The Overview and Scrutiny Management Board met to discuss several key issues, including the King Charles III England Coast Path, treasury management performance, and an update on the IT services portfolio. The board supported recommendations to the Executive on the King Charles III England Coast Path project and the financial performance review. Members also endorsed the Scrutiny Annual Report and noted the work programmes of various scrutiny committees.

North Hykeham Relief Road

The board received an update on the North Hykeham Relief Road scheme and considered the Full Business Case (FBC) ahead of its submission to the Department for Transport (DfT). The North Hykeham Relief Road had been granted planning permission in May 2024.

Members were informed that the total cost of the project had increased due to scope changes and inflation, requiring an additional contribution from the County Council. Despite the increased cost, officers stated that the benefit-cost ratio had improved to over 4:1.

A significant point of discussion was the £4.3 million allocated for mitigation measures for barbastelle bats. Some members questioned the necessity and effectiveness of these measures.

The Board's view was that £4.3 million of mitigation measures for barbastelle bats represented an extraordinary cost, and the Board was not entirely convinced that the mitigation measures would be required or be effective.

Officers clarified that the council was obliged to comply with the Town and Country Planning Act and that Natural England, as a statutory consultee, had raised no concerns due to the incorporated mitigation measures.

Despite these assurances, the board remained unconvinced and recommended an independent review before proceeding, though it was acknowledged that delaying the project could lead to increased costs or the possibility of funding being withdrawn.

The board resolved to support the recommendations from the Executive, while also requesting that their comments be passed on to the Executive for consideration.

Treasury Management Performance

The board reviewed the Treasury Management Performance for Quarter 1 of 2025/26, as detailed in the Treasury Management Performance 2025/26 report. Karen Tonge, Treasury Manager, presented the report, which highlighted a general fund underspend of £0.8 million, alongside a significant £20 million overspend on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG). The DSG deficit was ringfenced under the government's statutory override¹. The report also noted that the capital programme for 2025/26 totalled £286 million, with increased external funding reducing the borrowing requirement. Cost pressures on major road schemes, including the Grantham Southern Relief Road and North Hykeham Relief Road, were also mentioned. Additionally, the report summarised the government's fair funding review consultation, which proposed changes to how local government funding was distributed.

During the discussion, members raised concerns about the impact of the growing Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) deficit. Officers acknowledged that this was a national issue and that consideration would have to be given to liquidity management to address the deficit.

The board resolved to endorse the report and share any concerns raised during the debate with the Executive Councillor for Resources for their consideration.

King Charles III England Coast Path - Gibraltar Point Bridge

The board considered a report on the King Charles III England Coast Path – Gibraltar Point Bridge, prior to a decision by the Executive Councillor for Highways and Transport and the Executive Councillor for Resources.

Members welcomed the installation of the bridge and the completion of the King Charles III England Coastal Path. Officers advised that the £1.8 million cost of establishing the bridge was fully funded by Natural England. The County Council would not contribute to these establishment works, but would contribute 25% of ongoing maintenance costs, with 75% funded nationally.

The board resolved to support the recommendations to the Executive Councillors and requested that a summary of the comments made be passed on to them prior to their consideration of the decision.

IT Services Portfolio Update

Tom Baker, Chief Information Officer, provided the board with an update on the IT Services Portfolio.

Members requested assurance that accessibility for visually impaired users would be provided as part of the transition to the new IT provider, Version One. Officers assured members that this would be investigated to ensure full accessibility for all users.

Members welcomed the use of Artificial Intelligence and improvements to end user support, but stressed the need to ensure that sensitive data was only shared with those with permission to view it, and emphasised the need to ensure that person to person contact with members of the public remained, particularly the most vulnerable residents.

Members asked for assurance that rural connectivity issues affect mobile data terminals in fire appliances had been addressed. Officers assured Members that would be investigated further and solutions identified, if required.

Members expressed interest in viewing firewall activity and threat analysis, and requested that more narrative be included in future reports, and that reports would benefit from clearer timelines and key milestones to help the Board monitor delivery and risk, particularly on critical infrastructure projects.

The board resolved to endorse the report and requested that any concerns raised during the debate be shared with the Executive Councillor for Resources for their consideration.

Scrutiny Committee Work Programmes

The board reviewed the work programmes of each of the scrutiny committees, as detailed in the Scrutiny Committee Work Programmes Information Only report.

The board resolved to note the work programmes of each scrutiny committee.

Overview and Scrutiny Management Board Work Programme

The board noted its work programme, as set out in the OSMB Current Work Programme Sep 2025 report.

It was requested that the board receive an update on the council's financial position at its meeting on 18 December 2025, following budget announcements due in November 2025.

The board resolved to note the work programme.