The Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Wednesday, 15 April 2026, to discuss a range of significant issues including the Greater Lincolnshire Housing Strategy, the GLCCA Pay Policy, and the development of rural and local transport plans. Key decisions included the endorsement of the first part of the Housing Strategy and the proposed engagement strategy for the Local Transport Plan, alongside a review and support for the development of the Rural Transport Group and the Greater Lincolnshire Enhanced Partnership and Bus Service Improvement Plan. The committee also agreed on an approach for planning its work programme for the upcoming year.

Housing Strategy and Pipeline Update

The committee reviewed the Greater Lincolnshire Housing Strategy and Pipeline Update, which had previously been presented to the GLCCA Business and Infrastructure Board. The strategy aims to ensure that all residents have access to attainable, well-placed, and appropriate homes, aligning with the GLCCA's Corporate Plan. Councillors raised concerns about the delivery of housing, affordability, and the infrastructure needed to support new developments. Specific questions were asked about funding for brownfield sites and improvements to private rented housing stock. Officers confirmed that £34 million had been awarded for brownfield land and that a process for local authorities and developers to apply for this funding was being developed. Regarding private rented housing, a commitment was made to look at specific programmes in Part Two of the strategy, which would include market housing.

The discussion also touched upon the importance of affordable housing, particularly for younger people and those on lower incomes, with officers explaining that an evidence base was being used to identify areas of need. Infrastructure challenges, such as highway access and water provision, were acknowledged, with a commitment to work with partners to find solutions. The committee was assured that scrutiny would continue as the strategy evolves.

Further points raised included the need for specialist and supported housing, with a particular mention of a potential veterans' housing scheme. The committee also discussed the complexities of Section 106 agreements and the need for a clear policy on dealing with developers. The potential for a new town was explored, with officers clarifying that this was an early-stage exploration based on government agenda and evidence gathering, rather than a concrete proposal. The scoring proforma for housing pipeline sites was explained, with assurances that need was a key consideration, alongside market demand and delivery status. The principle of encouraging co-funding was also discussed, with officers explaining that it was a criterion for assessing schemes to leverage limited GLCCA resources. The need for a balance of housing types, including one-bedroom properties and affordable housing for families and older people, was highlighted. The issue of empty homes and potential government funding was also raised, with officers explaining that while the GLCCA does not currently lead on this, it works with local authorities and recognises it as an important issue.

GLCCA Pay Policy

The committee reviewed the GLCCA Pay Policy Statement, which sets out the authority's approach to remuneration, including senior management pay. The policy is a statutory requirement under the Localism Act 2011. Discussions focused on how senior roles' remuneration and performance are measured, with clarification that this would be based on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Concerns were raised about the bonus scheme being applicable only to the Chief Executive and Section 73 officer, with councillors arguing that this discriminated against other staff and that bonuses should be cascable down. The aspiration to drive a high-performing authority through cash payments for performance was questioned, with suggestions that self-motivation should be sufficient for senior roles. The committee ultimately agreed to endorse the majority of the policy, subject to a review of the section on performance-related pay.

The Rural Transport Group

The committee considered a report on the launch and development of the Mayoral Rural Transport Group. This group, established as part of the Greater Lincolnshire Devolution Deal, aims to lead the national conversation on transport challenges facing rural areas. Key themes emerging from the first meeting included demand-responsive transport, bus franchising, data, and best practice sharing. The committee supported the development of the group and discussed how local issues could be escalated to the national level, while specific local transport needs would be addressed by Transport for Greater Lincolnshire. The resourcing of the group was clarified, with limited implications for the GLCCA beyond officer time. The remit of the group was confirmed to be wider than just public transport, encompassing road infrastructure, rail services, and active travel. The committee unanimously supported the development of the Rural Transport Group.

Greater Lincolnshire Local Transport Plan – Programme Update

The committee reviewed the progress of developing the first Greater Lincolnshire Local Transport Plan (LTP), a requirement for the new local transport authority. An engagement strategy was presented, outlining plans for stakeholder workshops, an online survey, and a public transport roadshow to gather views. The committee supported the development of the LTP and the proposed engagement strategy, requesting that officers take into account the feedback provided.

Greater Lincolnshire Enhanced Partnership (GLEP) and Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP)

The committee considered a report on the transition to a single Greater Lincolnshire-wide Enhanced Partnership for bus services and the development of a new unified Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). The report outlined the statutory requirements, proposed governance arrangements, and milestones for implementation. The committee supported the development of the GLEP and BSIP, with discussions focusing on ensuring local differences and needs were captured within the single Greater Lincolnshire model. Concerns were raised about the transitionary arrangements for basic funding and any unspent funds. The committee was assured that local forums would continue to exist and that local issues would still be captured.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Planning 2026-27

The committee discussed the approach to planning its work programme for the 2026-27 year. This involved a proposed consultation with chief officers, the Executive, the Mayor, and other stakeholders to identify key issues for scrutiny. The committee agreed to the proposed approach, which will involve written consultation and informal meetings, with a work planning session to be held in June to agree the final programme. The importance of a balanced work programme, including policy development, pre-decision scrutiny, and service reviews, was emphasised.

GLCCA Forward Plan and Work Programme for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Finally, the committee reviewed and agreed its work programme for 2026-27. The programme includes planned items such as performance reporting against the Corporate Plan and budget, the draft Medium Term Financial Plan, Treasury Management Strategy, and the GLCCA's Pay Policy. The committee also highlighted the need to consider action plans stemming from strategies, in addition to the high-level strategies themselves, to ensure timely progress and effective scrutiny. The work programme was agreed, with a commitment to amend it as necessary based on ongoing discussions and feedback.