The Growth Scrutiny Committee of Lincolnshire Council met on Tuesday 23 June 2026 to discuss the re-procurement of the gas framework contract, the state of the Lincolnshire economy, performance indicators, and the property rationalisation programme. Key decisions included deferring the decision on the gas framework contract re-procurement pending further information and endorsing the property rationalisation programme's progress.

Gas Framework Contract Re-Procurement

The committee considered the report on the gas framework contract re-procurement, which is due to be presented to the Executive on 14 July 2026. Councillors raised numerous concerns regarding the lack of transparency, the reliance on the ESPO framework for 25 years, and the absence of detailed comparative data from other public buying organisations. Specific points of contention included the unclear costs associated with ESPO, the lack of evidence of proactive energy management, and the absence of explicit social value commitments within the current contract. Councillor Ashley John Baxter questioned the value for money, suggesting that alternative providers might offer better pricing structures. Councillor Matthew David Boles raised concerns about the sensitivity of forecasts to external factors and the inclusion of social value opportunities in procurement exercises. Councillor Barry Robert Andrew Daish echoed these concerns, particularly regarding the social value element and the lack of specific data on how the council had benefited from the current ESPO contract. Councillor Thomas James George Dyer also expressed disappointment at the lack of detail regarding social value benefits.

Following extensive debate, Councillor Matthew David Boles formally proposed that the item be deferred until the next committee meeting to allow for the provision of requested additional information, including benchmarking data and social value details. Councillor Ashley John Baxter seconded the proposal. The committee voted unanimously to defer the item, with the understanding that this recommendation would be put to the Executive for consideration on 14 July 2026. The committee also agreed that the feedback from the debate would be shared with the Executive.

State of the County - The Lincolnshire Economy 2026

The committee received a report and presentation on the State of the County: The Lincolnshire Economy 2026 dashboard, which provides a broad economic baseline for Lincolnshire. Justin Brown, Assistant Director – Growth, Infrastructure and Environment, presented the findings, highlighting key structural issues such as a widening productivity and wage gap compared to the national average, challenges with connectivity, and an ageing population. The report noted that while Lincolnshire has a stable business base, it lacks dynamism, with fewer high-growth businesses. Conversely, housing supply and affordability remain strong points.

Councillor Corey raised a question about the council's support for the growing demographic of older residents, focusing on economic engagement, healthy lifestyles, and access to work and transport. Justin Brown explained the council's involvement with the Aging Better Partnership and its work with adult social care to support innovative care businesses. Councillor Matthew David Boles inquired about the council's approach to addressing the triple geography challenge of urban, coastal, and rural deprivation, noting the significantly different interventions required for each. Justin Brown highlighted the Connect to Work programme, which incentivises providers to focus on harder-to-tackle communities. Councillor Ashley John Baxter found the report refreshing and asked how the council's work aligned with the mayoral authority to avoid duplication and ensure collaboration. Justin Brown outlined monthly operational meetings with the mayoral team and regular strategic meetings between council leaders and the mayor. Councillor Barry Robert Andrew Daish expressed concern about the distribution of investment opportunities, suggesting that North East Lincolnshire appeared to be receiving a disproportionate amount, and questioned how the council was ensuring a fair division of government funding. Justin Brown explained the governance systems within the combined authority and how investment decisions were made based on economic advantage. Councillor Daish also inquired about the reasons for young people leaving the county and the attractiveness of working in Lincolnshire. Justin Brown acknowledged the importance of understanding motivations and mentioned upcoming papers on youth opportunities. Councillor Rundle asked about figures related to the clear investment offer and the funding available for businesses. Justin Brown stated that a paper on investment would be presented at a future meeting. Councillor Daish asked about the council's role in supporting young people who leave school without employment or further education opportunities. Justin Brown detailed the establishment of a task and finish group to address this issue and highlighted existing council initiatives.

The committee moved to a proposal to receive the report, thank the officers, and request an annual update to the dashboard, along with a member workshop focusing on data interpretation. This was agreed unanimously.

Scrutiny Committee Performance Framework 2026/27

The committee considered the Scrutiny Committee Performance Framework for 2026/27. Samantha Harrison, Head of Economic Development, and Laura Shepherd, Head of Corporate Commercial & Procurement, presented the proposed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Councillor Thomas James George Dyer raised several points regarding the growth indicators, questioning the metric for businesses helping us to shape service provision and asking for current figures against targets. He also expressed concerns about PI 75, managed workspaces, arguing that it did not accurately reflect total occupancy and masked the performance of poorer-performing centres. He also questioned the definition and auditing of small businesses and the lack of a KPI for business centres washing their face (being cost-neutral). Justin Brown responded to these points, explaining the rationale behind the KPIs and the challenges in collecting granular data. Councillor Matthew David Boles focused on social value, particularly local jobs, and questioned whether the council monitored subcontractors' addresses to accurately reflect local spend. Laura Shepherd acknowledged that this data was not consistently gathered but was a development area. Councillor Corey asked about the responsiveness of quarterly reporting and the difference between output and outcome. Justin Brown clarified that reporting would be quarterly, with a narrative to highlight exceptions, and explained the distinction between output (number of businesses assisted) and outcome (business growth). Councillor Daish inquired about data on extremely small businesses, and Justin Brown confirmed that data on both employees and turnover was collected. Councillor Courtney Ruben Robinson asked for clarification on whether Lincolnshire in the context of procurement statistics included Greater Lincolnshire and if there was a preference for local or regional businesses. Laura Shepherd explained the current definition and the ongoing review process. Councillor Rundle asked about performance indicators for tourism and events organised by the council. Justin Brown stated that a tourism strategy paper would be presented in the autumn and that event organisation was not a core function of his department. Councillor Ashley John Baxter raised concerns about PI 93, revenue savings achieved from property assets declared surplus, fearing it could encourage the disposal of assets without considering their broader value. He also questioned the absence of a KPI for monitoring changes in gas and electricity consumption across the council's portfolio. Marie Marriott, Head of Facilities and Workspace Management, confirmed that energy consumption was monitored and that an internal target for a 7.5% reduction in energy consumption existed. Councillor Baxter also questioned the value of PI 52, percentage of contracts on the council's contract register with a Lincolnshire registered address, asking if it considered contract value. Laura Shepherd stated that the wording could be updated to clarify that spend would be reported.

