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Weekly updates

Lincolnshire schools face funding shift amid crime strategy talks

This week in Lincolnshire:

Schools Face Funding Shift: Will High Needs Stability Come at the Expense of Mainstream Education?

The Lincolnshire Schools' Forum met on Thursday to discuss a controversial proposal to transfer 0.5% of funding from the schools block to the high needs block for the 2026/27 financial year. The meeting took place on Thursday. This move aims to address the growing financial pressures on services for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), but some fear it could impact the quality of mainstream education.

  • The high needs block is facing a significant deficit, projected to reach £26.414m in 2025/26.
  • The council argues the transfer is necessary to secure better outcomes for SEND pupils by supporting them in mainstream settings.
  • However, only 48% of schools supported the proposal in a recent consultation.

The council's report pack stated:

The council considers the 0.5% Schools block transfer to the High Needs block to be necessary to secure better outcomes for SEND pupils by supporting the majority of children with SEND to fulfil their potential in mainstream settings, which will also deliver more cost-effective solutions.

This decision reflects a growing trend across the country, with many local authorities facing similar financial challenges in providing adequate SEND support. The County Council Network forecasts that by March 2026, national deficits in Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) will reach almost £6 billion due to SEND pressures.

The proposed transfer will fund initiatives such as:

  • SEND workforce development
  • Pupil re-integration capacity and funding to schools
  • Transitional funding
  • Behaviour support
  • Inclusion Quality and Effective team
  • Enhanced resource-based hubs funding

The Schools' Forum also discussed the National Funding Formula for schools and a request to continue including a primary school rents factor within local funding formulas.

Crime and Disorder Strategy Focuses on Prevention: Will It Make Lincolnshire Safer?

The Community Safety Scrutiny Committee convened on Tuesday to discuss Lincolnshire County Council's Section 17 Crime and Disorder Strategy, before it goes to the Executive1 for a decision on 2 December 2025, and then to the County Council for approval on 19 December 2025. The meeting took place on Tuesday. The strategy outlines the council's responsibilities under Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, which requires local authorities to consider the impact of their decisions on crime and disorder.

  • The strategy promotes a whole-organisation approach to crime prevention, community safety, and harm reduction.
  • It aims to strengthen multi-agency collaboration, accountability, and performance monitoring.
  • The strategy sets objectives including ensuring all council services consider the impact of their work on crime and disorder, and promoting proactive measures to prevent crime, anti-social behaviour, and exploitation.

During the meeting, Councillor Smith raised concerns about the strategy for early intervention, particularly regarding support for children at risk of offending. Councillor Robinson requested a timeline for the action plan's completion and suggested separating approaches for urban and rural areas. Councillor Davies called for more specific numbers and costings in the action plan.

The committee also discussed an update on the Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Control Programme and trading standards regarding animal health, welfare, and feed activity.

Other Matters Discussed

Upcoming Meetings

  1. In local government, the Executive is a body consisting of councillors that makes key decisions about the running of the council. ↩

Lincolnshire Council: Local Gov Restructure & Winter Care

This week in Lincolnshire:

Local Government Reorganisation Proposal on the Table: Will It Reshape Lincolnshire?

Lincolnshire Council met on Friday to discuss the Your Lincolnshire Proposal for local government reorganisation (LGR) 1. The proposal suggests a specific plan for how Lincolnshire's local government could be restructured. The Overview and Scrutiny Management Board also discussed the proposal on Thursday, prior to its consideration by the council.

  • The council was invited to consider the proposal, prior to a decision by the Deputy Leader of the Council between 21 and 28 November 2025.
  • The board's views were to be reported to the council and the Deputy Leader of the Council as part of their consideration of the report.

The papers for this discussion included:

See the full agenda and associated reports here.

New Chief Executive Appointment Discussed: Who Will Lead Lincolnshire Council?

The council also met on Friday to discuss the appointment to the post of Chief Executive. The Chief Executive is the senior officer responsible for the day-to-day management of the council.

