Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 15 August 2024 be confirmed and signed by the Chair as an accurate record.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Housing Scrutiny Sub Committee held on 8 August 2024 be received.

Councillor Pat Vaughan, in the interests in transparency, wished it be noted that his grand-daughter worked in the Finance Department at the City of Lincoln Council.

Councillor Gary Hewson, Chair of the Performance Scrutiny Committee advised Members that Councillor Naomi Tweddle, Leader of the Council was in attendance at the meeting.

As Climate Change would be included within her changed responsibilities from the former Portfolio Holder for Our People and Resources to Portfolio Holder for Climate and Corporate Strategy from 2025, she was in attendance to offer contributions and answer questions regarding future Climate Change strategic projects.

Councillor Bob Bushell, Portfolio Holder for Remarkable Place:

a)    presented a report to give an update on the Council’s current progress towards the Vision 2025 strategic plan, together with updates on each service area under the Portfolio of Remarkable Place

b)    presented his report regarding activity and achievements within his portfolio, covering the following main areas:

·       Introduction

·       Parks and Open Spaces – General

·       The Arboretum

·       Boultham Park

·       Hartsholme Country Park/Swanholme Lakes and the Camp Site

·       Commons

·       Hope Wood

·       Allotments

·       Equipped Play Areas

·       John Dawber Gardens

·       Events and Activities

·       Education

·       Volunteering

·       Arboriculture

·       Travellers

·       Local Landscapes, Hidden Histories

·       Street Scene

·       Infrastructure

·       Waste/ Recycling

·       Street Cleansing

·       Graffiti

·       Compactor Bins

·       Shopping Trolleys

·       Public Toilets

·       Food, Health and Safety

·       Licensing

·       Community Centre and Recreation Grounds

·       Sport and Leisure

·       Lincoln 10K

·       Local Air Quality Management

·       Bereavement Services

c)    welcomed comments and questions from Members of the Committee.

The Chair offered his thanks to Bob Bushell, Portfolio Holder for Remarkable Place, for his extensive and thorough report. As a result of discussions, the following points were made: -

Bob Bushell, Portfolio Holder for Remarkable Place: Offered his thanks to officers, particularly Steve Bird (Assistant Director, Communities & Street Scene) and Simon Colburn (Assistant Director Health & Environmental Services), for the remarkable work carried out and took the opportunity to champion the work of such an extensive portfolio.

Comment: Performance Scrutiny Committee had previously requested that the Portfolio Holder for Remarkable Place report be presented later in the year and as such, this was the reason why the first quarter data only, was available.

Bob Bushell, Portfolio Holder for Remarkable Place: Wished the Chair of the Arboretum Advisory Group well in advance of his departure from his post His hard work and commitment had been very important and was recognised with gratitude.

Thanks were also offered to two recently resigned members of Boultham Park Advisory Group. Thanks were offered to them both for their work and dedication. Successors to the post were wished well.

Comment: Thanks were offered for an excellent report and congratulations given for the green flag awards for Arboretum, Boultham Park, Hartsholme Country Park and Hope Wood.

Question: How many ordinary burials apart from cremations had there been, in particular green burials?

Response: The city did not have the facilities for green burials and as such, there had not been any. Individuals could be referred to green burial areas.

Question: Was the Portfolio Holder for Remarkable Place responsible for taxi drivers and hackney carriages?

Response: Yes.

Question: Was it possible to remove UBER drivers from operating in the city?

Response: UBER drivers were legal operators, and although more prevalent within the city were within regulations. It was noted that a lot of UBER drivers were licensed from Birmingham or Wolverhampton and the City of Lincoln Council (CoLC) did not have close oversight although there was communication between Birmingham, Hull and Lincoln.

Question: The presence of UBER drivers within the city affected local operators who had struggled. Could something be done nationally? The system was nor a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

Councillor Gary Hewson offered his thanks to Kate Bell, Climate Change Manager for her hard work during her years employed by the City of Lincoln Council. It was highlighted that Kate Bell had been an asset and would be deeply missed. She was wished well in future employment opportunities.

(Note: Steve Bird left the meeting at this point in proceedings).

