To receive a report on the Partnership's performance.

The Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Corporate Affairs presented a report that set out the progress of the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership since the last update on 21^st May 2025.

The background and detail to the report was highlighted to Members, as set out at Sections 1 to 4, pages 80 to 85 of the Agenda refer, and particular reference was made to the following:

·       Alignment and Delivery Plan (Section 2)

·       Priority Partnerships Updates (Section 3)

·       Local Government Reform (Section 4)

The Leader of the Council highlighted that as a partnership, there was now a notably more positive and aligned political atmosphere across all three councils.  The Partnership was working collaboratively and effectively in shaping its Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) proposals, which was an encouraging sign for the future.  Importantly, even if LGR did not proceed, the Partnership remained a strong and viable entity, continuing to deliver the benefits of a shared management structure and an expanded footprint for engagement with central government.

Following which the recommendation was duly Proposed and Seconded.

Members were invited to put their comments and questions forward.

A Member raised a concern regarding the presentation of savings data in the financial graphs detailed in Section 2 ‘Alignment and Delivery Plan’, pages 80 to 81 of the Agenda refer.  He noted that the figures for cashable and non-cashable savings were not clearly separated, making it difficult to interpret the actual cash flow impact.  He requested that future reports distinguish between these categories to provide greater clarity, particularly in understanding whether savings resulted in actual cash in hand or were derived from operational efficiencies.

The Chief Executive responded that a detailed Excel spreadsheet existed which itemised all savings and clearly identified whether they were cashable or non-cashable.  He confirmed that officers would look into amending the presentation of this data to make it clearer for Members.

A Member asked for a brief summary of the top three savings contributing to the reported £4 million achieved this year and projected for the next.  He suggested that highlighting these would help communicate the success of the savings programme and allow Members to celebrate the achievements.

The Chief Executive noted the importance of maintaining the meeting’s format, and advised Members that detailed questions should be addressed outside the formal session.

The Leader of the Council confirmed that the Council would be happy to provide a breakdown of the key savings.  He noted that a significant portion of the savings stemmed from the shared management arrangements, along with procurement efficiencies and other operational improvements.  He offered to provide further detail to Members upon request.

The Leader of the East Lindsey Independent Group referred to Section 2.3 page 80 of the Agenda refers, which highlighted the importance of securing external funding.  She expressed concern that market towns and rural villages appeared to benefit only marginally from such funding.  She questioned further whether the Council was receiving a fair return on its 47% contribution to the Partnership and raised broader concerns about local service provision, including policing.

In response, the Leader of the Council advised Members that the distribution of funding and benefits across the Partnership was under active review.  While he could not yet share the outcome, he assured Members that the matter had been raised and was being addressed.  He reiterated that the current political alignment across the partner councils had created a more positive environment for collaboration.  He also highlighted that the successful securing of external funding had enabled the Council to reinvest business rates uplift into the East Lindsey Investment Fund.  This in turn allowed for broader investment across communities, including market towns and villages, by freeing up internal resources that would otherwise have been required.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

N.B.  Councillor Richard Fry left the room at 7.38pm and re-joined the Meeting at 7.43pm.

N.B.  Councillor Colin Davie left the room at 7.38pm and re-joined the Meeting at 7.44pm.