Agenda and minutes

The Council welcomes engagement from members of the public. To speak at this meeting please register no later than 24 hours prior to the date of the meeting via democracy@southkesteven.gov.uk

There were none.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Vanessa Smith, being substituted by Councillor Charmaine Morgan.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Richard Dixon-Warren, being substituted by Councillor Gloria Johnson.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor James Dennison, substituted by Councillor Tim Harrison.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Peter Stephens, substituted by Councillor Matt Bailey.

The Leader of the Council, the Cabinet Member for People and Communities and the Cabinet Member for Corporate Governance and Licensing also sent notice of their absence.  

Members are asked to disclose any interest in matters for consideration at the meeting.

There were none.

The minutes of the meeting held 16 October 2024 were proposed, seconded and AGREED as an accurate record.

There were none.

This report outlines South Kesteven District Council’s performance against the Corporate Plan 2024-27 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) from July-September 2024.

The Corporate Plan 2024-27 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): 2024/25 Mid-Year (Q2) Report was introduced by the Head of Corporate Projects, Performance and Climate Change.

The report was intended to update on the key actions, indicators and targets agreed by the Rural & Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) at the 28 March 2024 meeting.

To break this down, the report presented the overall performance against ten actions using a RAG system. The results were as follows: 

-       Eight of the actions were rated Green overall. These were actions which were on, or above target as planned. 

-       Two actions were rated as Amber, these were off target by less than 10% or where milestone achievement was delayed but with resolution in place to be achieved within a reasonable timeframe. 

-       Zero actions were rated as Red. These were actions that were significantly below target.

The KPIs were developed in close consultation with the relevant Officers

for each service.

It was confirmed that an all-Member briefing had been arranged to demonstrate how KPI results could be viewed on the SKDC online dashboard area of the website.

During discussions, Members commented on the following:

-       Regarding the COM7 action of delivering the Community Engagement and Development Strategy and accompanying action plan, it was queried how this was monitored as engagement should be on an ongoing basis. This question was deferred for a response from the Head of Service (Revenues, Benefits, Customer and Community) – ACTION.

-       Regarding the COM9 action to deliver the Safer Streets Programme and seek opportunities to develop a legacy applied districtwide once the funding period ends, clarity was sought as to why the results were below target. It was confirmed by the Environmental Protection Officer that this was because there had been insufficient staffing available during the summer months given that the individuals were already working full time.

-       Members praised the work of the Safer Streets Team.

The Committee noted the Corporate Plan 2024-27 Key Performance Indicators: 2024/25 Mid-Year (Q2) Report.

It was proposed by the Chairman that the Armed Forces Covenant Update was deferred until the 13 February 2025 meeting to allow for the presence of the Armed Forces Champion. This motion was seconded and AGREED by the Committee.

The SK Community Awards 2024 report was presented by the Community Engagement Manager.

The SK Community Awards were introduced in 2021 following the upsurge in volunteering during the Covid-19 pandemic. For 2024, the categories were as follows:

-       Inspirational Young Person

-       Community Contribution by Business

-       Neil Smith – Beyond the Call of Duty

-       Community in Bloom

-       Judy Smith – Lifetime Community Champion

-       Volunteer of the Year

-       Community Group of the Year.

It was noted that the quantity of nominations received in 2024 had reduced from previous years.

The three finalists in each category nominated by the public, along with the

recipients of the volunteer of the year and community group of the year award were invited to attend a celebratory dinner held in Bourne in November 2024 at which the winners were announced.

The winners and runners up, who are invited to bring a guest with them to the

Awards evening were presented with a crystal trophy by members of the Cabinet and the Chairman of the Council.

During discussions, Members commented on the following:

-       Members supported the recommendation to establish a working group to assist in reviewing the nominations. It was AGREED that the group would comprise of the following Members, led by Councillor N. Manterfield:

o   Councillor R. Leadenham

o   Councillor T. Harrison

o   Councillor P. Byrd

o   Councillor C. Morgan

o   Councillor S. Cunnington.

-       The Community Engagement Manager confirmed that the group would meet to discuss the nominations in the new year.

-       It was confirmed that there was district-wide representation on the judging panel.

-       It was suggested that awareness of the awards should be promoted in order to combat the reduced quantity of nominations received in 2024.

In additional to the formation of the Working Group, the Committee noted the SK Community Awards 2024 report.

To receive the Work Programme for 2024 – 2025

It was requested that the following were incorporated on the Work Programme for the upcoming Committee meetings:

-       Update in respect of the Working Group formed for the SK Community Awards 2024.

-       The deferred Armed Forces Covenant Update,

-       LCC Health Scrutiny Committee update,

-       Verbal update on the implementation of the community group section of the SKDC website.

-       Review of the Corporate Plan in the context of agriculture and farming. 

-       Community Fund Review of Eligibility Criteria. 

Members were invited to attend the Budget OSC meeting scheduled for 14 January 2025. 

The meeting adjourned at 10:26AM to allow for the presence of Councillor Trotter. Councillor Trotter entered the Chamber, and the meeting resumed at 10:40AM.

As a Member of the Lincolnshire Police & Crime Panel, Councillor Trotter delivered a verbal update on the status of Lincolnshire Police.

It was confirmed that Lincolnshire Police were subject to stage two enhanced monitoring following a Police Efficiency Examination in October 2024. The following five areas of concern had been identified by the Police inspectorate:

-       Attend calls for service in line with its published target attendance times.

-       Improve how it allocates, supervises and carries out investigations to make sure victims get the support they need.

-       Make sure that it has the capacity and capability to manage the risks posed to the public by registered sex offenders. 

-       Improve its understanding of demand.

-       Have adequate strategic plans in place.

Councillor Trotter confirmed that a strategic management team were formed in June 2024 following the concern identified regarding response times.

During discussions, Members commented on the following:

-       Whether the imposition of enhanced monitoring would result in additional funding being released by central Government. This was unclear but both Councillor Trotter and the Cabinet Member for Planning had queried the funding formula.

-       The effectiveness of the financial management within the existing funding. It was suggested that this was dependent on the quality on the software systems used.

-       It was noted that the overtime budget for 2024 had been depleted by mid-year.

-       The suggestion was made for the Fleet Management Plan to be reviewed.

-       It was noted by the Chief Executive that the working relationship between SKDC and Lincolnshire Police had improved in the last four years and that there was regular dialogue between the two organisations.

-       It was queried how the funding for Lincolnshire Police compared to other forces.

-       Concern was raised that Lincolnshire may become a target for criminality given the publicized nature of the issues with Lincolnshire Police.

-       It was identified by a Member that they felt a significant lack of strategic vision and leadership within Lincolnshire Police which could undermine any requests for additional funding. The Member cited the decision to move the Police Station in Grantham whilst coinciding with removal of some of the fleet, had caused significant time to be wasted with Officers travelling across town.

-       It was agreed that the Chairman would write a letter of support to the Chief Constable on behalf of the Rural & Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee - ACTION.

The meeting concluded at 11:27 AM.