Apologies were received from Councillor Alex Hall.

It was noted that in accordance with Regulation 13 of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, notice had been given that Councillor Ruchira Yarsley had been appointed to the Committee in place of Councillor Robert Watson and that Councillor David Hall had been appointed to the Committee in place of Councillor Claire Arnold for this Meeting only.

At this point in the Meeting, Members were invited to declare any relevant interests.  None were received.

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday 28 January 2025.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 28th January 2025 were agreed as a correct record.

Actions from the previous Overview Committee Meeting.

Members noted that the following Actions were now complete.

Actions from the Meeting held on 19 November 2024

Action No. 74(b) – completed.

Actions from the Meeting held on 28 January 2025

Action No. 85 – completed.

Comments were received as follows:

Action No. 74 (b) – ‘Q2 2024-25 Performance and Risk Report - Huq footfall data for Q2 2024’ from the Meeting held on 19 November 2024, page 118 of the Agenda refers.

• A Member highlighted concerns that footfall figures had been potentially inaccurate.

Action No. 74(c) – ‘In reference to Strategic Risk ELDC20: Capacity’, clarification is requested on when the report was being made available on how much the Council had spent on consultants’ from the Meeting held on 19th November 2024, page 174 of the Agenda refers.

• A Member stressed the importance of informing the Committee of the amount of money the Council had spent on consultants.  In response, the Chairman explained to Members that the report had been delayed until the May 2025 Overview Committee Meeting to enable the inclusion of the full financial year’s data.  James Gilbert, Assistant Director (Corporate) further advised Members that the report was to resume on an annual basis and was being made available to the Committee as soon as possible.

• A Member requested detail in the report to explain the issues the Council was experiencing with capacity which had led to the need to hire consultants.  In response, the Assistant Director (Corporate) assured Members that a detailed narrative would be included in the report.

Action No. 81 – ‘To invite the officer responsible for Section 106 Agreements to the next Overview Committee Meeting to support the update on S106 Agreements and their distribution’ from the Meeting held on 28 January 2025, page 51 of the Agenda refers.

• A Member expressed concern that no Section 106 monies had been received by local doctors’ surgeries or schools in Stickney and awaited further clarification in the upcoming Agenda item on S106 Agreements.

To receive a verbal update and a presentation.

The Chairman welcomed Amanda Seaton (Lead Section 106 Monitoring Officer) to the Meeting who was in attendance to deliver a presentation to Members on Section 106 Agreements alongside Greg Macrdechian (Interim Local Plan Lead) who was in attendance virtually to provide an update on the NHS multiplier allocation in East Lindsey district (a copy of the presentation is attached at Appendix A to the Minutes).

Members were provided with an update in relation to Action No. 28 from the Meeting held on 23 July 2025.  The Interim Local Plan Lead explained to Members that the Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board had responded that the only variable in the calculations for Section 106 multiplier allocations across Lincolnshire was the application of the latest census information to indicate the likely associated population growth, and that outside of this within Lincolnshire all other factors remained the same.

The Lead Section 106 Monitoring Officer explained to Members that an update on financial information on Section 106 agreements had been delayed due to staffing and that a future update would be provided to the Committee once PSPS had completed a deep dive into the Section 106 ledgers and reserves.

Members were further advised that a member of the Section 106 monitoring team would be based at the Horncastle Hub on Thursdays each week to increase presence and answer any in-person enquiries.

Members were invited to put their comments and questions forward.

• A Member stressed the importance of funding being used for GP Services and queried whether the 40,000 caravans on the east coast was included in calculations for where Section 106 monies was being allocated and spent.  In response, the Interim Local Plan Lead advised Members that clarification would be requested from the Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) to determine whether caravans were being accounted for.

• The Chairman commented on the impact of yearlong tourism to health services on the coast.

• A Member highlighted an example in Sibsey where S106 money had been divided between four surgeries in Boston rather than the nearest doctor’s surgery.

