To consider a Scrutiny Report.

Please Note: Appendix A1 is Exempt

Councillor Daniel Simpson, Chair of the scrutiny panel ‘To review the running of Invest East Lindsey Limited, with a particular focus on Kingfisher Caravan Park’ presented a report together with the recommendations of the panel.

During his introduction, Councillor Simpson expressed his thanks to all involved in the scrutiny as set out in the acknowledgements, pages 125 to 126 of the Agenda refers.

Members were referred to the recommendations detailed at page 139 of the Agenda pack.  Councillor Simpson highlighted Recommendation No. 14 and asked that the Leader of the Council supported a presentation to Council with regards to Invest East Lindsey that included a business case to justify its future.

In response, the Leader of the Council acknowledged receipt of the report and the recommendations made, however highlighted that Executive Board had not yet discussed this in terms of the recommendations but confirmed that the report would be passed onto the Portfolio Holder and the wider Board for full consideration prior to responding to Overview Committee.

Members were advised that the recommendations pertaining to Kingfisher Caravan Park were set out at Exempt Appendix A1 of the report referred.  Should Members wish to discuss the detail within the Appendix, a vote would be taken to move into Exempt session.

During his summary, Councillor Simpson stated that he was happy to take questions arising from the report.

·       Councillor Fiona Martin, Chairman of the Overview Committee thanked Councillor Simpson and the members of the panel for their input into the report and reassured Members that once a response had been received from Executive Board, the recommendations agreed would be added to the Scrutiny Recommendation Tracker for monitoring.

·       A Member raised her concern in relation to how Invest East Lindsey was set up and considered that the Leader and Executive Board Members needed to give this due consideration as good governance was vital and stressed that the setting up of a company must be done properly and diligently.

·       A Member stated that his view of Invest East Lindsey was that the Council was essentially trying to run this as a private business and did not consider that this worked well in terms of financial management or relevant experience.

The Chairman thanked Members for their comments and questions.

Following a brief discussion, it was

RESOLVED

·       That Recommendations Nos. 1 to 14 at Appendix A to the report be noted.

·       That Council move into Exempt Session to discuss Appendix A1.

N.B. Jameela Rawlinson, Environmental Enforcement Liaison Officer and Matthew Hogan, Assistant Director, Strategic Growth and Development left the Meeting at 8.48pm.