Issue - meetings

The Chairman introduced the first report of the evening regarding the Committee work plan for the remainder of the Civic Year. It was acknowledged that the cancellation of meetings due to the global pandemic had impacted the usual organisation of the Committee work plan. The Chairman highlighted the proposed work streams, namely flood risk management across the district, homeworking for Officers during the pandemic and a review of communications across Planning and Regeneration.

There was discussion regarding the importance of understanding flood risk and the impact this had on affected residents. It was acknowledged that there was already work underway across the council and this work stream for the Committee would run alongside that work. The Chairman emphasised the need for swift action to avoid a repeat of previous flooding incidents and the Monitoring Officer highlighted the work that was already underway across the district and county with the same goal.

It was noted that there was no business scheduled for the proposed January meeting and the Chairman suggested an initial focus on leisure provision across the district. This had been mooted in the previous Civic Year and it was important that this strand of work should not be overlooked. It was agreed for the Democratic and Civic Officer to make initial enquiries to invite three leisure providers to attend the meeting in January.

The aspect of homeworking for Officers through the pandemic was noted to be unprecedented on such a scale and Members felt there needed to be an element of scrutiny to understand the impact this was having, both from a staff wellbeing point of view as well as with regard to service provision. It was noted that the next item on the agenda was in relation to this work stream.

            RESOLVED that:

a)    the proposed work streams of Flood Risk Across West Lindsey, Homeworking During the Pandemic and Review of Communications Across Planning and Regeneration be agreed; and

b)    the formation of a Flood Risk Working Group be approved; and

c)    the draft Terms of Reference and initial work plan for the Flood Risk Working Group be presented to Committee at their meeting on 10 November 2020 for final approval; and

d)    the draft work plan for the remainder of the Civic Year be agreed.