Agenda item

The Committee heard from the Section 151 Officer concerning the Budget Consultation and Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) engagement proposal for 2025. It was reported that the Budget Consultation would inform the budget-setting process for the 2026–27 financial year and would be conducted throughout the remainder of the calendar year. A range of engagement methods was proposed, including both online and in-person formats. The S151 Officer noted that market stall events had previously proven popular with residents, with high levels of engagement and questionnaire completion. However, in-person events held in Caistor and Nettleham had experienced low or no attendance and were therefore proposed for removal from the schedule. The Gainsborough event, which had been well attended, was proposed to continue in the same format as the previous year.

With regard to LGR, it was explained that the LGR exercise would be conducted alongside the Budget Consultation. Questions relating to this exercise were included in the report and would inform a subsequent report to be presented to Council in early September.

A Member of the Committee expressed support for the proposed approach, describing it as sensible and well considered.

However, Members of the Committee raised concerns regarding the effectiveness of budget consultations, suggesting that they often amounted to a token gesture. Queries were raised regarding the framing of questions within the LGR consultation, particularly question nine, which asked respondents to indicate a preference for future groupings of local areas. It was suggested that if the responses were unlikely to be actionable, the question should be narrowed to reflect more realistic scenarios.

A Committee Member suggested that a visual aid, such as a map, be included to clarify terms like “central Lincolnshire,” to avoid confusion with broader regional designations such as Greater Lincolnshire.

Further discussion ensued regarding LGR, with a Committee Member stating that decisions would ultimately be made by Central Government, regardless of local feedback. It was suggested that the Council be transparent about its limited influence, while still valuing public opinion and ensuring it was communicated to decision-makers.

The Interim Head of Paid Service provided an update to the Committee based on recent discussions held with other Chief Executives across Lincolnshire. It was reported that various consultation and engagement activities were underway across the region, including in areas not submitting formal proposals. It was confirmed that West Lindsey would not be submitting its own proposal but would engage with those that were active. The Interim Head of Paid Service highlighted that a key takeaway from the Committee discussion could be to request Officers to focus on identifying priorities for residents, communities, and businesses in West Lindsey that should be reflected in any future bid.

The Chairman supported this approach and noted that face-to-face engagement remained valuable in fostering understanding and dialogue between the Council and its residents.

A Member of the Committee proposed that a question be included in the consultation asking whether residents supported LGR. It was also suggested that if residents were asked to indicate a preferred area for grouping, a free-text box should be included to allow respondents to explain their reasoning. The Member of the Committee noted that preferences might be influenced by factors such as employment, education, or family connections, and that understanding this context would be beneficial.

A query was raised by a Committee Member regarding question three of the consultation, which referred to pausing fees at the current level and increasing them by inflation the following year. It was noted that the current rate of inflation had not been specified within the consultation materials. A request was therefore made for this information to be included to assist respondents in making informed decisions, along with any forecasted changes to inflation.

The Deputy Monitoring Officer clarified that if the Committee were minded to do so, an additional recommendation could be added which delegated authority to the Head of Paid Service to agree the final questions prior to launch, in accordance with the Committee’s comments.

Having been proposed and seconded, and with the additional recommendation included, it was unanimously

RESOLVED that

a)    the Budget Consultation process for 2025, be agreed; and

b)    the intention to run a public engagement exercise on Local Government Reorganisation alongside the 2025 Budget Consultation be noted.

c)    the Head of Paid Service be granted delegated authority to agree the final questions prior to launch, in accordance with the Committee’s comments.