The committee moved to a proposal to support the recommendations to the executive councillors, which was agreed unanimously.

Service Level Performance Reporting against the Performance Framework 2025-26 Quarter 4

Samantha Harrison, Head of Economic Development, presented the final quarter's performance report for 2025-26. She reported that the number of businesses supported by the council had significantly exceeded the target, reaching 4,628 against a target of 2,500. This increase was attributed to the receipt of nearly £1 million in UK Shared Prosperity Fund money, enabling enhanced services. The target for qualifications achieved by adults was also met and exceeded, with 2,165 qualifications achieved against a target of 2,000. However, the target for external funding attracted to Lincolnshire was not met, with £12.2 million secured against a target of £15 million. This shortfall was explained by a delay in the Skills Bootcamps contract due to a change in government department and a subsequent six-month waiting period before funding could be claimed. Councillor Matthew David Boles praised the report, particularly the breakdown of support by district and business type, and highlighted a positive case study from Gainsborough. Samantha Harrison provided further details on the funding received and the robust model in place for future support, noting that next year's targets were more realistic. The committee agreed to receive the report and cascade the feedback to relevant teams.

Property Rationalisation Annual Report 2025/26

The committee received the annual report on the Property Rationalisation Programme for 2025/26. Mark Eyre, Head of Strategic Asset Management & Estates, presented the report, highlighting that the programme had achieved £3.151 million in capital receipts and £0.401 million in revenue savings during the financial year. He noted that the programme's potential had been adjusted to £15.436 million in capital receipts and £1.423 million in revenue savings, with ongoing reviews identifying further opportunities. The report detailed several key achievements, including the sale of Crown House, which supported local business expansion, and the leasehold transfer of Holbeach Minerva House to the University of Lincoln Academy Trust, increasing school places.

Councillor Matthew David Boles commended the improved process for local member involvement in property decisions and reiterated his focus on social and community benefits. He questioned what was being done differently to ensure that properties were not simply demolished if they could be repurposed for community benefit, referencing a past issue in his division. Mark Eyre explained that officers assess all offers, including those with social value contributions, and that decisions are not purely based on financial figures. Councillor Ashley John Baxter inquired about the status of the Deepings Leisure Centre and former libraries, and Mark Eyre confirmed that the Deepings Leisure Centre was awaiting a potential academy-style lease transfer, with other options being considered if this did not materialise. He also stated that he would provide information on when the Bracebridge Heath and Bourne libraries last functioned as libraries. Councillor Barry Robert Andrew Daish asked about the criteria for mothballing properties and the associated maintenance costs. Mark Eyre explained that mothballing was considered for properties with potential future strategic use, such as for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), and that only minimal maintenance was undertaken to keep costs down. Councillor Matthew David Boles raised concerns about the security and maintenance of mothballed properties, citing the example of Longwood House in Gainsborough. Mark Eyre assured the committee that enhanced security measures, including mobile patrols and risk assessments, were in place for mothballed properties, aligning with insurance requirements. Councillor Daish requested a list of all properties owned by the council to review their viability, and Mark Eyre confirmed that such a list existed and had been used to inform the report.

The committee moved to a proposal to receive the report and cascade comments to relevant teams, which was agreed unanimously.

Growth Scrutiny Committee Work Programme

Kiara Chatziioannou, Health Scrutiny Officer, presented the committee's work programme. She informed the committee of several changes since the agenda's publication: the Sleaford County Offices Demolition paper had been moved to the September meeting, the Traveller Site Strategy had been removed from the work programme at this stage, and a new item, Tidal Apologies Water and Wastewater Contract Transition to New Provider, had been added for the July meeting. Councillor Thomas James George Dyer questioned why the Traveller Strategy had been removed, and Kiara Chatziioannou explained that due to current uncertainty surrounding Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), the council was reviewing strategic priorities, and the Traveller Strategy was being deferred until greater clarity emerged. Councillor Corey inquired if this deferral also applied to the County Farms Strategy and Windmills Strategy, and Kiara Chatziioannou confirmed that the County Farms Strategy would be presented in the autumn, with no notification of the Windmills Strategy being pulled. The committee moved to a proposal to receive the report and approve the existing work programme, including amendments and removals discussed, which was agreed unanimously.