Report of the Chairman of Executive Board.

The Leader of the Council referred Members to his report and also provided a verbal update on the Devolution deal.  A copy of this is attached at Appendix A to the Minutes.

Following which, questions were put forward.

South and East Community Lottery

A Member thanked the Leader for the update and financial information as the Lottery approached its first anniversary.  A request was made that a breakdown be provided on the administrative side and other components of this.  In response, the Leader stated that he was happy to provide a detailed breakdown for the next Meeting.

Social Isolation Grant

A Member commented that the social isolation grant had been very well received and asked whether these would continue in 2024 as they proved to be very useful.  In response, the Leader agreed that it was a very good scheme and would like to see it continue.  However, recognising the current financial situation would have to see what the Council could do in the future.

Future Leaders Programme

A Member commented that it was good news to see the Future Leaders Programme had been shortlisted for an LGC Workforce Award under the Category ‘Best Retention Strategy’.  It was queried whether there were any plans in place, particularly in ensuring that staff were compensated fairly for increasing fuel costs.  In response, the Leader endorsed the success of the programme and advised Members that there was an ongoing review in relation to terms and conditions of employment that would be undertaken with staff.

A Member added that it was disappointing to see that no updates had been provided in the Leader’s report on the Towns Fund projects, the recent flooding issues across the district and also the work of the Heart team.

Devolution Deal

Further to the verbal briefing delivered to Members, the following comments were made.  A copy of the briefing paper is attached at Appendix A to the Minutes.

• A Member stated that she welcomed the fact that further briefings would be held, but queried the lack of information relating to the consultation process.  Further concerns were raised by other Members in the way the questions on the consultation were worded and the impartiality of this.

• A Member considered that information sent out to parish councils from Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) was skewed and that there was no balance in any of the materials received.  Following which, it was queried whether the Council had an opposing view, or whether this was a foregone conclusion and the consultation was simply a box ticking exercise.

• It was further considered that holding the consultation over the Christmas period was a distraction and a Member asked the Leader to give assurances that the consultation would be acted upon, particularly as the views of the public were not the same opinions of LCC or other organisations taking part in it.

• A Member stated that a consultation was intended to deliver a potential outcome to any given situation and that a devolution deal would be the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64