Agenda and minutes

To receive comments or views from members of the public at the Committee’s discretion.

There had been recent reports in the local press regarding services at Grantham hospital, which had caused local concern most notably in respect of mental health service and accident and emergency provision. The Committee was asked to talk to representatives and question them about future plans for services in the hospital. Committee members echoed concerns and agreed to invite a representative from the Joint Lincolnshire Health Scrutiny Committee and the relevant NHS body to a future meeting. A site visit was also suggested.

Action Point:

1.    Invite the Chairman of the Joint Lincolnshire Health Scrutiny Committee to attend a meeting of South Kesteven District Council’s Scrutiny Committee.

2.    Invite representatives from the relevant health service body to attend a meeting of South Kesteven District Council’s Scrutiny Committee.

The Committee to be notified of any substitute members.

The Committee was notified that Councillor Adams was substituting for Councillor Nalson and Councillor Selby was substituting for Councillor Davidson for this meeting only.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Turner for the part of the meeting held on 10 April 2012. Councillor Turner was present when the meeting reconvened on Thursday 3 May 2012.

Members are asked to declare an interest in matters for consideration at the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made.

                                                                                                                  (Enclosure)

The action notes from the meeting held on 21 February 2012 were noted.

In respect of the action point at minute number 52, the Committee Support Officer advised that the Community Safety Partnership had agreed to gift the mobile CCTV unit to Lincolnshire Police for the use of neighbourhood policing teams.

At its meeting on 5 March 2012, Cabinet considered the Committee’s report on Procurement Lincolnshire. Minutes from the meeting are attached.                   (Enclosure)

The minutes from the Cabinet meeting on 5 March 2012 were circulated with the agenda. At this meeting, the Cabinet considered the Committee’s report on Procurement Lincolnshire. The report had been circulated to recipients identified in the document.

Action Point:

Follow up progress of the Committee’s report, which had been submitted to Procurement Lincolnshire.

                                                                                                                  (Enclosure)

A workshop to consider the 2012/13 work programme had been scheduled for 10 April 2012.

Councillor Cosham advised committee members that he had attended an Association of Drainage Authorities meeting. The key themes of the event indicated that the boards were thinking more about storage of water than drainage. The introduction of water control measures covering the South Kesteven area was noted, and it was suggested that the district council could use its publication, SK Today, to suggest different ways residents could conserve water. It was noted that this was primarily the responsibility of the water authority.

Action Point:

In conjunction with the Reputation, Communication and Consultation team, contact Anglian Water for ways to conserve water and publish in the next edition of SK Today.

Councillor Mrs Smith reported that the Elsea Park Community Centre in Bourne had been handed over by developers. The hall was available for use.

The Committee will hold a question and answer session with the Economic Development Portfolio Holder.

The Economic Development Portfolio Holder was not able to attend the meeting. The Committee expressed their disappointment that the Portfolio Holder could not attend. The item was adjourned until 3 May 2012 at 10am.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:35am until 10:00am on Thursday 3 May 2012.

The Economic Development Portfolio Holder was welcomed to the meeting. She apologised for not attending on 10 April 2012, at which this item was adjourned.

Committee members put questions to the Portfolio Holder, who provided her answers. [The questions are shown in italic text and the responses in plain text].

Question 1

The Gravity Fields project/event in September was heralded as an event for the whole district, not just Grantham. Can you give us an insight as to how this event is progressing and how much information has been forwarded to the towns and villages, schools, colleges, etc. in the district as they need to be informed well before the end of the summer term so that the interest can be generated in good time?

Flyers to promote the event were being circulated. The internal launch was due on 1 May 2012, however this had been postponed to the week commencing 7 May 2012. The public launch of the website was due on 20 June 2012.

All schools with key stage 2 pupils had been contacted, of those 27 wished to participate by coming to displays, lectures or helping build structures for the final performance that would take place around Grantham. Grantham College was also involved, with a representative sitting on the Gravity Fields steering group.

The core programme was being funded by South Kesteven District Council. Applications had been made to a number of different funding sources; the success of these bids would determine the final programme beyond the core programme. Ticket prices would depend on the success of bids, which would subsidise the programme. Arrangements for the additional programme would be confirmed in time for the public launch on 20 June 2012.

For the first year, Grantham would be the primary focus, the aim of the festival being to promote Grantham as a place to visit. However, accommodation would be required across the district. In future years it was hoped that there would be fringe events taking place throughout South Kesteven.

Question 2

The message is that South Kesteven, and Grantham in particular, is doing very well but how do you measure our success against other towns?

The district had a strong reputation in the manufacturing sector, with many companies looking to expand. The district council was doing its best to enable this. Work was also being undertaken to help start-up businesses. The district had a good reputation for new businesses succeeding beyond their first two years.

To promote the district and encourage businesses to move to the area, the Council was beginning a project called ‘Destination SK’. A team had been set up to deal with enquiries from people wanting to move businesses into the district. They  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

The meeting was closed at 11:33am on Thursday 3 May 2012.