• A Member further queried the process that was in place to ensure that money was allocated to individual doctors’ surgeries.

In response, the Interim Local Plan Lead advised Members that funding allocation needed to meet certain requirements and depended on the terms written in each Section 106 Agreement.  Members were further advised that there had been greater leniency in where the funds were distributed which had resulted in groups of surgeries being able to benefit.

• The Chairman highlighted concerns with large housing developments and the lack of infrastructure, including doctors’ surgeries and schools to support them. 

• A Member queried who was responsible for controlling where S106 money was distributed.  In response, the Lead Section 106 Monitoring Officer advised Members that Lincolnshire County Council and the NHS were responsible for assigning the money and that the Council monitored the money to ensure that it was spent according to the agreements in place.   Members were further advised that the Section 106 Monitoring team  ...  view the full minutes text for item 96.

To receive an update from the Assistant Director – Wellbeing and Community Leadership and the Healthy Living Strategic Lead.

The Chairman welcomed Emily Spicer, Assistant Director (Wellbeing and Community Leadership), Roxanne Warrick (Healthy Living Strategic Lead) and Councillor William Gray (Portfolio Holder for Communities and Better Ageing) to the Meeting. 

Councillor William Gray presented Members with an update on South & East Lincolnshire Partnership’s Healthy Living Board and recommendations from SELCP joint scrutiny’s review of Health & Wellbeing across the subregion, pages 61 to 80 of the Agenda refer.

Members were advised that the South & East Lincolnshire’s Healthy Living Board was established to provide a sub-regional platform for health, local government and third sector organisations to come together to reduce health inequalities and improve health outcomes in South and East Lincolnshire, and that the report was being presented to each of the South & East Lincolnshire Partnership’s sovereign Scrutiny Committees.

Councillor William Gray drew Members attention to recommendation seven regarding further developing district councils’ preventative approach to poor health, reduce risk of exclusion and prevent pressure on local services, pages 65 and 66 of the Agenda refers. 

The Assistant Director (Wellbeing and Community Leadership) referred Members to Appendix 1 - Lincolnshire District Councils’ Health & Wellbeing Strategy Executive Summary, Appendix 2 - SECLP Healthy Living Board Terms of Reference and Appendix 3 which provided a background on the Campus for Future Living, pages 71 to 80 of the Agenda refer.

The Chairman further advised Members that discussion on the Campus for Future Living would take place in the upcoming Agenda Item.

Members were invited to put their comments and questions forward.

• Members spoke in appreciation of the digital inclusion and work undertaken in the local area.

• A Member voiced concerns that report authors did not always go out and speak with people on the ground to gain different perspectives.  In response, the Assistant Director (Wellbeing and Community Leadership) assured Members that report writers were regularly out in the field and speaking to people to understand the challenges. 

• A Member highlighted the issues with inequality on the east coast and the difficulties in attracting people into the area for employment.

• A Member further highlighted the issues people were experiencing with debt and the need for support.  In response, the Healthy Living Strategic Lead assured Members that the Council had been working with Lincs Digital and funding the drop-in sessions for a number of years to assist with this. 

• A Member voiced concerns that Lincs Digital had ceased providing services in Louth due to failing to meet Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).  In response, the Assistant Director (Wellbeing and Community Leadership) advised the Committee that Members feedback was always valuable in learning ways in which the Council could improve. 

The Healthy Living Strategic Lead assured Members that Lincs Digital had not been permanently stopped in Louth and that they were balancing high demand for when services would return.

• In relation to debt advice, a Member highlighted the lack of information available for contacting Citizens Advice in Louth when the office was closed.  In response, the Assistant Director (Wellbeing and Community Leadership) advised Members that face-to-face appointments  ...  view the full minutes text for item 97.

To receive an update from the Assistant Director – Wellbeing and Community Leadership and the Healthy Living Strategic Lead.

