The Environment Scrutiny Committee of Lincolnshire Council met on Friday 19 June 2026 to discuss significant operational changes at Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs), the progress of the Greater Lincolnshire Groundwater Project, and performance reporting for the Environment services. A key decision was made to recommend the implementation of a booking system for all HWRCs, alongside infrastructure improvements, to address increasing pressures on the service. The committee also reviewed the ongoing work of the Greater Lincolnshire Groundwater Project and its legacy, and discussed performance against targets for waste management and flood risk management.

Household Waste Recycling Centres Operational Changes and Infrastructure Improvements

The committee discussed proposals for significant operational changes and infrastructure improvements at Lincolnshire's Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs). The current system, which allows unrestricted access, is facing increasing pressure from a 49% rise in waste tonnage since 2021, leading to an estimated 1.2 million visits annually. This has resulted in significant queuing, on-site congestion, and issues with misuse by traders and cross-border usage, contributing to an annual operational cost of £7.7 million.

The recommended solution is the introduction of a booking system across all HWRCs. This system aims to manage access, reduce queuing and congestion, improve on-site safety, and strengthen the ability to control misuse. Evidence from other authorities suggests booking systems can lead to a 5% improvement in recycling rates and significant cost savings. For Lincolnshire, a conservative estimate of a 20% reduction in waste tonnage could result in approximately £1 million in annual savings through reduced disposal and haulage costs. The proposal is supported by a targeted infrastructure improvement programme, including enhanced signage and site layout upgrades.

During the discussion, councillors raised concerns about the accessibility of the booking system for those without digital access, with assurances given that non-digital booking options via the Customer Service Centre would be available. There was also debate about the potential impact on rural areas and whether a booking system was necessary for sites that do not experience significant congestion. Officers clarified that the system aims to manage waste stream availability and prevent residents from making wasted journeys when certain streams are temporarily unavailable. Concerns were also raised about the robustness of the data used to support the decision and the potential for the system to be perceived as restricting access. However, the overall sentiment from officers was that the booking system, combined with infrastructure improvements, represents a balanced and evidence-based approach to modernising the service, improving customer experience, supporting staff, enhancing recycling performance, and ensuring financial sustainability.

The committee's views will be passed to the Executive for their consideration on 14 July 2026.

Greater Lincolnshire Groundwater Project

The committee received an update on the Greater Lincolnshire Groundwater Project, a grant-funded initiative from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) aimed at improving understanding and resilience to groundwater flooding. The project, which has been running for several years and is due to conclude in March 2027, has implemented various schemes across Lincolnshire, including natural flood management measures in Barrow-upon-Humber, wetland capacity increases in Kingston Gardens, Grimsby, and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in Lincoln and Haynton.

A significant focus of the project has been on Property Flood Resilience (PFR) measures in communities like Washingborough, Blyton, and Haynton, with increased funding available to explore the true cost of such resilience. The project has also collaborated with universities on research into the economic costs of salinisation and the mental health impacts of flooding. Educational initiatives, such as the Darcy's Tale animation and book, have been developed to raise awareness among children, with the book being adapted for the national curriculum.

A key development highlighted was the telemetry programme, which involves installing devices to monitor water levels in ordinary watercourses and groundwater areas to provide early flood warnings. This system is being rolled out across 80 parishes, with over 2,000 users already signed up. The project has been recognised nationally through various awards, and its legacy elements, including the telemetry programme and educational materials, are designed to continue providing benefits beyond the project's official end date.

Councillor Ian Carrington praised the team's work, highlighting their national leadership in tackling groundwater flooding and their exceptional community engagement. He sought a political commitment from Councillor Danny Brookes, the Executive Councillor for Environment, to secure future funding for this vital service, suggesting that discussions on project definition and costs be brought back to the committee in the autumn. Councillor Brookes assured that he would do his utmost to secure the necessary funding, and the committee agreed to add this to their work programme for further discussion.

Service Level Performance Reporting Against the Performance Framework 2025-2026 Quarter 4

The committee reviewed the Quarter 4 performance for Environment services, including Flood Risk Management and Waste.

For Flood Risk Management, the performance indicator for Section 19 investigations completed within six months exceeded its target, with 100% of investigations completed within the timeframe. The number of properties protected from flooding stood at 101, a contextual measure without a specific target.

In Waste management, the amount of household waste collected per household was 935kg, which is below the target of 1000kg, indicating a positive trend of less waste being produced per household. However, the overall recycling rate was 43.4% at year-end, below the target of 55%, though an improvement on the previous year. The recycling rate at Household Waste Recycling Centres was 69.1%, also below the target, attributed to difficulties in economically recycling wood and mattress streams and lower volumes of green waste in winter. The percentage of waste sent to landfill was exceptionally low at 0.67%, well below the target of 2.5%.

Councillor Ashley John Baxter expressed disappointment regarding the recycling rates, suggesting that the lack of accessibility and management at HWRCs contributed to lower performance. He requested more granular data to understand regional variations in recycling performance. Officers noted that new initiatives, such as food waste collection and the upcoming Simpler Recycling and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation, are expected to improve recycling rates.

Scrutiny Committee Performance Framework 2026/27

The committee considered the proposed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the Environment Scrutiny Committee for the 2026/27 reporting period. The report noted that the current KPIs are largely a holding pattern, with revised indicators expected to be brought forward following the development of the new Environment Policy Action Plan. The committee was invited to acknowledge the recommendations for the framework, with any suggested changes to be considered by the Executive Councillor for Environment.

Councillor Cain Parkinson raised concerns about the focus on recycling targets potentially impacting the quality of services provided to residents, questioning whether the council should prioritise hitting recycling rates at the detriment of service accessibility. Officers explained that many targets are ambitious and nationally driven, with ongoing efforts to improve recycling through initiatives like food waste collection and EPR. Councillor Baxter questioned the rationale behind some targets, suggesting that the landfill target could potentially be reduced.

Environment Scrutiny Committee Work Programme

The committee reviewed its upcoming work programme. For the meeting on 31 July 2026, substantive items include an update from Anglian Water on the Lincolnshire Reservoir, pre-decision scrutiny on the re-procurement of mixed dry recycling services and HWRC management contracts, and the Environment Policy Action Plan.

Councillor Ashley John Baxter requested an update on the usage and predicted costs following the proposed changes to the recycling centres. Councillor Ian Carrington raised concerns about the lack of progress on installing solar panels on council-owned buildings, a topic previously discussed, and requested a specific report on the matter. Councillor Courtney Ruben Robinson echoed these concerns, highlighting the potential for cost savings and income generation. The committee agreed to approve the planned work programme, incorporating these points for future discussion.