have access to and populate a certain set of cases, normally those kind of the complex high risk, vulnerable people where there is a multi-agency response required.

The Work of Safer Lincolnshire Partnerships Lincolnshire Womens Strategy - Supporting Women and Girls at Risk of Entering the Criminal Justice System

Ms Waters also presented a report on the work of the Safer Lincolnshire Partnership's Lincolnshire Womens Strategy. The report focused on work supporting women and girls at risk of entering the criminal justice system.

The report highlighted the work of the Women Rise centre in Lincoln, and Ms Waters told councillors that a new worker had recently been recruited to cover the Boston area.

Responding to a question from Councillor Mrs Clark about long term funding for the service, Ms Waters explained that work was ongoing to develop a funding case that could be used to apply for grants to support the service past March 2025, when the current funding runs out.

Ms Waters told the meeting that 84 referrals had been made to the service since it launched in January 2024, with just two referrals being declined.

Councillor Councillor Nicola Clark asked for an update on the progress being made to find a permanent home for the Women Rise service in Lincoln. Mr Hill explained that no suitable council-owned properties had been identified but that other options, including co-commissioning services with other providers, were being considered.

Ms Waters added that discussions were ongoing with partners about how to best provide services across the county, and highlighted that, We have a hub in [Gainsborough](https://www.google.com/maps/search/Gainsborough+Lincolnshire/), we have a hub in the Spalding area, there is a pop up outside HMP Lincoln as well, just thinking about the relationships between women and those whom they may have relationships with, and also this direct conversations ongoing now with West Lindsay District Council in terms of Gainsborough as well. So we really are trying to mobilise and have that hub and spoke model in terms of service delivery and the navigators, the key workers, they travel countywide and as we know it's a rural county, they travel vast distances but there is that model to try and make sure it isn't in concentric which is sometimes a criticism of services that are established.

The Overview and Scrutiny Management Board met on Thursday 27 June 2024. The Board supported the recommendations made in three pre-decision scrutiny reports on the council's Corporate Plan, finances and the Treasury Management Annual Report. The Board also endorsed the work of the Children and Young People and Public Protection and Community Scrutiny Committees.

Corporate Plan

The Board reviewed the council's performance in the fourth quarter of the 2023/24 Corporate Plan, noting that the authority is on track to meet most of its targets.

The Board questioned officers on a number of targets that had not been met.

Councillor Eddie Lee raised concerns about the target relating to recycling rates. He said, if that recycling centre still isn't very good, can I ask that that's looked at again please?

Caroline Jackson, Head of Corporate Performance, explained that the national target of a 55% recycling rate may not be appropriate, given the changing nature of waste disposal.

Even though we're saying actually reuse and energy from waste are actually much, that's a better way than recycling because of the cost, the carbon footprint and just the general overall waste of recycling.

Councillor Lee was unsatisfied with the response and asked for a further update on the performance of the Great Northern Terrace recycling centre at a future meeting. He said, maybe at the next meeting can somebody bring Matt back and tell me if anything's actually been done to change or improve that situation at Great Northern Terrace because it is just not good enough.

Councillor Tom Smith argued that the waste hierarchy is out of date and that greater emphasis should be placed on reuse and energy from waste. He said, it is my opinion that the waste hierarchy is out of date. It's 28 years old.

The waste hierarchy is a system that ranks waste management options according to their environmental impact, with prevention being the most preferable option and disposal being the least.

Councillor Mick Brockway raised concerns that the targets relating to children's attainment in education masked poor performance for some children. He said, we need to be very careful about saying that we've exceeded a target. The target for children getting their early years entitlement can only be 100%. Really we should be failing that target every time until we get 100% of those children in.

Councillor Brockway argued that targets should be set at 100% in these areas, even though they would be unlikely to be met, in order to demonstrate the council's commitment to children.

Review of Financial Performance

The Board considered the council's financial performance for 2023/24 and supported proposals to allocate an underspend of £11.345 million. Of this, £7 million will be spent on improving the condition of unclassified roads, £1.4 million will be added to the council's contingency reserves, £1 million will be allocated to the council's Invest to Save programme for Highways Depots, and £1.3 million will be allocated to emergent council priorities.

