Agenda and minutes

A minute silence was held in memory of former District and County Councillor Howard Johnson and former Council Officer Micky Dawson.

The Chairlady paid tribute to Howard Johnson, remembering his dedicated service, honour, humour, kindness, and love of travel. She also paid tribute to Micky Dawson and remembered him as a hard?working member of the community known for his contributions to Spalding in Bloom and fondly remembered by many for kindly bringing eggs into the building to share. Both individuals were wonderful people who would be sadly missed.

The Leader described Howard Johnson as a true Spalding man with a great sense of humour, strong opinions, and a tendency to start meetings by talking about Australia. He was a real character and a dedicated ward member who would be greatly missed. Micky Dawson would be remembered as a practical, hands?on officer who was always willing to help, often using the tools he kept in his car—including a chainsaw. He was known for getting things done quickly and for sharing items from his work as a butcher, he would be missed a great deal.

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 26 November 2025 (copy enclosed).

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting of Full Council held on 26 November 2025.

DECISION:

That the minutes of the meeting of Full Council held on 26 November 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 reported a busy and enjoyable Christmas period, which included hosting a stall at the Christmas Light Switch-On where children visited Santa and took part in festive crafts, raising £432 for her chosen charities. She was honoured to deliver her Christmas message alongside the talented young choir from Spalding Academy Primary School, and she also had the privilege of switching on the lights at Glenholme Care Home. Additionally, she attended a Charity Carol Concert at both Lincoln Cathedral and Lincoln Guildhall, presented an award at the Boston Sea Cadets’ Awards Night, and was invited to cut the ribbon at the Show Home Opening Ceremony for the new homes in Gosberton.

The Chairlady outlined several forthcoming events, beginning with the Race Night at Welland Yacht Club on Friday 6 February, where councillors were encouraged to attend or support by sponsoring a race for £30 or a horse for £5, with thanks given to those who have already contributed. She also highlighted the Charity Quiz Night on Saturday 21 February at Project St Thomas Hall, priced at £10 per person including a pulled pork roll and sides, and the Civic Evening Event at Cley Hall Hotel on Saturday 2 May 2026, costing £35 per person and featuring entertainment, roulette and blackjack tables, a hot and cold buffet, and complimentary welcome drinks.

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

Consideration was given to the report of the Leader which asked the Council to note Portfolio Holder updates on work being undertaken within each of their Portfolios.

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.

Members of the Cabinet made the following announcements:

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate and Environmental Services made the following announcement:

At a recent meeting of Spalding Town Forum, concerns were raised about parks in Spalding. Councillor Astill wanted to reassure members and the public that all council?managed parks were safe. A separate project specifically focused on Spalding’s parks was being considered, potentially funded through special expenses, while parks under the HRA would be reviewed separately. Any proposals would return to the Spalding Town Forum for discussion in due course.

The Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing made the following announcement:

Councillor Carter thanked the Spalding Town Forum for raising concerns about play equipment. Housing had already been confident that all play areas were safe, but following the forum’s discussion they had reviewed the issue again. They had confirmed that all HRA?managed play sites were inspected weekly, with no unsafe equipment identified, although it was appreciated that some items were not in perfect condition. Councillor Carter clarified that six sites in Spalding and one in Sutton Bridge fell under the HRA, not the General Fund, so they were outside the remit of the Spalding Town Forum. Tenant engagement had shown that residents prioritised investment in their homes over neighbourhood play areas, and no complaints had been received about the equipment. Housing would continue to consult tenants but appreciated the forum’s attention to the issue.

A question on notice was received from Councillor J Le Sage and a response was provided by the Portfolio Holder for Corporate and Environmental Services.

Question:

Could you please give a breakdown over the last three years of the repair budget for SHDC play parks and the actual monies spent ex the repair works at Ayscoughfee following vandalism.

Response from the Portfolio Holder for Corporate and Environmental Services:

The repair budget for play areas is £2,000 pa.

Actual cost of repairs allocated to this budget over the last three years is:

22/23 = £2,620

23/24 = £2,153

24/25 = £1,611

Costs for the operatives completing the inspections and repairs are covered withing the Neighbourhoods staffing budget.

A project to review projects in Spalding is being considered and further details will be brought to STF in due course.  Note this does not include parks covered by the HRA, these will be addressed separately.

No supplementary question was asked.

The original Question on Notice and Portfolio Holder response was provided to members in printed form at the meeting and are detailed above.

Question to: Councillor Worth

Question from: Councillor Barnes

Subject: Spalding Flower Parade

Councillor Barnes asked the Leader whether he had any comments to make about the cancellation of the Spalding Flower Parade for 2026. Councillor Worth responded that the Flower Parade was run by an independent organisation, but he was open to discussions with the organisers at any time. The parade was beneficial for Spalding and although the organisers had previously been reluctant to work with the Council, the door remained open for collaboration.

