Agenda and minutes

It was reported that under Regulation 13 of the Local Government Committee and Political Groups Regulation 1990, Councillor P Skinner was replacing Councillor I Fleetwood for this meeting only.

There were no declarations made at this point in proceedings.

RESOLVED

        That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 21 April 2023 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Councillor T Dyer, Support Councillor for Economic Development, Environment and Planning, encouraged members to use public rights of way in their community and provide feedback on their quality to the Countryside Team’s improvement plan. The deadline to submit comments was 9 June 2023.  

(To receive a report from Councillor Gary Taylor, Chairman of Scrutiny Panel B, Vanessa Strange, Head of Infrastructure Investment, and Kiara Chatziioannou, Scrutiny Officer, on the findings and outcomes of Scrutiny Panel B: Agriculture Sector Supports in Lincolnshire Scrutiny Review. This decision is due to be considered by the Executive on 4^th July 2023)

The Committee considered the Agriculture Sector Supports in Lincolnshire Scrutiny report which was developed by Scrutiny Panel B (SPB). Kiara Chatziioannou, Scrutiny Officer, introduced the report and Councillor G Taylor, Chairman of SPB, summarised its key findings and recommendations. Councillor Mike Clarke, Vice-Chairman of SP, Vanessa Strange – Head of Infrastructure Investment, and Justin Brown, Assistant Director – Place were also in attendance for this item. The following matters were reported:

·   SPB examined the agricultural sector and analysed skills, practices and challenges experienced in farming communities across Lincolnshire, and sought to verify whether contemporary practices were encouraging farming communities to adhere to the Lincolnshire Green Masterplan.

·   The Panel also aimed to identify potential opportunities for LCC to assist with unmet needs of farmers and agricultural workers, and to propose subsequent interventions.

·   Several recommendations were identified by the Panel and were corroborated by industry experts, organisations and businesses.

·   As part of its remit, SPB identified and analysed challenges experienced by the agricultural sector which included Avian Influenza outbreaks, changes to government policy, labour shortages, training provision, increased automation, and poor mental health.

·   Members were requested to provide feedback and comment on the recommendations outlined in the report; this feedback would be reported to the Executive for their consideration on 4 July 2023.

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

·   The Committee welcomed that the mental health of farmers held a central position within the report.

·   Members stressed the importance of balancing migration concerns whilst acknowledging the necessity of seasonal labour, which often required on a foreign workforce population. The Head of Infrastructure Investment further noted the value of developing skills locally to reduce dependence on seasonal labour.

·   Substantial investment was made to the Bishop Burton Showground campus, Riseholme University of Lincoln campus, and Barclays Eagle Lab to stimulate local skills infrastructure and recruitment in manual farming work.

·   There was a potential opportunity to innovate some County Farms to support young farmers to secure tenancies.

·   Sessions were held with colleagues within Trading Standards, and it was noted that no concerns were raised regarding skills and expertise.

·    The reinstatement of the Champion Farmed Environment Scheme focused on accommodating transitions caused by the Agriculture Bill and various environmental schemes.

·   The Committee accepted there were local and manufacturing farming opportunities, however retention of the overall farming workforce could improve in Lincolnshire. Subsequently, the Chairman requested that LCC worked with the University of Lincoln to emphasise the range of agricultural careers available to students.

·   Ill soil health was an issue for farmers and was a topic included within the action plan; the Chairman requested this topic was included in the recommendations passed to the Executive.

·   Members suggested that improved rural broadband could help support rural connectivity and combat feelings of isolation; the Head of Infrastructure Investment further highlighted that businesses also had noted the need for better technology, particularly 5G, drone technology and robot weeders.

·   The Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Trust (LFPT) supported farmers struggling with mental health, and third sector organisations worked with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

(To receive a report from Simon Wright, Regeneration and Portfolio Manager, Economic Infrastructure which provides an update to the Committee on the performance of the Council’s portfolio of business centres and industrial units including occupancy levels and tenant feedback on the suitability of the Council’s premises to support the needs of small businesses).  

Consideration was given to a report by Simon Wright, Regeneration and Portfolio Manager – Economic Infrastructure, which updated the Committee on the performance of the Council’s portfolio of business centres and industrial units including occupancy levels and tenant feedback on the suitability of the Council’s premises to support the needs of small businesses. The following matters were reported;

·   The Council aimed to provide business space for small and start up businesses in situations where development viability meant that the private sector was unable to provide this space. Furthermore, by offering flexible lease terms the council was able to support the economic growth of Lincolnshire.

·   The report was the result of ongoing and direct engagement with tenants. This process had included structured interviews and open questioning on the areas of accommodation, management, support that was offered and what further could be done.

·   Occupancy levels were considered as being good overall; variation was observed between industrial units and business centres.

·   A major refurbishment of the Eventus Business Centre in Market Deeping had created an additional 2,365 sq ft of lettable space.

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

·   Local government continued to maintain an important role in supporting the private sector; such interventions provided an opportunity for LCC to stimulate greater economic growth locally.

·   The Regeneration and Portfolio Manager – Economic Infrastructure informed the Committee that the Covid-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst in helping bigger businesses move on from LCC premises.

·   PA number of tenants also requested further support in encouraging networking and businesses to business events and similar promotional activities.

·   Business centres had an occupancy rate of 75.5%, and it was noted that there were different general occupancy levels between industrial premises and business centres. The Regeneration and Portfolio Manager – Economic Infrastructure informed members that occupancy was measured by the total lettable area, not by the number of businesses that were supported, and therefore reflected the recent completion of the Eventus reconfiguration and The Hub in Holbeach where there were still a number of vacant offices which were being actively marketed.

RESOLVED

1.     That the report be endorsed; and

3.     That the Committee’s satisfaction be recorded on activity undertaken in engaging with tenants.

4.     That comments and suggestions made in relation to the overview of activity discussed are taken under consideration by the relevant Officers and the Executive Portfolio Holder.

(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 was focused where it can be of greatest benefit.

Clarification was made that October’s meeting was scheduled for 24 October rather than 23 October 2023 as per the Work Programme; this was due to a mistake to be rectified by the Scrutiny Officer following the meeting.

RESOLVED

That the proposed work programme be approved, subject to the amendment above.