Agenda item

(To receive a report which sets out the work programmes of the Environment and Economy and Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee’s in accordance with the Board's agreed programme)

Consideration was given to a report by the Chairman of the Environment and Economy Scrutiny Committee, which detailed the future work programme of the Committee as well as a detailed account of items considered by the Committee in recent meetings.

The Chairman expressed his thanks to the Democratic Services Officer and the Scrutiny Officer for their work to support him as the Chairman of the Committee.

Recent work of the Committee included:

• The approval of the Council Budget Report for 2022/23, in which the Committee had acknowledged the importance of efforts made to roll out efficient waste collection services, including the separate paper and cardboard collection trial and the food waste collection trial that took place in South Holland District and South Kesteven District respectively and welcomed future plans for wider roll out of the food waste
• Quarterly performance indicators for Economy, Flooding and Waste in which an update was received on the Council’s Covid Business Grant Scheme. The Committee was encouraged that a total of £7.3m of the grants had been spent and distributed across the county in a manner consistent with the number of small and medium sized businesses in each district area
• Other items considered were in relation to an update on the Theddlethorpe Geological Disposal Facility Working Group and the Landscapes Review for the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The Committee’s work plan detailing items due to be considered at future meetings was attached at Appendix A to the report.

During the discussion the following points were noted and taken under consideration by the Chairman of the Committee:

• Whilst the Board acknowledged the importance of installing further electric vehicle charging points across the County, it was emphasised that these charging points should not replace disabled parking spaces.
• Further detail would be provided to the Committee on the effectiveness of Sustainable Urban Drainage systems in relation to other flood risk measures.

Consideration was then given to a report by the Chairman of the Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee, which detailed the future work programme of the Committee as well as a detailed account of items considered by the Committee in recent meetings.

Recent work of the Committee included:

• The Revenue and Capital Budget Proposals for 2022/23 and the 5^th Local Transport Plan had both been unanimously supported by the Committee. On the first instance the Committee was satisfied that the Major Schemes Programme remained affordable and whilst acknowledging the impacts of the £12 million gap in funding that there was ongoing work of Leading Officers and Executive portfolio holders towards a future funding strategy as part of the Highways Infrastructure Asset Management Plan.
• The Committee had been encouraged by the proposed transfer of the transport to school services, under the Highways budget.
• In terms of the Local Transport Plan, the Committee had supported the successful consultation exercise that took place which engaged a wide audience, exceeded expectations and offered a representative glimpse into current views. Members had also been encouraged to hear that the plan was looking to reverse the negative picture of a declining bus service -partially owed to the pandemic.

The Committee’s future work programme was set out at Appendix B to the report.

During the discussion the following points were noted for consideration by the Chairman:

• The Board expressed the need for an effective gulley and highway system.
• The Board raised concerns about the lack of effective parking enforcement across the County, particularly for those parked illegally on double yellow lines.
• The Board emphasised a need for more careful consideration of the height of roads when planning housing developments to minimise the risk of flooding into properties.

RESOLVED: 

1. That the Board's satisfaction be recorded with the activity undertaken since November 2021 by:

              (a) the Environment and Economy Scrutiny Committee and

              (b) the Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee.

2. That the Board's satisfaction be recorded with the planned work programme of:

              (a) the Environment and Economy Scrutiny Committee; and

              (b) the Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee.