Agenda item

Consideration was given to a report which presented Members with details of key strategic activity completed during 2017/18 in support of delivering the objectives of the Corporate Plan (2016-2010). Members were also asked to note the key activities to be completed during the remainder of the Plan’s lifespan. 

The Leader of the Council presented the report and in doing so advised that the report supported the Council’s commitment to ensure that the Corporate Plan remained a live document and that progress made against its priorities were reported against.

The last year had seen major progress across a range of areas; the opening of the new Lidl supermarket, work commencing on the Travelodge Hotel, the purchase of the first commercial investment property and significant progress on the Crematorium project.

The Selective Licensing Scheme had been introduced and the Council had been successful in being awarded a contract to run the Wellbeing Service.

The Central Lincolnshire Local Plan had been approved and this now provided the Authority with a robust framework that supported development across the District.

Key partnerships had been formed to support in the delivery of the Council’s ambitions and would continue to be key in moving forward.

There was still, however, work to be done over the remainder of the Plan’s lifespan – 2020, including: -

·         Finalisation of the new Leisure Services contract and providing new facilities in Market Rasen.

·         Approval of a Housing Strategy and the appointment a strategic Development Partner to assist the Council in delivering its regeneration and growth plans for the District.

·         Specific support for the community in Hemswell Cliff would be provided and economic growth schemes would be developed for Caistor and Saxilby.

In concluding his address, the Leader indicated he was of that view that there was work still to be done to make West Lindsey a place where people want to work, live, visit and invest, but the Authority had made a strong start and remained committed to delivering its Corporate Plan.  The Leader moved the recommendations.

The Deputy Leader welcomed the report, the progress which had been made across the District as a whole and seconded the paper.

Debate ensued and reference was made to the impending new leisure centre contract, which was causing some concern. It was suggested a proper audit of all clubs operating in the District and the numbers participating would be useful.  It was also suggested the lack of a Sports Development Officer in recent years had led to clubs having difficulty in retaining or increasing numbers and this in turn resulted in them not being viable. It was suggested the lack of leadership and direction shown at a strategic level had contributed to the current situation in respect of the West Lindsey Bowls Club and the Authority was not taking active lifestyles and participation, particularly for the elderly, seriously.

The Chairman of the Governance and Audit Committee responded, and indicated that he would welcome further discussions with Councillor Rollings, to ascertain the exact requirements of any Audit, and would happily consider undertaking such an Audit, if appropriate.  With reference to the comments made in relation to the West Lindsey Bowls Club, it was suggested that those Members who had not attended the briefing held for all Members on 8 January, should firstly consider the information which had been provided at that briefing. Accepting that the Bowls Club had had a long affiliation with the facilities at West Lindsey Leisure Centre, it was important that the Authority demonstrated value for money in all the services and contracts it ran, for all its residents and taxpayers of the District.  The facility was only currently used by the Club concerned for a limited number of months, for a very limited number of people, the overwhelming majority of which were not from the District. Despite being a difficult decision, the Authority was charged with delivering value for money for its taxpayers.  The new contract offered a 10-15% increase in the number of users. It was widely accepted that for every pound a District Council spent towards improving peoples’ activity and participation levels, and promoting healthy lifestyles, this could save the NHS £26, thereby helping to relieve some of the pressures that service was currently experiencing.

The argument offered regarding the current position of the Bowls Club being down to a lack of strategic investment was strongly refuted.  It was further stressed that a number of alternative sites, which would allow this Club to continue, had been identified and the Authority were continuing to work with the Club concerned.

RESOLVED that: -

(a)          the completion of key activity detailed within the report which facilitates the delivery of the objectives of the Corporate Plan be noted; and

(b)          the planned activity to be completed during the remainder of the Corporate Plan’s lifespan, be noted and supported.