Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Room One, County Offices, Newland, Lincoln LN1 1YL

Contact: Cheryl Hall  Democratic Services Officer

Items
No. Item

57.

Apologies for Absence/Replacement Councillors

Minutes:

It was noted that the Chief Executive having received notice under the Local Government (Committee and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, had appointed Councillor T R Ashton to the Committee, place of Councillor S R Kirk, for this meeting only.

 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors T R Ashton, B M Dobson (Vice-Chairman), M A Griggs, R P H Reid, S R Kirk, Mrs E J Sneath and C L Strange.

58.

Declarations of Councillors Interests'

Minutes:

No declarations of interest were made at this stage in the meeting.

59.

Minutes of the meeting held on 16 January 2018 pdf icon PDF 141 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED

 

That the minutes of the meeting held on 16 January 2018 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

60.

Announcements by the Chairman, Executive Councillors and Lead Officers

Minutes:

The Executive Support Councillor for Economy and Place advised that he and the Executive Councillor for Economy and Place had attended a meeting of Coastal Developers and tourism professionals in Cleethorpes.  It was advised that the work which was being undertaken to transform the resort was of an impressive nature. 

 

Further to this, it was noted that the Government had recently announced a further round of Coastal Communities Fund.  The County Council would bid for this fund to be used for flexible training programmes, which could be delivered when the coastal tourism industry was quiet.

 

The Executive Support Councillor advised that he had spoken at a supply chain event, which had helped Lincolnshire businesses to understand what trade opportunities were associated with Triton Knoll's construction.  It was noted that the event was well attended.

 

The Executive Support Councillor, along with the Executive Councillor for Highways, Transport and IT, had visited Rolec which had a large amount of the market for electrical sockets and adapters for electric vehicles.  The Executive Councillor for Economy and Place had visited Microclean, which had a similar proportion of the market for cleaning in the NHS and the visitor economy.  Both businesses had asked the County Council to assist them in making connections with other businesses so that they could grow further.

 

It was noted that Team Lincolnshire had recently been established, which would bring businesses together to champion growth in the county's economy.  During the evening of 27 February 2018 a major Lincolnshire in London event was due to be held.  The event would bring 100 business leaders together to discuss how they could invest in the county.  It was also noted that later in the month, the Executive Councillor, the Leader of the Council and Team Lincolnshire was scheduled to attend MIPIM, the international property event in the south of France, and in early April 2018 the County Council would be hosting a developers' event at the Belton Horse Trials.

61.

Environment and Economy Quarter 3 Performance Measures (1 October to 31 December 2017) pdf icon PDF 21 KB

(To consider a report by Justin Brown (Commissioner for Economic Growth), which describes progress against the indicators in the council business plan)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report by Justin Brown (Commissioner for Economic Growth) and David Hickman (Growth and Environment Commissioner), which described progress against the indicators in the Council’s Business Plan.  It reported that four indicators had been met fully, there had been measured progress for three indicators and a further two indicators had not been met.

 

The report included the latest quarterly economic survey, which provided a summary of the local economy and therefore the context of how the work of Environment and Economy was being delivered.  It was advised that the survey was conducted by the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, with a questionnaire being issued to approximately 400 businesses.  The results of the questionnaire were detailed at Appendix A to the report.  It was also advised that the businesses were all members of the Chamber of Commerce and of a similar size (measured by the number of employees). 

 

A discussion took place regarding the level of exporting from Lincolnshire businesses, where it was advised that the Midlands Engine was reporting that 9% of Lincolnshire businesses regularly exported.  However, the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership believed this figure to be 13-14%.  It was noted that overall the percentage of exporters across the Midlands was at 11%.

 

The Committee was reminded that the two indicators which had not been met related to the Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy, which was now out of date, and was currently being fully revised. The draft revised Strategy would be considered by the Committee in due course.

 

It was highlighted that 54 complaints had been received, nearly all of which related to one single issue. Three of the complaints had been considered by the Ombudsman, who had determined not to progress the complaints further.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the report, the comments made by the Committee and the responses of officers to the comments, be noted.

62.

Environmental Services Property Portfolio pdf icon PDF 162 KB

(To receive a report by Chris Miller (Team Leader for Countryside Services), which invites the Committee to consider individual recommendations for the various types of property in the Environmental Services portfolio)

Minutes:

A report by Chris Miller (Team Leader for Countryside Services) was considered, which focused on the Environmental Services Property Portfolio, which included information and recommendations on four main areas: closed landfill sites; picnic and transit sites; coastal access sites; and environmental sites.

