Agenda item

(To receive a report and presentation from Andy Gutherson (County Commissioner for Economy and Place) on the work of Environment and Economy)

A report by Andy Gutherson (County Commissioner (Environment and Economy)) was considered, which provided an introduction to the Environment and Economy Scrutiny Committee and the services that were included in the Council's Commissioning Strategies for Environment and Economy.

Detailed information was provided as part of a presentation, which covered the following areas: -

·       Organisational structure;

·       Commissioning strategies;

·       Scrutiny input;

·       The Midlands Engine / Midlands Connect;

·       Policy and Plans;

·       Skills and productivity;

·       Lobbying and attracting funding for Lincolnshire;

·       The Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership's vision for the coastal economy;

·       Overview of current projects;

·       Lincoln Integrated Transport Strategy;

·       Peppermint Junction Road Improvements, Holbeach;

·       South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone;

·       Western Growth Corridor; and

·       Performance reporting.

During consideration of the presentation, the Committee was invited to ask questions where the following points were noted: -

·       It was noted that one of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership's (LEP) major priorities was utility provision in Lincolnshire;

·       A Councillor raised a concern regarding the high percentage of housing planning applications not being progressed after planning permission had been granted.  In response, the Committee was advised that the monitoring and delivery of housing was a district council planning function.  However, it was advised that the adoption of local plans should ensure that the right and most desirable locations to build housing had been allocated;

·       In response to a question, it was highlighted that the Greater Lincolnshire LEP had produced a water management plan, which focused on water management as a driver of economic growth on the east coast and throughout Greater Lincolnshire;

·       A Councillor raised concerns regarding the lack of projects within the Boston area and that the benefits of the Midlands Engine might not reach as far as Boston.  In response, the Committee was advised that the Boston Barrier, which had been funded by the Environment Agency, should encourage economic growth within the area of Boston.  There was also a Boston Transport Strategy 2016-2036, which was focused on both easing existing problems and supporting the future development of the town through identifying a range of short, medium and long term proposals to improve access within the town and the immediate surrounding area;

·       It was noted that the County Council was a member of the Midlands Engine and the priorities for the County would be promoted;

·       A discussion took place regarding asset management vs highways demand.  It was requested that the Committee considered an item on this matter at a future meeting however, it was noted that this topic was under the remit of the Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee and therefore would be passed onto that Committee; and

·       A Councillor raised concerns regarding the safety of the A15 and expressed support for making this road a dual carriageway.  In response, the Committee was advised that this was not a priority for the Department of Transport, as the statistics had indicated that there was no safety issue and the road did not have sufficient usage to warrant being upgraded to a dual carriageway.  However, the statistics had also indicated there was more of a need for improvements to be made to the A17.

RESOLVED

That the content of the presentation and the comments of the Committee be noted.