Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors M Griggs, J Killey, R Wootten and H Spratt.

It was reported that, under Regulation 13 of the Local Government Committee and Political Groups Regulation 1990, Councillor H Marfleet replaced Councillor H Spratt for this meeting.

There were no declarations of interest at this point in proceedings.

The Chairman welcomed the Committee, as well as Councillor Martin Hill, the Leader of the Council and Councillor Colin Matthews, who were in attendance in relation to Item 6: Coastal Country Parks.

Councillor Davie, Executive Councillor for Economic Development, Environment and Planning, made the following announcements:

?  Expressions of interest for two potential enterprise zones were put forward for Clay Lake in Spalding and the Holbeach Food Enterprise Zone, and Spittlegate in Grantham

?  The ‘Create Growth Programme’ was announced in partnership with Leicestershire, Derbyshire and the University of Lincoln

?  The ‘Mosaic Connect’ programme was launched to use digital sector skills to support industry challenges

?  The Department of Education had approved Lincolnshire’s ‘Multiply Investment’ plan, which aimed to tackle numeracy skills problems encountered by employers, and 19 local suppliers had registered

?  Lincolnshire’s International Trade Strategy was to be formally launched on National Export Week on 31st October 2022, and £177,000 was added to the grant available for businesses wanting to export

?  The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs had awarded Lincolnshire £283,387 for the Woodland Creation Acceleration Fund

?  6 plots were now sold and 3 built out on South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone in Holbeach

?  The formulation of an ad hoc informal committee was to be created consisting of Members representing coastal areas

?  Lincolnshire County Council won the ‘Best Programme of Business Support During Covid’ at the National Federation of Small Business Awards

?  Supporting Councillor Thomas Dyer announced the public consultation was going out for Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind Farm beginning on Thursday 1st November 2022

(To receive a report from Mike Reed, Head of Waste Service, which was due considered by the Executive Councillor for Waste and Trading Standards between 19 and 23 September 2022 for decision)

Mike Reed, Head of Waste presented a report outlining that the previous service of HWRCs and DPS had been maintained. The decision was taken by the Executive Councillor for Waste and Trading Standards and was published on 22nd September 2022.

Members noted the report, and it was considered that:

?        The contract will remain flexible, and assurance was given that waste can relocated to other more environmentally sustainable locations

?        Performance would be maintained following re-procurement

?        Robust reporting mechanisms and tracking ensured recyclable materials in Lincolnshire stayed in surrounding areas when possible

?        When the waste is passed onto external contractors it can’t be guaranteed that they ensure waste stays in the United Kingdom

Resolved:

That the report and comments be noted

(To receive a report from Samantha Harrison, Head of Economic Development, Chris Miller, Head of Environment, and Mike Reed, Head of Waste, which sets out the performance of the Tier 2 Service Level Performance measures for 2022-2023 Quarter 1 for Economy, Flooding and Waste which are within the remit of the Environment and Economy Scrutiny Committee)

Justin Brown, Assistant Director for Places, Chris Miller, Head of Environment, and Matthew Michell, Waste Strategy Manager presented reports on the performance of the Tier 2 Service Level Performance measures for 2022-2023 Quarter 1 for Economy, Flooding and Waste which are within the remit of the Environment and Economy Scrutiny Committee.

It was reported that:

Economy

?  327 business were supported by the Council against a target of 372, and confidence was maintained that the end of year target would be reached

?  133 businesses were supported by The Business Lincolnshire Growth Hub

?  New programmes for creative and tech business launching in Quarter 2 have been well received

?  185 businesses were supported by Place and Investment Team services

?  Team Lincolnshire represented the county at 2 Business Expos, and delivered an Industry Insight Tour of Lincoln Medical School at the University of Lincoln to attract new investors

?  £3,59,894 external funding was received, exceeding the quarterly target of £3,494,410

Flood

?  Section 19 investigations were undertaken for 2 residential properties and 1 commercial property in this quarter

?  47 confirmed section 19 investigations will be required due to storm events in late August 2022, primarily impacting properties and road infrastructures

Waste

?  Recycling at Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) was anticipated to be below target because there is less green waste composted in winter

?  The overall recycling rate had decreased since the Covid-19 pandemic, which indicated a change in public behaviour

?  Average kilogram of waste collected per household had fallen since the pandemic

Members noted the report, and it was considered that:

Flood

?  To examine ‘near misses’ of flood damage in the same way as section 19s would be financially inefficient, as each investigation cost £5000

?  Unanticipated late August flooding had led to a performance review of the response. The outcome of the report would be given at the Flood and Water Management Scrutiny Committee

?  The future impact of climate change on flooding was acknowledged

?  It was not practical to expend the influencing role of section 19 investigations to include enforcing powers

Waste

?  Further in-depth data concerning the type and volume of recycled materials would be collected and circulated to the committee

?  Food waste recycling had been withdrawn in South Kesteven which was anticipated to effect statistics

?  Behavioural changes towards waste and recycling had been observed nationwide following the Covid-19 pandemic. Nationally, there had been no increase in the amount of recyclate produced, but trends differed across localities

?  The National Association of Waste Disposal Officers (NAWDO) have collated data relating to the practical implications of dealing with the pandemic

?  The Waste Strategy Manager had attended national meetings concerning Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR), and was awaiting a response from central government in relation to potential funding for County and District Councils to formulate a response to these consequences of Covid-19