 

The Team Leader for Countryside Services outlined the main elements of the report and the rationale for the recommendations for closed landfill sites; picnic and transit sites; coastal access sites; and environmental sites, as detailed in the report.  The following points were noted: -

 

Closed landfill sites

 

A discussion took place regarding Cow Bank, Skegness, where it was advised that the site was leased to Seagull Recycling as an environmental training centre.  The roadway access to the site was not highway maintainable at public expense.  The roadway was becoming more hazardous and might require investment in the near future.  The cost of maintaining the roadway access would sit with the County Council, as the landowner.

 

The Committee supported the recommendations relating to closed landfill sites, as detailed on page 46 of the agenda pack.

 

Picnic and Transit Sites

 

It was advised that the Leverton Transit Site had been leased to Boston Borough Council (BBC) at no cost in 2017 and BBC now maintained these facilities. 

 

Further to this, a Councillor queried whether the allocated budget for Leverton of £14,671, as detailed on Appendix B to the report, could be transferred to BBC to cover the cost of maintaining the facilities.  In response, the Committee was advised the allocated monies had transferred from the highways department into Countryside Services prior to the lease being transferred over to BBC.  This would be removed from future budgets.  The duration of the lease would be confirmed with the Committee via email.

 

NOTE: At this stage in the proceedings, Councillor Mrs A M Austin declared an interest as a Member of Boston Borough Council.

 

In response to a question on Willingham Woods, it was confirmed that the County Council as the owner of the site, was responsible for the infrastructure and maintenance of the building, including the emptying of the septic tank.  However, the lease holder monitored the toilet block; paid the business rates and dealt with waste collection.  

 

The Committee supported the recommendations relating to picnic and transit sites, as detailed on pages 47 – 48 of the agenda pack.  With reference to recommendation 2.5.4 (regarding the facilities at Stickney), it was requested that to consider the viability and feasibility to redevelop the site as a caravan/camping site.

 

Coastal access sites

 

The Committee was advised that some of the Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park access sites had suffered from known anti-social behaviour and the Huttoft Car Terrace also had issues of overnight stays and the hogging of the available area by inappropriate parking by larger motor home owners. 

 

Various management operations had been implemented with a lack of genuine success. For example, height restricting barriers had been installed which were almost immediately vandalised and removed posing a significant drain on resources and bylaws  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62.

63.

Hotel Strategy pdf icon PDF 128 KB

(To receive a report by Mary Powell (Tourism Manager), which describes the work that Lincolnshire County Council and the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership have done to understand what should be done to attract more hotels to the county)

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report by Mary Powell (Tourism Officer), which described the work that the County Council and the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (GLLEP) in understanding what should be done to attract more hotels to the county.

 

The Tourism Officer advised that the shortage of visitor accommodation in Lincolnshire had been of concern for some time.  The report referred to the original Hotel Demand Study of 2008, which had subsequently led to new hotels in Lincoln (the Hilton Double Tree and the Premier Inn). 

 

It was advised that Lincolnshire was notably missing a luxury hotel brand/spa, with only three 4 star hotels within the whole of the region: DoubleTree by Hilton in Lincoln; Belton Woods Hotel in Grantham; and Forest Pines near Brigg. 

 

It was highlighted that high occupancy rates across Greater Lincolnshire did not necessarily encourage the sector to invest in the area.  Therefore, in 2016 through funding from the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (GLLEP), it was decided to commission a refresh of the 2008 Hotel Demand Study, which would focus on identifying locations across Greater Lincolnshire that were suitable for hotel investment; examine the current supply of serviced accommodation; recommend solutions to the removal of the apparent barriers to development and provide evidence to present to potential hotel investors. The findings of the Greater Lincolnshire Hotel Study were detailed within the report to the Committee.

 

The Committee was provided with an opportunity to ask questions, where the following points were noted: -

 

·         It was confirmed that the sector was interested in both the visitor and business markets, as this would ensure occupancy rates were consistently high across the week;

·         It was advised that the sector deemed Lincoln to be borderline in its ability to sustain the market for some hotel brands, due to the relative weakness of the corporate market.  Therefore it was difficult to compete with other locations such as York;

·         It was also confirmed that the county and district tourism officers worked in collaboration.  However, there was a list of nine points on page 59 of the agenda pack, which detailed how local authorities could support hotel development in Greater Lincolnshire;

·         It was noted that from May 2019 an increased number of direct trains would be introduced between Lincoln and London.  It was acknowledged that rail links and the introduction of more direct trains were an important aspect in encouraging visitor and business markets to Lincolnshire;

·         It was hoped that an additional 2 - 3 hotels would be developed across Greater Lincolnshire as a result of the study;

·         A Councillor commented that there was a need for additional accommodation in Boston.  In response, it was highlighted that the report had stated there was potential for a budget hotel / pub lodge within the areas of Skegness; Boston; Spalding and Sleaford;

·         It was acknowledged that there were a high number of customers which was loyal to a particular hotel brand. The Committee discussed potential ways in which this could  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

64.