Councillor Bob Bushell, Portfolio Holder for Remarkable Place:

a)    presented a report to Performance Scrutiny Committee with an update towards addressing the challenge of the Climate Change Strategy Priority contained in Vision 2025

b)    explained that Appendix A of the report provided an overview of the current and live projects for this strategic priority

c)    highlighted that there were 12 projects that were currently being monitored in the work programme for Climate Change and these were listed within the report

d)    invited comments and questions from Members of the Committee.

Question: Thanks were offered for a fantastic report. Was it possible to increase media coverage on the work that had taken place on Lincoln Climate Commission? It was useful for people to be aware of the important initiatives.

Response: It would be positive to raise the profile of the Commission through communications and media which included work from University of Lincoln and Bishop Grosseteste University.

Question: Reference was made to electric vehicle infrastructure on page. 79 of the report. Had specific areas been targeted to ensure sufficient future provision?

Response: On street electrical vehicle points were something funding had been hoped for years ago. Sadly, that had not happened however the Council endeavoured to add charging points to car parks within the city in order that individuals that lived in terraced houses could access those at a particular rate without paying for parking. Additional provision would likely take place in more densely populated areas.

Question: Reference was made to the Air Quality Management plan on page. 81 of the report. Was the 3% increase of transport carbon associated with post Covid-19? Was it possible to benchmark against similar sized cities?

Response: Air quality and benchmarking was useful. It was difficult to achieve figures, like for like. The Eastern Bypass and the increased level of electric vehicles on the road helped figures. Busy roadways in the past with standing traffic had been shifted in order that traffic moved and didn’t pump out as much pollution. The 3% figure included green gases.

Comment: Reference was made to nitrous oxides, O2 and particulates. Whilst one increased, the other decreased. Nitrogen Dioxide was harmful when inhaled however the rate had improved which resulted in the proposal of the removal of the air quality area. Figures had been low for four consecutive years. There was a legal requirement to report air quality management data. Broad data was achievable as monitoring took place across a number of pollutants.

Question: Reference was made to work with partners on the Lincoln Climate Commission and Lincoln Climate Action Plan on page 78. of the report. Confirmation was requested that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

Councillor Sue Burke Portfolio Holder for Reducing Inequality:

a)    presented a report to Performance Scrutiny Committee regarding activity and achievements within her portfolio, covering the following main areas:

·       Welfare and Benefits Advice

·       Welfare Reform and Cost of Living Support

·       Housing Benefit/Council Tax Support

·       Discretionary Rate Relief Policy

·       Financial Inclusion

·       Safeguarding

·       Skills and Training

·       Allocations, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping

·       Asylum Seekers and Refugees

·       Neighbourhood Working

·       Equality and Diversity

·       Public Protection and Anti-Social Behaviour Team (PPASB)

·       CCTV Service

·       Lincoln Community Lottery

·       Lincoln Social Responsibility Charter

b)    welcomed comments and questions from Members of the Committee.

The Chair offered his thanks to Sue Burke, Portfolio Holder for Reducing Inequality, for her extensive and thorough report. As a result of discussions, the following points were made: -

Question: Reference was made to Safer Streets Funding at paragraph 12.3 of the report on page 110 of the agenda pack, and CCTV installed on the way into the Scampton site. Were there any plans for the CCTV to be moved to a location where it could be used?

Response: Consideration would be given to the suggestion and information provided further to the meeting.

Question: As a percentage, how much had inequality reduced?

Response: A percentage figure was not known however the CoLC remained extremely dedicated in the name of serving residents well.

Comment: It was difficult to measure performance within the portfolio in the absence of performance data.

Question: How many visits through the door of Sincil Bank neighbourhood working had taken place?

Response: The information was contained within the report and was approximately 4000.

Supplementary Question: Were visits direct visits to City Council services?

Supplementary Response: Advice was given by CoLC but also facilitated other services such as Citizens Advice.

Question: Many years ago, a discussion had taken place with regard to neighbourhood working in Sincil Bank. When was the review due to take place?

Response: The Rose Regeneration report was awaited further to an evaluation of the scheme which considered what had worked well, what lessons could be learnt and what was transferable. The report was key and once received, a Members workshop would be arranged in order that it could be considered.

Question: Reference was made to Enforcement Action within Appendix A of the report. Was that a direct results of the work within the Portfolio or city wide?

Response: A great deal of work had taken place on fly tipping within Sincil bank and CCTV had been installed. Consideration had been given to enforcement action in Sincil Bank.

