Agenda and minutes

The Council observed a minute silence to mark the death of John Norman, the former catering contract manager at the South Holland Centre who had sadly passed away recently.

The Leader spoke and commented that John was well known to many across the Council. He would be remembered as a kind individual with a great sense of humour and would be sadly missed by all those who knew him.

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 23 July 2025 (copy enclosed).

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting of Full Council held on 23 July 2025.

DECISION:

That the minutes of the meeting of Full Council held on 23 July 2025 be signed as a correct record.

(Where a Councillor has a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest the Councillor must declare the interest to the meeting and leave the room without participating in any discussion or making a statement on the item, except where a Councillor is permitted to remain as a result of a grant of dispensation.)

There were none.

The Chairlady thanked all those who attended her Civic Church Service at St Mary and St Nicolas Church on Sunday 28 October 2025. Father Rob was commended for leading a thoughtful and community-driven service which captured a valued spirit of togetherness.

She thanked all the cadets from the various organisations, the brownies, the Parish School Choir, and the team of ladies from the Parish Church who all helped make it such a memorable day.

The Chairlady advised of the following forthcoming events:

• Pumpkin Festival on 4 October 2025 in Spalding Town Centre;
• Sight Awareness Month promoted by Spalding Lions in Spalding Town Centre on 18 October 2025 from 9am to 2pm;
• The opening of Tuby’s Funfair organised by the Spalding Lions, in conjunction with Roger and Sophie Tuby; and
• Chairlady’s Bingo Extravaganza at Weston Hills Village Hall on Saturday 25 October at 7pm.

Members were thanked for their continued support. To date, £3119 had been raised for the Chairlady’s chosen charities.

To note Portfolio Holder updates on work being undertaken within each of their Portfolios (report of the Leader enclosed).

The Chairlady invited Members to note the written Portfolio Holder updates, which had been circulated with the agenda which provided a summary of work undertaken by each Portfolio Holder within their respective areas of responsibility.

Members were reminded that the report was for noting only and that any questions arising from its contents should be raised under Agenda Item 8 – Questions Asked Without Notice.

DECISION:

That the Portfolio Holder updates be noted.

The Leader made the following announcements:

The Spalding Town Board had launched its new vision, accompanied by a significant public engagement exercise over the following weeks. Exhibitions would be held at the South Holland Centre and at various local markets, with full details available on the website. The vision presented reflected feedback previously received from the public, outlined proposed ideas, and invited further input—particularly new or unexpected suggestions. Visual materials were included to help illustrate the vision, with a notable emphasis on the river.

The Chairman of the Licensing Committee asked that members be reminded of the mandatory training scheduled for the following Wednesday at 6pm. Group Leaders were requested to ensure their members attended.

There were none.

Question to: Councillor Bingham

Question from: Councillor J Le Sage

Subject: Planning Permission at old Barclays Bank building in Spalding

Councillor J Le Sage queried why the application to convert the former Barclays Bank in Spalding Town Centre to a gaming venue had not been considered by the Planning Committee and had instead been approved by officers. Councillor Bingham responded that the application had been reviewed by Chairman’s Panel which delegated the decision back to officers under delegated authority powers.

Question to: Councillor Carter

Question from: Councillor Gibson

Subject: Hosting of migrants in South Holland.

Councillor Gibson raised a query regarding the recent notification that South Holland District Council was expected to see an increase in the number of migrants it would host, rising from 50 to 182 individuals. He sought clarification on the type of housing being used—whether Council-owned stock or an increase in HMOs—and whether this would incur costs not accounted for in the Council’s budget. It was also queried why Members had not been informed, given the potential impact. Councillor Carter responded to confirm that HRA properties were reserved for those on the housing register and asylum seekers did not qualify for the housing register. In this case, private landlords were being approached directly for rental arrangements by Serco outside of the Council. Where HMO registration was required for these properties, the Council would carry out the standard registration process. Councillor Carter also noted that the Council had previously approved grant-funded refugee accommodation through the Local Authority Housing Fund scheme, including four properties for use by refugees and two temporary accommodation units. Once no longer needed for refugee use, these properties would revert back to the HRA, thereby increasing Council stock over time.

Question to: Councillor Redgate

Question from: Councillor Beal

Subject: Q1 Financial Outturn Report 2025/26

Councillor Beal raised that the Q1 Financial Outturn report showed a number of significant unbudgeted charges and unachieved salary efficiency targets. He queried what actions were being taken to achieve the Council’s objectives. Councillor Redgate acknowledged these concerns and noted that Quarter One marked the beginning of the financial year, with ongoing discussions taking place between Portfolio Holders and Assistant Directors across the Council. He stated that efforts were being made to identify and implement efficiency savings, with optimism that improvements would be reflected in the Quarter Two report and by year-end. The Portfolio Holder emphasised the Council’s continued commitment to financial diligence, noting that surpluses had been achieved in the previous two years through the hard work of officers and Member oversight provided by the Governance and Audit Committee.

