Report of the Chairman of Executive Board.

An updated report had been circulated prior to the meeting.  A copy is attached at Appendix B to the Minutes.

Following which, questions were asked:

LUF Events

Councillor Jackson referred to the launch events in Alford and Skegness and stated that she was eager to know when other towns, for example, Louth may benefit from levelling up funding.  In response to the point made about disparity around inland and coastal towns, Councillor Leyland highlighted that the Council must ensure that deprivation in the hinterland was taken forward.

SELCP Employee Awards

Councillor Jackson asked that her congratulations be noted to those teams and individuals who had received awards.

Councillor Horton wished to echo Councillor Jackson’s congratulations, however wanted to point out that outside of the awards scheme there were also members of staff that went the extra mile.  He also found it difficult to see how staff could be compared across the three councils and was not surprised to see that most awards had gone to SHDC staff.

In response, Councillor Leyland highlighted that the three councils were in a partnership and considered that the awards were fair.

Changing Places Toilets

Councillor Jackson queried whether further funding would be made available for changing places toilets.  In response, Councillor Leyland advised that UK Shared Prosperity Funding was about to be launched and information on this would be circulated to district and town and parish councillors.

Councillor Dickinson asked that her thanks be passed to the officers involved in securing the funding for the changing places facilities and to Councillor Leyland for attending the opening that day at the Lincolnshire Wildlife Park (LWP) in Friskney.  In response, Councillor Leyland also thanked the officers involved and Councillor Dickinson for her acknowledgement and stated that LWP was excited to get the facility and would be pleased to receive visitors who would benefit from using this.

Councillor Makinson-Sanders stated that she was disappointed that Hubbard’s Hills in Louth was unable to benefit from a changing places facility as the site could not be accessed.

SO Festival

Councillor Jackson queried whether moving the festival to June from its usual spot in August had affected attendance.

Councillor Horton considered that the festival would be better held in August due to school holidays, and furthermore did not believe the SO Festival worked.  In response, Councillor Leyland stated that he understood the event had been successful.

Councillor Danny Brookes thanked Councillor Leyland for his report, and disagreed with Councillor Horton, stating that June was an ideal time to hold the SO festival which extended the season.

In response, Councillor Leyland stated that he was happy to share attendance details for the SO Festival and considered it important to move the dates to test the season.

Publicity and signage updates to inform people of safe zones/safe routes.

Councillor Jackson referred to the signage already installed, however was concerned over the permanence of this as a ‘safe street’ could become a moving picture and queried the utility of these signs.  In response, Councillor Leyland stated that he was happy to take the points raised on board, however referred to the CCTV cameras that were installed in towns across the district and the success of the team who worked and assisted in keeping the streets safe.

Health

Councillor Horton highlighted the internal menopause support group that had been working together to develop a support network for staff including welcoming a Lead Women’s Health Nurse to deliver a Women’s Health Talk to the workforce, however queried why there was not a group for men to discuss, for example prostate cancer.  Councillor Makinson-Sanders agreed with this and asked whether in addition to a talk, a testing afternoon could be arranged in relation to the menopause.

In response, Councillor Leyland stated that he had seen reference to advice for men on prostate issues within the Council and added that it was right that the Council supported the menopause support group.

Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC)

Councillor Danny Brookes commented that he was very pleased to see the RSC had been welcomed at the Embassy Centre.

Rough Sleeper Service

Councillor Danny Brookes thanked Councillor Leyland for the update and stated that he was pleased to see that further accommodation for rough sleepers had been opened in Spilsby, Alford, Louth and Skegness.

Household Support Fund

Councillor Makinson-Sanders welcomed the next tranche of the Household Support Fund and commented that it was a ‘real eye opener’ being involved with those who applied for the funding.

LGA Coastal SIG visit (upcoming in September) (NS)

Councillor Ashton offered his thanks to Councillor Leyland for supporting the LGA Coastal SIG event to be hosted in Skegness, not only to showcase Skegness but also at a national level.

Councillor Makinson-Sanders highlighted that a record had been broken at Louth Cattle Market, with 1100 prime lambs being sold and stated that it was the right decision to save this facility.

In conclusion, Councillor Leyland thanked all Members for the positive comments received to his report.