The Children's and Culture Scrutiny Committee of Lincolnshire Council met on Friday 25 July 2025 to review the performance of the library service, endorse the Lincolnshire Youth Justice Plan for 2025-28, and discuss the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme. The committee also reviewed and agreed its work programme for the upcoming year.

Performance of Library Service Contract - Year 9

The committee received an update on the ninth year of the outsourced library service contract with Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL). The report highlighted a 7% increase in visits to core and mobile library sites, reaching over one million, and a 3% increase in stock issues, totalling 2.3 million across physical and digital platforms. Digital engagement continues to grow, with over 173,000 hours of Wi-Fi use recorded, often by students and businesses. All Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the year were met, with many exceeded. The report detailed various activities and events held across the library network, including the Summer Reading Challenge and World Book Day events, which promoted sustainability and community engagement. Community hubs, described as vital assets, saw over 52,000 volunteer hours dedicated to them. Looking ahead, the final year of the current contract will focus on enhancing existing activities and engagement. Councillors acknowledged the challenging beginnings of the outsourced service but expressed satisfaction with its current positive performance, noting it as an example of national best practice. Discussions also touched upon the ongoing situation with Grantham Library and plans for the next contract period, which aims to further integrate library services with other council departments. The committee resolved to support the ongoing development and proposed Year 10 developments of the library service.

Lincolnshire Youth Justice Plan 2025-28

The committee undertook pre-decision scrutiny of the Lincolnshire Youth Justice Plan for 2025-28. The plan, which is a statutory requirement to secure funding from the Youth Justice Board, outlines the service's commitment to preventing and reducing offending behaviour in children up to the age of 18. The service, Future4Me, was rated outstanding by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) in 2023 and received an outstanding rating from Ofsted for its children's services. The plan emphasises a child first and trauma-informed approach, with a strong focus on prevention, diversion, and early intervention. Key priorities for the next three years include education, training, and employment for young people, work around victims and restorative justice, addressing violence and exploitation, supporting transitions for care leavers, and ongoing workforce development. The committee discussed concerns regarding the length of time children spend on bail for sexual offences and the effectiveness of tracking services, with assurances that work is ongoing with the police to address these issues. The plan also highlights the importance of multi-agency working, with contributions from the Youth Justice Board, Lincolnshire County Council, and the Police and Crime Commissioner. The committee resolved to support the recommendations to the Executive and pass on their comments.

Holiday Activities and Food Programme Annual Report 2024-25

The committee reviewed the annual report on the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme for 2024-25 and developments for 2025-26. The programme, funded by the Department for Education, supports children and young people in receipt of benefits-related free school meals during holiday periods. Lincolnshire's budget for 2024-25 was £2.8 million, with a confirmed continuation of funding for 2025-26. The programme ensures children receive healthy meals, engage in physical activity, and develop an understanding of food and nutrition. The report highlighted good coverage of provision across Lincolnshire, with a diverse market of providers offering varied activities. There has been a notable increase in secondary-age attendance and provision for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), which remains a priority. The committee heard about the extensive partnership working involved in the programme, including collaborations with sports foundations, food retailers, and community groups. Concerns were raised about the future funding of the programme beyond March 2026, with assurances that lobbying efforts are underway. The committee resolved to review and comment on the HAF Programme report and support its developments.

Children's and Culture Scrutiny Committee Work Programme

The committee reviewed its planned work programme for 2025-26. Several changes were noted, including the addition of a report on the children and young people's online counselling support service and a review of children's services supported accommodation. An update report on the children and young people's mental health transformation programme was removed. The committee discussed the inclusion of items related to the success of arts and cultural events across the county and the impact of digital exclusion on access to services, particularly in rural and coastal areas. The committee also considered a proposal to review school admissions in parallel with school planning. The committee resolved to approve the planned work programme, subject to consideration of the items highlighted during the discussion.