Agenda and draft minutes

To receive apologies for absence and notification of substitutes (if any).

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Anton Dani, Emma Cresswell, Paul Gleeson (substituted by Councillor Alison Austin), Patsie Marson, Barrie Pierpoint and Lina Savickiene.

To receive declarations of interests in respect of any item on the agenda.

Several Members declared interests in relation to items on the agenda.

Councillors Welberry, Pryke and Scoot declared that they were Members of the Board of Public Sector Partnership Services (PSPS). These interests were noted in relation to agenda items where reference was made to partnership working or shared service arrangements.

Councillors Pryke, Welberry, Scoot and Richard Austin also declared that they were Members of the Black Sluice Internal Drainage Board. These declarations were made in respect of the item relating to the Section 19 Flooding Investigation Report: Wyberton West Road / Park Road, Boston, given the role of the Internal Drainage Board as a Risk Management Authority referenced within the report and presentations.

To sign and confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 10^th February 2026 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

To answer any written questions received from members of the public no later than 5 p.m. two clear working days prior to the meeting – for this meeting the deadline is 5 p.m. on Monday 27^th April 2026.

No questions were received from the public.

(A report by Christian Allen, Service Director – Regulatory)

The Chairman introduced the item and welcomed representatives of the relevant Risk Management Authorities to the meeting.

The Service Director – Regulatory, at the invitation of the Chairman, presented the report and provided a detailed introduction to the matter before the Committee. Members were reminded that the item related to the flooding event of 6^th January 2025, which resulted in internal flooding to 38 residential properties within the Wyberton West Road and Park Road areas of Boston.

The Service Director – Regulatory explained that, in accordance with the requirements of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, Lincolnshire County Council, in its capacity as Lead Local Flood Authority, had undertaken a Section 19 flood investigation to establish the causes of the event and identify the relevant Risk Management Authorities. The final Section 19 Flood Investigation Report (S19?941, dated 30 July 2025) was attached to the agenda as Appendix A.

It was further outlined that the Section 19 report had previously been considered by the Committee, at which time Members had resolved to invite representatives of the Risk Management Authorities to attend a future meeting to provide an update on how the recommendations arising from the investigation, as set out within Appendix A, had been addressed or were intended to be progressed. The purpose of the item was therefore to enable the Committee to scrutinise the actions taken to date and to consider whether further steps were required.

Following the introduction of the report, the Chairman invited the representatives of the Risk Management Authorities to present to the Committee.

The Flood and Water Manager from Lincolnshire County Council, in the capacity of Lead Local Flood Authority, provided an overview of the statutory framework governing Section 19 investigations. It was explained that such investigations were undertaken to establish the causes of flooding events affecting internal property flooding and to identify those organisations with relevant flood risk management responsibilities. The Committee was advised that, whilst the process allowed for recommendations to be made, there were no statutory powers to compel delivery, and therefore implementation relied on partnership working between the relevant authorities.

The Committee were informed of the increasing scale and frequency of flood events across Lincolnshire in recent years, noting that a significant number of properties had been impacted by flooding across multiple events. It was emphasised that, although flood water often receded quickly, the longer-term impacts on affected residents could be substantial and enduring. The presentation also highlighted the criteria for undertaking Section 19 investigations, with particular emphasis on internal flooding as the primary trigger for a formal investigation.

In relation to the event of January 2025, it was confirmed that the investigation, as set out within Appendix A, had identified a combination of contributing factors, including extreme rainfall, saturated and frozen ground conditions, rapid runoff from the wider catchment, and elevated tidal levels, which together resulted in increased pressure within the South Forty Foot Drain, leading to overtopping at known low points along the flood defence system, which  ...  view the full minutes text for item 94.

(A report by John Medler, Service Director – Legal & Governance (Monitoring Officer))

The Chairman introduced the item and invited the Democratic Services Team Leader to present the report.

The Democratic Services Team Leader provided a detailed overview of the findings arising from the review of the Council’s scrutiny arrangements. It was explained that the review had been undertaken following the introduction of the single?committee scrutiny model and was intended to assess its effectiveness in practice, drawing on operational experience since the implementation of the current arrangements.

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Members were advised that the review had been informed by consultation responses and feedback gathered from Members, officers and stakeholders who had experience of both the former two?committee structure and the current single?committee model

. The findings indicated that the single?committee model had, in general terms, improved visibility and coordination of scrutiny activity, enabling a more cohesive approach and reducing duplication of work. It was also noted that the model had supported clearer alignment between scrutiny, Executive decision?making and the Council’s Forward Plan.

The Committee was informed that the majority of responses received through the consultation process were supportive of the current arrangements. Benefits identified included improved continuity of discussion, more efficient use of resources and a clearer overview of the scrutiny work programme.It was acknowledged, however, that a minority of respondents had expressed a preference for a return to a more specialised, two?committee structure, highlighting the potential advantages of subject?specific focus and increased capacity for more detailed consideration of service areas.

Following the presentation, the Chairman opened the item for discussion.

The Committee considered the findings of the review and reflected on their experience of operating within the current scrutiny structure. Members acknowledged that the introduction of a single?committee model had resulted in a more streamlined approach to scrutiny, with improved oversight of the Council’s business and reduced fragmentation between subject areas. It was observed that the ability to consider a wide range of issues within a single forum had enhanced continuity of discussion and enabled Members to develop a broader understanding of the interdependencies between services.

