Agenda and draft minutes

Meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on Tuesday, 29 July 2025.

On being put to the vote it was

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on Tuesday, 29 July 2025 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

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 made.

Matters arising schedule setting out current position of previously agreed actions as at 6 October 2025.

The Democratic and Civic Officer provided an update against the Matters Arising.

It was reported that the item relating to the Battery Storage Legislation had been marked as black status, in anticipation of a report being presented at the next meeting in November.

The item concerning Parish Council reserves had received a response from the Section 151 Officer, which had been circulated to Committee Members on 6 October. This item had also been moved to black status.

In relation to Emergency Plans and the support provided by West Lindsey District Council to Parish Councils, contact had been made with the relevant Officers. A written response was expected prior to the next meeting, and as such, the item remained at green status.

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

Presentation by Inspector Michael Head regarding Lincolnshire Police.

The Chairman introduced the item and welcomed Inspector Head from Lincolnshire Police.

Inspector Head presented to the Committee a range of matters relating to neighbourhood policing and operational developments within West Lindsey.

It was noted that Inspector Head had entered his third year in post, having succeeded Inspector Gary Brockie in October 2022. During this period, significant changes had been implemented within the neighbourhood policing model, with further adjustments anticipated due to the financial position of the force.

The Committee was informed that a report issued by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services had identified five key areas of concern. These included the need for the force to attend calls for service in accordance with published target attendance times, to improve the allocation, supervision and investigation of crime in order to ensure that victims received appropriate support, and to ensure that sufficient capacity and capability existed to manage the risks posed by Registered Sex Offenders. Additionally, it had been noted that there was a need to enhance the understanding of demand across the force and to establish adequate strategic planning processes.

The Committee was advised that an evidence-based approach to policing had been adopted to ensure optimal allocation of resources. It was reported that the number of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) had been reduced. Although seven PCSOs had been promised for West Lindsey, only four had been received, all of whom had been based in Gainsborough. PCSOs had been allocated to areas identified as experiencing high levels of harm. Collaborative work with partner agencies had been undertaken to address anti-social behaviour, with a focus on problem-solving initiatives.

West Lindsey had been divided into nine separate Beat Codes. Previously, each Beat Code had operated with its own neighbourhood policing team and set of priorities. In order to improve coverage, a transition to a ‘Superbeats’ model had been initiated. The West Lindsey Response Team had continued to provide coverage across the area.

Under the new model, West Lindsey had been effectively split into two areas, each served by a Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT). This arrangement had been designed to improve coverage during periods of staff absence due to leave or sickness, and to increase the number of public contact points. It was reported that the NPT had operated with only one Sergeant for approximately 18 months due to long-term sickness. Sergeant Mark Pearson had joined the team at the end of September, thereby strengthening the supervisory structure.

Details were provided regarding the composition of Team One and Team Two, including the breakdown of officers assigned to each.

A breakdown of crime statistics was presented, showing comparative data from September 2025 and September 2024, as well as rolling 12-month periods from October 2024 to September 2025 and October 2023 to September 2024. Volume and percentage changes had been reported for each area, designated NC01 through NC09. The Committee was informed that four response teams were in operation and working from Gainsborough and Market Rasen. Each team  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

An update was provided by the Performance and Programme Manager regarding the proposed approach and timeline for setting the Council’s Progress and Delivery measures for the 2026/27 period. It was confirmed that a further report, containing additional detail and outlining Member engagement, would be submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at the meeting on 18 November. The importance of effective performance management was emphasised, with recognition given to the key role played by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in monitoring performance, as set out in the Council’s Constitution.

Members were informed that the Council undertook an annual review of its performance measures to ensure they remained fit for purpose. For the current review, a focus had been placed on strengthening the alignment between performance measures and the Corporate Plan.