Councillor Lee asked for clarity about the process for allocating the money held in the council's emergent priorities fund, and whether it could be used to address social issues. He said, I'd like to see some of this money going on, social priorities as well. And I wondered if we could have some idea of how much will be spent on roads and how much will go on other things. Or is that something that's still to be decided?

Michelle Grady, Assistant Director for Finance, explained that the money will be allocated by the Executive as and when issues arise during the year.

Councillor Richard Davies, Executive Councillor for Highways and Transport, gave the example of the money being used to carry out urgent repairs to the East Gate at Lincoln Castle. He said, Anyone that's visited the castle over the last year or more would have realized that there's been a level of damage to both East and West Gate. And around some of the internal walls as well.

Treasury Management Annual Report

The Board reviewed and endorsed the Treasury Management Annual Report 2023/24.

Councillor Key asked whether the council had done enough to reduce its borrowing requirement since August 2023, when interest rates had peaked. He said, Since the interest rates peaked in August, have we done enough to reduce our borrowing requirement so we pay less interest?

Karen Tong, Treasury Manager, explained that as the council borrows on a maturity basis it could not have made any further reductions in borrowing during the year.

The Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Fire Pension Scheme Board met on Friday 28 June 2024. Mark Baxter was elected as Chair for this meeting only in the absence of William Dykevich, who was elected Chair of the Board until the next election. The minutes of the previous meeting, on 6 March 2024, were approved. The Board were reassured that the administration of the Firefighter's Pension Scheme 2006 is broadly satisfactory and that Lincolnshire Council is complying with its duties in relation to recent changes in the law on pensions.

Administration of the Firefighters' Pension Scheme 2006

Helen, from West Yorkshire Pension Fund, reported that they were experiencing high volumes of work and some technical IT issues. She reassured the board that they are recruiting to address the high volume of work and that no Lincolnshire cases had been significantly delayed. Councillor Corey thanked West Yorkshire Pension Fund for their work in administering the scheme, with particular reference to a recent case where an unnamed Council employee had retired. Liz Hipworth, HR Advisor to the Board, echoed these comments.

McCloud Remedy

The Board discussed the ongoing work to implement the McCloud Remedy. The McCloud remedy addresses the discrimination found against younger members of pension schemes in the Judicial and Firefighter's Pension Schemes. This arose because, in 2015, the Judicial and Firefighter's pension schemes were changed, with most members moved to new schemes. These schemes were found to discriminate against younger members, who had different rights to those who were older. Liz Hipworth confirmed that the Council had written to all 473 individuals in scope of the McCloud remedy, of whom 186 were also in scope of the Matthews exercise. Of these, 14 individuals have now notified the Council that they are retiring.

Matthews Second Options Exercise

The Board also discussed the ongoing work to implement the Matthews Second Options Exercise. The Matthews Second Options Exercise gives some members of the Firefighters' Pension Scheme 2006 a second opportunity to buy back pension rights they may have missed out on. This is open to members who were contracted out of the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme¹. Ms Hipworth confirmed that of the 865 individuals originally in scope of this exercise, 778 letters had been sent, following extensive efforts to trace individuals where no contact details were held by the Council. Of these, 375 expressions of interest had been received, 317 of which had indicated that they wished to take up the option to buy back pension rights. Councillor Baxter expressed his confidence that the Council was making all reasonable efforts to contact affected individuals. Ms Hipworth confirmed that the Council is working with the Fire Brigades Union to contact individuals who have not responded to letters, and that reminder letters are being sent, but that ultimately it is the responsibility of individuals to contact the Council.

The State Earnings Related Pension Scheme (SERPS) was a UK government pension scheme that ran from 6 April 1978 to 5 April 2002. It was a pay-as-you-go scheme, which means that contributions from current workers were used to pay the pensions of current pensioners. SERPS was replaced by the State Second Pension (S2P) on 6 April 2002.

Risk Register

Councillor Baxter led a discussion of the Fire Pensions Risk Register, noting that an amber risk rating had been applied to the risk A4 Lack of skilled resources - LCC and WYPF. This reflects concerns about a lack of skilled resources both at Lincolnshire County Council and at West Yorkshire Pension Fund. The Board noted that recruitment is underway at West Yorkshire Pension Fund to fill vacant posts. Councillor Baxter asked for an update on the progress of these recruitments, noting that this risk would be reviewed again at a future meeting.

