To receive an update from the Assistant Director - Economic Growth.

The Chairman welcomed Lydia Rusling, Assistant Director – Economic Growth to provide Members with an update on the East Lindsey Investment Fund.

Members received a presentation that detailed the Partnership’s Growth and Prosperity Plan, an overview of East Lindsey’s Investment Fund Programme including themes, principles and a framework for the fund and next steps for the future (a copy is attached at Appendix B to the Minutes).

Councillor Leyland as Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Corporate Affairs advised Members that the Council was in a unique financial position to support investment and was working collectively to deliver the funding whilst recognising the need for extra capacity. Councillor Leyland concluded by emphasising the potential the funding had for transforming communities and shaping East Lindsey over the next 10 to 15 years.

Members were invited to put their comments and questions forward.

·         The Chairman highlighted that maintenance was a big issue which needed to be addressed and referenced Horncastle as an example where the assumption was that Town and Parish Councils who had limited resources would take on maintenance responsibilities after the scheme had ended.  In response, the Assistant Director – Economic Growth advised Members that the investment which had come through the capital funding including the UKSPF was not centred solely around delivery of the £10 million investment fund and included funding for a continuation of maintenance.  The Assistant Director – Economic Growth confirmed that the concerns regarding maintenance would be more strongly highlighted in the report following the Committee’s comments.

·         A Member further commented on maintenance, stating that the Council had not always highlighted outstanding maintenance of its assets such as the Sutton on Sea Colonnade and queried whether an annual asset survey could be undertaken alongside a schedule of repairs to ensure that maintenance risks were monitored and acted upon before failure occurred.

·         Members proceeded to discuss the importance of volunteers in relation to maintenance issues and that an update from the volunteer co-ordinator at the next Meeting would address any concerns. 

·         A Member expressed disappointment that market towns had not been highlighted more in the presentation and commented that a clear strategy was needed to bring in more funding to market towns and increase what they had to offer.

·         A Member requested access to a paper presentation to enable other councillors and volunteers to become more involved.  In response, the Assistant Director – Economic Growth confirmed that a copy of the presentation would be provided to Members following the meeting and that a subsequent report would be made available for the Executive Board.

·         A Member spoke in support of the presentation and the intention to support volunteers and appreciated those who offered their time to volunteer for the benefit of the Council’s success.

·         A Member further commented that £10 million was a good amount of funding that would replace the EU funding that was previously received along the coast and wished to see the Outstanding Area of Natural Beauty remain and be preserved.

·         A Member expressed concerns with improving shop fronts in town centres and commented that funds should be invested into converting shops into homes rather than improving shop fronts in areas where shopping had moved online.  In response, a Member commented that high street retail was expected to make a comeback and that businesses should be supported to both maintain physical shop fronts and operate online.

·         A Member further commented on the lack of transport in rural areas and queried whether funds could be invested into improving communications and transport.  In response, a Member commented that transport was the responsibility of Lincolnshire County Council.

·         Councillor Leyland as Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Corporate Affairs advised Members that the debate had been very informative and that the opportunity for funding would not occur again and acknowledged the concerns about maintenance. 

·         Councillor Leyland concluded on Members’ comments and advised the Committee that many communities had benefited from the UKSPF and that the offer needed to be delivered across the district as it provided an exciting opportunity for transformation.

·         A Member commented that greater support from the County Council and the Highways Authority would provide increased advantages where schemes had previously been prevented from moving forward.  In response, the Assistant Director – Economic Growth confirmed that the principles of the Council’s growth and prosperity plan was for working in partnership and that there were further opportunities to engage with the County Council.

·         A Member queried the availability of the market towns report and obtaining access to a list of Place Managers.  In response, the Assistant Director – Economic Growth confirmed that the report and a structure chart would be made available.

No further comments or questions were received. The Chairman thanked the Assistant Director – Economic Growth for attending the meeting and providing an informative update.

N.B. The Assistant Director – Economic Growth left the Meeting at 11.26am.