?  Forecast figures indicating good performance of HWRCs would be circulated to the committee

?  The Waste Manager was in communication with heat network delivery in BIS (check) to explore the possibility of reusing thermal energy which is created by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

(To receive a report from Chris Miller, Head of Environment, on the development and revision of the car parking strategy at the six (6) County Council owned car parks on the East Coast and within the Coastal Country Park)

Chris Miller, Head of Environment, delivered a report on the development and revision of the car parking strategy on the East Coast and within the Coastal Country Park of the six (6) County owned car parks:

1. Huttoft Car Terrace

2. Marsh Yard & Moggs Eye

3. Anderby Creek

4. Wolla Bank, and

5. Chapel Six Marshes

It was reported that:

?  Off-street parking orders were introduced to regulate against litter, waste and congestion experienced at these locations

?  Charges were implemented for parking at certain times, and penalty charge notices were issued for contraventions

?  A permit scheme was being introduced for visitors, and potentially residents following feedback from local groups

?  Following complaints regarding the ‘pay by phone’ system, it was recommended that payment machines be installed at Huttoft and Anderby Creek

Members noted the report, and the following was considered:

?  Money raised by parking charges could be used to reinvest in provisions to attract visitors, which would stimulate the local economy

?  There was a significant opportunity to attract motorhome tourism to Lincolnshire coasts and towns

The Chair suggested a working group be established to explore further how to attract more tourism, particularly motorhome owners, to Lincolnshire.

Resolved

1) That the Committee endorse the report and recommendations on alterations to be made as listed in the report

2) That a working group be established, which was to:

a)      Consider whether more could be done to encourage motorhome tourism in the county

b)      Welcome nominations from all Members

c)      Report to the Environment & Economy Scrutiny Committee

(To receive a report from Matthew Harrison, Flood and Water Manager)

Matthew Harrison, Flood Manager, presented a report on the non-statutory consultation that has commenced by Anglian Water on a proposed new reservoir in Lincolnshire. The report provided an overview of the plans and consultation exercise in advance of a response being provided by Lincolnshire County Council.

It was reported that:

?  The proposed location for the reservoir was southeast of Sleaford, near to Billingbrough, Swaton, Scredington, and Helpringham.

?  The reservoir would be a National Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) with the potential to be a strategic asset for the county

?  In line with the Planning Act 2008, an ongoing, multi-phased consultation process was occurring between the Council, stakeholders and resident to shape plans and reduce impact on communities

During consideration of the report, the following comments were raised:

?  Pragmatically, the reservoir would be able to accommodate the United Kingdom’s growing population

?  As a statutory consultee, Lincolnshire County Council would hold Anglian Water to account throughout the process in delivering strategic benefits for the county

?  Anglian Water should maintain an awareness of how the reservoir’s development could impact local highways infrastructure, and ensure necessary steps are taken to protect against potential damage

?  Anglian Water should consistently involve and consider the local communities that would be most impacted by the reservoir’s development. These residents should be provided with a compensation package

?  Consideration needed to be made regarding the potential height and visibility of the reservoir banks

Resolved

1. That the Committee endorse the report.

2. That the Committee’s comments be taken under consideration by officers in shaping their contribution to the consultation.

(To receive a report from Mick King, Head of Economic Infrastructure, and Johanna Rhoades, Project Officer – Utilities) which provides an overview of the utilities work programme being delivered by the Economic Infrastructure Team within the Growth Service Area)

Mick King, Head of Economic Infrastructure, delivered a report providing an overview of the utilities work programme being delivered by the Economic Infrastructure Team within the Growth Service Area.

The work programme was for the lead Officer to oversee and deliver in the short, medium, and long term, and focused on issues that Greater Lincolnshire faced currently. The work programme comprised of four overarching themes:

1. Intelligence

2. Place; specific sites and areas

3. Problem-Solving

4. Breaking through communication barriers

It was reported that:

?  There was a work programme for each theme to prioritise focus on relevant activities

?  The tasks and activities undertaken by the lead Officer would expand in the future

?  Current priorities included:

?        Energy option analysis for Greater Lincolnshire Commission

?        South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone: Phases 2&3 Power Constraints

?        Review of energy related NSIP applications

?        Programme of meetings with utility network providers

During consideration of the report, the following was considered:

?  The impact of potential infrastructure projects on local communities needed to be the main consideration.

?  Consideration should be given to prevent damage to roads and highways that infrastructure projects potentially can cause.

?  Lincolnshire’s natural landscapes should be conserved against applications that involve a great deal of observable industrialisation.

?  Energy-providing NSIPs should use a variety of other sources as well as hydrogen

?  The language in the report should be reviewed to ensure it enables members and the public to engage with it.

Resolved:

1. That the Committee support the report and list of activities undertaken by lead officers

2. That the Committee’s comments be passed on to the lead officer and relevant Executive Councillor portfolio holders for consideration.

(To receive a report by Kiara Chatziioannou, Scrutiny Officer, which enables the Committee to comment on the content of its work programme for the coming year to ensure that scrutiny activity is focussed where it can be of greatest benefit)

Consideration was given to a report by Kiara Chatziioannou, Scrutiny Officer, which invited the Committee to consider and comment on the content of its own work programme for the year to ensure that scrutiny activity is focused where it can be of greatest benefit.

Resolved:

That the work programme be approved

It was noted that this item was for information only.