The Growth Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 15 September 2026 to review the council's performance framework for the first quarter of the 2026-27 financial year, and to receive an update on capital repairs and maintenance projects. The committee will also discuss its work programme for the coming year.

Scrutiny Committee Performance Framework 2026-27 Quarter 1

The committee is set to receive a report summarising the performance of the Growth Scrutiny Committee Performance Framework for the first quarter of the 2026-27 financial year. This report, prepared by Andy Gutherson, Executive Director – Place, and Andrew McLean, Executive Director – Resources, details performance indicators across various areas.

In the Economy section, two measures exceeded their target: The total number of businesses that receive direct support and advice through the Council's commissioned business support services saw 909 businesses supported, significantly exceeding the target of 667. The report highlights the work of the Business Lincolnshire Growth Hub, the Inward Investment Service, the Made Smarter Programme, the UK Food Valley Team, the Greater Lincolnshire Careers Hub, Skills Bootcamps, and the Greater Lincolnshire Regional Defence and Security Cluster in achieving this. Another measure, Percentage of premises who are able to connect to a broadband service offering download speeds greater than 100Mb/s, reported an actual figure of 83.1%, surpassing the Q1 target of 82.4%. The report notes progress with Project Gigabit and commercial deployments by Openreach.

Under measures that do not have a specific target, The percentage of users who click a link to an accommodation provider or leisure offer on VisitLincolnshire.com, with the intention of making a direct booking on the provider's site achieved 17.2%, exceeding the industry benchmark of 5%. The report attributes this success to strong website performance, particularly following a BBC Countryfile feature on the Viking Way. Additionally, The number of small business tenants in the council's portfolio of economic properties stood at 173, remaining broadly stable.

In the Property section, Property Disposals- revenue savings achieved from property assets declared surplus and disposed of reported £479,106 in savings for Quarter 1, putting the council ahead of its annual target of £507,000.

Under Procurement, the measure Percentage of contracts awarded without successful challenge achieved 100%, with 62 contracts awarded without any successful challenges during the reporting period.

Capital Repairs and Maintenance 2026/27 Progress Update

The committee is scheduled to consider a progress update on the council's Capital Repairs and Maintenance programme for 2026/27. This report, prepared by Marie Marriott, Director - Corporate Property, and Michelle Owens, Head of Facilities and Workspace Management, aims to facilitate scrutiny of the first quarter's progress. The programme is designed to maintain council-owned schools and non-school properties in a safe and compliant condition.

For the Schools programme, the agreed budget is £3.5M, with £3,495,122 allocated to works and a forecast expenditure of £3,067,078, showing a variance of -£428,044. The report indicates that planned programme elements have been adjusted, with some removed and one added following site surveys and the emergence of safeguarding needs. The primary drivers for works include boiler replacements, electrical systems, roofing, and drainage.

The Non-Schools programme has an agreed budget of £4.6M, with £4,729,705 allocated to works and a forecast expenditure of £4,439,895, resulting in a variance of -£298,810. This programme is also on schedule for completion within the year, with some work packages removed and one added. A significant portion of the budget is allocated to reactive works, such as fire alarm and boiler failures, and building fabric repairs. Specific projects mentioned include Usher Gallery boiler replacement and Lincoln Museum roof works.

Growth Scrutiny Committee Work Programme

Kiara Chatziioannou, Health Scrutiny Officer, has prepared a report for the committee to review and comment on its annual work programme. The aim is to ensure that scrutiny activity is focused on areas where it can deliver the most impact and address issues of corporate and local significance. The report outlines scheduled items for upcoming meetings, including performance reviews, updates on capital repairs and maintenance, and pre-decision scrutiny of various strategies and programmes.

The work programme for 15 September 2026 includes the Scrutiny Committee Performance Framework 2026-27 Quarter 1 and Capital Repairs and Maintenance 2026/27 progress updates, alongside an informal State of the County Workshop. Future meetings are scheduled to cover topics such as the Proposed Strategy for Lincolnshire County Council's County Farms Estate, funding bids to the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority, a Social Value Strategy Update, and the Visitor Economy/Tourism Strategy Report.

The committee is also invited to highlight any additional scrutiny activity for consideration, particularly those aligning with the Growth portfolio, which encompasses the economy, property, procurement, contract management, and support for veterans. A list of topics to be programmed includes updates on the Federation of Small Businesses, the Agri-Tech Sector Facility, and the Grantham High Street Audit Report.