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) pdf icon PDF 220 KB

(To receive a report by Justin Brown (Commissioner for Economic Growth), which proposes that Lincolnshire County Council will make two bids for European Regional Development funding – 1) to extend the Business Lincolnshire growth hub; and  2) attract funding towards the Saltfleet to Gibraltar Point beach nourishment scheme)

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report by Susannah Lewis (Principal Commissioning Officer (Funding)), which proposed that the County Council would make two bids for European Regional Development Funding (ERDF).

 

It was noted that the County Council procedural regulations stated that all bids for external funding of more than 250,000 should be agreed by the relevant Executive Councillor.  Officers had prepared the two bids for European Regional Development Fund. The comments from the Committee would be presented to the Executive Councillor.

 

The Committee was advised that in Greater Lincolnshire the European Structural and Investment Fund had agreed to launch three calls for activity to bring forward projects under:

 

Priority Axis 1 – Promoting Research and Innovation;

Priority Axis 3 – Enhancing the Competitiveness of Small and Medium size Enterprises (SMEs); and

Priority Axis 5 – Promoting climate change adaption, risk prevention and management.

 

Calls had been published on 8 December 2017 with a closing date of 26 January 2018 for outline application and promoted through the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, Business Lincolnshire and various meetings, events and workshops. 

 

Lincolnshire County Council had submitted two bids for funding: the first bid related to the extension for the Business Lincolnshire Growth Hub; and the second bid related to attracting funding towards the Saltfleet to Gibraltar Point beach nourishment scheme. The report provided detailed information on the two bids.

 

The Committee was also advised that the European Structural Investment Funds Committee had also reviewed the four outline applications that had been submitted in the 2017 call under Priority Axis 6 Protecting the Environment, as detailed below:

 

·         Gainsborough Green Corridor (West Lindsey District Council);

·         Witham and Slea Blue/Green Corridor (North Kesteven District Council and South Kesteven District Council);

·         Growing Environmental Resilience (City of Lincoln Council); and

·         Freshney Valley Chalkstreams (North East Lincolnshire Council).

 

It was noted that the projects had requested ERDF grant funding of £3,995,031, but there was only £2,376,000 available against Priority Axis 6.  Projects had been appraised by national team colleagues and reviewed by the European Structural Investment Funds Committee.  Prioritisation of projects was now being carried out by the Department for Communities and Local Government based on the European Structural Investment Funds Committee comments and 2018 national spend/output targets.

 

The Committee were provided with an opportunity to ask questions, where the following points were noted: -

 

·         The County Council was leading on the bid for the Saltfleet to Gibraltar Point beach nourishment scheme from both a flood prevention and economic perspective;

·         It was advised that the Chancellor of the Exchequer had confirmed that any project that had reached contracting stage would be honoured following the UKs departure from the European Union.  Further to this, it was advised that it took on average 2 months to get through the application stage.

 

RESOLVED

 

(1)  That the submission of the European Union Funding Bids, as outlined in the report, be supported.

 

(2)  That the comments of the Committee be passed onto the Executive Councillor for Economy and Place for his consideration.  

65.

Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership - Accountable Body Progress Report pdf icon PDF 371 KB

To receive a report by Justin Brown (Commissioner for Economic Growth), which provides an update from the Accountable Body on the progress of the Single Local Growth Fund operated on behalf of Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report by Linsay Hill Pritchard (Principal Commissioning Officer (Accountable Body)), which provided an update from the Accountable Body on the progress of the Single Local Growth Fund, which was operated on behalf of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). 

 

The reported covered three key areas of activity, as detailed below, and the Principal Commissioning Officer (Accountable Body) provided an update on each of those areas: -

 

·       Annual Conversation – it was noted that the aim of the review was to provide sufficient assurance to the Accounting Officer and ministers that LEPs fully implemented existing requirements for appropriate governance and transparency;

·       Governance – Following a report by the Public Affairs Committee in July 2016, the Government had requested Mary Ney to conduct a review (Mary Ney Review) into LEP governance and transparency.  In January 2018 Local Enterprise Partnership Governance and Transparency: best practice guidance was published to support LEPs in meeting some of the recommendations made by the review; and

·       Year-End target and Progress – An update on the current spend position and proposed arrangements for formal sign off of the LEP financial report was provided to the Committee, which was detailed at pages 73 – 76 of the report.

