This meeting covered a wide range of subjects from finance and planning, to social value and health. Significant topics include a review of the council’s financial position, a proposal for £200 payments to some pensioners and an update on the status of the council’s Local Plan.

Future of the North Lincolnshire Local Plan

The report pack included a report that seeks approval to withdraw the draft North Lincolnshire Local Plan and launch an immediate review of the plan following new government planning policies announced earlier in 2024. The report pack includes the results of a survey the council undertook on the government's planning reforms. The survey found that 71 per cent of residents did not support plans to increase the number of new houses and that 83 per cent of residents did not support plans to allocate farmable land for housing.

Financial Position Update

The report pack includes a report that seeks to provide the Cabinet with an update on the council’s in-year financial position in 2024/25. This was the second such report to be given this year, and it includes an update on the council's Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for 2025/26 onwards. The report pack states that at quarter two it is anticipated that net expenditure will be broadly within the approved budget for 2024/25. It also states that risks to the Council’s financial resilience remain however in future years with the cost base at risk of increasing much faster than spending power.

Green Badge Scheme

The report pack included a proposal for the introduction of a new Green Badge parking permit scheme. The scheme is intended to support people who experience temporary restricted mobility and would not qualify for a Blue Badge. The report pack states that the Green Badge permit would be issued for a limited period whilst the applicant recovers from their temporary mobility problems.

Support for Families and Pensioners Delivery Plan

The report pack included a report that seeks approval for a delivery plan that aims to support vulnerable families and pensioners during Winter 2024. In particular, it seeks to support pensioners who are no longer eligible for the Winter Fuel Allowance following its cancellation in September 2024. It was proposed to offer £200 payments to the circa 3,000 pensioners who are on low incomes and who had previously received the Winter Fuel Allowance. The report pack also details a plan to provide free air fryers or slow cookers to pensioners, and to extend the existing air fryer cookery course to another 1,000 families.

Bus Service Improvement Plan Achievements

The report pack included a report that seeks to update the Cabinet on the progress and achievements that have been made through the council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan. The report lists the details of 19 schemes that were recommended for implementation by the council's Enhanced Partnership Board. These include the introduction of a number of additional and extended bus services.

Selective Licensing Consultation Report

The report pack included a report that seeks approval from the cabinet to adopt a scheme for the selective licensing of private rented accommodation in Scunthorpe. The report recommends that selective licensing be introduced in the Town ward and the Crosby & Park ward following a consultation. The report pack states that the consultation for Area 1 and Area 2, was not supported by the majority of responders, but that on further analysis of responses there was an increased number of those living, working and providing business in Area 1 that supported the scheme.

Project Anchor Social Value

The report pack included a report that seeks to update the cabinet on the social value generated by the Project Anchor scheme. The report states that the project has significantly contributed to local employment, apprenticeships, and training programs to upskill the local workforce. The report pack also notes that the scheme incorporated renewable technologies such as Photo Voltaic Panels, Air Source Heat Pumps as well as low embodied carbon specification.

Social Value – South Junction (M180)

The report pack included a report that seeks to update the cabinet on the social value that has been generated by the Southern Junction Scheme. The report pack notes that [t]hree local armed forces veterans (1.56 FTE) have been hired who would otherwise have been unemployed. It also states that [a]ll invoices for the contract will be paid within 30 days to support supply chain contractors.

Care Leavers Financial Policy

The report pack included a report that seeks approval for a revised Care Leavers Financial Policy. The report pack states that [t]he Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations Volume 3: Planning Transition to Adulthood for Care Leavers sets out the requirement for Local Authorities to have a ‘clear written and transparent financial policy’ that ‘sets out what entitlements young people have’.

Independent Reviewing Service Annual Report 2023/24

The report pack included the Independent Reviewing Service’s annual report for 2023/24. It sought permission to publish the report and also provided a summary of its findings. It notes that North Lincolnshire has a population of 172,005 and that the numbers of children in care have remained low and relatively consistent over recent years.

Draft Air Quality Annual Status Report (ASR) 2024

The report pack includes the council’s draft Air Quality Annual Status Report for 2024. This report is a legal requirement and seeks approval for a public consultation to be undertaken on the report. The draft report describes the findings of the council's air quality monitoring network. It states that [s]ome areas within the Scunthorpe AQMA still experience elevated concentrations of PM10 and that for the year 2023, whilst the concentrations have reduced at both sites, the levels of PAH (Benzo(a)pyrene (B[a]P) in ambient air) remain elevated at both the Scunthorpe Town and Low Santon monitoring sites.

Partnership Between the Council and the Multi Faith Organisations

The report pack included a report that seeks approval to adopt a faith covenant that has been co-produced between the council and the North Lincolnshire Multi Faith Forum. The covenant sets out commitments for both the council and the forum. These include the council [w]elcoming the involvement of faith and belief-based organisations in the delivery of services and social action on an equal basis with others and the forum ensuring that public services and faith-based social action should respect service users from all backgrounds with no discrimination.

Outcome of the Humber Services Acute Review

The report pack included a report on the outcome of the Humber Service Acute Review. In particular, it seeks to update the cabinet on the lack of progress made during discussions between the council and the Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (HNYICB). The report pack states that the discussions were a genuine attempt to seek local resolution on outstanding concerns arising from the Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board’s decisions on the Humber Acute Services programme. The report notes that “[t]here have been no meaningful changes or mitigations offered by Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board to the original decision made, despite this process”. The report concludes by noting that a detailed report would be submitted for consideration by Council at its meeting on 5 December 2024.