To support this objective, a proposal had been made to update the reporting template. The revised format would move away from portfolio and service-level reporting and instead concentrate on the strategic themes of the Corporate Plan. It was acknowledged, however, that not all performance measures would directly align with the refreshed Corporate Plan. To ensure continued visibility of council-wide performance, a complementary Operational Performance report had been proposed. This work formed part of a broader transformation programme, which was linked to the refresh of the Corporate Plan, being developed in parallel with Local Government Reorganisation, and the introduction of a new set of organisational Values and Behaviours.

Central to the proposed approach was the establishment of a new programme theme board structure, designed to streamline existing governance arrangements and place greater emphasis on delivery. An overview of the approach had been presented to the Leaders Group on Monday, 13 October 2025, and feedback from that meeting would be incorporated into the November 2025 report for Overview & Scrutiny.

Members were invited to provide feedback on the proposed approach and timeline, with the intention that their input would help shape the final report and ensure the process reflected Member expectations.

The Chairman thanked the Performance and Programme Manager and opened for Members to comment.

It was noted that the move towards a more streamlined reporting structure made considerable sense, particularly in terms of measuring efficiency and supporting the scrutiny function. The importance of holding officers, Members, and the Council collectively to account was emphasised. Support was expressed for the approach, with a suggestion that the working group established by the Committee could be broadened to include representation from Full Council, thereby ensuring a wider range of perspectives.

Members agreed that while it was important to celebrate success, meaningful progress could only be achieved through a focus on areas requiring improvement. It was proposed that greater emphasis be placed on identifying opportunities to enhance service delivery.

The Chairman welcomed the alignment of performance reporting with the Corporate Plan and echoed support for the proposed approach. It was noted that the revised structure would provide clearer oversight of how the Council was working towards its strategic goals, while ensuring that key issues remained visible  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

With no comments or questions the forward plan was DULY NOTED.

An update was provided by the Democratic and Civic Officer regarding forthcoming items scheduled for consideration by the Committee. It was confirmed that, in addition to the item titled West Lindsey District Council’s Approach to Battery Energy Storage in the Planning System, the meeting on 18 November would also include the 2026/27 Progress and Delivery Measure Setting report.

Members were also advised that the meeting scheduled for 24 February 2026 would include the Review of the Draft Annual Report and Operating Methodology.

The Chairman noted that a motion had been submitted to Council in September of the previous year, requesting a comprehensive needs assessment to be undertaken by the Integrated Care Board (ICB) in relation to GP practices. Concerns were expressed that no report had yet been brought before the Committee in response to this motion and Members requested an update on its progress.

It was proposed that the Committee could formally request a report on the matter and invite the relevant officer to attend a future meeting. In response, the Chairman advised that an initial update would be preferable at this stage, to allow officers time to progress the work. It was noted that the ICB was currently undertaking related work, which was expected to be presented to Lincolnshire County Council.

A further suggestion was made that a written update from officers be provided prior to the submission of the report to Lincolnshire County Council. The Chairman acknowledged that the report in question was classified as a confidential item and that the timeframe for producing a full report was limited. Consideration was given to the possibility of undertaking pre-scrutiny work in advance of the formal report.

Members discussed the Pride in Place initiative and its relationship to the wider committee structure. It was noted that the item was expected to be considered by the Prosperous Communities Committee, although no formal information had been made available at this stage. A view was expressed that all Members received reports from all committees to ensure transparency and awareness, with the understanding that items would be brought back to Overview and Scrutiny if issues arose.

The Chairman welcomed the continued monitoring of the initiative and supported maintaining oversight through the Committee’s work plan. A suggestion was made to include Pride in Place on the Committee’s work plan. It was acknowledged that the item would progress through the relevant policy committees, and Members agreed to await its development through those channels.

It was enquired whether a standing agenda item could be introduced to provide brief updates on matters considered by the Prosperous Communities Committee and the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee, reflecting the views of Overview and Scrutiny. The Chairman encouraged all Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to attend policy committee meetings where possible, to support cross-committee understanding and engagement. Members were also advised that caution should be exercised in distinguishing between an Executive governance model, where decisions could be taken in isolation, and the committee system of West Lindsey District Council,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.