Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Neil Jones.

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 David Hall had been appointed to the Committee in place of Councillor Claire Arnold and that Councillor Daniel Simpson had been appointed to the Committee in place of Councillor Carleen Dickinson for this Meeting only.

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

To receive an update from Dr Reid Baker, Lincolnshire Local Medical Committee (LMC).

At this point in the meeting the Chairman advised Members that Agenda Item 6 – Update on General Practice Provision in Lincolnshire had been brought forward ahead of the Minutes and Actions.

The Chairman welcomed Dr Reid Baker, Director of the Lincolnshire Local Medical Committee (LMC) who was in attendance to present Members with an update on General Practice Provision in Lincolnshire.

Members were provided with a presentation that highlighted the following:

• Statistics for the number of GP Practices, Primary Care Networks (PCNs), doctors and appointments in Lincolnshire
• A summary of the challenges and pressures in General Practice
• Financial considerations and how to keep the practice viable
• Lincolnshire Interface Collaborative
• Next steps and ways to support

A copy of the presentation is attached at Appendix A to the Minutes.

Members were invited to put their comments and questions forward.

• Members requested that a copy of the presentation slides be circulated to all Councillors and to town and parish councils.  In response, Dr Reid Baker confirmed that he was happy for the presentation slides to be circulated..

• A Member queried the ways in which Councillors could support the work being undertaken by the Lincolnshire LMC.  In response, Dr Reid Baker explained to Members that being invited by the Overview Committee and sharing knowledge and helping people to understand the challenges faced by GP practices was a good step forward to ensure that people were better informed. 

• A Member highlighted concerns with the slow turn around for blood tests.  In response, Dr Reid Baker supported that phlebotomy was a vital diagnostic tool and explained that not all GP practices undertook in-house phlebotomy services.

• A Member commented that the relationship between doctors’ surgeries and hospitals did not always operate as well as it should.  In response, Dr Reid Baker confirmed that relationships between doctors’ surgeries and hospitals could be improved.  Members were further advised that the increased turnover of healthcare staff made building relationships challenging and that GP practices could only carry out the services they had been commissioned to undertake.

• The Chairman highlighted that three treatment centres in the whole of Lincolnshire was a significant concern.

• A Member queried the optimal situation for the provision of digital services in Lincolnshire.  In response, Dr Reid Baker advised Members that the cost associated with digital solutions impacted on budgets and that systems such as Ask My GP primarily provided capacity saving benefits.  Members were further advised that GP practices were sometimes faced with the decision to partially self-fund or to stop using digital solutions because of financial pressures.

• A Member queried whether a fully integrated digital solution across all areas would be a better option.  In response, Dr Reid Baker explained to Members that the current system could be unsafe due to practitioners not being able to see information across all service areas and authorities.  Dr Reid Baker supported that re-examination of a single digital solution was necessary for both safety and efficiency.

• A Member commented on the two reports presented to the Health  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday 17 June 2025.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday 17 June 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 17 June 2025

Action No. 6 (a), 7 and 16 (a) – completed.

An update to Action No. 10 was tabled at the Meeting and has been included at Appendix A1 to the Minutes.

Actions from the Meeting held on 6 May 2025 

Action No. 110 – completed.

Comments were received as follows:

Action No. 6 (b) – Section 106 Update from the Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), page 23 of the Agenda refers.

• A Member commented on concerns with the potential impact from the reduction of ICB staff.

Action No. 7 (b) – Briefing note explaining the Council’s highest interim spend on the Neighbourhoods Directorate, pages 23 and 29 of the Agenda refer.

• A Member commented on the figures provided for the overspends.

Action No. 10 – LGA Corporate Peer Challenge Action Plan 6 Monthly Update, Ref 3. on page 5 of the LGA Peer Review 12 to 15 November 2025 Action Plan refers.

• In reference to the information requested on Cultural and Town Boards, Members requested that the update be broadened to include information on the efforts being undertaken to benefit non-coastal areas.