Tax Issues

Councillor Baxter led a discussion of the ongoing tax issues affecting the payment of pensions to some members of the Firefighters' Pension Scheme. Ms Hipworth explained that the Council had been waiting for updated guidance from the Local Government Association (LGA), which was delayed by the recent General Election. She explained that the LGA is in discussions with HM Treasury about possible changes to tax legislation. Helen confirmed that the LGA are waiting for a Written Ministerial Statement from HM Treasury, which has been delayed because of the change of government. Until the tax legislation is updated, some members will not be able to receive their pensions. Councillor Baxter expressed his concern for members who are affected by this issue.

Training

Ms Hipworth reminded the Board that the LGA offer regular training sessions for members of Fire Pension Boards. She agreed to circulate dates for future training sessions and suggested that this would be a good opportunity for new Board members to undertake some refresher training.

Other Business

The Board noted an update on recent LGA Fire Pension Bulletins. The next meeting was scheduled for 4 October 2024, when William Dykevich will take over as Chair.

There were two meetings of the Lincolnshire Police and Crime Panel on Friday 28 June 2024, the first of which began at 10am and the second at 1.30pm. No papers or video recording were published for these meetings.

The Flood and Water Management Scrutiny Committee met on Monday 24 June 2024 to discuss a range of issues including an update on the progress of the Fens 2100+ Adaptation Strategy, and to receive an update from Anglian Water and the Witham and Humber Internal Drainage Board on flood mitigation work. The committee supported the Fens 2100+ Adaptation Strategy.

Fens 2100+ Adaptation Strategy

The committee discussed the Fens 2100+ Adaptation Strategy, which seeks to protect communities and economies in an area of land at significant risk from flooding.

Chris from Lincolnshire County Council's Flood and Water Team described the strategy as:

...looking at the long-term value for money investments, they're going to require to protect both communities and the economies in the area.

He went on to explain that a key aspect of the strategy was to protect agricultural land in the Fens, which is at risk of becoming unproductive due to groundwater salination².

Councillor Skinner asked if the strategy had taken into consideration the construction of a barrier across The Wash. Chris explained that Lincolnshire County Council has not taken a position on the barrier proposal because it has not been provided with costings for the scheme.

Groundwater salination is the process by which salt accumulates in groundwater. This can occur naturally, but it is often accelerated by human activities such as irrigation and the overuse of groundwater. Groundwater salination can have a number of negative impacts, including making water unsuitable for drinking or irrigation, and damaging infrastructure.

Section 19 Investigations

Matthew from Lincolnshire County Council's Flood and Water Team provided an update on the progress of Section 19 investigations into flooding following Storms Babet and Henk. He explained that 26 reports had been received by the council, and the remainder were expected by the end of August.

Section 19 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 places a duty on Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFAs) to investigate flooding incidents that pose a significant risk of flooding to at least one property.

Councillor Baxter asked a number of questions about the cost of the Section 19 investigations, and how the companies contracted to produce the reports had been procured.

I recognise that we did need to do it in a hurry and I recognise that we haven't had to do it at this scale very much before but if we're going into the thousands for individual investigations what is the running total so far.

Matthew explained that the total cost of the reports was likely to be in the region of £300,000, and that the companies had been procured through the council's usual procurement frameworks. He went on to explain that the council would be sharing the reports with councillors.

Councillor Grey raised concerns that a number of businesses in Horncastle that had been flooded were not included in the investigations. Matthew said that businesses and residents who had been flooded and were not on the council's list should contact the Flood and Water Team.

Anglian Water Update

Matt from Anglian Water gave an update on the work the company was doing to mitigate future flooding. He explained that a number of multi-agency groups had been established to address flooding in specific locations including Tallington and Scotter.

Councillor Clark asked about non-return valves, and whether Anglian Water knew which valves it was responsible for in his area. Matt explained that the company only had responsibility for two non-return valves, which are both connected to pumping stations. He said that the company would ensure the valves were clearly marked.

