The Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Wednesday, 15 April 2026, to discuss a range of significant issues including the region's housing strategy, the GLCCA's pay policy, and updates on rural and local transport plans. Key decisions included the endorsement of the first part of the Greater Lincolnshire Housing Strategy and the proposed approach to work planning for the upcoming year.

Housing Strategy and Pipeline Update

The committee reviewed the Greater Lincolnshire Housing Strategy and Pipeline Update, which had previously been presented to the GLCCA Business and Infrastructure Board. The strategy aims to ensure that all residents have access to attainable, well-placed, and appropriate homes, aligning with the GLCCA's Corporate Plan. The strategy acknowledges the diverse housing needs across Greater Lincolnshire, from an ageing population requiring adaptable housing to the demand for affordable homes and the challenges posed by coastal flood risks and water scarcity.

The report highlighted the importance of a Strategic Place Partnership with Homes England to accelerate housing delivery. It also detailed the national policy landscape, including government ambitions to build 1.5 million new homes and the updated National Planning Policy Framework. Various government funding streams, such as the Social and Affordable Homes Programme and the National Housing Bank, were discussed as potential avenues for investment.

The committee heard about the GLCCA's housing principles, which include deliverability, support for housing growth in key employment areas, encouraging co-funding, and alignment with investment funds. The report provided a profile of Greater Lincolnshire, detailing its geography, population demographics, and housing characteristics, including variations in home ownership, affordability, and housing stock by property size. The strategy also outlined strategic interventions for housing, such as collaboration with Homes England, identifying local authority priority sites, and delivering strategic growth through private sector and philanthropic investment. The potential for a new town was discussed as a long-term, transformational opportunity requiring substantial evidence and partnership working. Case studies on the STEP Fusion project and the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone illustrated how housing development can be integrated with wider strategic growth. The housing pipeline work has identified a five-year pipeline of approximately 28,759 homes, with a longer-term pipeline of an additional 81,594 homes. The committee was asked to review and comment on the report and support the development of Part 2 of the Housing Strategy.

GLCCA Pay Policy

The committee considered the GLCCA's Pay Policy Statement, which sets out the authority's approach to remuneration, ensuring transparency, accountability, and compliance with statutory requirements. The policy aims to clarify the principles behind pay decisions, assist managers in applying them consistently, and provide staff with an understanding of how remuneration is determined. It also reinforces good governance and accountability, allowing members to oversee pay arrangements responsibly.

During the discussion, concerns were raised about how senior roles' performance-related pay is measured, with clarification that it would be based on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Questions were also raised about the bonus scheme for the Chief Executive and Section 73 Officer, with some members expressing reservations about bonuses being applicable only to the highest earners and not cascaded down to other staff. The committee ultimately agreed to endorse the majority of the policy, subject to a review of the section on performance-related pay.

The Rural Transport Group

The committee reviewed a report on the Mayoral Rural Transport Group, which was launched in Westminster on 15 January 2026. This group, chaired by the Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, brings together councils, government departments, transport bodies, and MPs to address the unique transport challenges facing rural areas. Key themes emerging from the first meeting included demand-responsive transport, bus franchising, fare subsidy, policy development, data, and sharing best practice. The GLCCA has taken on the action to investigate platforms for sharing best practice, and the next meeting will be hosted by the Department for Transport (DfT) in York, focusing on data and best practice in rural bus services. The committee was asked to review and comment on the report and support the development of the Rural Transport Group.

Greater Lincolnshire Local Transport Plan – Programme Update

An update was provided on the programme to develop the first Greater Lincolnshire Local Transport Plan (LTP), a requirement for the new local transport authority. Officers from constituent councils have been working together on the eight stages of the plan. The report outlined current progress and proposed next steps, including early engagement activities such as stakeholder workshops, an online survey, and a public-facing transport roadshow. This engagement aims to gather views from as many people as possible to inform the policy development of the LTP. The committee was invited to review and comment on the programme and support the proposed engagement strategy.

Greater Lincolnshire Enhanced Partnership (GLEP) and Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP)

The committee considered a report on the implementation plan for transitioning from three existing local enhanced partnerships for bus services to a single Greater Lincolnshire-wide model. This will also involve developing a new unified Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), which will be the key strategic document alongside the Local Transport Plan. The report outlined statutory requirements, proposed governance arrangements, including a new GLCCA Enhanced Partnership Board, and milestones leading up to April 2027, when the new model will be fully in place. The Transport Board had previously approved the draft terms of reference for the GLCCA Enhanced Partnership Board, the implementation plan, and the publication of a notice of intention to create the partnership. The committee was asked to review and comment on the report and support the development of the GLEP and BSIP.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Planning 2026-27

The committee discussed the approach to planning its work programme for the 2026-27 year. The proposed approach involves consultation with chief officers, the Executive, and other stakeholders, including the Mayor and chairs of GLCCA Boards and Advisory Panels. A work planning session with committee members is planned for June to consolidate a long list of topics into an agreed Scrutiny Work Programme. The committee was asked to agree to this approach to consultation and work planning.

GLCCA Forward Plan and Work Programme for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Finally, the committee reviewed its current work programme for 2026-27. The report outlined planned items for upcoming meetings, including the Housing Strategy and Pipeline Update, Pay Policy, The Rural Transport Group, Local Transport Plan updates, and the GLEP and BSIP. It also included planned performance reporting and financial items such as the draft Medium Term Financial Plan and Treasury Management Strategy. The committee was asked to review and agree the work programme, highlighting any additional scrutiny activities for inclusion.