Agenda item

Councillor M J Hill OBE, Leader of the Council and Executive Councillor for Resources, Communications and Commissioning

The Leader of the Council acknowledged the current terrible situation in Ukraine and read out a statement in support of the people of Ukraine. 

“The thoughts of this Council are with the people of Ukraine at this terrible and deeply worrying time.  We also send our best wishes to all Ukrainians who are currently living and working in Lincolnshire who will be so worried for the welfare of their family and friends in their mother country.  We hope to be able to offer support to families and individuals suffering at the hands of the Russian invasion and we will participate with any government actions which are decided upon.”

Councillor C J Davie, Executive Councillor for Economy, Environment and Planning

The Executive Councillor for Economy, Environment and Planning provided some further background in terms of the economic side of what was happening in Ukraine.  Lincolnshire exported around £8 million of goods to the Ukrainian/Russian Markets and imported around £13 million of goods.  150 local businesses exported to the region and around 60 imported.  The economic development team would work with any of these businesses experiencing difficulties and provide support.

It was also reported that the Government had been looking for the past few months, for locations for the Great British Railway HQ.  The Executive Councillor advised that he had considered whether there was a suitable location in the county before submitting an expression of interest.  Working alongside officers at South Kesteven District Council, Grantham had been identified as a possible location, and an expression of interest would be submitted as a joint bid with South Kesteven District Council.

The Executive Councillor reminded members that some money had been set aside to support the visitor sector economy, and the Visit Lincolnshire website.  Members were also advised that it had been reported that the UK was set to overtake Hollywood as the centre for film and TV production, an industry worth over $7billion per year, and it was highlighted that there were a number of films due to be using Lincolnshire as a location in the near future, as well as a TV series which had recently been filming in Skegness.  There was a rich history of Lincolnshire being used as a film and TV destination and the Executive Councillor would enable the Visit Lincolnshire website and business Lincolnshire to be a central point for people searching for film and TV locations in the future.

Councillor Mrs P A Bradwell OBE, Executive Councillor for Children’s Services, Community Safety and Procurement

The Executive Councillor for Children’s Services, Community Safety and Procurement advised that on 4 March 2022, the Chief Inspector of Ofsted would be visiting as a result of the innovation in SEND and regional work that had been done over the previous year.  The Executive Councillor was pleased that Lincolnshire had been recognised for this work.

Executive Director – Resources

The Executive was advised that the final part of the Highways funding from Government had been announced, and it was confirmed that the funding would be frozen at the 2021/22 levels up to 2024/25.