The Chairman further introduced Emily Spicer (Assistant Director - Wellbeing and Community Leadership), Roxanne Warrick (Healthy Living Strategic Lead), Councillor William Gray (Portfolio Holder for Communities and Better Ageing), Hannah Taylor-Dales, Head of Business Development and Claire Woodward, Director of Community Investment from ACIS Group to provide an update on the Campus for Future Living (a copy of the presentation is attached at Appendix B to the Minutes).

Claire Woodward, Director of Community Investment from ACIS Group advised Members that 450 people had attended the Campus for Future Living preview day and that a soft opening had been scheduled for 22^nd April 2025 to enable the induction and training of new recruits, followed by the public opening on 28^th April in the lead up to an official opening on 12^th June 2025. 

Members were invited to put their comments and questions forward.

• A Member queried whether the University of Lincoln would provide off-site courses at the Campus for Future Living.  In response, the Director of Community Investment (ACIS Group) explained to Members that the long-term plan was for research to be undertaken at the Campus for Future Living that examined the issues and barriers that existed in the local community.

• A Member further queried the type of research that would be undertaken.  In response, the Director of Community Investment (ACIS Group) advised Members that research would centre around health and wellbeing and could range from clinical and non-clinical to social or economic research.

• A Member queried whether the accommodation facilities was aimed at short term stays for educational staff or for families.  In response, the Director of Community Investment (ACIS Group) advised Members that short term lodgings were intended for housing students such as nurse practitioners or those on placement opportunities.  Members were further advised that there was potential to develop the grass space next to the Campus where research was needed on long term housing needs.

• A Member queried whether the research undertaken would examine sea defences.  In response, the Director of Community Investment (ACIS Group) advised Members that sea defences were not within the remit of the project.

• A Member queried whether the Campus for Future Living could accommodate away visitors for conferences and seminars.  In response, the Director of Community Investment (ACIS Group) advised Members that the accommodation was limited to 7 beds and that the top floor had capacity for 100 people including catering, breakout rooms and a cafe. 

• A Member queried the period of time needed for repayment of the investment to occur.  In response, the Assistant Director (Wellbeing and Community Leadership) advised Members that it was estimated that the investment would reach repayment in 10 years.  Councillor William Gray as Portfolio Holder for Communities and Better Ageing further advised Members that there had been a 10-year business case for the Towns Fund Project funding.

• Councillor Gray as Portfolio Holder for Communities and Better Ageing concluded that the Campus for Future Living was an exceptional achievement for utilising intensive community engagement and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 98.

To receive an update from the Community Leadership Manager  – South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership.

The Chairman welcomed Nichola Holderness, Community Leadership Manager - South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership (S&ELCP) to the Meeting and noted apologies for Alison Carlisle, Volunteer Co-Ordinator who was not able to be in attendance.

Members were presented with an update on the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership Volunteer Scheme and work undertaken in the last six months, pages 81 to 90 of the Agenda refer.

The Community Leadership Manager (S&ELCP) advised Members on progress and confirmed that the term ‘trusted volunteers’ had been revised following the Overview Committee’s comments in October 2024.

Members were invited to put their comments and questions forward.

• In relation to the East Lindsey Investment Fund, a Member queried the process that was in place to enable Parish Councils to access the fund.  In response, the Assistant Director (Community Leadership and Wellbeing) explained to Members that there were a number of opportunities available for communities and parish councils and that she could direct specific enquires from Members to the relevant officer.

• A Member queried whether volunteers in East Lindsey district were taking on roles that should have been allocated as paid employment.  In response, the Assistant Director (Community Leadership and Wellbeing) assured Members that none of the roles undertaken by volunteers were roles that should be performed by paid employees.

• A Member queried whether volunteering schemes were being implemented in the wider East Lindsey district.  In response, the Community Leadership Manager (S&ELCP) advised Members that the Volunteer Co-ordinator was looking at the volunteering offer for the whole of East Lindsey along with the rest of the Partnership.