Responding to a question from Councillor Ashton about residents who allow flood water into the foul water system, Matt explained that while there was legislation that would allow the company to take enforcement action, it was unlikely to do so.

Councillor Hages, through Councillor Skinner, asked a number of questions about flooding in Silk Willoughby, Haynton and other unspecified locations.

Several of the residents go without use of their downstairs toilets, basins and sinks when it rains, even in low periods of rainfalls. This isn't too bad for houses who can go upstairs, but bungalows cannot use these facilities at all and have to go elsewhere.

Matt explained that there was no scheme to provide rebates to residents who had lost use of their toilets due to flooding, but explained that customers can claim rebates if they are flooded internally or externally.

Councillor Morris raised concerns that residents were not being kept adequately informed about the work being done to address flooding. He said:

And the public aren't reassured by this and that's really what we're meant to be doing. I mean even if they're reassured by being told nothing's being done, at least they know something.

Matt explained that Anglian Water had considered sending information leaflets to residents alongside water bills, but was prevented from doing so because many customers had opted out of marketing and communications.

Councillor Baxter expressed disappointment that Anglian Water was considering divesting itself of a surface water asset in Tallington that is believed to be contributing to flooding in the village. He said:

Anglin Water's suggested approach now appears to be let's divest ourselves of the asset and let's get out of get out of Tellington and leave the problem there.

Matt said that Anglian Water remained committed to working with partners to find a solution to flooding in the village, but explained that riparian ownership³ of a watercourse in the village was complicating the situation. He explained that the cost of relining a culvert in the village could cost between £500,000 and £1 million.

Riparian ownership is a system of water law that gives landowners who own land adjacent to a watercourse certain rights to use the water. These rights can include the right to take water for domestic use, irrigation, and livestock watering. Riparian owners also have a duty to protect the watercourse from pollution and to maintain its banks.

Witham and Humber Internal Drainage Board Update

Jane Froggett, Chief Executive of the Witham and Humber Internal Drainage Board, gave a presentation to the committee about the work the board has been doing to repair assets damaged during recent storms, and to secure funding to improve the resilience of its assets.

She explained that the board had made a statement of claim to the Environment Agency's Regional Flood Defence Committee for the cost of repairing damage caused to its assets by breaches in the Environment Agency's main river network.

So what we applied to the RFCC for was the funding for third party costs incurred.

She explained that the board's claim of £465,000 was successful, and the money had been received. She went on to explain that the board was in the process of carrying out £1.6 million of repairs to its assets.

Ms Froggett went on to explain that the board had made a claim to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' £75 million IDB recovery fund, which was announced by the government earlier in the year. She explained that £25 million from the fund was allocated to fund repairs to assets damaged in the recent floods. She went on to say that she believed the first tranche of the fund was oversubscribed.

The tranche one bids that had to be in on the 7th of June are already over subscribed, just a quick straw poll with colleagues around Lincolnshire.

She explained that the remaining £50 million from the fund is due to be allocated to support IDBs to improve the resilience of their assets, and that bids for this tranche of funding were due to be submitted by the end of the week.

Councillor Fleetwood thanked Ms Froggett for the work she had done to secure funding for flood mitigation in Lincolnshire, and said it was important to impress on the government the need for funding.

Councillor Beall asked whether Ms Froggett expected the tight timescales imposed by the government on spending the funding would cause difficulties.

With the deadline on spending money, do you envisage Jane and thank you for your presentation? Do you envisage that there are problems where you have to order new equipment, the lead time getting that equipment in, please. Thank you.

Ms Froggett explained that while the board would be inventive in order to overcome the challenges, the lead time for some equipment, such as submersible pumps, is currently around 40 weeks.

Councillor Ashton thanked Ms Froggett for her presentation, and said he was grateful for the work the Witham and Humber Internal Drainage Board does.

Work Programme

The committee noted that a standing item on the agenda for future meetings would be added to allow for an update on the work of Lincolnshire's Internal Drainage Boards. Councillor Ashton said he would discuss with officers the possibility of a future field trip to understand the challenges faced in other parts of Lincolnshire.

