The Growth Scrutiny Committee of Lincolnshire Council met on Tuesday 15 September 2026 to discuss the progress of the 2026-27 Capital Repairs and Maintenance programme, review the Scrutiny Committee Performance Framework for Quarter 1, and consider the committee's work programme.

Capital Repairs and Maintenance 2026/27 Progress Update

The committee received an update on the progress of the 2026-27 Capital Repairs and Maintenance programme. Michelle Owens, Head of Service Facilities and Workshop Workspace Management, presented the report, which detailed the first quarterly update for the period April to March. The programme, which is an annual recurring initiative, is based on condition survey data collated and reviewed by corporate property and strategy colleagues. Works are prioritised based on condition survey data, with priority one works being the highest. Further categorisation ensures legal compliance, followed by health and safety, and then the maintenance of the building's fabric and structure.

There are two main programmes: a schools programme with a budget of £3.5 million, covering approximately 160 LCC-maintained schools, and a non-schools programme with a budget of £4.6 million, covering around 470 properties. Both programmes include an allocation for reactive works, such as boiler failures or roof leaks. The programmes are delivered through corporate property contracts with Vinci and Kia, with local contractors being used for most of the work.

For the schools programme, at the end of Quarter 1, the council was running under budget. This was due to some programmes being removed because works were no longer required or had already been completed. An addition was also made from the reserve list to fully commit the budget. An allowance of £400,000 is allocated for reactive works in schools, covering works over £10,000. Schools are responsible for funding and delivering works valued under £10,000. The main works include boiler replacements, electrical changes, fire and intruder alarms, roofing, and drainage. The programme is reviewed monthly, with a board meeting held quarterly. Most school works are completed during the summer holidays.

For the non-schools programme, a larger budget of £4.6 million is allocated due to the larger estate. Similar to the schools programme, some elements have been removed and one addition has been made following due diligence and site checks. The programme is continually reviewed in consultation with strategy colleagues.

Scrutiny Committee Performance Framework 2026-27 Quarter 1

The committee reviewed the Growth Scrutiny Committee Performance Framework for 2026-27 as at Quarter 1. The report, presented by Andy Gutherson, Executive Director – Place, and Andrew McLean, Executive Director – Resources, highlighted that two measures exceeded their target, one achieved its target, and three measures did not have a target.

Measures that exceeded their target:

• PI 69: The total number of businesses that receive direct support and advice through the Council's commissioned business support services. In Quarter 1, 909 businesses received support, exceeding the target of 667. This includes services from the Business Lincolnshire Growth Hub, Inward Investment Service, Made Smarter Programme, UK Food Valley Team, Greater Lincolnshire Careers Hub, Skills Bootcamps, and the Greater Lincolnshire Regional Defence and Security Cluster.
• PI 96: Percentage of premises who are able to connect to a broadband service offering download speeds greater than 100Mb/s. At the end of Quarter 1, 83.1% of premises could connect to such a service, exceeding the target of 82.4%. This progress is partly attributed to Project Gigabit and commercial deployment by Openreach.

Measures that achieved their target:

• PI 57: Percentage of contracts awarded without successful challenge. Throughout the reporting period, 100% of the 62 contracts awarded had no successful challenges.

Measures that do not have a target:

• PI 74: The percentage of users who click a link to an accommodation provider or leisure offer on VisitLincolnshire.com, with the intention of making a direct booking on the provider's site. In Quarter 1, 17.2% of users clicked through, exceeding the industry benchmark of 5%. The website's performance was boosted by a BBC Countryfile feature on the Viking Way.
• PI 75: The number of small business tenants in the council's portfolio of economic properties. At the end of Quarter 1, there were 173 small business tenants. Occupancy levels remained broadly stable across the portfolio.
• PI 93: Property Disposals - revenue savings achieved from property assets declared surplus and disposed of. By the end of Quarter 1, £479,106 in savings had been achieved, putting the council ahead of its year-end target of £507,000.

Growth Scrutiny Committee Work Programme

The committee reviewed its work programme for the coming year. It was noted that the Sleaford County Offices Demolition report had been removed from the 20 October 2026 meeting to allow for a review of the project timeline. One member requested that the Grantham High Street Audit be added to the work programme for scrutiny, and the Health Scrutiny Officer agreed to consider this request. The committee agreed to the work programme and noted the comments made.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:35 am and reconvened at 11:45 am. The meeting concluded at 1:08 pm.