Councillor Paul Gleeson, Chair of the Committee, led the Boston Borough Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting, where members discussed Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership efforts, Anglian Water's infrastructure plans, community safety, and budget preparations. The committee recommended a safeguarding policy to the cabinet and agreed to bring back the Local Council Tax Support Scheme for further review at the next meeting.

• Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership (LRSP) Annual Report 2025
  • Stephen Batchelor, Senior Manager of the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, presented the Road Safety Annual Report 2025 and outlined the partnership's efforts to reduce fatalities and serious injuries on Lincolnshire roads. He noted that while progress has been made, 52 people were killed and 379 seriously injured in 2024.
  • The report highlighted that most fatal and serious injuries occurred on rural roads and involved male drivers. The highest risk groups remain two-wheel motor vehicle riders, young drivers (17-24 years), and mature road users (60+ years).
  • The LRSP focuses on engineering, enforcement, and education. Engineering efforts include accident investigation and prevention work, and road safety audits. Enforcement involves speed camera operations and campaigns targeting specific road user groups. Education includes community speed watch, dashcam footage submissions, and school programmes.
  • Councillor Pierpoint raised concerns about camera vans not routinely recording untaxed and uninsured vehicles. Batchelor agreed to take this as an action and report back.
  • Councillor Richard Austin BEM praised the 298 community speed watch groups and asked about their effectiveness. Batchelor noted that while some communities want more police support, the scheme sends a valuable message to motorists.
  • Councillor Izard asked about the breakdown of fatal collisions involving drink and drugs, and the impact of newer, safer cars on reducing casualties. Batchelor explained the safe system approach and the importance of enforcement, road design, and driver accountability.
  • Councillor Pierpoint observed that camera vans tend to be in the same positions, making them predictable. Batchelor explained the balance between random patrols and prioritising high-risk sites.
  • A discussion was held about active travel, with a suggestion that the legal presumption of guilt should be on drivers in collisions with cyclists, as in the Netherlands. Batchelor noted that changes to the highway code were moving in that direction.
  • Councillor Martin congratulated the partnership on reducing the number of killed and seriously injured in the last five years.
• Anglian Water Public Affairs Team
  • Emily Lindsdale, Regional Engagement Advisor at Anglian Water, Grant, Regional Engagement Manager, and Michael Stuart, Network Manager for the Grantham area, provided an overview of Anglian Water's operations and challenges in the Boston area.
  • Lindsdale noted that Anglian Water covers the largest geographical area of any water company, serving seven million customers. She highlighted challenges such as climate change, high levels of growth, and limited say in planning applications.
  • Stuart discussed the challenges of burst mains in the Boston area due to population growth, climate change, and aging infrastructure. He mentioned plans to replace 1,130 kilometers of main in the next five years and install a new reinforcement main.
  • Lindsdale provided an update on the Lincolnshire Reservoir project, which will supply enough water for 500,000 homes and reduce demands on sensitive water environments.
  • Councillor Evans raised concerns about sewage coming up through manhole covers in Frampton. Stuart said that non-return valves had been installed at some properties and a scheme to divert the rising main was proposed.
  • Councillor Pierpoint complimented Anglian Water's efficient and professional staff. He inquired about the costs of the reservoirs, to which Grant responded that the costs were significant and would be paid for through customer bills over a long period.
  • Councillor Izard asked about the fastest-growing cities in the region (Milton Keynes, Peterborough, Cambridge, and Northampton) and whether economic growth had been prevented due to a lack of water supply.
  • Councillor Izard urged Anglian Water to get involved in the planning process, regardless of statutory consultee status.
  • Councillor Cresswell asked about the time scales for repairing a sinkhole outside Haven High School. Stuart explained the process of surveying, prioritising, and contracting out the work.
  • Councillor Richard Austin BEM asked how widely the 3P campaign was being translated into different languages.
  • Councillor Richard Austin BEM asked how closely Anglian Water was working with National Grid, given the impact of infrastructure projects on farmers' fields.
• Crime and Disorder Report
  • Peter Hunn, Safer Communities Manager, presented the annual Crime and Disorder Report, highlighting strategic developments, operational enforcement, partnership working, and future priorities. He introduced Dee, Safer Communities Manager for partnership delivery, and Inspector Ian Cotton from Lincolnshire Police.