• A Member highlighted that greater volunteering initiatives were being implemented in the south of the Partnership and that East Lindsey district should receive a greater share of the opportunities.

In response, the Community Leadership Manager (S&ELCP) explained to Members that the Council had additional funds to develop the scheme in East Lindsey and that the Volunteer Co-ordinator split her time between the three Councils.   Members were assured that a significant amount of work was being undertaken in the background and that the aim was to continue looking at ways to improve the offer for volunteering opportunities in East Lindsey.

Further to a discussion, it was agreed to request an update on progress with volunteering opportunities in 6 months’ time and to invite Councillor Sarah Devereaux as Portfolio Holder for Partnerships to provide further insight. 

• Councillor William Gray as Portfolio Holder for Communities and Better Ageing advised Members that the Volunteer Co-ordinator had been active in supporting the training of the Age Friendly Ambassadors.  Members were further advised that the term ‘Age Friendly Ambassadors’ had recently been changed to ‘Ageing Well Ambassadors’.

• The Chairman noted the value of sharing information and signposting people to points of contact for volunteering opportunities.  In response, the Community Leadership Manager (S&ELCP) explained to Members that a communications campaign was in progress and that further information would be circulated in MPB.

• A Member commented that it was expected  ...  view the full minutes text for item 99.

To receive a report from the Community Leadership Manager  – South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership.

The Chairman further introduced Nichola Holderness, Community Leadership Manager (S&ELCP) to provide Members with an update on the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Crowdfunding Scheme, pages 91 to 108 of the Agenda refer.

The Community Leadership Manager (S&ELCP) advised Members that the South and East Lincolnshire Crowdfund launched in Spring 2023 and that in its first two years the scheme had supported ten projects totalling £105,509 across the sub-region.

Members were advised that the report provided an overview of activity and how it was delivering much needed financial support to community groups in line with the intentions of the three councils within South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership who had jointly committed to establishing an innovative Crowdfunding scheme in 2022.

Members were invited to put their comments and questions forward.

• A Member queried where the Rural Friendship Group was located.  In response, the Community Leadership Manager (S&ELCP) confirmed that the group was located in Authorpe, Lincolnshire.

• A Member queried whether the Crowdfunding scheme was jointly funded.  In response the Community Leadership Manager (S&ELCP) advised Members that the total of the project was funded by the community or backers from businesses and that a maximum of £5,000 could be pledged from East Lindsey District Council.

• The Chairman queried where the Crafty Cabin was located.  In response the Community Leadership Manager (S&ELCP) advised Members that the Crafty Cabin was located in Friskney, Lincolnshire.

• A Member queried the ways in which the Rural Friendship Group was kept informed of the scheme.  In response, the Community Leadership Manager (S&ELCP) advised Members that workshops with up to 50 groups and briefing sessions had been held alongside paid promotions, including leaflets being placed in community venues.

• The Chairman queried whether parish councils were being kept informed.  In response the Community Leadership Manager (S&ELCP) advised Members that parish councils had been included in communication efforts and had participated in online sessions.

• A Member further queried whether there was a link to access the information online.   In response the Community Leadership Manager (S&ELCP) advised Members that a ‘how to’ guide was available online and that information would be circulated to Members through the Communications team.

• At the indulgence of the Chairman, Councillor Daniel Simpson spoke in support of the Spacehive project and queried whether a weblink to grants could be placed on the front of the Council’s website for quick and easy access to information.

In response, the Community Leadership Manager (S&ELCP) assured Members that the website was being made as simple as possible to access and that the Committee’s comments would be relayed to the Communications team.

No further comments or questions were received.

The Chairman thanked Nichola Holderness, Community Leadership Manager (S&ELCP) for the report.

Following which it was,

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

N.B Nichola Holderness, Community Leadership Manager (S&ELCP) and Brendan Arnold, Interim Finance Director and S151 Officer left the Meeting at 12.11pm.

