Agenda and draft minutes

To confirm and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on Tuesday, 30 July 2024.

A Member of the Committee noted that at the previous meeting there had been discussion regarding the lobbying of the MP regarding battery storage legislation and this was not contained wihtin the minutes. The Senior Democratic and Civic Officer advised the Committee that the minutes should not be taken as an accurate record if there was information missing. Therefore, she would amend the minutes accordingly and they would be re-presented for confirmation and signing at the next meeting of the Committee. Members were content with this approach.

Members may make any declarations of interest at this point and may also make them at any point during the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

Matters arising schedule setting out current position of previously agreed actions as at 23 August 2024.

The Senior Democratic and Civic Officer advised Members that the item regarding battery storage legislation would be updated in line with the comments made earlier in the meeting regarding lobbying of the MP.

The Chairman reiterated comments made at the meeting of Full Council which had taken place the previous evening, regarding the importance of health provision in the district, and his hope that these matters were also being fully discussed at the county-wide Health Scrutiny Committee.

With no further comments or questions the Matters Arising Schedule was DULY NOTED.

Presentation by Chris Duncan, Martin Miles and Peter Smith providing further details from Everyone Active following their presentation to the Committee in January 2024.

The Chairman welcomed Chris Duncan, Regional Activity & Wellbeing Manager, Martin Miles, Regional Contract Manager, and Pete Smith, Area Contract Manager, from Everyone Active, who were presenting a progress update further to their presentation to the Committee in January 2024.

Note:              Visiting Members Councillors T. Young and L. Rollings arrived at 6.35pm

The Committee heard that whilst there was information to be presented related to both of the leisure centre sites in West Lindsey, there had been considerable focus in recent months on the Gainsborough site, and so their presentation would address those issues primarily. Alongside the presentation on screen, Members were also provided with a copy of the Everyone Active newsletter.

With regard to participation figures for 2023/24, Members heard that West Lindsey Leisure Centre had seen an increase of 11% on the previous year, whilst Market Rasen had seen an increase of 12% on the previous year. For the first quarter of 2024/25, West Lindsey Leisure Centre had an increase of 3.8% on the previous year, where Market Rasen had an increase of 26% on the previous year.

The challenges faced at the West Lindsey Leisure Centre were explained in detail for the Committee. These included, major challenges with the air ventilation in the wet changing village, affecting shower area and changing village itself, work to rectify this had taken place in June and was to be completed by the end of September 2024; cracked wall tiles and high-level wooden boxing failing on the poolside walls, which looked particularly unsightly but displayed no structural issues, had since all been clad; the air handling units in the dry side changing rooms were all due to be replaced by the end of September 2024. Additional issues with the gym ceiling tiles, the sports hall, and the sauna / steam room had all been either temporarily or permanently rectified.  

Recruitment of staff had continued to be a challenge, particularly regarding the recruitment of cleaners and lifeguards, which was critical to delivering a positive customer experience. Customer perception had been noticeably negative, due to the issues described. As well as the work which had been undertaken, several other improvements had been introduced. These included the recruitment of a Contract Maintenance Manager; the appointment of external contract cleaners for monthly overnight deep cleaning and additional cleaning hours at peak times cleaning a week; a verbal comments log had been introduced at reception and Meet the Manager sessions were held and scheduled. These were also to be held at Market Rasen. Finally, a Customer Forum was planned, which would also take place at Market Rasen.

Members were presented with a summary of customer feedback, and the results of an unannounced Quest inspection which had taken place in August. Negative feedback from customers had included comments regarding the cleanliness of the wet side changing areas, the lack of family changing space and lockers, the limited number of toilets in the wet area, and comments that the gym kit needed updating. The results of the Quest  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

With no comments, questions or requirement for a vote, the Forward Plan was DULY NOTED.

The Committee heard that, with several items yet to be confirmed, the work plan was presented in draft format. With no comments or discussion, the indicative work plan was DULY NOTED.

To resolve that under Section 100 (A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED that under Section 100 (A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

Note:              The meeting entered closed session at 7.25pm

Members of the Committee discussed difficulties they experienced in their wards, predominantly relating to limited police resources. The lack of funding for the police was acknowledged, with Members highlighting the loss of PCSOs who had previously built relations in their communities and been a reassuring presence.

The connection between the police force and local enforcement officers was discussed, with Members recognising the Council had a role to play with aspects such as anti-social behaviour. It was also recognised that with limited resources available, the preventative effect of having visible police officers in the district was being eroded.

With no further comments or questions, the Committee was content to receive the planned update from Lincolnshire Police, requesting the opportunity to also discuss associated enforcement actions.