The Growth Scrutiny Committee of Lincolnshire Council met on Tuesday, 28 October 2025, to discuss strategies for economic development, investment, skills, and careers. Key decisions included the endorsement of updated economic infrastructure strategies, the approval of an inward investment strategy focusing on key sectors, and the review of progress and future plans for Skills Bootcamps and the Greater Lincolnshire Careers Hub. The committee also commented on its work programme for the upcoming year.

Economic Infrastructure Lettings Strategy and Development Land Sales Strategy Review and Update

The committee reviewed and commented on the Council's updated Economic Infrastructure Lettings Strategy and Development Land Sales Strategy. These documents, described as living documents, outline the principles guiding the management and disposal of the Council's business centres, industrial units, and development land. The strategies aim to balance economic benefit with cost efficiency, supporting business growth while optimising income and capital receipts.

Simon Wright, Regeneration and Portfolio Manager, and Mick King, Head of Economic Infrastructure, presented the strategies. They emphasised the dynamic nature of the documents, which are refreshed to reflect best practice and market conditions. The strategies provide guidance for officers, members, and prospective tenants, outlining criteria for tenant selection, lease terms, and rent reviews.

Councillor Thomas James Dyer raised concerns about the detailed focus on maximum term lengths for leases, questioning if this was a political request. Councillor Liam Kelly, Executive Councillor for Growth, clarified that he had challenged the team to explore the implications of introducing maximum term lengths to ensure sufficient provision for new businesses.

Discussions also covered the maintenance of facilities, with a commitment to explore giving business centre managers more autonomy in procuring local services. The committee was informed that the current occupancy rates for business centres like Oak House and The Hub were around 50%, and that efforts were being made to improve cost bases, including exploring solar energy installations. The potential for social value initiatives, such as offering space to charities, was also highlighted as a way to benefit the community and potentially generate tax rebates for the council.

The committee was assured that the Council was not considering selling off its business centres but was focused on making them more financially sustainable. The strategies were ultimately endorsed, with a commitment to publishing them on the Council's website for transparency.

Inward Investment Strategy

The committee reviewed and commented on Lincolnshire County Council's Inward Investment Strategy, which aims to attract investment and drive local growth by focusing on key industry strengths. Tony Reynolds, Inwards Investment Manager, presented the strategy, highlighting the county's key sectors: Agri-Food, Manufacturing and Engineering, Logistics and Distribution, and Defence.

The strategy builds on the existing Team Lincolnshire Ambassador programme, which currently has 130 members, and a Key Relationship Management programme for Foreign Direct Invested (FDI) businesses. The new approach focuses on more specific, direct targeting of potential investors in dedicated sectors of strength, supported by research into international markets. Developments in artificial intelligence (AI) and its application in the agri-food and defence sectors are seen as a unique opportunity to differentiate Lincolnshire nationally and internationally.

Councillor Matthew David Boles inquired about the definition of clean energy within the strategy, and Tony Reynolds clarified that it encompassed a broad range of energy sectors, including solar, wind, fusion power, and nuclear. Councillor Thomas James Dyer questioned the static growth in the number of Team Lincolnshire Ambassadors over the past four years. Tony Reynolds explained that while the Team Lincolnshire brand remains, the focus has shifted to an Invest Lincolnshire brand, with over 20 sector-specific events held annually, all of which are oversubscribed. He also noted a strategic decision to focus recruitment on Lincolnshire-based businesses to ensure local benefit.

The committee also discussed the potential of RAF Scampton, with Councillor East asking for an update. Justin Brown, Assistant Director - Growth, confirmed there was no immediate update but acknowledged the interest in the site, particularly within the defence sector. Councillor Kelly reiterated the call for a written response from the Secretary of State regarding RAF Scampton.

The committee supported the proposed approach to industry sector development and investor targeting, endorsing the principles of proactive relationship management with existing businesses.

Skills Bootcamps Update

Natalie Poole, Skills Delivery Manager for Skills Bootcamps, presented an update on the Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland Skills Bootcamps programme, funded by the Department for Education. The programme aims to upskill adults and fill local skills gaps, with a focus on priority sectors such as Agri-Food, Manufacturing, Health and Care, and Engineering.

