The Policy Development Panel were scheduled to meet on 24 June 2025 to discuss a new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, a draft Statement of Licensing Policy, a new Body Worn Video Policy, and a review of HR policies. The panel was also expected to review its work programme.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy

The panel was scheduled to discuss the proposed Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy for the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership (SELCP) for 2025-2028. The strategy, which was developed following consultation and a recommendation from the Local Government Association Peer Challenge, aims to develop service provision and ensure services are accessible to all. The strategy includes a high-level action plan to implement it effectively.

The key objectives of the EDI Strategy are:

• To understand the needs of communities and bring local people together.
• To create a diverse and inclusive leadership team and embed inclusion in decision-making.
• To ensure council services meet the diverse needs of residents and make it easy for local residents to access services.
• To be an inclusive and fair employer with a diverse workforce at all levels.

The high-level action plan includes:

• Implementing training and development initiatives.
• Reviewing existing policies to ensure they align with EDI principles.
• Developing initiatives to engage with diverse community groups.
• Establishing metrics to measure progress and impact.

Licensing Act 2003 Draft Statement of Licensing Policy

The panel was asked to consider a draft Statement of Licensing Policy as part of the consultation process. According to the report of Christian Allen, Assistant Director – Regulatory, the council has a statutory obligation to review the Statement of Licensing Policy every five years, with the last review having taken place in 2020.

The proposed material changes to the policy included:

• Adding a section relating to awareness of the sexual exploitation of children to the Protection of Children from Harm section.
• Adding a Safeguarding section in relation to children and vulnerable persons.
• Adding a Modern-Day Slavery section.
• Adding a Counter Terrorism section.
• Updating the Public Safety section to include various new initiatives and current guidance, including information on drink spiking.
• Adding a new section and associated appendix to advise licence holders and applicants of the Public Space Protection Order¹ which is in force within the Borough.
• Moving the section on Minor Variations under the Applications heading.

South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership Body Worn Video Cameras (BWVC) Policy

The panel was scheduled to discuss a new Body Worn Video (BWV) Policy across the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership. According to the report, the purpose of the policy is to ensure that the operational use of BWV is lawful, proportionate, legitimate and necessary, and that it will be only used when deemed necessary for the purposes of violence reduction or evidence collection by trained staff in accordance with legislation, policy and procedures. The policy sets out roles and responsibilities and provides staff with the correct procedures for collecting, downloading, processing and presenting video evidence, and appropriate retention.

The policy stated that all officers authorised to use BWV devices will receive training in the operation of the policy and the operation of allocated BWV devices prior to being able to employ their use.

Review of HR Policies

The panel was asked to provide its views on proposed HR policies prior to a report to the council. The report stated that having a single set of shared HR Policies will ensure consistency in the way the Partnership's workforces are managed.

The new policies included a Drugs and Alcohol Policy, a Menopause Policy, and a Shared Officer Job Evaluation Scheme Policy. A new umbrella Family Leave Policy was also created. Existing policies, including the Disciplinary Policy, Adverse Weather Policy, and Volunteer Policy, were tweaked after a review of their implementation.

Policy Development Panel Work Programme

The panel was expected to review its work programme and identify any additional items for discussion.