Agenda and minutes

There were no substitutions.

No declarations of interest were declared by members.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting of the Joint Committee held on 3 September 2021 be approved as a correct record and authorise the chair to sign.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (North Lincolnshire Council – S. Green)

The Deputy Chief Executive, North Lincolnshire submitted a report requesting the Joint Committee to note the feedback on Lincolnshire Day activities in 2021 including the Civic Event held at Normanby Hall Country Park, Normanby and asked members to agree a date and host for the Lincolnshire Day Civic Event in 2022.

The report summarised feedback and presented an overview of Lincolnshire Day 2021 as follows –

Civic Event:

·         The Lincolnshire Day Civic Event took place on Friday 1 October 2021, 10am at Normanby Hall Country Park.

·         The event was well attended by dignitaries representing each of the three authorities with 60 invitees confirming their attendance prior to the event.

·         The event was attended by all three upper tier Authority Leaders with a strong representation of Leaders, Mayors and MPs from the area and districts too.

·         Normanby Hall Country Park was felt to be the right setting for the event and positive feedback was received.

·         All refreshments were made using produce local to Greater Lincolnshire ensuring the context of the day ran through the event.

·         Businesses who provided their produce at the event were given the opportunity to attend to showcase their offer and raise their profile.

·         The planting of a tree at the event in the grounds of Normanby Hall by the three leaders provides a legacy of the event for years to come and confirms a united commitment to Greater Lincolnshire.

Competition:

·         Uptake was not at the levels expected for competition entries. However, winners were identified for each of the three authority areas with outstanding menus showcasing the best of Lincolnshire produce.

Schools:

·         A digital resource pack was made available to schools and on our websites with resources about the history of Lincolnshire and Lincolnshire Day.

Press Coverage:

·         Greater Lincolnshire Menu competition, including: BBC Radio Lincolnshire, LincsFM, Lincolnshire Echo, Boston Standard, Louth Leader, Sleaford Standard, Lincoln Independent, Horncastle News, Market Rasen Mail.

·         Lincolnshire Day (involving civic event), including: as above plus Grantham Journal, Stamford Mercury, Spalding Guardian, Skegness Standard, Gainsborough Standard, Gi Scunthorpe News.

The Deputy Chief Executive, North Lincolnshire in his report also summarised initial proposals for Lincolnshire Day 2022 on 1 October including Civic Celebration, Business and Community Engagement, Schools and Comptition together with associated use of resources provided by the joint committees’ member councils. Debbie Barnes and Karen Spencer added further information to initial proposals for 2022.

Members commented on the success of the 2021 event and looked forward to receiving further information on plans and proposals for 2022 to maximise the benefits from the impact of Lincolnshire Day across Greater Lincolnshire.

Resolved – (a) That the success of Lincolnshire Day 2021 be noted and the plans to continue joint working between the three member authorities on the celebrations in 2022 be supported, and (b) that the Lincolnshire Day Civic Event be held on Friday 30 September 2022 with Lincolnshire County Council hosting be approved (noting North East Lincolnshire Council to host the event in 2023).

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (North Lincolnshire Council – S. Green)

Further to minute 23, the Deputy Chief Executive, North Lincolnshire submitted a report which summarised the aims, advantages and content of the Government’s Devolution process since its inception in 2017 with 10 Mayoral Combined Authorities having been established to date, and further future ‘devolution deals’ as part of the ‘levelling up agenda’ in a white paper announced by the Government through the Queen’s speech in 2019. In addition, in July 2021 the Prime Minister had set out a catalytic role for government and the need to empower strong local leaders by taking a more flexible approach to devolution through new ‘County Deals’ – taking devolution beyond the largest cities and being bespoke to the needs of individual places and its people. These proposals would be set out in the Levelling Up white paper yet to be published to date.

The Deputy Chief Executive in his report explained that the Greater Lincolnshire political route so far has seen a development session held in summer 2021 attended by district and upper tier authorities. This subsequently led to the Chief Executives meeting with government officials to outline the ambition of a ‘Greater Lincolnshire County Deal’, the support it had and the geography it could cover. A letter signed by all ten Local Authority Leaders was sent to ministers in the summer expressing a desire to work on a County Deal for a Greater Lincolnshire geography. A letter had also been sent to all MPs within Greater Lincolnshire describing the reason why and the ambition for a ‘County Deal’. A follow up meeting held in November and attended by Leaders and Chief Executives developed further the thinking around such an approach.

Running concurrently with the above had been various lead officer groups which have drafted and then re-iterated various options to arrive at an agreed set list of ‘ask’ bullet points from which to develop the detail behind these ‘asks’ to Government. These ‘asks’ would be structured around enablers and themes and reinforce Greater Lincolnshire’s differentiation as well as commonality with other similar deals. To complement this activity, work had also been initiated to develop a 2050 vision for Greater Lincolnshire.

