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Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Thursday 29th May 2025 6.30 pm
May 29, 2025 View on council website Watch video of meeting or read trancriptSummary
The Boston Borough Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss an equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) strategy, a joint scrutiny of the Partnership Enviro Crime Enforcement Contract, and the committee's work programme. The committee agreed to note the Enviro Crime Enforcement Contract report and its recommendations, and to alter and bring back the EDI report with more input from scrutiny. The committee also discussed adding the Lincolnshire Police's Peel report and highways issues to the work programme.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan
The committee was asked to review and provide views on the proposed Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy and Action Plan for the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership (SELCP). Rachel Robinson, group manager, organisational development, presented the strategy, which aims to ensure council services are accessible to all and promote inclusion within the workforce and communities.
The strategy sets out four key objectives:
- Understand the needs of communities and bring local people together
- Create a diverse and inclusive leadership team and embed inclusion in decision-making
- Ensure council services meet the diverse needs of residents and make it easy for residents to access services
- Be an inclusive and fair employer with a diverse workforce at all levels
Councillor Goodwood voiced opposition to the strategy, arguing that such policies do not achieve their intended objectives and distract from the real causes of inequality, such as income and political engagement. He said:
...these policies I don't think they actually ever achieve the objectives that are intended for them but moreover I think they tend to take organizations and others eyes off the real causes of inequality and lack of diversity if you like which essentially is down to income political engagement you know maybe class creating a a series of identities around which you base policies of this sort I don't think actually ever achieves what it's supposed to do it it just enables you know government or the people with power to pass the buck down to the people at the bottom of the pile arguing for one reason or another a lack of training or a lack of commitment to diversity is the reason that there are people out there who are being discriminated against
Councillor Austin raised concerns about efficiency, the best person for the job, and the best use of taxpayers' money.
Councillor Gilbert questioned the accuracy of census data presented in the report, particularly regarding race and non-UK identity in Boston. He also asked about the stakeholders involved in the report's formation, specifically whether representatives from various communities were invited to contribute.
Councillor Gilbert also asked whether a policy was mandatory, and Rachel Robinson clarified that the council must comply with the Equality Act 2010 and the public sector equality duty, which requires setting objectives to advance equality, diversity and inclusion.
Councillor Gilbert suggested widening the scope of inclusion to include characteristics such as power, political exclusion, and economic disadvantage.
Councillor Izard asked about the estimated cost of implementing the policy, and Rachel Robinson stated that the cost to Boston would be just over £7,000, which includes on costs, for a shared, part-time, fixed-term contract to oversee the delivery of the action plan.
Councillor Welbury questioned how results would be measured and suggested focusing on the aging population, as indicated by the census.
Councillor Austin asked what good comes out of the policy and whether there is any benefit. Rachel Robinson responded that the benefit would be in terms of accessibility to the community, recognising that not everyone has the same starting point in life and that some people face additional barriers.
Councillor Paul Gleeson noted that the document uses ambiguous language and suggested being more specific about the goals. He also suggested including other characteristics, such as age, political engagement, and the economic strength of the local population.
The committee agreed to note the report but felt that it needed to be altered and brought back with more involvement from scrutiny.
Joint Scrutiny of the Partnership Enviro Crime Enforcement Contract
The committee was asked to note the attached report on the joint scrutiny of the Partnership Enviro Crime Enforcement Contract and to look at 13 recommendations. Councillor Scoot presented the report, explaining that the partnership entered into an agreement with Kingdom in 2023 to deliver the environment crime policy, including street cleaning, fly-tipping cleanup, and CCTV operation. The contract is due to finish next year, with the option of a two-year buy-in.
Councillor Scoot reported that Boston Borough Council had benefited greatly from the contract, due to a prior tie-up with Kingdom. He also stated that the recommendations made include better use of education and the media to highlight Kingdom's successes.
Councillor Reyzer asked how reports to the Fix My Street app are handled and whether Kingdom receives information from the app. Christian Allen clarified that Fix My Street is a county council app and that fly-tipping should be reported through the relevant council's website.
Councillor Marson commented that residents should be advised to include an appropriate email address when using Fix My Street to get feedback.
Councillor Izard suggested developing a Fix My Street Boston
app for quicker reporting.
Councillor Goodwood reported fly-tipping using the Clear Waste app, which he said works incredibly well. He also suggested extending the role of enforcement officers to address wheelie bins left on streets, particularly with Boston 4001 coming up. Councillor Austin raised the issue of terraced houses with narrow streets and limited space for wheelie bins.
Councillor Gilbert suggested that the council was not meeting obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act because streets are littered with bins, making it difficult for disabled people and parents with pushchairs to navigate.
The committee discussed the financial return from the contract, with Kingdom retaining 90% of the income from fixed penalty notices (FPNs) and the councils retaining 10%. Rebecca James offered to provide specific figures.
The committee agreed with the 13 recommendations in general.
Work Programme
The committee discussed the work programme, as shown on pages 69 and 70 of the agenda. Councillor Paul Gleeson suggested an informal workshop for members to discuss issues and develop a bottom-up programme.
Councillor Paul Gleeson proposed inviting the chief constable to address issues raised in the Lincolnshire Police's Peel report. He also raised concerns about flooding at the junction of South End and John Adams Way and asked if other members had similar issues with highways not responding.
Councillor Gilbert agreed, citing the poor state of traffic islands and roundabouts, particularly the Sutton Roundabout.
Councillor Savickiene suggested scrutinising licensing application forms and the planning permission system to make them more accessible.
Councillor Gilbert suggested revisiting the issue of bins on streets and considering remedial actions, such as issuing bin bags or reopening alleyways.
Councillor Welbury suggested using the upcoming changes to waste collection as a topic for pre-scrutiny.
Councillor Austin raised the issue of a plan for neighbourhoods and suggested it should come to the committee before going to cabinet.
Christian Allen cautioned that there would be constraints on the number of topics the committee could process, given the monthly meetings and statutory reports.
Councillor Izard suggested reviewing the committee's effectiveness after six months.
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