 

The Committee was reminded that the growth deal spend target was £15.8 million and remained a challenge following high levels of funding released in previous years.  The majority of projects were successfully delivering on the ground and with some projects complete.  A full project update was provided at Appendix B to the report.

 

It was highlighted as part of the update on the current spend position that three projects had been identified to the LEP Investment Board as high risk in terms of milestones to the programme; Skegness Countryside Business Park (Skegness Gateway Scheme); Grantham Southern Relief Road; and Lincolnshire Lakes. 

 

The report stated that there was a small delay on the publication of the statutory orders for the Grantham Southern Relief Road. However, the Committee was advised that statutory orders for the scheme would be published by the end of the week commencing 26 February 2018.

 

The report had also stated that progress with the Lincolnshire Lakes scheme had been delayed to with regard to the required land transfers which were meant to take place in November 2017.  However, the Committee was advised that progress had been made and access to land had now been confirmed and would be transferred by the end of the financial year 2017/18.

 

In response to a question, the Committee was advised that the Skills Capital Programme would deliver a small number of apprenticeships as part of the programme and that the Bishop Burton Scheme would deliver NVQ training.  It was agreed that information on the number of apprenticeships as part of the Skills Capital Programme would be emailed to the Committee.

 

RESOLVED

 

(1)  That the current progress being made on the Growth Deal Programme for Greater Lincolnshire be endorsed.

 

(2)  That continued support be given to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

66.

Anglian Water's Draft Water Resources Management Plan

(To receive a presentation from David Hickman (Growth and Environment Commissioner), which invites the Committee to consider Anglian Water's Draft Water Resources Management Plan consultation and provide an opportunity for direct member input)

Minutes:

The Committee was advised that Anglian Water had not yet issued its consultation on its draft Water Resources Management Plan.  The consultation was now expected to commence on 9 March until 9 June 2018.  A report would be brought to the next meeting of the Committee on 10 April 2018 for consideration.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the item on Anglian Water’s Draft Water Resources Management Plan be deferred to the meeting of the Committee on 10 April 2018.

67.

Peppermint Park - Delivery of the Food Enterprise Zone pdf icon PDF 26 KB

(To receive a report by Simon Wright (Principal Officer Regeneration), which invites the Committee to consider a report on the Peppermint Park - Food Enterprise Zone which is due to be considered by the Executive Councillor for Economy and Place on 2 March 2018.  The views of the Committee will be reported to the Executive Councillor as part of his consideration of this item. NOTE: Appendix 1 to the report has been marked 'to follow')

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report by Simon Wright (Principal Officer Regeneration), which invited the Committee to consider a report on the Peppermint Park Food Enterprise Zone (FEZ), which was due to be considered by the Executive Councillor for Economy and Place on 2 March 2018.  The views of the Committee would be reported to the Executive Councillor as part of his consideration of this item.

 

The Principal Officer Regeneration presented the report to the Committee and in doing so advised that on 7 February 2017, the Executive had approved the development of a FEZ on land to the west of the A151 in Holbeach.  The vision for the FEZ was to create a high quality business park to meet demand from food technology businesses to take space close to existing food producers in South Holland.

 

The Executive report, as attached at Appendix 1 to the Scrutiny Committee's report, sought approval to proceed with Phase 1 of the Scheme, which would be built on approximately 15 acres of Lincolnshire County Council owned land adjacent to the A17 and A151 to the north west of Holbeach, subject to funding being released from the New Development Capital Contingency Fund. If approved, the Council's funding would be used alongside other funding offered in principle to the project from the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership and South Holland District Council and used to provide utility infrastructure and site service roads to Phase 1 of the FEZ.

 

The Committee endorsed the approach of the Council in investing in a project to develop a Centre of Excellence for Food Technology, which would offer post-graduate courses, and opening up land for development. The Committee also supported the plan to recoup a substantial amount of the initial investment through the sale of the land sell to developers and/or owner occupiers at market value.

 

RESOLVED

 

(1)  That the recommendation, as detailed in the report to the Executive Councillor for Economy and Place, be supported.

 

(2)  That the comments of the Committee be passed onto the Executive Councillor for Economy and Place for consideration when taking the decision.

68.

Environment and Economy Scrutiny Committee Work Programme pdf icon PDF 132 KB

(To receive a report by Daniel Steel (Scrutiny Officer), which enables the Committee to consider and comment on the content of its work programme for the coming year)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report by Daniel Steel (Scrutiny Officer), which enabled to the Committee to consider and comment on the content of its work programme for the coming year.

 

The Committee was reminded that the next meeting was scheduled for 10 April 2018 and the items for consideration were detailed on pages 97-98 of the agenda pack.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the content of the work programme be approved.

 

 
 
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