Comment: It would be useful for figures to be presented to Performance Scrutiny Committee in order that comparisons could be made and improvements seen.

Response: It would be helpful for officers to be given a clear definition of the period data required for each Portfolio Holder report.

Comment: Data would be included within the quarterly performance reports for each area, and in November, side by side comparisons could be made.

Question: Reference was made to CCTV installed for fly tipping hotspots. Could a similar  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

Simon Colburn, Assistant Director Health & Environmental Services:

a)    presented a report to Performance Scrutiny Committee with an update on the Let’s Enhance our Remarkable Place strategic priority within Vision 2025

b)    confirmed that the strategic priority fell within the remit of two Portfolios - Economic Development (Heritage and Culture) and Remarkable Place

c)    added that there were a number of key projects that the City Council had progressed over the last year or were in the process of delivery. The timescales of some projects were such that they would be continued beyond the current Vision 2025 period

d)    highlighted the main projects as follows:

a.    Consolidation of an entirely new events programme for the city

b.    Hope Wood

c.     Heritage Action Zone (Complete)

d.    Leisure Strategy Work

e.    Preparations for New Refuse Collection, Street Cleansing and Grounds Maintenance Service

f.      Greyfriars

g.    Harlequin

h.    Local Landscapes, Hidden Histories (formerly called Lincoln’s Green Museum)

e)    welcomed comments and questions from Members of the Committee.

The Chair offered his thanks to Simon Colburn for the report and update.

RESOLVED that the content of the update be noted with thanks.

(Note: Paul Carrick and Matthew Hillman left the meeting at this point in proceedings).

Emily Holmes, Assistant Director - Strategic Development:

a)    presented a report to Performance Scrutiny Committee with a summary of the key issues, trends and statistical data associated with Protecting Vulnerable People in the city

b)    confirmed that the performance information demonstrated the Council’s continued compliance with statutory safeguarding requirements

c)    added that the report provided a means by which statutory compliance could be monitored and provided an opportunity to impart key information on current and emerging public safety concerns within the city and surrounding areas

d)    highlighted the key topics which included:

a.    Training

b.    Key Service Changes in 2023/24

c.     Safeguarding Children and Young People

d.    Safeguarding Adults

e.    Domestic Abuse

f.      Internal Safeguarding Referrals

g.    Prevent

h.    Audit

i.      Corporate Safeguarding Policy

j.      Service Priorities in 2024/25

e)    welcomed comments and questions from Members of the Committee.

The Chair offered his thanks to Emily Holmes for the report. As a result of discussions, the following points were made: -

Comment: The section 11 Audit was important as the screen rating received was 100% which was fantastic. There was a real breadth of spread of knowledge of referrals received across services. The Housing Repairs Team reported issues, and the level of awareness was very good as it demonstrated that reporting had taken place.

Question: Thanks were offered for the detailed and thorough report. Was it possible to email further questions into officers.

Response: Questions further to the meeting were welcomed.

RESOLVED that the content of the report be noted with thanks.

The Chair:

a)    presented the draft work programme for 2024/25 as detailed at Appendix A of the report

b)    advised that the work programme for the Performance Scrutiny Committee was put forward annually for approval by Council; the work programme was then regularly updated throughout the year in consultation with the Performance Scrutiny Committee and its Chair

c)    reported that items had been scheduled in accordance with the existing work programme and officers’ guidance regarding the meetings at which the most up-to-date information could be reported to the committee; the work programme also included the list of portfolio holders under scrutiny

d)    requested any relevant comments or changes to the proposed work programme for 2024/25.

Comment: It was difficult for two Portfolio Holder reports to be considered during one meeting. It would be best avoided where possible in the future.

Comment: Consideration should be given to reporting on agency workers which came with an associated cost. The preferred approach was the retention of Council staff.

(Note: Councillor Sue Burke left the meeting at this point in proceedings).

Comment: Both the CoLC and the Development Group had carried out considerable reviews across services, training needs and succession. The reviews would be summarised in a report that would be presented to Performance Scrutiny Committee and agencies, retention, and ‘growing our own’ would be included within the report. Lincoln was not alone in the challenges faced with recruitment and retention, particular those with technical skills and qualifications.

RESOLVED that the work programme 2024/25 be noted.