The Community Safety Scrutiny Committee met on Tuesday, 5 May 2026, to discuss illicit tobacco and product safety, review the committee's work programme, and scrutinise the Prevent Annual Report. Key decisions included noting the report on illicit tobacco and product safety activity, agreeing the committee's work programme, and noting the Prevent Annual Report.

Illicit Tobacco and Product Safety Activity 2025-26

The committee reviewed the work undertaken by Lincolnshire Trading Standards in combating illicit tobacco and vaping products. Mark Keal, Head of Trading Standards, presented the report, outlining the service's strategy and enforcement processes. Councillors raised concerns about the potential impact of budget cuts on enforcement, particularly the reduction in out-of-hours work and the use of external consultants. Officers assured the committee that staffing levels would be maintained and that out-of-hours work would continue, with efforts being made to find savings elsewhere in the budget. There was also discussion regarding the effectiveness of current funding and the potential benefits of an exhibits officer role to free up Trading Standards Officers' time. The committee noted the report.

Community Safety Scrutiny Committee Work Programme

The committee considered its work programme for the coming year. Hannah Colclough, Scrutiny Officer, presented the planned items, which included service level performance reporting, the Safer Lincolnshire Partnership Strategy, and updates on various service areas. The committee agreed the proposed work programme.

Prevent Annual Report

Clare Newborn, Head of Community Safety, presented the Prevent Annual Report, detailing the work undertaken in Lincolnshire as part of the UK Government's counter-terrorism strategy. The report highlighted the ongoing threat from terrorism, with the national threat level assessed as substantial. Councillors discussed the various forms of extremism, the methods used to identify and intervene with individuals susceptible to radicalisation, and the challenges of increasing referral numbers. Concerns were raised about the potential for a lack of out-of-hours enforcement to be exploited, the effectiveness of current interventions, and the impact of video games as a potential risk factor. Officers provided assurances regarding the council's role in meeting its statutory responsibilities and the ongoing efforts to manage the increasing workload. The committee noted the report.