Question to: Councillor Worth

Question from: Councillor Alcock

Subject: Mayoral Authority Plans

Councillor Alcock raised a query regarding the Mayoral Authority’s current activities and noted the substantial amount of money set aside for the rental of new premises. He expressed concern about the lack of visible progress, with only feasibility studies underway four months into the financial year. He sought clarity on when the public might expect to see  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

To receive the minutes of the following Committees and Panels:-

a)    Policy Development Panel – 24 June 2025

b)    Governance and Audit Committee – 10 July 2025

c)    Performance Monitoring Panel – 15 July 2025

d)    Planning Committee – 16 July 2025

e)    Committee of the Licensing Authority – 9 September 2025

The minutes of the following Committees and Panels were noted:

• Policy Development Panel – 24 June 2025
• Governance and Audit Committee – 10 July 2025
• Performance Monitoring Panel – 15 July 2025
• Planning Committee – 16 July 2025
• Committee of the Licensing Authority – 9 September 2025

Consideration was given to the Key Decision Plan.

DECISION:

That the Key Decision Plan be noted.

To consider the recommendations of the Cabinet in respect of:

·         2025/26 Quarter One Finance Update

(report of the Cabinet enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Cabinet held on 16 September 2025 which sought approval for the Cabinet’s recommendations.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance introduced the report which had been presented and discussed fully at Cabinet, noting the following points:

• It included updates on the General Fund Revenue Forecast, General Fund Capital, Housing Revenue Account and Treasury Management.
• The report sought approval from Full Council to make amendments to the HRA Capital Programme.

DECISION:

That as recommended from Cabinet, Full Council approves the amendments to the HRA Capital Programme at Appendix A (to the Cabinet report) – Table 4 to take into account the changes set out in this report.

To designate a Section 151 Officer (report of the Assistant Director – Corporate enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director - Corporate which sought the designation of the Council’s Section 151 Officer.

The Leader introduced the report, noting the following points:

• The Council’s Interim Section 151 Officer, would soon be leaving at the end of his contract and therefore the Council had a statutory obligation to designate a new Section 151 Officer
• The Chief Officer Employment Panel had met recently and supported the appointment of Russell Stone as the new Director of Finance
• Russell Stone was highly experienced in local government finance, having most recently served at North Kesteven District Council as Section 151 Officer.

Consideration was given to the report and there following queries were raised:

• Members asked whether it would be possible for a breakdown to be provided detailing the total costs incurred by the authority from the date of the resignation of the previous Section 151 Officer up to the appointment of the new postholder? Could it also include all associated expenses such as interim arrangements, recruitment advertising, and any other costs linked to securing the new appointment?
  • The Leader confirmed that this information could be provided to Members in writing after the meeting

DECISION:

That Russell Stone, the Council’s incoming Director of Finance, is designated as the Council’s Section 151 Officer with effect from 3^rd November 2025.

To provide a six monthly update on Partnership performance (report of the Assistant Director - Corporate enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Corporate which provided a six monthly update on Partnership performance.

The Leader introduced the report, noting the following points:

• This report updated Council on activities across the three partner councils, also being shared with the partner councils at their respective Council meetings.
• Significant progress had been made in delivering key initiatives and external investment had been successfully attracted, with service savings also being achieved.
• Ongoing collaboration between the three councils enabled the authority to exceed expectations and maintain a strong national presence.

DECISION:

That the content of the report be noted.

To receive the Governance and Audit Annual Report 2024/2025 (report of the Assistant Director – Governance (Monitoring Officer) enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Governance (Monitoring Officer) which sought to receive the Governance and Audit Annual Report 2024/2025.

The Chairman of the Governance and Audit Committee introduced the report, thanking committee members, officers and external auditors for their diligent hard work.

DECISION:

That the Governance and Audit Annual report be received.

To seek Council’s approval for the appointment of a Vice-Chairman to the Licensing Committee and the Committee of the Licensing Authority for the remainder of the 2025/26 municipal year (report of the Assistant Director – Governance enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Governance (Monitoring Officer) which sought to appoint to the vacant roles of Vice-Chairman to the Licensing Committee and the Committee of the Licensing Authority for the remainder of the 2025/26 municipal year.

The Monitoring Officer introduced the report.

The Chairman invited nominations for the vacant role of Vice Chairman of Licensing Committee and Committee of the Licensing Authority. Councillor Nanette Chapman was nominated and seconded. No further nominations were received.

DECISION:

That Councillor Nanette Chapman be appointed Vice-Chairman for the Licensing Committee and the Committee of the Licensing Authority for the remainder of the 2025/26 municipal year.

To receive, from political groups, nominations for any changes to Committees and other seats and to consider any proposed changes to the Constitution.

There were none.

There were none.