See the full agenda and associated reports here.

Cancer Care and Winter Planning Under Scrutiny: How Will Lincolnshire Protect Vulnerable Residents?

The Health Scrutiny Committee for Lincolnshire met on Wednesday to discuss cancer care and winter planning.

Cancer Care in Lincolnshire

The committee was scheduled to receive a report from the NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) providing an update on cancer services and the Living with Cancer programme in Lincolnshire.

  • The report set out the current position and next steps for cancer services across the NHS Lincolnshire ICB footprint.
  • It outlined how these services align with national direction, how they meet local population needs, and how they are driving recovery against reformed cancer waiting time standards.
  • The report detailed the challenges and risks facing cancer services in Lincolnshire, including rurality, an older population, health inequalities, diagnostics, specialist treatments, staffing, digital and coordination issues, and financial pressure.

Lincolnshire Integrated Care System Winter Plan 2025/26

The committee was scheduled to receive a report from Rebecca Neno, Deputy Director for System Delivery, NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board, which invited the Committee to consider the Lincolnshire Integrated Care System Winter Plan for 2025/26.

  • The plan highlights the local assumptions for winter and sets out the planned response to manage the urgent care and patient flow pressures that the system will inevitably experience.
  • The plan is designed to supplement the ongoing improvements and developments in urgent care in line with the National 25/26 Urgent and Emergency Care Plan and is inclusive of those requiring both physical and mental health care.
  • The plan clearly outlines the system risks for winter, mitigations and any residual risks following mitigations.
  • The main areas of risk in the Urgent and Emergency Care pathway are as follows:
    • Patients could wait for an urgent or emergency response in community settings.
    • Patients could experience waits in Emergency Departments and Urgent Treatment Centers (UTC).
    • Patients could wait on ambulances prior to entering Emergency Departments.
    • Patients may experience waits for discharge home or into community settings.
    • Some service fragility continues along the East Coast and Boston area, specifically in relation to Children and Young People and some Mental Health services.
    • Impact of Industrial Action on urgent and emergency care pathways, planned care provision and patient experience.
    • Workforce levels due to national NHS and local organisational changes

See the full agenda and associated reports here.

SEND and Financial Regulations Under Review: Audit Committee Tackles Key Issues

The Audit Committee met on Monday to discuss the High Needs System, the annual audit of accounts, risk management, and the council's financial regulations.

High Needs System - SEND and Alternative Provision

The committee was scheduled to receive a report providing an overview of the current High Needs System and Alternative Provision (AP) landscape within Lincolnshire.

  • The report pack stated that the Children and Families Act 2014 created a reformed SEND system in 2014, and that the legislation aimed to improve how children and young people with SEND are supported across education, health and social care.
  • The report pack also noted that demand for SEND services in Lincolnshire continues to rise, mirroring national trends. EHC Needs Assessment requests have increased from 1,258 in 2022 to 1,957 in 2024, with 1,418 already received in 2025.

Update on the Audit of Accounts for Lincolnshire County Council and Lincolnshire Pension Fund 2024/25 & Proposed Audit Fees for 2025/26

The committee was scheduled to receive a report presenting the external auditors' draft Year End report for both Lincolnshire County Council and the Lincolnshire Pension Fund, and the proposed fee scale for the 2025/26 audit.

  • The report pack stated that the audits of the 2024/25 County Council accounts were substantially complete for both Lincolnshire County Council and the Lincolnshire Pension Fund and were expected to conclude by the end of November 2025.

Review of the Financial Regulations

The committee was scheduled to receive a report inviting the Committee to consider several amendments to the Council's Financial Regulations and consequent amendments to the budget definition within the Constitution and to recommend that such amendments are approved by full Council.

  • The report pack stated that the Constitution sets out how the Council operates and how it makes its decisions, and that the Financial Regulations form part of the Council's constitution and provide the framework for managing the financial affairs of the council.

See the full agenda and associated reports here.