This week, the Lincolnshire Council held two key meetings that focused on audit processes and fire pension schemes. Here’s a summary of the key discussions and decisions:

Audit Committee

Monday 17 June 2024

Key Decisions:

1. Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Control System Update:

   • The committee received an update on the implementation of the new control system for Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue. This new system, which is being developed in partnership with NEC, aims to improve resilience and value for money. The first significant milestone is expected by 31 March 2025.
   • Quote: We have entered into an agreement with the East Coast Consortium to ensure we always have a robust 999 mobilising system.

2. Monitoring Officer's Annual Report:

   • The Monitoring Officer presented the annual report covering the period from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024. The report highlighted that there were no instances where the lawfulness of the council's decisions was called into question.
   • Quote: There was no occasion during the year where I had to issue a formal report indicating that the lawfulness or legality of any of the council's decisions was called into question.

3. Draft Statement of Accounts:

   • The draft unaudited statement of accounts for the financial year 2023-24 was presented. The committee noted some delays due to issues with the new finance and HR system, particularly in the area of capital expenditure and fixed assets.
   • Quote: The accounts contain no surprises, and our balance sheet has remained fairly stable compared to last year's.

4. Internal Audit Annual Report:

   • The internal audit annual report was discussed, with the overall governance, risk, and control environment deemed adequate. The report emphasized the need for improved oversight of maintained school internal processes.
   • Quote: The area of improvement makes recommendations for the oversight and visibility of the adequacy of maintained school internal processes.

5. Information Assurance Annual Report:

   • The committee reviewed the information assurance annual report, which highlighted a 41% increase in requests for support, indicating a high level of engagement and awareness across the council.
   • Quote: The increased demand has meant that over the year we've had to prioritize resources and focus on those areas that present the greatest risk.

6. Annual Governance Statement:

   • The draft annual governance statement was presented, noting that overall governance is robust and fit for purpose. However, two areas for improvement were identified: the oversight of maintained schools and the independent assessment of IT services.
   • Quote: The report concludes with a suggested statement for the committee to adopt in its assessment of the council's governance arrangements.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Fire Pension Scheme Board

Friday 21 June 2024

• The notes from this meeting have not yet been summarized.

These meetings reflect the council's ongoing efforts to ensure effective governance, financial accountability, and the continuous improvement of public services. The focus on audit processes and the implementation of new systems highlights the council's commitment to transparency and efficiency. Stay tuned for more updates on how these decisions progress and their implications for our community.

This week, the Lincolnshire Council held several important meetings that covered a range of topics from transportation and infrastructure to community wellbeing and educational services. Here’s a summary of the key discussions and decisions:

Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee

Monday 10 June 2024

Key Decisions:

1. Lincoln Town's Deal - Sincil Bank Rejuvenation Project:

   • The committee reviewed the pre-decision report on the Sincil Bank rejuvenation project, which aims to revitalize the area for residents and businesses. This project is part of the Lincoln Town Deal funded by the government's Levelling Up program. The decision is due to be taken by the Executive Councillors between 17th to 28th June.
   • Quote: This rejuvenation scheme aligns with the Lincoln transport strategy and is considered crucial for the overall Lincoln town investment plan.

2. Rail Recovery and Strategic Role:

   • Representatives from Network Rail and East Midlands Rail presented updates on rail infrastructure and service provision. Discussions included the reinstatement of services post-COVID, the summer Skegness service, and future plans for fleet refurbishment.
   • Quote: The summer Skegness timetable will see a 40% uplift in capacity compared to 2023.

3. Winter Service Plan:

   • The committee reviewed the winter service plan for 2024-25, which includes provisions for gritting, salt bins, and resources for winter service operations. The plan emphasizes the importance of member involvement in route prioritization.
   • Quote: We will provide 43 frontline gritters and maintain a minimum of 25,000 tons of salt in stock.

4. Parking Enforcement Procedures Manual:

   • The updated parking enforcement procedures manual was discussed, focusing on fair but firm enforcement, the appeals process, and the introduction of parking waivers and dispensations.
   • Quote: We enforce all on-street restrictions throughout the county and a number of off-street car parks in our coastal areas.