At the same time, Members recognised that the breadth of the agenda could, at times, limit the depth of scrutiny that could be applied to individual items. The importance of effective agenda planning and prioritisation was therefore emphasised, particularly  to ensure that adequate time was allocated to complex or high?priority matters.

The role of task and finish groups was discussed as a mechanism for addressing this issue, enabling more detailed examination of specific topics outside of the main Committee setting. It was noted that such arrangements provided flexibility within the current structure and allowed for targeted scrutiny where necessary.

Members also considered the impact of the current arrangements on engagement with officers and external partners. It was noted that the single?committee model had provided greater clarity around reporting routes, with officers having a more consistent and predictable forum for bringing matters forward. This was considered to have contributed positively to the overall effectiveness of scrutiny.

In reflecting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 95.

(A report by James Gilbert, Service Director – Corporate Services)

The Chairman introduced the item and invited the Group Manager – Insights and Transformation to present the report.

The Group Manager – Insights and Transformation provided an overview of performance for Quarter 3 of the 2025/26 financial year, as detailed in the report and supporting information contained within the Appendix to the report, outlining progress against key performance indicators and service delivery objectives across the Council. Members were advised that the report formed part of the Council’s regular performance monitoring arrangements and was intended to provide assurance on service performance, highlight areas of concern, and identify emerging risks.

It was explained that the report and associated appendix included a range of quantitative performance measures supported by narrative commentary, enabling the Committee to assess how services were performing against established targets. Attention was drawn to areas where performance had been maintained or improved, as well as those where performance had not met expected levels, with accompanying explanations to provide context to the outcomes.

The Committee was informed that performance monitoring formed an integral part of the Council’s governance framework and supported both operational management and strategic oversight.

Following the presentation, the Chairman opened the item for questions and comments.

The Committee undertook a detailed review of the performance information presented, having regard to both the headline indicators contained within the main report and the detailed data and

 narrative. Members reflected on the overall position, acknowledging areas of positive performance alongside those requiring further attention.

During the discussion, particular focus was given to areas where performance targets had not been achieved. Members sought clarification on the underlying causes of underperformance and the actions being taken to address those issues. It was recognised that, in some cases, performance had been influenced by external factors or operational pressures, whilst in others there remained opportunities for service improvement.

The Committee explored how performance information was used to inform service delivery and decision-making, noting the importance of ensuring that data was both accurate, meaningful and clearly presented. Members emphasised that performance monitoring should not only provide a retrospective view but should also support forward planning and continuous improvement.

Consideration was also given to the presentation and accessibility of the performance information. Members noted that clear and concise reporting was essential to effective scrutiny, and that the supporting narrative was particularly valuable in providing context to performance data.

The Committee recognised that understand trends over time

was essential in identifying both progress and emerging areas of concern. Members further considered how the information could be used to inform its future work programme, including identifying  areas of underperformance, emerging risk or strategic importance for further more detailed scrutiny.

Throughout the discussion, the Committee emphasised the importance of maintaining a robust and transparent approach to performance monitoring, ensuring that both achievements and challenges were clearly reported and understood.

In drawing the discussion to a close, the Chairman thanked the Group Manager – Insights and Transformation for the report and the update provided.

The Committee recognised the importance of regular  ...  view the full minutes text for item 96.

(For Members to note/discuss the Committee’s current Work Programme, the draft work programme for 2026/27 and the Council’s Forward Plan)

The Chairman introduced the item .

The Committee considered the current Work Programme, the draft Work Programme for 2026/27,  and the Council’s Forward Plan, as set out within the agenda papers.

Members were reminded that the Work Programme was a live document, intended to support effective forward planning of scrutiny activity, ensure alignment with the Council’s priorities, and retain sufficient

flexibility to respond to emerging issues.

The draft Work Programme for 2026/27 was also presented for consideration, to assist Members in shaping and planning scrutiny activity for the forthcoming municipal year.

The Committee considered the current and draft Work Programme alongside the Forward Plan.

Members acknowledged the importance of maintaining a clear, realistic and manageable schedule of business. it was recognised that the Work  Programme should remain flexible and responsive, allowing the Committee to balance its core responsibilities, including performance monitoring, with the capacity to respond to emerging risks or matters of public concern

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In considering the draft Work Programme for 2026/27, Members made the following specific contributions to inform its further development:

• it was noted that the Review of the Town Centre Task and Finish Group report was expected to be available for consideration at the Committee’s next meeting in June 2026;
• a request was made for scrutiny to consider matters relating to the visitor economy as part of the forward work programme;
• Members asked that Council Tax and Business Rates collection performance be given consideration going forward;
• concern was raised regarding the use of indelible labels in shops, and Members suggested this as a potential area for future scrutiny; and
• the importance of effective public engagement was highlighted, with a suggestion that different teams be invited to future meetings to help determine the most appropriate course of action.

Members noted that the draft Work Programme for 2026/27 would continue to be reviewed and refined, with further opportunities to add or adjust items as priorities for the new municipal year became clearer.

In drawing the discussion to a close, the Chairman thanked Members for their contributions

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Resolved:

That the content of the Work Programme, the draft Work Programme for 2026/27, and the Council’s Forward Plan be noted.