Agenda, decisions and minutes

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Items
No. Item

21.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

It was noted that apologies for absence had been received from James Drury (Executive Director – Commercial).  

 

It was also noted that Roz Cordy (Interim Assistant Director – Adult Frailty and Long Term Conditions) was attending the meeting on behalf of Glen Garrod (Executive Director – Adult Care and Community Wellbeing).

22.

Declarations of Councillors' Interests

Minutes:

There were no interests declared.

23.

Announcements by the Leader, Executive Councillors and Executive Directors

Minutes:

Leader of the Council

 

With regard to the national restrictions from 5 November 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Councillor M J Hill, OBE, the Leader of the Council, reported that most County Council services would continue.  Services such as museums and galleries would close, with the exception of open spaces.  Additional funding had been allocated to local authorities by the Government to support vulnerable people and businesses, with district councils managing the distribution of funds to the latter.  Following the end of national restrictions on 2 December 2020, it was expected that the tiered system would be reintroduced.  

 

Executive Councillor for Commercial and Environmental Management

 

Councillor E J Poll, the Executive Councillor for Commercial and Environmental Management, thanked the staff for continuing to keep household waste recycling centres open and encouraged the public attending the sites to wear masks while on site.  

24.

Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 6 October 2020 pdf icon PDF 250 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED

 

That the minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 6 October 2020 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Leader.

25.

Future of the Heritage Service in Lincolnshire pdf icon PDF 185 KB

(To receive a report from the Executive Director – Place which seeks approval of the plan to deliver a wider vision for heritage services for the whole of Greater Lincolnshire)

Additional documents:

Decision:

That the plans to deliver a wider vision for heritage services for the whole of Greater Lincolnshire be approved.

Minutes:

Councillor C N Worth, the Executive Councillor for Culture and Emergency Services, introduced a six-point plan and vision for the rich and varied heritage and culture found in Greater Lincolnshire, which included aims to make heritage and culture accessible to as many people as possible; to support both the national and international visitor economy; and to secure funding to support the development of the offer. 

 

On 27 October 2020, the Public Protection and Communities Scrutiny Committee, whose statement had been circulated to the Executive, had recorded its support for the proposals. 

 

The following points were made during the discussion of the item:

 

  • It was refreshing to see plans to embrace the whole county in the plan and vision for Lincolnshire's heritage. 
  • The plan and vision would support the work of the Tourism Commission, which was chaired by Councillor C J Davie, Executive Councillor for Economy and Place. 
  • The importance of the circulation of art and artefacts, which was in many instances currently in storage, to various venues and local organisations throughout the county was stressed.  Organisations in Grantham and Stamford were cited as examples.
  • Relationships with other partners, for example in the private sector, would be further developed.
  • Securing funding would be unlikely in the immediate short term, but there were opportunities for substantial investment in the longer term.
  • It was important to strike the right balance between the 'experience' approach and simply enabling visitors to see the art and artefacts.  

 

RESOLVED

 

That the plans to deliver a wider vision for heritage services for the whole of Greater Lincolnshire be approved.

26.

Transformation Programme Overview pdf icon PDF 934 KB

(To receive a report from the Executive Director – Commercial which seeks support for the scope of the transformation programme, along with the approach recommended for running and managing the programme and seeks feedback on any matters to support successful delivery)

Additional documents:

Decision:

(1)  That the scope of the transformation programme, along with the approach recommended for running and managing the programme be supported in principle.

 

(2)  That, prior to any investment being made, individual business cases be subject to the usual decision making processes, in-line with the Council's Constitution, with the whole programme being considered by the overview and scrutiny function.

Minutes:

Councillor M J Hill, OBE, the Leader of the Council, introduced this item, referring to the transformation programme's aim of improving the Council's activities and processes, which would significantly benefit from the knowledge gained during the Covid?19 pandemic.

 

The Assistant Director – Transformation, Programmes and Performance – presented the report, which set out the aims of the programme, with details on the individual projects.  The increased use of technology and digitalisation would be a key theme.  Funding of £7.395 million had been allocated in addition to existing individual project funding, with supporting governance arrangements also in place. 

 

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board presented the Board's statement following its meeting on 29 October 2020, which indicated the Board's support for the recommendation.  There were also comments on the involvement of overview and scrutiny committees; costs and benefits from the programme; and the use of individual councillors as sources of intelligence.   

 

The following points were raised by the Executive during the discussion:

 

  • It was suggested there should be more emphasis on the role of councillors as part of the programme, encompassing the One Council approach.  It was confirmed this would be reflected in future reports.
  • There was a suggestion that full justification, by way of detailed business cases, was required before taking forward certain projects, with appropriate overview and scrutiny prior to any decision making. Benefits to the public would always be emphasised as part of the business cases.      
  • Timelines for each project and work streams would be provided in future reports.

 

RESOLVED

 

(1)         That the scope of the transformation programme, along with the approach recommended for running and managing the programme be supported in principle.

 

(2)         That, prior to any investment being made, individual business cases be subject to the usual decision making processes, in-line with the Council's Constitution, with the whole programme being considered by the overview and scrutiny function.

27.

Smarter Working Programme Update pdf icon PDF 379 KB

(To receive a report from the Chief Executive which invites the Executive to note and support the Corporate Leadership Team's vision, goals and objectives for Smarter Working and the ongoing work to enable delivery of the project and to note the outcome of the Smarter Working Staff Survey)

Additional documents:

Decision:

(1)  That Corporate Leadership Team's vision, goals and objectives for Smarter Working and the on-going work to enable delivery of the project, be noted.

 

(2)  That the outcome of the Smarter Working Staff Survey be noted.

Minutes:

A report on behalf of the Chief Executive was presented by the Assistant Director – Transformation, Programmes and Performance – and set out the agreed vision, goals and objectives for smarter working, and included an analysis of the responses received in the staff survey.  The principles of smarter working would be supported by the emerging office accommodation and workspace strategy. 

 

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board presented the statement made by the Board following its meeting on 29 October 2020, which recorded the Board's support for the recommendations.  The Board's comments referred to team-working and informal office contacts; isolation and social contact; mitigation of the challenges of working from home; and good practice in other organisations.  

 

The following points were made during the discussion: -

 

  • A number of policies and contracts would need to be revised, and the aim was for the first phase of the smarter working programme, which was a longer term project and separate to the safe working arrangements under the Covid-19 pandemic, to be in place from April 2021.
  • The importance of the mental wellbeing of staff was emphasised, and the need for flexibility in the hybrid model to accommodate those staff who may prefer to work full time in the office.  
  • The tax allowance for those working from home available from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs would be communicated to all employees.
  • Significant work had been undertaken and improvements would continue to be made to IT systems and connections for staff working from home. 

 

RESOLVED

 

(1)          That the Corporate Leadership Team's vision, goals and objectives for smarter working and the ongoing work to enable delivery of the project be noted; and

 

(2)          That the outcome of the smarter working staff survey be noted.

 

 
 
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