The Deputy Chief Executive stated in his report that to seize the opportunity enhanced devolution could bring for Greater Lincolnshire and building upon the existing strong cross boundary joint work including upper tier and district authorities, it was proposed that through the Joint Committee and Councils’ formal decision making processes a ‘County Deal’ proposal be submitted to Government. At present the exact nature of the criteria was still awaited through the ‘Levelling Up white paper’ but in advance of the detail officers from relevant councils had been working on a draft and emerging ‘County Deal’ to enable a subsequent proposal to be submitted quickly in the new year.

A ‘County Deal’ offered a great opportunity for a truly Greater Lincolnshire approach enhancing both its economy and bringing decision making closer to its people.

Debbie Barnes explained proposals and work being undertaken by officers  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

Report of the Chief Executive (North East Lincolnshire Council – R Walsh)

The Chief Executive, North East Lincolnshire Council submitted a report requesting the Joint Committee’s endorsement of an intention to develop and test a pilot public health model across Greater Lincolnshire, subject to ongoing engagement and consultation with the UK Health Security Agency (UKSA) and Officer for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) and other relevant stakeholders.

The Chief Executive, North East Lincolnshire in his report summarised the background to the legislative public health responsibilities of local authorities and their Directors of Public Health as statutory chief officers. He explained that lessons from the ongoing pandemic and the development of Integrated Care Systems present an opportunity for the three upper tier local authorities across Greater Lincolnshire (UTLAs) to explore options for the collaborative leadership, development and delivery of public health responsibilities.

Engagement continued with UKSA / OHID and the emerging proposition was to develop a pilot model for consideration by each of the upper tier UTLAs in accordance with their respective constitutional arrangements. The prerequisite for developing any collaborative arrangement was based on all parties demonstrating a genuine commitment to align work and share knowledge and skills to deliver better health and wellbeing outcomes for all the communities they served.

He stated that piloting an approach would enable the UTLAs to assess the extent to which strategic collaboration could be cost effective, deliver better outcomes for the population than the current arrangements in place and result in no one UTLA being disadvantaged in terms of capacity and any necessary local focus, especially in the context of the ongoing pandemic and the winter challenges already being presented across health and care systems.   

The Joint Committee was therefore requested to endorse an intention to develop and test a pilot public health model across Greater Lincolnshire, subject to ongoing engagement and consultation with UKSA / OHID and other relevant stakeholders. Progressing a pilot collaborative model would be subject to any necessary constitutional requirements of each constituent local authority. It was therefore suggested that approval ‘in principle’ to develop the model be obtained from each local authority prior to the next meeting of the Joint Committee.

The Joint Committee and Chief Executives discussed options available and governance requirements across the three principal member councils to appoint a Director of Public Health for the Greater Lincolnshire area.

Resolved – (a)That the proposal to develop a pilot public health model for Greater Lincolnshire be approved and be implemented by 31 January 2022, and that each constituent local authority be requested to approve the proposed pilot in accordance with any necessary constitutional requirements prior to the above date; (b) that Chief Executives continue engagement with UKSA / OHID and other relevant stakeholders regarding the development of the pilot, and (c) that a progress report be submitted to the Joint Committee as appropriate and soon as practicable in the New Year.

Report of the Executive Director of Place (Lincolnshire County Council – A Gutherson)

The Executive Director of Place, Lincolnshire County Council submitted a report requesting the Joint Committee to approve a joint stand (Lincolnshire County Council, North Lincolnshire Council and North East Lincolnshire Council) at the Lincolnshire show to be held on Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 June 2022. Officers from the above three councils had previously met in early 2020 to consider plans for a joint stand in 2020, but unfortunately shows in 2020 and 2021 were cancelled due to the pandemic. Lincolnshire County Council and North Lincolnshire Council had exhibited on their own stands at the show for many years, and a joint stand would mark the first time that the three councils had exhibited together.

The Executive Director in his report also requested members to consider and agree to having a single joined-up approach across the three councils with a single brand for the 2022 show. This joint branding would be displayed alongside the logos of the three councils on a stand, for example on flags at the entrance. Proposals for the spaces within the marquees/outside areas at the show were also suggested under the following named marquees/area-

·       ‘Meet your councillors’ marquee

·       Corporate marquee

·       Main council services marquee

·       Outside area

·       Queen’s Platinum Jubilee (part of the show’s overarching theme for 2022 would be the celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The report also asked members to consider requesting officers of participating councils to contribute towards a joint budget/resource for the show.

Karen Spencer, Head of Communications and Engagement, Lincolnshire County Council gave a presentation on the above proposals for the 2022 show and sought members thoughts and preferences regarding councillors attendance, joint branding options, themes including – Environmental, Culture and Heritage, Employment and Growth, (involving the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership and key business groups), Highways and also enhancing ticketing opportunities/deals and engagement with and involving schools.

Resolved – (a) That a three council joined-up approach, with appropriate and proportionate joint budget contributions, for the Lincolnshire show 2022 be agreed and the continuing development and progress by officers from the three authorities be supported; (b) that suggestions made, discussed and preferred by members be incorporated into officers plans; (c) that options for enhancing ticketing opportunities/deals and engagement with and involving schools across Greater Lincolnshire be considered jointly by all Chief Executives, and (d) that a progress report on joint planning preparation by participating councils for the 2022 show be submitted to the next meeting.