Action No. 16 (a) – Quarter 4 24/25 Performance and Risk Report, page 24 of the Agenda refers.

• In reference to the occupation of Mablethorpe Business Centre, a Member queried the former location of the Community Learning in Partnership (CLIP).  In response, a Member confirmed to the Committee that CLIP was not previously based at Mablethorpe Business Centre. 

Action No. 16 (b) – Quarter 4 24/25 Performance and Risk Report, page 24 of the Agenda refers.

·         In reference to Safe and Resilient Communities, a Member requested the name of the Council’s current Anti-Social Behaviour Officer.  In response, the Assistant Director (Corporate), confirmed that further clarification would be obtained and reported back to the Committee.

Action No. 99 (b) – South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership volunteering scheme update, page 25 and 26 of the Agenda refers.

• The Chairman advised Members that Nichola Holderness, Community Leadership Manager (South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership) had clarified the role of the volunteering scheme and that it aimed to support wider volunteers in the local area.  Members were advised to individually make contact with Nichola Holderness should further clarification be needed.

• A Member queried whether volunteering was considered a function related to economic development.  In response, the Chairman confirmed that there were overlaps across departments.

• In reference to the update on improving volunteering opportunities in East Lindsey district, Members requested that Councillor Sarah Devereux as Portfolio Holder for Partnerships be invited to attend the Meeting on 14^th October 2025.

• A Member advised the Committee of his positive experience with the support provided by the Community Leadership Manager (South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership) when setting up a volunteer group in Sutton on Sea.

Action No. 96 (a) – Section 106 Agreements Update, page 25 of the Agenda refers.

• A Member commented on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

To receive an update from the Interim Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer.

The Chairman explained to Members that the Budget Process 2026/27 Item had been agreed to be deferred until the Meeting on 2^nd September 2025 to enable submission of the associated report.

N.B Councillor Dick Edginton returned to the Meeting at 11.33am.

Members were invited to put their comments and questions forward.

• A Member queried whether there were opportunities for the wider Council Membership to become involved in the budget setting process.  In response, the Chairman explained that she was happy to extend the invitation for all Members to attend and participate in the January 2026 Overview Committee Meeting which would solely focus on scrutiny of the budget.

• Members discussed historic budget review processes undertaken by the Council and stressed the need to have early discussions.

• A Member spoke in support of the new approach to budget setting being implemented by the Interim Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer.

• Councillor Graham Marsh as Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Leisure and Culture, and Carbon Reduction emphasised the need to consider the budget before November 2025.

• Further to a discussion, Members agreed that the Committee’s comments were fed back to the Interim Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer for discussion at the Meeting on 2^nd September 2025.

• A Member commented that it was important that legacy spending in the lead up to Local Government Reorganisation was noted as a budgetary consideration.

No further comments were received.

To receive a draft memorandum of understanding.

Rebecca James, Scrutiny and Policy Officer presented Members with the Draft Memorandum of Understanding for Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Audit and Governance Committee, pages 31 to 38 of the Agenda refer.

Members were advised that the Memorandum of Understanding had been sourced from the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny (CFGS) and followed on from a piece of work undertaken between the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Overview and Audit and Governance Committees.

No further comments were received.

Following which it was,

RESOLVED:

That the adoption of the Draft Memorandum of Understanding be approved by the Overview Committee.

To receive a report from the Outside Body Appointee.

The Chairman referred Members to the briefing paper tabled at the Meeting from Councillor Jill Makinson-Sanders, the Outside Body Appointee to the Health Scrutiny Committee (HSC) for Lincolnshire following its Meeting held on Wednesday 16th July 2025.  A copy of the report is attached at Appendix B to the Minutes.

The Outside Body Appointee advised Members that on 18th July 2025 she had attended the official launch of the Lincoln Institute for Rural and Coastal Health (LIRCH) which was the UK’s first dedicated research institute which focused on tackling health inequalities in rural and coastal communities.

Members were advised that in relation to the review of local mental health services, a request had been made for the list of schools that were receiving support.