5. North Hykeham Relief Road:

   • The committee reviewed the compulsory purchase order and side roads order for the North Hykeham relief road. This legal process is essential for securing the land needed for the project.
   • Quote: The relief road has secured planning permission, and this process grants us the legal approval to publish the orders.

6. Hawthorne Road Shared Footway Cycleway:

   • The construction of a new shared footway/cycleway and the renewal of the footway access onto Hawthorne Road were approved. This project is part of the Lincoln cycling and walking infrastructure plan.
   • Quote: The project is expected to start in July and finish by September, avoiding school term time.

Other Meetings

1. Lincolnshire Health and Wellbeing Board:

   • Tuesday 11 June 2024
   • The notes from this meeting have not yet been summarized.

2. Lincolnshire Integrated Care Partnership:

   • Tuesday 11 June 2024
   • This meeting was cancelled.

3. Lincolnshire Schools' Forum:

   • Thursday 13 June 2024
   • The meeting focused on the election of the chairman and vice-chairman, updates on the Schools Forum constitution and membership, and annual reports on SEND and early years services.

4. Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee:

   • Friday 14 June 2024
   • The notes from this meeting have not yet been summarized.

5. Health Scrutiny Committee for Lincolnshire:

   • Wednesday 12 June 2024
   • This meeting was cancelled.

These meetings reflect the council's ongoing efforts to address community needs through strategic planning and effective governance. The emphasis on safety, infrastructure, and community services highlights the council's commitment to improving the quality of life for residents in Lincolnshire. Stay tuned for more updates on how these decisions progress and their implications for our community.

This week, the Lincolnshire Council held several important meetings that covered a range of topics from planning and regulation to public rights of way and community wellbeing. Here’s a summary of the key discussions and decisions:

1. Planning and Regulation Committee on Monday 03 June 2024:

   • Traffic Restrictions in Donington on Bain: The committee approved the implementation of no waiting restrictions at two junctions with Main Road to improve visibility and safety. This decision was based on concerns about parking associated with the local school, which was causing obstructions. > The recommendation in this report is that this objection is overruled so that these restrictions may be introduced. - Jan Gibson, Program Leader for Traffic
   • Speed Limit Reduction in Sheppostow: A proposal to reduce the speed limit from 40 mph to 30 mph on the B1166 Drove Road was approved. This decision was influenced by recent housing developments and the proximity to a primary school, which increased the need for safer traffic conditions. > What seals the reduction from 40 to 30 for me is the close proximity to the primary school. - Councillor Pepper
   • New Puffin Crossing in Holbeach: The committee approved the installation of a puffin crossing on Spalding Road near William Stukeley School to enhance pedestrian safety, despite objections from local businesses about the loss of parking spaces. > The safety concerns really do outweigh the impact that could realistically be felt at the public house. - Councillor Tracy Carter

2. Executive Meeting on Tuesday 04 June 2024:

   • Minerals and Waste Local Plan: The Executive discussed the preferred approach to updating the Minerals and Waste Local Plan. The plan aims to address the shortfall in sand, gravel, and limestone supplies up to 2041. The committee decided to defer the decision for one month to allow for further scrutiny and ensure all necessary documents are available. > We need to ensure that we have all the relevant reports and addendums before making a recommendation. - Councillor Carrington
   • Deepings Leisure Centre: Discussions are ongoing with the community interest group regarding the future of the Deepings Leisure Centre. The application for the Community Ownership Fund has been paused due to the general election, and further meetings will be held post-election.

3. Definitive Map and Statement of Public Rights of Way Sub-Committee on Monday 03 June 2024:

   • Prioritisation of Definitive Map Modification Order Case 117: The committee agreed to prioritize the modification order for a route between the A17 and Griffin's Farm, which forms part of the Viking Way. This decision was influenced by the poor condition of the route due to off-roaders and the potential archaeological significance of the area. > The cutting up of the surface would also make it difficult for members of the local communities and tourists seeking to walk the Viking Way. - Andrew Fletcher, Public Rights of Way and Access Manager

4. Adults and Community Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday 05 June 2024:

   • The committee reviewed several community service programs, including the recommissioning of HealthWatch Lincolnshire. The focus was on enhancing health and social care services through better data sharing and outcome reporting.