To receive a report from the Outside Body Appointee.

The Chairman referred Members to the briefing papers from Councillor Jill Makinson-Sanders, the Outside Body Appointee to the Health Scrutiny Committee (HSC) for Lincolnshire following its Meetings held on 19th February 2025 and 12th March 2025, and a Working Group Meeting held on 12th February 2025, pages 109 to 124 of the Agenda refer.

The Outside Body Appointee advised Members that a response from the Humber Acute Service Review was awaited and that a query had been raised on where ambulances were sent to for patients to receive stroke treatment. 

Members were invited to put their comments and questions forward.

• A Member queried whether stroke services were still provided at Pilgrim Hospital Boston.  In response the Outside Body Appointee advised Members that the stroke ward at Boston Pilgrim Hospital had closed. 

• The Outside Body appointee stressed the importance of stroke services and highlighted the provisions at different hospitals in Lincolnshire.

• The Chairman queried whether the work undertaken by the Campus for Future Living was being fed into the HSC.  In response, Councillor William Gray as Portfolio Holder for Communities and Better Ageing explained to Members that there was no formal link and that the Campus for Future Living’s Steering Group could guide the development of future connections.

No further comments or questions were received.

The Chairman thanked the Outside Body Appointee for her valuable contribution on reporting back from the HSC.

N.B Councillor William Gray, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Better Aging, Emily Spicer, Assistant Director (Community Leadership and Wellbeing) and Roxanne Warrick, Service Manger (Healthy Living) left the Meeting at 12.18pm.

To receive the final report of the Panel.

Rebecca James, Scrutiny and Policy Officer introduced the final report for the Joint Scrutiny of the Partnership Enviro Crime Enforcement Contract, pages 125 to 138 of the Agenda refer.

Members were advised that the Overview and Scrutiny Committees of Boston Borough Council, South Holland District Council, and East Lindsey District Council had commissioned a joint Scrutiny Task & Finish Group to undertake a review of the Partnership Enviro Crime Enforcement Contract and that the report was being presented to the Committee for noting and to agree the associated recommendations.  

The Scrutiny and Policy Officer advised Members that the Panel Chairman Councillor Edward Mossop had intended to attend the Committees at all three Councils but had unfortunately been unable to attend today’s Meeting.

Members were invited to put their comments and questions forward.

• The Chairman commented on the excellent report and supported that it was presented to Full Council.

• Councillor Daniel Simpson as a Member of the Scrutiny Panel spoke on the ways in which coverage by the Kingdom team could be improved and highlighted the need for additional capacity to install surveillance cameras in hotspot locations.

In response, the Assistant Director (Corporate) advised Members that legislation had changed since surveillance cameras had been used historically by the Council, and that Members comments would be relayed to Christian Allen, Assistant Director (Regulatory) to determine ways in which surveillance cameras could be installed in hotspot locations in line with the recommendation.

• Members stressed the need for more public bins. 

• A Member highlighted that the disposal of chewing gum was a significant issue and that its use had been banned in Singapore. 

• A Member highlighted the need to lay foundations for the future by educating children and their parents on the correct way to dispose of litter.

• A Member queried who was responsible for fly tipping.  In response, Councillor Daniel Simpson advised Members that Kingdom had been awarded the contract to pursue fly tipping to the courts and that due to staff limitation, Kingdom focused on challenging individuals rather than taking legal action.

• A Member highlighted that the identity of those who had dropped litter could only be pursued if a Council Officer was present to photograph and record the evidence.

• Members discussed the differences in payment options for fines that were addressed through magistrate’s courts whereas envirocrime fines had to be paid upfront.

No further comments or questions were received.

Following which it was,

RESOLVED:

• That the Joint Scrutiny of the Partnership Enviro Crime Enforcement Contract Final Report be noted and the recommendations be agreed.

• That the report be presented to Full Council on 21^st May 2025.

To receive a written update.

Members were referred to the briefing paper, pages 139 to 140 of the Agenda refer.

