To consider approval for the use of the Council’s Capital Reserve as set out within the report.

A report was presented to consider use of the Council’s Capital Reserve.

During his introduction of the report, the Leader of the Council advised Members that at its meeting on 24 September 2025, Executive Board supported the use of up to £1,650,000 from the Council’s capital reserve to fund the full refurbishment of six sets of Public Conveniences (PC’s) across East Lindsey and the replacement of a seventh set with a new modular unit, Minute No 112 refers.  As the Council’s Constitution required Council approval for the use of the Capital Reserve above £500,000, Executive Board resolved to recommend the use of up to £1.65 million of the reserve to Council accordingly.

The public conveniences it agreed for traditional refurbishment were:

• Spa Road PCs, Woodhall Spa.

• St. Lawrence Street PCs, Horncastle

• Market Place, Wragby

• High Street PCs, Spilsby

• Pullover PCs, Anderby Creek

• Brooks Walk PCs, Wainfleet All Saints, with Castle Lane PCs, Coningsby, being  agreed for replacement with a modular suite.

The full background to the report was detailed at Sections 1 and 2, pages 70 to 71 of the Agenda refers.

Following which the recommendation was duly Proposed and Seconded.

Members were invited to put their comments and questions forward and during discussion the following queries and comments were made:

A Member questioned whether it would have been more appropriate to consult with relevant parish councils at the outset, asking if they would be willing to take on responsibility for the public conveniences following refurbishment rather than proceeding with the works and only then initiating discussions.

A Member expressed concern regarding the proposed £1 million investment in toilet refurbishments, particularly in the context of the upcoming devolution agenda.  He recalled that prior to 2019, the Council had resolved that all public conveniences would either be outsourced or managed by town and parish councils.  He suggested that consultation should take place with those councils to determine their willingness to take on the facilities post-refurbishment, to avoid the risk of investing in assets that may later be declined.  He also raised concerns about the inconsistency in charging for public toilet use across the district, noting that some towns charged 40p while others offered free access, which he felt was inequitable.

The Leader of the Liberal Democrat/Independent Group welcomed the report and highlighted that Horncastle had long campaigned for improvements to its public conveniences.  She recalled an historical Council programme that refurbished one or two toilet blocks annually, which had lapsed due to resource constraints.  She expressed hope that the internal condition of Horncastle’s toilets would soon match their improved exterior.  She confirmed that Horncastle Town Council had previously indicated a willingness to take on the facilities, provided they had been refurbished.

The Leader of the East Lindsey Progressives Group echoed the comments made and expressed her support for the investment.  As Chair of the most recent Public Conveniences Scrutiny Panel, she highlighted that the group had visited every facility and made informed recommendations.  She highlighted that some facilities, such as those in Spilsby, were in particularly poor condition and welcomed the investment as a positive step, particularly in the context of devolution, and emphasised that town and parish councils were more likely to accept asset transfers if the facilities were in good condition.

A Member supported the investment, describing it as essential for both residents’ quality of life and the local tourism industry.  He reiterated previous comments made and praised the initiative as a positive move.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning described the refurbishment programme as a genuine investment in local economies, particularly in smaller and sometimes overlooked communities.  He highlighted the Council’s strong financial position, contrasting it with other authorities facing difficult budget decisions.  He reflected that had similar financial flexibility existed in 2017 during a previous scrutiny review, more options might have been available and welcomed the current progress as a sign of the district’s positive trajectory.

The Ward Member for Wragby highlighted the importance of the Wragby facilities, noting their high usage and contribution to local business and tourism.  She reported that Wragby Parish Council had previously declined to take on the toilets in their current condition but would be open to consider doing so if they were refurbished.

A Member reflected on past experiences, such as the costly repairs to the cattle market roof in Louth, as a reminder that preventative investment was often more cost-effective.  She welcomed the toilets refurbishment as a worthwhile investment, particularly for its tourism and public health benefits, and confirmed the Labour Group’s support.

The Leader of the East Lindsey Independent Group raised concerns about the continued use of the SCAPE Regional Construction Framework, which she described as expensive and inefficient.  She questioned why local businesses were not being engaged to carry out the work, which could support the local economy.

In response to questions about the continued use of the SCAPE Regional Construction Framework, the Leader explained that the Council was bound by legal procurement requirements.  While Members may have concerns about the cost and effectiveness of SCAPE, the Council must adhere to established procurement processes.  It was noted that in some cases, contracts may include provisions for a percentage of work to be delivered by local contractors and further detail on procurement processes could be provided upon request.

A Member added her support for the investment, echoing the positive sentiments of previous speakers.  As a member of the scrutiny group, she expressed satisfaction at seeing the recommendations being acted upon.

The Leader of the Reform UK Group also voiced his support for the refurbishment programme, noting his involvement in the scrutiny process and agreeing that the facilities needed upgrading.

In response to the comments made, the Leader of the Council clarified that public conveniences were not a statutory service but a discretionary one.  The rationale for introducing charges at certain facilities was established at the time and remained valid.

The Leader further acknowledged the comments regarding whether asset transfers to town and parish councils should have been offered prior to refurbishment.  It was confirmed that a comprehensive engagement exercise had taken place several years previous, during which asset transfers were offered to local councils.  A recurring theme in the feedback received was concern over the condition of the facilities, which impacted the willingness of councils to take them on.

The Leader also addressed the broader context of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), stating that the prospect of LGR should not prevent the Council from continuing to invest in its communities.  Regardless of whether LGR proceeded, the Council had a responsibility to deliver positive outcomes for residents and businesses.  Should LGR go ahead, the investment would leave a strong legacy by ensuring that key community assets, particularly those supporting tourism were in good condition.  If LGR did not proceed, the Council would still have acted in the best interests of its communities.

The Leader concluded by welcoming the positive contributions made by Members and reiterated that the refurbishment programme represented a significant benefit for communities across the district, both coastal and inland.

RESOLVED:

That the use of up to £1.65m from the Council’s capital reserve to fund the Public Conveniences refurbishment/replacement works as set out in the report be approved.

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.