Here is a summary of the scheduled discussions for the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board meeting on 28 August 2025. The agenda included discussion of the Integrated Lifestyle Service, the North Hykeham Relief Road, and the council's financial performance. The board was also scheduled to review the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report, and the work programmes for various scrutiny committees.

North Hykeham Relief Road

The board was scheduled to consider a report on the North Hykeham Relief Road (NHRR) scheme update and Full Business Case (FBC) submission. The report, prepared by Sam Edwards, Head of Highways Infrastructure and Laboratory Services, was to be presented to the Executive on 2 September 2025.

Key points for discussion included:

• Cost Forecast Increase: The report indicated a cost forecast increase of £13.989m, attributed to scope changes and activity changes. Scope changes, accounting for £11.2m of the increase, included the addition of a bat bridge at South Hykeham, a bat tunnel at Somerton Gate Lane, and the dualling of a 90m section of the LEB, as well as increases in Anglian Water apparatus diversion costs, National Insurance contributions, and water quality assessments. Activity changes, resulting in a net increase of £2.8m, encompassed factors such as the length of an acoustic barrier, the inclusion of test piles, and requirements from the Environment Agency and National Highways[^2]. [^2]: National Highways is the government company charged with operating, maintaining and improving England's motorways and major A roads.
• Benefit to Cost Ratio (BCR): The report noted an increased BCR from 2.4 (as identified in the Outline Business Case) to an initial BCR of 3.09 for the FBC, and an adjusted BCR of 4.32 when including wider impacts.
• Public Inquiry: The report stated that the Public Inquiry had concluded with minimal objections.

The report recommended that the council provide an additional financial contribution of £13.989m for the NHRR scheme and approve the submission of the Full Business Case to the Department for Transport.

Integrated Lifestyle Service Consultation and Contract Extension

The board was scheduled to discuss a report regarding the Integrated Lifestyle Service Consultation and Contract Extension. The report by Martin Samuels, Executive Director – Adult Care and Community Wellbeing, was scheduled to go before the Executive on 2 September 2025.

The report recommended a public consultation to explore how community needs can best be met and whether the council should adopt a greater focus on supporting children and young people to adopt healthier lifestyles. It also recommended awarding new interim contracts to the current provider, for a period of 12 months, to allow time for the consultation.

Review of Financial Performance (2025/26 Quarter 1)

The board was scheduled to consider the Review of Financial Performance for Quarter 1 of 2025/26. The report, prepared by Michelle Grady, Assistant Director – Finance, was due to be considered by the Executive on 2 September 2025.

The report set out the forecast revenue outturn position, which was a forecast underspend of £0.8m on council budgets and overspend of £19.7m on schools budgets. It also set out the forecast capital outturn position in year and for the full life of the programme, with a series of cost pressures reported, and provided an update on 2026/27 financial planning matters, incorporating the fundamental review of council finances and the funding reform consultation.

Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2025

The board was scheduled to consider the draft Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report for 2025. The report from Nigel West, Head of Democratic Services and Statutory Scrutiny Officer, outlined the work of the overview and scrutiny function and highlighted key topics for the coming year. The board was invited to agree to submit the report to the County Council.

Scrutiny Committee Work Programmes

The board was scheduled to note the planned work programmes of each of the scrutiny committees. The report included the planned activities for the:

• Adult Care and Public Health Scrutiny Committee
• Children's and Culture Scrutiny Committee
• Community Safety Scrutiny Committee
• Environment Scrutiny Committee
• Growth Scrutiny Committee
• Health Scrutiny Committee for Lincolnshire
• Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee

Re-procurement of the LCC Wide Area Network (WAN) and future of East Midlands Public Service Network (emPSN)

The board was scheduled to consider an exempt report on the Re-procurement of the LCC Wide Area Network (WAN) and future of East Midlands Public Service Network (emPSN). This was due to be considered by the Executive on 2 September 2025.

Overview and Scrutiny Management Board Work Programme

The board was scheduled to note the content of its work programme for the coming year.