Councillor Ruchira Yarsley as Chairman of the Scrutiny Panel advised Members that the Panel would meet for a final time on 26th March 2025 to agree the report and recommendations, and that the final report would be presented to the June meeting of Overview Committee to allow time for conclusion of County Council Elections in May 2025.

At the indulgence of the Chairman, Councillor Daniel Simpson commented that the Leader of the Council may need to advise on the impact of devolution on future considerations for town and parish councils.  In response, the Chairman advised Members that there was still time for additional considerations as the final proposals for Local Government Local Reorganisation were not due until November 2025.

To receive a written update.

Members were referred to the briefing paper, pages 141 to 142 of the Agenda refer.

The Scrutiny and Policy Officer advised the Committee that following requests for additional members, the Panel had secured a full membership and that the work of the panel would commence following the County Council elections in May 2025.

To consider a scoping document.

Members were referred to the scoping document, pages 143 to 144 of the Agenda refer.

N.B Councillor Dick Edginton left the Meeting at 12.41pm.

• In reference to external witnesses, a Member commented that Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) had a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for a 5 working day deadline for the turnaround of Minutes and that Nigel West, Head of Democratic Services at LCC would make a good witness.  In response, the Scrutiny and Policy Officer confirmed to Members that Nigel West would be added to the list of witnesses.

• In relation to Local Government Reorganisation, the Chairman assured Members that any work the Council undertook before the formation of the new Councils would still hold value.

N.B Councillor Dick Edginton returned to the Meeting at 12.45pm.

To receive a report from the Group Manager – Insights and Transformation.

The Chairman welcomed James Gilbert, Assistant Director (Corporate) to present the Quarter 3 24-25 Performance and Risk Report, pages 145 to 198 of the Agenda refer.

Members attention was drawn to the Q3 performance indicators with targeted performance levels (Appendix 1), and Q3 risks (Appendix 2).

Members were invited to put their comments and questions forward.

• A Member highlighted the need for greater narrative of the risks.

• In reference to the ‘Percentage of streets grading b and above – detritus’, a Member queried the reason that it had received a red status for Q2 2024/25 when a contract was in place with Kingdom, page 158 of the Agenda refers.  In response, the Assistant Director (Corporate) clarified that the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) was related to the street cleaning service provided by the Neighbourhoods team and that seasonal factors had occurred between October and December 2024.

• A Member queried whether Kingdom was performing adequately.  In response, the Chairman clarified to Members that the Neighbourhoods team was tasked with cleaning the streets whereas Kingdom’s role was to enforce the regulations.

• The Chairman highlighted issues that had been experienced with street sweepers breaking down in Horncastle which may have affected performance.

In response, the Assistant Director (Corporate) advised Members that a more detailed explanation would be requested from the Neighbourhoods team and brought back to the Committee. 

• In reference to KPIs for Efficiency and Effectiveness, a Member queried whether there was enough capacity in the Information Governance department, page 160 of the Agenda refers.  In response, the Assistant Director (Corporate) clarified that the indicator was not red as a result of services not responding quickly enough and that a service review had been approved with a view to bring in additional capacity.

• In relation to’ Housing Benefit Changes speed of processing (Year to Date) (PSPS)’, the Chairman queried the reason that the target had remained red.  In response, the Assistant Director (Corporate) advised Members that status for Q3 2024/25 was above DWP (Department of Work and Pensions) expectations around processing.  Members were further advised that the status had remained red because it had not reached the target that had been set for PSPS due to the volume of housing benefit changes being processed. 

• A Member queried whether the volume of work was a result of the cost-of-living crisis, page 163 of the Agenda refers.  In response, the Assistant Director (Corporate) agreed that the cost-of-living crisis was a possible explanation.

• In reference to ‘Average answer rate – Revenues & Benefits (PSPS)’ a Member queried the red status, page 165 of the Agenda refers.  In response, the Assistant Director (Corporate) advised Members that the red status had occurred due to the complexity of the calls received which had taken more time to answer.