The report highlighted significant success in the 2024/25 financial year, with 839 learners completing training and 775 achieving positive employment outcomes, a success rate of 92%. This places Lincolnshire County Council as a top three performing area nationally for Skills Bootcamps delivery. The programme has benefited 97 different businesses through recruitment or staff upskilling.

For the 2025/26 financial year, the programme has a budget of £4,324,415.98 and aims to reach over 1,500 learners. New Skills Bootcamps have been introduced in areas such as construction, early years education, digital, and green energy. The report also detailed specific efforts to engage target groups, including military veterans, ex-offenders, and women returning to the workforce.

Councillor Raymond Balfor Condell asked about the availability of Skills Boot Camp details on the To Aspire website, and Natalie Poole acknowledged the need to strengthen advertising. Councillor Condell also raised a question regarding work experience requirements for schools, which Lee Douglas, Careers Hub Lead, agreed to address in his presentation.

The committee acknowledged the successes of the programme and discussed ways to widen its reach, supporting the strategy of using Skills Bootcamps to help employers tackle hard-to-fill vacancies. They also affirmed the strategic drivers and sector needs for future delivery beyond 2026.

Greater Lincolnshire Careers Hub: Next Steps on Working with Businesses and Schools

Lee Douglas, Careers Hub Lead, presented an update on the Greater Lincolnshire Careers Hub, outlining its role in connecting schools, colleges, and employers to help young people access career opportunities within the county. The Hub operates within the national framework of statutory careers guidance and the Gatsby Benchmarks for good careers guidance.

The Hub works with all 113 secondary schools, colleges, and special educational needs schools across Greater Lincolnshire, supported by over 250 business volunteers, 110 enterprise advisors, and 13 cornerstone employers. The report highlighted a challenge where learner interest is lowest in sectors with high employer demand, such as construction and engineering.

The committee was invited to review the Hub's progress, comment on future plans for expansion and deeper employer engagement, and advise on how to demonstrate clearer outcomes on job awareness and community benefit. The Apprentices Make Some Noise campaign was highlighted as a scalable model for championing apprenticeships and internships.

Councillor Thomas James Dyer raised concerns about the administrative burden of work experience forms for employers, which Lee Douglas addressed by explaining national efforts to streamline paperwork and the development of modern work experience models. Councillor Lindsey Cawrey inquired about transport accessibility for training and work experience opportunities, and Lee Douglas acknowledged this as a barrier, noting that the Hub attempts to fund transport costs where possible and is learning from other devolved areas. Councillor Kelly emphasised the importance of exposing children to career opportunities at a younger age and the need for coordinated collaboration.

The committee supported the Hub's progress and plans, with a particular focus on extending and scaling the Apprentices Make Some Noise campaign.

Growth Scrutiny Committee Work Programme

Kiara Chatziioannou, Scrutiny Officer, presented the committee's work programme for the upcoming year. The programme outlines the work streams that will shape the committee's business, ensuring scrutiny remains focused, constructive, and independent.

Councillor Thomas James Dyer sought confirmation that the Windmill Strategy, Travel Site Strategy, and County Farms Strategy would be coming to the Growth Scrutiny Committee. Kiara Chatziioannou confirmed that the County Farms Estate Strategy would be rescheduled for December, and that the Windmill and Traveller Site Strategies were considered best suited for this committee, pending publication dates. Councillor Dyer also expressed dissatisfaction that the 2026/27 Capital Repairs and Maintenance Programme would be considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board due to its cross-cutting nature. He also requested that the issue with Billing Hay Community Pool be added to the work programme. Kiara Chatziioannou agreed to discuss the Billing Hay Community Pool offline and provided clarification on the routing of the Capital Repairs and Maintenance report.

The committee reviewed and approved the existing work programme, which included items such as the Economic Infrastructure Lettings Strategy, Inward Investment Strategy, Skills Bootcamps Update, and the Greater Lincolnshire Careers Hub. Future items scheduled include reports on the Defence Sector Incubator Space, Sleaford County Offices Demolition, and the Coastal Car Park Strategy.