  • Hunn noted that the report covered the financial year 2024-2025 and outlined the roles of the South and East Lincolnshire Community Safety Partnership (SELCSP) and the Safer Lincolnshire Partnership (SLP).
  • The report included information on Operation Plotting initiatives, hot spot policing, annual campaigns, domestic abuse support, anti-social behaviour enforcement, and CCTV performance.
  • Councillor Evans asked about the noxious odors procedure, to which Hunn responded that it had been successful and is being considered by other forces.
  • Councillor Izard asked for a breakdown of violence and sexual offences and noted an increase in traffic offences and criminal damage. Andrew offered to speak to Peter about expanding on the report to provide more detail.
  • Councillor Pierpoint asked about the division of responsibilities between the council's operations and the police. Hunn explained that it was a joint effort, with the council leading on the incremental approach to anti-social behaviour and the police taking over when criminality was involved.
  • Councillor Martin noted the increased police presence in town.
• South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership Safeguarding Policy
  • Dave Postle, Deputy Strategic Lead for Safeguarding, presented a new safeguarding policy for the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership, combining the separate policies of the three councils.
  • Postle explained that the policy aimed to provide officers and councillors with awareness of what to do if they had a safeguarding concern.
  • Councillor Evans asked about training and development, particularly regarding modern technology. Postle said that bespoke training sessions would be set up to cover specific topics.
  • Councillor Pierpoint asked about record keeping, to which Postle responded that a safeguarding officer had been recruited to ensure robust record keeping.
  • The committee agreed to recommend the policy to cabinet.
• Budget Preparation 2026/27 - Approach & Process
  • Brendan Arnold, Interim Director of Finance, presented the budget preparation approach and process for 2026/27, noting that the new methodology was designed to allow more time for decisions to be made with better quality evidence.
  • Arnold outlined the timeline for preparing the budget, including estimating cost pressures, developing cost reduction proposals, and holding budget scrutiny events in early January.
  • Councillor Izard suggested having a two-day session to go through the different portfolio budgets. Arnold responded that he had seen that operated elsewhere, but that it can be exhausting.
  • Councillor Pierpoint praised the structured approach and inquired about the star chamber process. Arnold confirmed that portfolio holders had received briefings from service managers on potential savings.
  • The committee agreed to note the report.
• Local Council Tax Support Scheme 2026/27 - Consultation
  • Brendan Arnold presented the Local Council Tax Support Scheme 2026/27 consultation, noting that the council was required to review its scheme annually.
  • Arnold outlined three options for the scheme: retaining the current level of support, reducing the maximum level of support for households with children, and reducing the maximum level of support further.
  • Councillor Gleeson expressed surprise that the committee was being asked to comment after the consultation had already started.
  • The committee agreed to bring the item back to the next meeting with a more detailed report.
• Update on Plan for Neighbourhoods
  • Pranali Parikh, Director of Economic Development, provided an update on the Plan for Neighbourhoods, noting that Boston had received approximately £56 million in grants over the last six or seven years.
  • Parikh outlined the government's themes for the plan (thriving places, stronger communities, and taking back control) and the local themes identified by the Plan for Neighbourhoods board (safety, town center improvements, and the 2030 celebrations).
  • Councillor Pierpoint asked whether the Plan for Neighbourhoods board was working with the business forum in the town center. Parikh responded that she was reasonably satisfied with the relationship that had been established.
  • Councillor Richard Austin BEM expressed pleasure that 2030 was included in the report.
  • Councillor Izard asked why no one had mentioned an increase in public toilets or possible free parking.
  • The committee agreed to note the report.
• Review of HR Policies - Pension & Pension Discretions Policy
  • Rachel Robinson presented the Pension & Pension Discretions Policy for review, noting that the policy ensures legal compliance, reflects best practice, and supports consistent workforce management.
  • Robinson highlighted the case-by-case approach for flexible retirement and actuarial reductions.
  • Councillor Izard asked for clarification on the flexible retirement policy, to which Aileen responded that the policy applied to all staff.
  • Councillor Pierpoint asked about record keeping, to which Aileen responded that there was a system in place to keep checks on the records.
  • The committee agreed to note the report.
• Work Programme
  • The committee agreed to add items from the meeting to the work programme.