The Environment Scrutiny Committee met to discuss several key issues, including the integration of flood risk management into the committee's agenda, the procurement of landscape and visual assessment advice for nationally significant infrastructure projects, and the committee's work programme. The committee supported the recommendations for procuring landscape and visual assessment advice, and agreed to pass on a statement to Councillor Danny Brookes, Executive Councillor for the Environment for consideration.

Flood and Water Management Integration

Following the abolishment of the Flood Water Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Baxter raised concerns about how the council would continue to hold organisations like the Environment Agency and Anglian Water accountable for flood management. Chris Miller, Head of Environment, clarified that flood risk and water management would be a standing item on the revised agenda, with quarterly updates from partner organisations and specific reports on strategic development work. This aims to ensure appropriate focus on water management issues, given Lincolnshire's topographical circumstances with a third of the land at or below sea level.

Councillor Ian Carrington sought assurance that the recommendations of the Flood and Water Management Storm Impact Group would be fully implemented. While officers stated that many recommendations had already been completed, Councillor Carrington expressed dissatisfaction, seeking a firm commitment to implement all recommendations to reassure residents affected by repeated flooding. Councillor Brooks said that he would provide a written reply as soon as possible.

Chris Miller also addressed concerns about district council representation, stating that when coastal adaptation for Lincolnshire 2100 plus is discussed, the relevant East Lindsay district councillor would be invited.

Procurement of Landscape and Visual Assessment Advice

The committee considered a report from Neil McBride, Head of Planning, regarding the procurement of landscape and visual assessment advice for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs). The committee was asked to decide whether to support the recommendations and record any additional comments for Councillor Danny Brooks to consider.

Councillor Reeve asked about the costs of the landscaping consultants and whether they would be recovered from the national taxpayer or the developers themselves. They also asked if there was a range of consultants to choose from, or whether the council would be tied to one expensive contract.

Councillor Wimhurst asked for a recent example of a nationally significant infrastructure project.

Councillor Carrington supported the proposals, highlighting the volume of specialised work required due to the number of NSIPs, including solar parks and batteries, in Lincolnshire. He cautioned that the final decisions on NSIPs rest with the Secretary of State, referencing a case in the Vale of Glamorgan where the need for renewable energy was prioritised over a valuable rural landscape.

Councillor Daish asked if NSIPs have to follow the council's recommendations and if developers only pay for the designs once planning permission has been granted.

Councillor Robinson raised concerns about the cumulative impact of infrastructure projects, particularly the Grimsby to Walpole project, and whether the assessment would consider future additions to the infrastructure beyond 2050.

Councillor Woods asked for clarification on whether developers ever challenged the costs put forward by the council or the consultant.

Councillor Baxter raised concerns about using the Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation (YPO) framework, questioning the number of suppliers on the framework and whether it would exclude smaller, local contractors. He also questioned the idea that a single consultant would have sufficient local knowledge across the large county of Lincolnshire, and whether they would have sufficient industry expertise across the range of different types of projects.

Neil McBride responded that the YPO framework was being used because of time pressures, and that AAH Consultants, who have been providing LVIA advice to the council for three years, are based in York and London.

Ultimately, the committee supported the recommendations in the report.

The recommendations were:

• To approve undertaking a procurement process for professional consultancy services via a framework route for Landscape and Visual Impact advice, connected to all stages of the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects process, where the Council is a host or adjoining authority. The contract is to be for the approximate value of £750,000 and for a duration of twelve months with the option to extend for an additional 24 months.
• To delegate to the Executive Director Place, in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Environment, authority to take all decisions necessary to progress the procurement, up to and including determination of the final form of contract, and the award and execution of the contract and such other documentation necessary to deliver the procurement of services.

Work Programme

Simon Evans, Health Scrutiny Officer, presented the revised work programme, highlighting items for the upcoming meetings. Councillor Baxter requested that the quarter four report on flooding and waste management be brought to one of the committees. Councillor Robinson suggested reviewing the environmental impacts of carbon capture projects, referencing a ruptured carbon pipeline in Mississippi. Councillor Carrington asked how biodiversity net gain would feed into the Greater Lincolnshire Nature Recovery Strategy at the level of local planning authorities. Chris Miller said that this would be picked up in his report, and that the strategy is not yet published. Councillor Martin asked for some guidance on the council's approach to net zero. Chris Miller responded that the Green Master Plan is due for revision, but that this would depend on the new corporate plan being published.