Other Matters Discussed

Upcoming Meetings

  1. Local government reorganisation (LGR) refers to changes in the structure of local authorities. These changes can involve merging councils, creating new ones, or altering their powers and responsibilities. ↩

Lincolnshire's New Leaders, Transport Plan, and RE Priorities

This week in Lincolnshire:

Chief Officer Recruitment Panel Established: Who Will Lead Lincolnshire's Future?

The Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority has established an Appointments Panel to oversee the recruitment of key Chief Officers. The Authority convened on Wednesday to approve the panel's terms of reference and membership, incorporating it into the Constitution.

This panel will be responsible for the recruitment, suspension, and disciplinary actions for Chief Officers, as well as overseeing the Pay Policy. The recommendations were approved, subject to call-in.

The four Chief Officer positions to be recruited are:

  • Chief Operating Officer (Head of Paid Service)
  • Deputy Director
  • Strategic Finance and Investment Officer (s.73 Chief Finance Officer)
  • Monitoring Officer

The Appointments Panel will be an executive committee of the Authority, with the power to recommend Chief Officer appointments, suspend Chief Officers during investigations, convene the Statutory Officers' Employment and Advisory Panel, take disciplinary action against Chief Officers, and oversee the Pay Policy.

The panel will consist of four elected persons: the Mayor, Dame Andrea Jenkyns DBE, and the Lead Constituent Council representative for each Constituent Council. These are Councillor Sean Matthews of Lincolnshire County Council, Councillor Rob Waltham MBE of North Lincolnshire Council, and Councillor Philip Jackson of North East Lincolnshire Council.

Transport Board Charts Future Course: Local Transport Plan and Funding Priorities Approved

The Greater Lincolnshire Transport Board has endorsed strategic objectives for Transport for Greater Lincolnshire and approved the commencement of a scoping exercise for the Greater Lincolnshire Local Transport Plan. The board met on Wednesday to discuss the key transport initiatives.

The board also supported the continuation of work to establish the Mayoral Rural Transport Group, approved the allocation of Local Transport Resource Funding for 2025/26, and approved the principles for allocating Local Transport Grant and Local Transport Resource in 2026/27.

The new Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority (GLCCA) Local Transport Plan (LTP) will act as the transport authority for Greater Lincolnshire. The five-stage programme includes:

  • Review of previous strategies, project governance and delivery arrangements and LTP scoping and approval to start
  • LTP Baselining
  • Develop vision and objectives
  • Strategy development and development delivery plan and funding strategy
  • Final LTP and political sign off.

The board supported the commencement of the scoping exercise and requested a report back to the next meeting with the findings of the LTP scoping exercise, including consultation and engagement programme.

The Department for Transport (DfT) provides funding to local transport authorities under Section 31 of the Local Government Act 2003. The Local Transport Resource funding enables local transport authorities to build their capability and capacity to deliver ambitious transport schemes and to develop and update the Local Transport Plan.

Religious Education Priorities Set: SACRE Outlines Action Plan for 2025-26

The Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) discussed its action plan for the upcoming academic year, focusing on improving RE standards, evaluating the locally agreed syllabus, and promoting community cohesion. The council met on Tuesday to discuss the key issues.

Key priorities for the Lincolnshire SACRE action plan 2025-26 include:

  • Ensuring that Lincolnshire schools have access to high quality RE training and support.
  • Actively seeking teacher and pupil voice on the provision and impact of RE in Lincolnshire schools.
  • Producing a series of regionally-specific case studies for use in Lincolnshire schools.
  • Creating opportunities for SACRE members to contribute to the development of agendas and the Action Plan
  • Holding meetings in a variety of venues, including council venues, local places of worship and schools
  • Putting in place effective training for Members
  • Producing an action plan which is reviewed regularly and updated

The council also reviewed its membership, aiming for a diverse representation of religions, worldviews, and professional communities in Lincolnshire.

Other Matters Discussed

  • The Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority - Economic Advisory Panel met, but no transcript was provided. The panel met on Wednesday.

