The Community Safety Scrutiny Committee met on Tuesday 16 June 2026 to review performance reports, discuss future work programmes, and examine strategies for community safety and serious violence prevention. Key discussions included progress on emergency planning and fire safety, the proposed performance framework for the upcoming year, and updates on the Safer Lincolnshire Partnership's strategy and the Lincolnshire Serious Violence Prevention Strategy.

Service Level Performance Reporting (2025-26 Quarter 4)

The committee received a comprehensive update on service-level performance for the fourth quarter of the 2025-26 financial year.

Fire Safety: Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue reported exceeding targets for average response times to dwelling fires (10 minutes 37 seconds against an 11-minute target) and all other incidents (12 minutes 24 seconds against a 15-minute target). The risk-based inspection programme also surpassed its target, with 432 inspections completed against a goal of 416. Home Fire Safety Visits at vulnerable households also exceeded the target, with 91.4% of visits conducted at such properties. However, the target for responding to building regulation applications within 15 working days was not met, with 93.9% achieved. The report noted 10 fire fatalities and 36 fire casualties in primary fires during the period, with detailed analysis of contributing factors and ongoing review processes to prevent future incidents. Total incidents attended increased by 16% compared to the previous year, with a notable rise in special service calls.

Emergency Planning: Progress was reported on the development of Community Emergency Plans (CEPs). While the target of 90% of high-risk areas having a completed plan was not met, the completion rate increased to 38.6%. The contact rate for offering support to develop CEPs across all parish and ward areas reached 86.9%. The proportion of high-risk areas with plans in development or draft stages rose to 43.9%.

Safer Communities: In the area of fraud prevention, 157 interventions were delivered in Quarter 4. A total of 153 call blockers have been deployed across the county, blocking nearly 6,000 scam calls during the quarter. 51 presentations were delivered to nearly 900 residents, and 661 individuals completed fraud awareness training.

Coroners and Registrations: The service exceeded its target for birth registrations, with 99% completed within 42 days against a 98% target. However, the target for death registrations within five days was not met, with 76% achieved against a 90% target. The number of open inquest cases remained below the 300 threshold at 264, and the number of inquests older than 12 months was below the 35 threshold at 34.

Volunteering: The report highlighted that 1,315 voluntary and community groups were actively supported in Lincolnshire, with 413 receiving tailored support in Quarter 4. A total of 2,337 people were supported to access volunteering opportunities, with a notable increase in young people and those seeking work engaging in volunteering.

Scrutiny Committee Performance Framework 2026/27

The committee reviewed the proposed performance framework for the 2026/27 reporting period. For Fire Safety, the average response times to dwelling fires and all other incidents remain targeted, with the aim of maintaining current performance levels. The risk-based inspection programme and petroleum licensing inspections are to be reported as targeted measures. For Emergency Planning, five new contextual performance indicators are proposed to better reflect the Community Resilience Programme's progress, including the number of communities contacted, with completed plans, signed up, not yet engaged, and those that have refused. Safer Communities' fraud protection activity will remain a contextual measure. Coroners and Registrations will continue to target the five-day death registration goal, while inquest case numbers will remain contextual. Volunteering support for groups and individuals accessing opportunities will also remain contextual.

Community Safety Scrutiny Committee Work Programme

The committee discussed its work programme for the coming year. The planned items for the 16 June meeting included the Q4 performance report, the 2026/27 performance framework, the Safer Lincolnshire Partnership's Year One progress update, and an update on the Serious Violence Duty. For the 21 July meeting, planned items include the HM Senior Coroner's Annual Report, an LFR Response Review, Trading Standards activity on Food Standards and Metrology, and the Section 17 Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy Action Plan. Councillor Martin Bridgwood proposed moving the Trading Standards Metrology Activity to the September meeting to allow more time for other substantive items, which was agreed.

Safer Lincolnshire Partnership Strategy 2025-2028 - Year One Progress Update

The committee received an update on the first year of the Safer Lincolnshire Partnership's (SLP) strategy. The SLP operates under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and has statutory responsibilities including reducing crime, anti-social behaviour, re-offending, and substance misuse. The strategy has moved to a project-based delivery model, focusing on targeted, evidence-based interventions. Key projects include place-based initiatives in Skegness and Gainsborough, addressing high deprivation, crime, and unemployment, and countywide projects focusing on unemployment and improving case management systems. Early indicators suggest strong partnership engagement and improved coordination. The SLP will continue to refine its performance framework and incorporate lived experience and community feedback.

Lincolnshire Serious Violence Prevention Strategy 2025-2028 Update

An update was provided on the application of the Serious Violence Duty in Lincolnshire. The Safer Lincolnshire Partnership oversees this duty, with a focus on early intervention, prevention, supporting communities, and law enforcement. Key performance indicators, set nationally by the Home Office, focus on reducing hospital admissions for assaults with knives or sharp objects, reducing recorded serious violence incidents involving knives, and reducing homicides. While Lincolnshire remains a safe county, the report noted a slight increase in knife-enabled serious violence incidents, which is considered within statistical tolerance. Funding of £358,133.50 was allocated for 2025-2026 and has been confirmed for 2026-2027, supporting various projects including diversionary sports programmes, a network of safe spaces, and educational initiatives on knife crime. The report highlighted increased Home Office scrutiny and mandatory requirements for reporting and strategy development. Discussions also touched upon the importance of community engagement, the challenges of funding sustainability, and the need to balance data-driven approaches with community perception.