5. Pensions Committee on Thursday 06 June 2024:

   • Details of the discussions were not provided in the transcript, but this committee typically reviews the management and performance of the council's pension fund.

These meetings reflect the council's ongoing efforts to address community needs through strategic planning and effective governance. The emphasis on safety, infrastructure, and community services highlights the council's commitment to improving the quality of life for residents in Lincolnshire. Stay tuned for more updates on how these decisions progress and their implications for our community.

This week, the Lincolnshire Council held two significant meetings that focused on environmental planning and council oversight. The discussions and decisions made in these meetings have important implications for local governance and community services.

The Environment and Economy Scrutiny Committee meeting on Tuesday 28 May 2024 was particularly impactful. Key points from the meeting included:

1. Local Plan Consultation: The committee expressed concerns about the timing and completeness of the documents related to the local plan consultation. Members highlighted the need for all relevant reports and addendums to be available before making recommendations to the Executive Board. This was a significant issue as it pertains to the transparency and thoroughness of the consultation process.

We are being asked to make a recommendation on reports that we have not seen. - Councillor COOK

The discussion underscored the importance of having a comprehensive set of documents to ensure informed decision-making and avoid potential legal challenges.

1. Consultation Timing: There was a debate about the appropriateness of conducting public consultations during the summer holidays. Some members argued that this timing could limit public participation and suggested deferring the consultation to a more suitable period.

The two times of year you don't do consultations with the public are Christmas and summer holidays. - Councillor COOK

The committee ultimately recommended that the Executive Board defer the decision until all necessary reports are available and consider a more appropriate consultation period.

1. Site Assessments and Constraints: Detailed discussions were held about the criteria for site assessments and the reasons for discounting certain sites. The committee emphasized the need for transparency in these assessments to ensure that all decisions are well-founded and publicly justifiable.

The Overview and Scrutiny Management Board meeting on Thursday 30 May 2024 also took place, although the details of the discussions were not provided in the transcript. However, this board typically reviews and coordinates the work of the council's scrutiny committees, ensuring that their activities align with the council's strategic objectives.

These meetings highlight the council's ongoing efforts to ensure thorough and transparent decision-making processes, particularly in areas that significantly impact the community. The emphasis on complete documentation and appropriate timing for public consultations reflects a commitment to effective governance and community engagement.

Stay tuned for more updates on how these discussions progress and their implications for Lincolnshire's development and community services.

This week, the Lincolnshire Council held two significant meetings that addressed a range of issues from infrastructure planning to services for children in care. The decisions made in these meetings have notable implications for community services and local governance.

The Executive meeting on Wednesday 08 May 2024 focused on several key issues:

1. Cable Routes and Substations: The council's decision to object to all proposed cable routes and advocate for an offshore integrated grid is a significant stance on local environmental and community impact. This decision underscores the council's commitment to protecting local landscapes and addressing residents' concerns about the scale of infrastructure projects.

We must consider the long-term impact on our communities and the preservation of our landscapes. - Council Member during the meeting

1. Day Opportunities for Adults with Disabilities: The approval of a two-year recommissioning period for day opportunities services reflects an ongoing commitment to enhancing the quality of life for adults with disabilities. This decision opens the door for a potential redesign of the service to be more community-based, which could significantly improve accessibility and personalization of services.

It's about providing choices and supporting independence in the most effective ways possible. - Council Member during the meeting

1. NHS Health Checks: The continuation of the NHS health checks program through GP practices highlights the council's focus on preventive health measures. The discussion also pointed to the need for potentially revising the approach to increase participation rates, indicating a proactive stance towards public health management.

The Corporate Parenting Panel meeting on Thursday 09 May 2024 addressed the restructuring and updating of services for children in care and care leavers:

1. Restructuring of the Corporate Parenting Panel: The decision to make meetings more thematic and less formal is aimed at enhancing engagement with young people. This approach could lead to more effective incorporation of their feedback into service improvements.

Engaging directly with our youth is crucial for making meaningful improvements in their care experience. - Panel Member during the meeting

1. Updates from Voices for Choices: The fluctuating attendance at engagement events highlights the challenges and importance of designing appealing and effective formats for gathering input from children in care.