Upcoming Meetings

Lincolnshire Quarry Approved; Skills Fund Boost; Rights of Way

This week in Lincolnshire:

Quarry Approved Despite Resident Concerns: Did Process Prioritize Policy Over People?

The Planning and Regulation Committee approved a planning application by Welton Aggregates Ltd for a sand and gravel quarry near Caistor, despite strong objections from local residents. The committee met on Monday to discuss the application.

The decision has sparked debate about the balance between economic development and the well-being of communities, with some questioning whether the planning process adequately considers the impact on residents' health and quality of life.

Key concerns raised by residents included:

  • Increased HGV traffic: Residents fear that the quarry will lead to a significant increase in heavy truck traffic on local roads, posing safety risks and causing damage to infrastructure.
  • Noise and dust pollution: The quarry's operations are expected to generate noise and dust, impacting the health and amenity of nearby homes.
  • Lack of verified testing: Concerns were raised about whether there was sufficient evidence that the sand samples came from the proposed quarry site.

Despite these concerns, the committee ultimately voted to approve the application, citing the site's allocation in the Lincolnshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan and the need for the mineral.

Councillor Overton said:

Just because this area was previously allocated it doesn't mean it's still the whole of it is still appropriate and just because it was allocated doesn't mean you can actually develop the whole of it because there are differences changes that have occurred as we've said you've got to still allow for the damage and the impact on those neighbouring properties.

The decision highlights the challenges faced by planning authorities in balancing competing interests and ensuring that development benefits the wider community without disproportionately burdening vulnerable groups.

Adult Skills Fund: New Priorities Aim to Boost Local Economy and Support Vulnerable Learners

The Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority Audit Committee discussed the devolution of the Adult Skills Fund (ASF), a key source of funding for adult education and training. The committee met on Wednesday to discuss the fund.

The ASF is used to provide adults aged 19 and over with skills to help them find employment, progress in their jobs, or pursue further learning.

The GLCCA's proposed ASF priorities include:

  • A programme of high-quality provision for Greater Lincolnshire adults that is accessible, aligned to local business need, well-promoted, and achieves good value for money by removing unnecessary duplication.
  • Providing adults with the confidence and support to participate in learning and progress to higher levels.
  • Funding qualifications that are business-led and contribute to the long-term prosperity of Greater Lincolnshire, creating a locally skilled workforce.
  • Increasing the capacity of the local provider base, so that Greater Lincolnshire's training infrastructure can be flexible and responsive to future local needs.

The report also outlines some draft policy changes in year 1, including:

  • Creating a new support fund to help care leavers access learning, providing up to £1,500 to help with learning costs.
  • Funding Greater Lincolnshire residents only, not employees who work but do not live in Greater Lincolnshire.
  • Funding providers to support unemployed residents to obtain their first Green CSCS card1.

The committee also discussed the importance of ensuring that training opportunities are accessible to all residents, including those with learning difficulties or disabilities.

Rights of Way: Sub-Committee Prioritizes Public Benefit in Path Decisions

The Definitive Map and Statement of Public Rights of Way Sub-Committee discussed a revision to the Definitive Map Modification Order (DMMO) Prioritisation Policy. The sub-committee met on Monday to discuss the policy.

The DMMO Prioritisation Policy sets out how the council decides which DMMO applications to investigate first.

The sub-committee was scheduled to review and comment on the proposed revision to this policy, with the aim of prioritizing applications that offer the greatest potential public benefit and reduce property blight.

The revised policy is intended to create a clearer, more consistent, and objective process for prioritizing DMMO applications, taking into account factors such as public safety and impact on residential property.

Other Matters Discussed

  • The Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority Audit Committee discussed internal audit progress, reviewed the authority's constitution, and considered its work programme. The committee met on Wednesday.
  • The Lincolnshire Council Executive discussed active recovery beds, the adult social care strategy, the sufficiency strategy for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and alternative provision, and the rights of way improvement plan. The Executive met on Tuesday.
  • The Environment Scrutiny Committee discussed service level performance, greenhouse gas emissions, and the committee's work programme. The committee met on Friday.

