Agenda item

Councillor Neil Murray, Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth:

a)    presented a report to Performance Scrutiny Committee in the following areas:

·         Economic Recovery – Officers were working with a range of partners on the Lincoln Towns Fund Project and the Heritage Action Zone Project which put together would make a substantial contribution to the recovery of the economy in Lincoln.

·         Planning Policy – Planning Officers had an excellent record in processing planning applications. 95% were approved within the prescribed time limits.

·         Heritage – a footbridge had been placed over the remains of the Roman Wall located between the two wings of City Hall to protect remaining historic fabric and would be safer to walk on.

·         Park Ward Regeneration – due to COVID19, regeneration of the Sincil Bank Area had slowed.

·         The Visitor Economy – due to COVID19 the Christmas Market and the Christmas lights switch on had been cancelled. On a positive note, the Visitor Information Centre had been transferred back to the City Council from Lincoln BIG.

b)    invited members’ comments and questions

Question: Members asked if the City of Lincoln Council were working with any organisations within the City to help support the economy?

Response: The Towns Fund issued by Government was crucial along with economic recovery work that was being carried out by Lincoln City Council. The City Council had given and were continuing to give a lot of support to businesses. The impact of Covid19 on unemployment in the city was 6% and classed as high, along with 13,000 people that had been affected by the furlough scheme. Issues in the economy had been flagged up to government.

Question: Members asked for more detail on digital connectivity and what different types of planning applications were received?

Response: Officers were to forward details of the types of planning applications received to the committee. Digital connectivity needed to be addressed in the city. There was a digital strategy that was being submitted alongside the Towns Fund deal. This made sure that people within the city had the appropriate skills to use technology.

Question: Members asked what work was taking place on Newport Arch?

Response: Overall there was very little money available for heritage sites. Officers were to forward details of the work that was taking place on Newport Arch to the committee.

Comment: Members commented that there wasn’t a lot of detail in the report.

Response: An additional Performance Scrutiny Committee was to be set up early in the New Year for the Economic Growth report to be taken for more detail to be available.

Question: Members asked what the position was with the Usher Gallery and commented that the investment in the Cathedral was fantastic work and added to the city’s heritage.

Response: Lincolnshire County Council had temporarily shut the Usher Gallery due to Covid19. We owned the building but couldn’t do anything about the current closure. Wider discussions concerning its long term future were still ongoing. The Cathedral was a really good use of lottery money for the improvements made.

Question: Members asked why no-one else was appointed when Cllr Murray stepped down from the Drill Hall Board?

Response: No-one took over from Cllr Murray due to not knowing what was to happen in the future.

Question: Members asked whether students were included in the unemployment figures for young people?

Response: Students in education didn’t count in the unemployment figure as they were not normally eligible for job seeker allowance/universal credit. Students were included in the employment rate percentage/figures.

Question: Members asked who dealt with applications such as the Towns Fund?

Response: Decisions were made by the Towns Fund Board that was made up of all different parties and chaired by Mary Stuart from the University of Lincoln.

RESOLVED that:

1.     Details of the types of planning applications received be forwarded to Performance Scrutiny Committee.

2.     Details of the works taking place at Newport Arch be forwarded to Performance Scrutiny Committee.

3.     A further report be brought back to Performance Scrutiny Committee early in the New Year.