Further to a discussion, it was agreed that an invitation be extended to the Lincoln Institute for Rural and Coastal Health (LIRCH) to attend a future Reserved Members’ Day alongside Dr Reid Baker from the Lincolnshire Local Medical Committee.

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

To receive a written update.

Rebecca James, Scrutiny and Policy Officer referred Members to the briefing paper, pages 39 to 40 of the Agenda refer.

Members were advised that the panel held its first Meeting on 20th May 2025 and discussed the topic scope, lines of enquiry and agreed additional witnesses.  The panel had met again on Monday 30th June 2025 to discuss the information with Emma Thomas, Property Officer, and also speak with Brendan Arnold, Interim Finance Director and Section 151 Officer.

A Member commented that it could be valuable to examine the facility of 2 hours free parking that was being provided by neighbouring councils.

To receive a written update.

Rebecca James, Scrutiny and Policy Officer referred Members to the briefing paper, pages 41 to 42 of the Agenda refer.

Members were advised that despite a number of attempts to obtain the required number of Members, only five Councillors had indicated they would be able to take part due to diary conflicts.  It was explained that Committee was being asked to consider whether they wished to delay the topic until later in the year or whether they would prefer that a different approach was undertaken.

• A Member commented on the annual training that had been provided for the Planning Policy Committee which had been provided in-house compared to the training provided for the Audit and Governance Committee which has used an external training provider.  In response, the Chairman explained that annual training was a valuable requirement and that additional benefits could be obtained by utilising external training providers. 

Further to a discussion, Members agreed that a questionnaire be undertaken to obtain Members’ views instead of continuing to pursue a formal scrutiny panel, and that a report return to Overview Committee in October 2025.

To consider the draft project scoping template on the following items:

Members considered the draft project scoping template on the following items:

To consider a scoping document.

Members were presented with a draft project scoping template on ‘Review of the ELDC Rough Sleeping Initiative’, pages 43 to 44 of the Agenda Refer.

Further to a discussion it was,

RESOLVED:

• That the Project Scoping Template for the ‘ELDC Rough Sleeping Initiative’ be agreed.

To consider a scoping document.

Members were presented with a draft project scoping template on ‘To review the Destination Management Plan for ELDC’, pages 45 to 46 of the Agenda Refer.

• A Member queried the reasons for the collapse of Destination Lincolnshire.  In response, the Chairman advised Members that the collapse of Destination Lincolnshire had been due to financial issues.

Further to a discussion it was,

RESOLVED:

·         That the scrutiny to review the Destination Management Plan for ELDC would be delayed until the conclusion of the Scrutiny Panel for Car Parking East Lindsey.

• That the Project Scoping Template for the ‘To review the Destination Management Plan for ELDC’ be agreed.

To note the Overview and Scrutiny Recommendation Tracker.

Members were referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Recommendation Tracker, pages 47 to 78 of the Agenda refer.

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

Overview Standing Reference Group

Sutton on Sea Colonnade Project

Recommendation No 4 ‘Explore opportunities with universities and museum services to develop the exhibition space, page 47 of the Agenda refers.

·         A Member queried the name of the officer that had been appointed to the role of Interim Consultant for Culture and Regeneration.  In response, the Scrutiny and Policy Officer advised Members that further confirmation on the appointment would be forthcoming.

To explore the issues surrounding caravan licensing and enforcement

Recommendation No 1 ‘To recognise the need to make Caravan Enforcement a priority for the new Council’ page 51 of the Agenda refers.

• A Member highlighted the need to ensure that the Council did not leave work in relation to caravan enforcement unfinished and suggested that an interim report should be brought to the Committee at six monthly intervals.

• A Member highlighted an issue in relation to concerns about water supply safety at caravan parks.  In response, the Chairman advised Members that water safety was believed to fall under the responsibilities of the Council’s Environmental Health team.

• A Member further commented on the strict requirements for testing water safety, particularly in relation to legionella.