Upcoming Meetings

  1. CSCS stands for Construction Skills Certification Scheme. It provides proof that individuals working on construction sites have the required training and qualifications for the type of work they carry out. ↩

Lincolnshire SEND Strategy Scrutinised; Investment Plans Examined

This week in Lincolnshire:

SEND Strategy Faces Scrutiny: Will Better Belonging Deliver for Vulnerable Students?

The Overview and Scrutiny Management Board reviewed the Better Belonging Lincolnshire - Sufficiency Strategy for SEND and Alternative Provision 2025-2028, ahead of a decision by the Executive. The board met on Thursday to discuss the strategy.

This strategy aims to ensure that every child feels respected, included, and optimistic about their future, supported to learn and grow within their local community.

Key elements of the strategy include:

  • Mainstream inclusion initiatives: Supporting children with SEND in mainstream schools.
  • Mainstream SEND and AP Hubs: Creating specialist hubs within existing schools.
  • Expansion of SEND specialist provision: Increasing capacity in specialist SEND settings.
  • Expansion of Alternative Provision: Providing alternative educational pathways for students who cannot thrive in mainstream schools.

The strategy proposes a £13.788m funding allocation for SEND Capital projects, drawn from the Department for Education's High Needs Provision Capital Allocation.

The Executive is expected to make a decision on the strategy on 4 November 2025.

Business Support and Investment Strategies Under the Microscope: Can Lincolnshire Attract Growth?

The Growth Scrutiny Committee met to discuss economic development and skills initiatives, including the Economic Infrastructure Lettings Strategy, the Inward Investment Strategy, Skills Bootcamps, and the Greater Lincolnshire Careers Hub. The committee met on Tuesday to discuss the key issues.

Economic Infrastructure and Development Land

The committee reviewed the council's Economic Infrastructure Lettings Strategy and Development Land Sales Strategy, intended to support economic prosperity and job growth across Lincolnshire.

The Economic Infrastructure Lettings Strategy guides the management of the council's portfolio of industrial units and business centres, while the Development Land Sales Strategy focuses on the management, marketing, and sale of council-owned development land.

Inward Investment Strategy

The committee also discussed the Inward Investment Strategy, which outlines Lincolnshire County Council's plans to attract investment and drive local growth. The strategy identifies key industry sectors for investment, including agriculture and food processing, manufacturing and engineering, logistics and distribution, and defence.

Skills Bootcamps and Careers Hub

The committee received updates on the Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland Skills Bootcamp Programme, which aims to upskill people and fill specific, local skills gaps, and the Greater Lincolnshire Careers Hub, which connects schools with local employers to improve careers education.

Other Matters Discussed

  • The Corporate Parenting Panel met to discuss issues relating to children in care, including their living arrangements, and to review the panel's work programme. No transcript was provided. The panel met on Wednesday.

Upcoming Meetings

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Fire Pension Scheme Board

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Fire Pension Scheme Board - Thursday, 4th December, 2025 10.00 am

The Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Fire Pension Scheme Board is scheduled to meet to discuss its terms of reference, performance data from the West Yorkshire Pension Fund, and current issues affecting fire pension schemes. The board will also receive updates on its action plan, training record, risk register, fire pension scheme bulletins, the Fire Pension Officers' Group, and the Scheme Advisory Board.

December 04, 2025
Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority - Appointments Panel

Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority - Appointments Panel - Wednesday, 3rd December, 2025 4.00 pm

The Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority - Appointments Panel is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, 3 December 2025 in the Newland Room, County Offices, Newland, Lincoln. The primary item on the agenda is the consideration of exempt information related to the recruitment of chief officer roles. The meeting is open to the public, except for the discussion of the exempt information.