• In reference to ‘Business Centre Occupation, Mablethorpe - Percentage of total gross internal area occupied’, a Member highlighted that one business had moved from the Mablethorpe Business Centre to the Campus for Future Living, page 166 of the Agenda refers.  In response, the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 103.

To note the Overview and Scrutiny Recommendation Tracker.

Members were referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Recommendation Tracker, pages 199 to 232 of the Agenda refer.

Members were invited to review the tracker and put their comments and questions forward.

• A Member commented on their disappointment with the lack of overall progress with updates on the recommendation tracker.  In response, the Scrutiny and Policy Officer advised Members that a reminder for updates had been sent out later than expected and that newer responses had missed the deadline for publishing with the Agenda.   Members were assured that further requests for updates would be made following the Meeting.

To monitor the implementation of Magna Vitae's 5-year plan, including Key Performance Indicators (part 2)

Recommendation No 3 ‘Property / assets team to ensure they have the correct funding mechanism to allow for proper maintenance and repair of the facilities when required’, page 210 of the Agenda refers.

• A Member stressed the importance of maintenance and the need for the Council to continue to undertake work prior to Local Government Reorganisation.  In response, the Scrutiny and Policy Officer explained to Members that the recommendation was intended for future tenders to ensure that work was undertaken correctly.

• Members discussed the potential for a scrutiny topic on maintenance.  In response, the Chairman encouraged Members to submit a scrutiny topic suggestion form.

• A Member queried whether the Council traded with countries that used slave labour or had any procurement policies to safeguard where contracts were secured.  In response, the Scrutiny and Policy Officer advised Members that measures were in place for where the Council invested money.

Partnership Task Group - To review the scope and proposed arrangements for a Sub-Regional Leisure Facilities Operator Contract, Recommendations No 1 to 4, pages 220 and 221 of the Agenda refer.

• A Member queried whether further updates were available on the Sub-Regional Leisure Facilities Operator Contract.  In response, the Scrutiny and Policy Officer advised Members that the procurement process was expected to end in September or October 2025 and that updates would be forthcoming. 

Review of the Carbon Reduction Plan and associated carbon reduction activity at ELDC.

Recommendation No 1 ‘For the Procurement Team to provide an annual update to Overview on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting’, page 229 of the Agenda refers.

·         A Member queried the absence of the Appendix referred to in the update for March 2025.  In response, the Scrutiny and Policy Officer advised Members the Appendix would be circulated to Members following the Meeting.

The Chairman thanked everyone for their comments.

No further comments or questions were received.

Following which it was,

RESOLVED:

That the Overview and Scrutiny Recommendation Tracker be noted.

To receive a copy of the Executive/Council Forward Plan.

Members were presented with the Executive/Council Forward Plan 2024- 25, pages 233 to 242 of the Agenda refer and were invited for their comments.

• In reference to Unauthorised Caravan Occupancy, a Member stressed the importance of making haste to tackle the issues and to leave a legacy prior to Local Government Reorganisation, page 235 of the Agenda refers.

• A Member queried the reason that numerous items on the Forward Plan were continually reviewed.  In response, the Scrutiny and Policy Officer advised Members that clarification would be obtained and brought back to the Committee.

• The Chairman highlighted the lengthy delays and revisions with approving changes to the waste services delivery model to meet the Simpler Recycling requirements of the Environment Act 2021, page 236 of the Agenda refers.  Members were advised that further clarification would be sought.

• A Member queried the reasons that the Council continued to match fund the SO Festival in Skegness.  In response, the Scrutiny and Policy Officer advised Members that additional clarification would be requested and brought back to the Committee.

No comments or questions were received.

Following which it was,

RESOLVED:

That the Executive/Council Forward Plan 2024-25 be noted.

The date of the next Meeting was confirmed as 6^th May 2025.