The Community Safety Scrutiny Committee met on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, to discuss the Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Replacement Appliance Project, review service level performance, and receive an update on the Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Strategy. The committee approved recommendations for the fire appliance project and noted the performance reports and domestic abuse strategy update.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Replacement Appliance Project

The committee supported the recommendation to the Executive for the procurement of new fire appliances and equipment for Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue (LFR). Joe Haustead, Assistant Fire Chief, presented the business case for replacing the aging fleet, outlining a phased approach to procure 18 new Type B fire appliances over four years. Members raised questions regarding the Clean Cab policy, the procurement process, anticipated cost savings, lead times, and the fate of older appliances. Officers explained that contaminated equipment would be stored outside the cab and replaced with clean personal protective equipment (PPE). While exact cost savings could not be provided, a significant reduction in maintenance costs was expected. The committee also heard that older appliances would be repurposed for training and reserve roles. The procurement process will utilise the NFCC Emergency Response Vehicles Framework, with the first phase involving 9 appliances. The committee agreed that a summary of their comments should be passed to the Executive for consideration.

Service Level Performance Reporting against the Success Framework 2025-2026 – Quarter 3

The committee reviewed the 2025-26 Quarter 3 performance for Community Safety services. Martyn Parker, Assistant Director - Public Protection, Christopher O'Rourke, Head of Communications and Engagement, and Mark Baxter, Chief Fire Officer, presented their respective service areas.

For Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue, members queried the level of malicious calls and prosecution efforts, with officers noting limited prosecution powers but the ability to track phone numbers. A reporting integrity issue related to a new control system was discussed, which officers confirmed had been resolved. Concerns were raised about the causal differences between fires where men and women were primary casualties, with assurances given that full debriefs were conducted after each incident. Community resilience plans were confirmed to be reviewed monthly.

Martyn Parker presented the Public Protection service's performance, where members expressed concern that targets unfairly penalised the County Council due to the involvement of outside bodies. Officers clarified that these were County Council targets measured against their own performance, with wider targets being outside their control.

Christopher O'Rourke introduced the Communications & Engagement service's performance report.

The committee resolved to note the report.

Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Strategy 2025/28 Update

Jade Thursby, Domestic Abuse Business Manager, provided an update on the Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Strategy 2025–28. The strategy focuses on prevention, early intervention, responding to risk and harm, and supporting long-term recovery. The committee heard that demand for domestic abuse services continues to rise, with high-risk referrals to MARAC increasing. Preventative work in schools has reached over 36,000 students, and the Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Specialist Service (LDASS) has supported over 2,000 victims.

Members queried the availability of safe accommodation, with officers confirming provision had increased and needs were continuously monitored. The cross-flagging of animal welfare and domestic abuse reports was confirmed as implemented. The existence of specialised units for male victims was also confirmed. Queries were raised about the number of children reporting abuse, with officers acknowledging it as an emerging issue and highlighting training in schools. The adoption of a new definition for domestic abuse, suicide training for professionals, and the role of the SARC centre were discussed. The committee also sought details on how Lincolnshire's accommodation provision compared to other authorities, with officers noting it was part of a nationwide network meeting certain standards.

The committee resolved to note the report.

Community Safety Scrutiny Committee Work Programme

Hannah Colclough, Scrutiny Officer, presented the committee's work programme for the coming year. The committee reviewed the planned items, including the Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Replacement Appliance Project, Service Level Performance Reporting, and the Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Strategy update. Future planned items include discussions on Illicit Tobacco/Vaping and Product Safety Activity, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue's Waddington Training Facility, the Prevent Annual Report, and updates on the Safer Lincolnshire Partnership's Strategy. The committee resolved to agree the work programme.