• A Member highlighted that the caravan recommendations should be referred to the Planning Policy Committee for further consideration.  In response, the Scrutiny and Policy Officer confirmed that the information would be brought to the attention of the Planning Policy Committee’s Chairman.

• A Member considered the need for a Memorandum of Understanding between the Overview and Planning Policy Committees.

• A Member queried the reason that the caravan enforcement work was taking 7 years to complete.  In response, the Scrutiny and Policy Officer advised Members that the long time period had been agreed at a time when it had been seen as a significant undertaking.

• Councillor Graham Marsh as Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Leisure and Culture, and Carbon Reduction explained to Members that there was an additional need to be cautious when addressing caravan enforcement to prevent an increase in homelessness.

• A Member further stressed that the concerns in relation to caravan enforcement needed to be referred to the Planning Policy Committee to help inform Councillors and aid policy development.

Public Convenience Provision in East Lindsey

Recommendation No 1 ‘The panel recommend that Parish and Town Councils should be offered the existing free to use public conveniences in their area via an asset transfer’, page 61 of the Agenda refers.

• Members discussed the importance of considering which assets would be handed over to the new councils following Local Government Reorganisation, or distributed to town and parish councils.

• A Member queried whether the creation of the new councils would have implications for parish precepts.  In response, the Chairman did not believe there would be an impact.

• Councillor Graham Marsh as Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Leisure and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

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

Members were presented with the Executive/Council Forward Plan 2025-26, pages 79 to 92 of the Agenda refer and were invited for their comments.

• In reference to implementing a pay structure and associated Job Evaluation Scheme for Officers in shared Partnership roles within the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership, a Member expressed disappointment that prior scrutiny had not occurred before the report had been presented at Full Council on 16^th July 2025, page 81 of the Agenda refers.  In response, the Chairman reminded the Committee that Members had the opportunity to monitor items on the Forward Plan and make requests for scrutiny at an early stage.

• Councillor Graham Marsh as Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Leisure and Culture, and Carbon Reduction explained to Members that a significant amount of work had taken place on implementing a pay structure and associated Job Evaluation Scheme and that staff would benefit from the quick decision that had been made.

• In reference to a review of the SELCP Safeguarding Policy, a Member queried the benefits that reviewing the policies would provide, page 82 of the Agenda refers.  In response, the Assistant Director (Corporate) advised Members that an update to the policies was necessary due to staff working across the three Councils and due to changes in legislation.  It was confirmed that one officer was overseeing safeguarding across the Partnership.

• The Policy and Scrutiny Officer further explained to Members that policies were generally reviewed every 3 years to reflect changes in guidance and other statutory requirements.

• A Member queried whether there was a single set of policies that authorities were expected to adopt.  In response, the Scrutiny and Policy Officer advised Members that there was a combination statutory guidance and requirements and that it was for individual authorities to decide how these were adapted and implemented.

• In reference to the SO Festival, a Member queried the reasons that the Council had continued to fund the festival, page 84 of the Agenda refers.  In response, Councillor Graham Marsh as Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Leisure and Culture, and Carbon Reduction advised Members that the Council was considering increasing funding in order to extend the SO Festival to market towns such as Louth and Horncastle.

• In reference to the update on Invest East Lindsey, a Member queried whether the report was being presented to Full Council, page 85 of the Agenda refers.  In response the Chairman advised Members that the report was being presented to the Audit and Governance Committee and that the Audit and Governance Committee were able to consider whether the report would be referred to Full Council.

No comments or questions were received.

Following which it was,

RESOLVED:

That the Executive/Council Forward Plan 2025-26 be noted.

To consider the Overview Committee Work Programme 2025/26.

Members were presented with the Overview Committee Work Programme 2025/26, pages 93 to 98 of the Agenda refer.

The Chairman explained to Members that the Overview Committee Work Programme had been added as a new standard Agenda Item to inform Members of which upcoming reports were expected.

Following which it was,

RESOLVED:

That the Committee Work Programme 2025/26 be noted.

The date for the next Meeting was noted as Tuesday 2nd September 2025.