December 03, 2025
Adult Care and Public Health Scrutiny Committee

Adult Care and Public Health Scrutiny Committee - Wednesday, 3rd December, 2025 10.00 am

The Adult Care and Public Health Scrutiny Committee are scheduled to meet to discuss the Integrated Lifestyle Service, the Adult Social Care Strategy, the Adult Social Care Target Operating Model, performance reporting, and the committee's work programme. The meeting will be held in the Council Chamber, County Offices, Newland, Lincoln LN1 1YL.

December 03, 2025
Executive

Executive - Tuesday, 2nd December, 2025 10.30 am

The Executive of Lincolnshire County Council is scheduled to meet on 2 December 2025 to discuss the Lincolnshire County Council's Section 17 Crime and Disorder Strategy, and to review the council's financial performance. Councillors will also note changes to the revenue budget and capital programme which have been made under delegated powers.

December 02, 2025
Planning and Regulation Committee

Planning and Regulation Committee - Monday, 1st December, 2025 10.30 am

The Planning and Regulation Committee are scheduled to meet to discuss traffic regulation orders for several Lincolnshire towns, and two county matter applications relating to developments in Lincoln and South Thoresby.

December 01, 2025
Council POSTPONED

Extraordinary Meeting -

This meeting has been postponed.

November 28, 2025
Lincolnshire Schools' Forum

Lincolnshire Schools' Forum - Thursday, 27th November, 2025 1.00 pm

The Lincolnshire Schools' Forum met to discuss and make decisions on school funding for the 2026/27 financial year. The forum agreed to continue including a primary school rent factor in its local formula, supported the council's approach to managing affordability and the minimum funding guarantee, and approved a 0.5% transfer of funding from the schools block to the high needs block. The forum also discussed the work programme for future meetings and agreed to move the date of the January meeting to allow for more accurate data to be presented.

November 27, 2025
Overview and Scrutiny Management Board POSTPONED

the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board of Lincolnshire Council

This meeting has been postponed.

November 27, 2025
Community Safety Scrutiny Committee

Community Safety Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday, 25th November, 2025 10.00 am

The Community Safety Scrutiny Committee of Lincolnshire Council scheduled a meeting to discuss the Lincolnshire County Council's Section 17 Crime and Disorder Strategy, an update of the Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Control Programme, and trading standards regarding animal health, welfare and feed activity. The committee also planned to review service level performance and its work programme.

November 25, 2025
Council

Extraordinary Meeting, Council - Friday, 21st November, 2025 10.30 am

The Lincolnshire Council meeting on Friday, 21 November 2025, was scheduled to address local government reorganisation and the appointment of a new Chief Executive. The meeting was open to the public and was scheduled to be broadcast live on the internet.

November 21, 2025
Children's and Culture Scrutiny Committee

Children's and Culture Scrutiny Committee - Friday, 5th December, 2025 10.00 am

December 05, 2025
Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee

Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee - Monday, 8th December, 2025 10.00 am

December 08, 2025
Lincolnshire Health and Wellbeing Board CANCELLED

Lincolnshire Health and Wellbeing Board - Tuesday, 9th December, 2025 2.00 pm

December 09, 2025
Growth Scrutiny Committee

Growth Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday, 9th December, 2025 10.00 am

December 09, 2025
Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority

Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority - Wednesday, 10th December, 2025 2.00 pm

December 10, 2025
Pensions Committee

Pensions Committee - Thursday, 11th December, 2025 10.00 am

December 11, 2025
Lincolnshire Police and Crime Panel

Lincolnshire Police and Crime Panel - Friday, 12th December, 2025 11.00 am

December 12, 2025
Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee

Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee - Monday, 15th December, 2025 10.00 am

December 15, 2025
Health Scrutiny Committee for Lincolnshire

Health Scrutiny Committee for Lincolnshire - Wednesday, 17th December, 2025 10.00 am

December 17, 2025
Overview and Scrutiny Management Board

Overview and Scrutiny Management Board - Thursday, 18th December, 2025 10.00 am

December 18, 2025