2. Children in Care Sufficiency Strategy: The ongoing development of this strategy is crucial for ensuring that sufficient, high-quality care options are available. The focus on improving in-house and independent placement options and enhancing support for care leavers is particularly impactful.

3. Work Program Review: The revision of the work program to align with the new thematic approach of the meetings is a strategic move to ensure that the panel's efforts are well-directed and impactful.

These meetings illustrate the council's proactive and responsive approach to both infrastructure challenges and the welfare of vulnerable groups in the community. The decisions made this week not only address immediate concerns but also set the stage for sustainable and inclusive development in Lincolnshire.

This week, the Lincolnshire Council's Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee convened to deliberate on several crucial transport and road safety strategies. The meeting, held on Monday, April 29, 2024, was particularly noteworthy for its comprehensive agenda and the implications of its decisions on regional transportation and safety. Read more about the meeting here.

Key points from the meeting included:

1. Stanford Transport Strategy: The committee's endorsement of this strategy marks a significant step towards enhancing transportation options in Stanford. The strategy focuses on expanding travel options and enhancing the transport network, aiming to promote sustainable travel. The unanimous support from the committee underscores the strategy's alignment with regional growth and sustainability goals.

2. Transport Quarter 3 Performance Report 2023/24: The committee expressed satisfaction with the transport services' performance, despite facing challenges such as rising operator costs and an increase in special educational needs students requiring transport. This reflects the committee's recognition of the transport department's efforts to effectively manage these challenges.

3. Road Safety Partnership Annual Report: A decrease in road casualties was a highlight of this report, positively received by the committee. The decision to include drink and drug driving statistics in future reports aims to provide a more comprehensive view of road safety, enhancing transparency and focusing on preventive measures.

4. Committee Work Program: The approval and addition of items related to traffic regulation orders and the Fix My Street app* to the work program ensures a continued focus on critical areas affecting community safety and infrastructure.

The meeting also saw the chair announce his decision to step down, a development that could lead to changes in the committee's leadership and potentially influence its future priorities and approaches.

The themes of enhancing transportation options, improving road safety, and maintaining effective management of transport challenges are consistent with the council's ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure and community safety, as discussed in previous council meetings.

*The Fix My Street app is a tool that allows residents to report local problems directly to their councils, such as potholes or broken streetlights, ensuring that issues are addressed efficiently.

This past week has been a bustling period for the Lincolnshire Council, with several key meetings that could shape the future of our community services and infrastructure. Here’s a rundown of the pivotal discussions and decisions that took place.

1. Lincolnshire Joint Local Access Forum: The focus of the meeting on April 23, 2024, was on enhancing the management and accessibility of public pathways. Key decisions included:
   • Approval of Terms of Reference: Ensuring the forum's operations align with current legislation and remain adaptable for future improvements.
   • Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP): A strategic update to better meet public needs over the next decade, emphasizing environmental adaptability and public access.
   • Interactive Map for Public Pathway Barriers: A new initiative to improve transparency and user experience by providing detailed barrier information.

The implications of these decisions are significant, promising more strategically planned and user-friendly public pathways. Read more about the meeting here.

1. Adults and Community Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee: Held on April 24, 2024, the committee reviewed several community service programs, including the recommissioning of HealthWatch Lincolnshire. The committee stressed the importance of HealthWatch in enhancing health and social care services through better data sharing and outcome reporting. The focus was also on balancing the attention between NHS services and adult social care to ensure comprehensive community support.

2. Overview and Scrutiny Management Board: On April 25, 2024, the board discussed the allocation of the Household Support Fund and the future of the Deepings School Leisure Centre. Decisions made aimed at utilizing funds to assist vulnerable households effectively and strategizing the leisure centre’s operations to benefit the community without disrupting school activities.

Each meeting highlighted the council's commitment to strategic planning and community involvement. The themes of enhancing accessibility, improving community services, and strategic fund allocation were evident throughout the discussions. These decisions not only reflect the council's immediate responses to community needs but also its long-term vision for a more connected and well-served Lincolnshire.

Stay tuned for more updates on how these decisions unfold and continue to impact our community.