Agenda item

DECISION

That the Recovery Plan set out at Appendix A be approved and its implementation be authorised.

Portfolio Holders and Officer

PS/NW/

TL

REASON FOR DECISION

The Deputy Chief Executive (Strategy) introduced a report, which presented a Recovery Plan prepared in conjunction with Assistant Directors.

The purpose of the Recovery Plan was to set out a range of practical measures calculated to help the people and businesses of Boston and East Lindsey to bounce back from the harm caused to their economies and civil society by the “lockdowns” imposed on local businesses and communities to contain Covid19.

The Recovery Plan was focused on delivering activities and tangible things useful to local people and businesses.  Progress would be measured and reported to Cabinet and the Executive Board of East Lindsey District Council every 6 months. This would help them understand what was working and what was not, solve problems, identify the potential to implement additional or improved initiatives and ensure resources provided to the authorities by Government were spent to good effect on activities that produced the greatest benefit. It was anticipated the first review would be reported to the Cabinet and Executive Board in September 2021.

It was recognised that many had suffered financial hardship due to the pandemic and lockdown restrictions.  A range of projects were being undertaken in order to help local people and businesses to recover from the effects of the pandemic that would also provide opportunities for the future. The Visitor Economy Resilience plan was an example. 

The main aims of the plan were to boost employment opportunities, particularly for young people; tackle financial inequalities; improve financial wellbeing; carry out environmental improvements and assist businesses.  Assistant Directors had been asked to identify and scope a number of projects and identify the budget to utilise Government funding in order to progress them quickly.  The projects specified so far needed further work.  In the meantime, Members were asked to agree the principles of the plan and Portfolio Holders were asked to assume responsibility, alongside the Deputy Chief Executive (Strategy), to ensure that the projects set out in the appendices were developed to an acceptable standard in the next four weeks.  

The Portfolio Holders welcomed the Recovery Plan and stressed the importance of proceeding without delay, accepting the request for assistance.

During debate, the issue of fly tipping was raised, which was a high priority for local people, and reference was made to proposed actions to tackle this. 

The Portfolio Holder for Finance reiterated the Council’s financial constraints and underlined the dependence of many of the projects on future government funding.

The Deputy Chief Executive (Strategy) agreed, but pointed out that projects might have initial costs, but could also provide income streams.  In addition, increased confidence in the area and its raised profile, resulting from the success of Boston’s Towns Fund bid, would help produce further funding in order to the most of available opportunities and assist with bringing schemes to fruition.  The Deputy Chief Executive (Place) strongly supported this view and confirmed that increased confidence was already apparent and would encourage existing investors and potential external investors to bring forward projects to assist with the area’s recovery. 

Members were urged to identify environmental schemes and put ideas forward for officers to try to progress.

The Leader welcomed the achievement of the Towns Fund bid and the increase in collaborative working with businesses and the education sector it had generated. 

Councillor Welton referred to the shared ambition of all concerned and the significant opportunities available. The more ideas that were put forward, the more chance that projects could be worked up using the officers’ professional skills and their commendable ability to identify funds.

The Section 151 Officer added that no project would go forward without a full report to Members first.

OTHER OPTIONS OR ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

Do nothing.

RECORD OF ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST

None.

RECORD OF ANY DISPENSATION GRANTED

None.