Question to: Councillor Worth

Question from: Councillor Barnes

Subject: Police Force reduction

Councillor Barnes asked the Leader to comment on the recent news that the number of police officers supporting South Holland had been reduced. Councillor Worth responded that there had been a delay in recruitment of new police officers due to funding issues. The funding was now in place and recruitment had begun but it would take six months to complete the training, leaving a temporary gap in local policing. Police resources had been rediverted to focus on rapid response which would reduce neighbourhood policing. The Chief Constable had reassured Councillor Worth that the hotspot policing paid for by the Spalding Town Board would continue until the end of January, after which the board would decide whether to extend the arrangement. Councillor Worth expressed concern about the impact on progress made to alleviating anti-social behaviour in the town centre, particularly issues with cycling, and hoped that the Town Board would continue to support hotpot policing to help mitigate these issues.

Question to: Councillor Casson

Question from: Councillor Avery

Subject: Flytipping down South Drove, Spalding

Councillor Avery queried whether permission could be sought to remove flytipping on Welland and the Deepings Internal Drainage Board owned land on South Drove, Spalding. Councillor Casson responded that the land had been leased to the County Council for a number of years, but this agreement had now ceased. The IDB had agreed to clear the existing flytipping and carry out improvements to the site to prevent future incidents. The work was scheduled to begin on Monday 2 February.

Question to: Councillor Worth

Question from: Councillor Brewis

Subject: Fast Food Packaging Deposit Charge Campaign

Councillor Brewis asked whether there had been any progress on a national campaign for a scheme to offer money back for returning fast-food packaging or similar items. Councillor Worth responded that this had not moved any further due to bigger priorities but would be kept in mind for the future.

Question to: Councillor Eldridge

Question from: Councillor Astill

Subject: Waste Policies

Councillor Eldridge asked whether feedback provided by Policy Development Panel on waste policies would be incorporated into the proposals put forward to Cabinet. Councillor Astill responded that policy positions had been adjusted following feedback from PDP, and these changes would be sent to Cabinet unchanged for them to discuss.

Question to: Councillor Bingham

Question from: Councillor T Sneath

Subject: Free parking across the district

Councillor T Sneath commented that following the success of the free parking  ...  view the full minutes text for item 82.

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

a)    Governance and Audit Committee – 13 November 2025

b)    Policy Development Panel – 25 November 2025

c)    Performance Monitoring Panel – 10 December 2025

d)    Special Policy Development Panel – 17 December 2025

The minutes of the following Committees and Panels were noted:

• Governance and Audit Committee – 13 November 2025
• Policy Development Panel – 25 November 2025
• Performance Monitoring Panel – 10 December 2025
• Special Policy Development Panel – 17 December 2025

Consideration was given to the Key Decision Plan.

DECISION:

That the Key Decision Plan be noted.

To consider recommendations of the Cabinet in respect of:

·         Proposed Amendments/Updates to the Contract Procedure Rules

·         Local Council Tax Support Scheme 2026/27

(report of the Cabinet enclosed)

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

The Leader first introduced the Proposed Amendments/Updates to the Contract Procedure Rules report which had been presented and discussed fully at Cabinet, noting the following points:

• The amendments were needed for two main reasons:
  • Public procurement legislation has changed following the Procurement Act 2023 coming into force on 25 February.
  • The CPRs were last updated three years ago and were now due for review.
• Although the existing CPRs remained compliant, the new amendments further aligned them with the Procurement Act and introduced additional updates.
• Appendix 1A contained a clean version of the updated CPRs; Appendix 1B showed the track?changes version.
• Appendix 2 outlined the proposed delegations to officers, with updated figures to match the new procurement thresholds.
• Appendix 3 highlighted key changes, including new sections on conflicts of interest, pre?market engagement, updated procurement thresholds, and strengthened contract management and monitoring requirements.

The Leader then introduced the Local Council Tax Support Scheme 2026/27 report which had been presented and discussed fully at Cabinet, noting the following points:

• The Council must carry out an annual review of its Council Tax Support Scheme for working?age claimants and consult with major precepting authorities and stakeholders.
• The scheme for pensioners is set by the Government and cannot be altered by the Council.
• Considering ongoing economic challenges and the need to support working?age households, Cabinet decided to consult on continuing the current Council Tax Support Scheme.
• For 2026/27, the scheme provides up to 85% support for households with children and 75% for other households.
• Consultation feedback showed that most respondents agreed that the Council should retain the existing levels of support.
  
  

Members queried the low number of responses to the consultation and asked whether anything more could be done to get more people to respond. The Leader responded that it was hard to get people to engage with the consultation but efforts would continue to be made to try and increase the response rate.

DECISION:

Proposed Amendments/Updates to the Contract Procedure Rules:

1. That Council approves the revised Contract Procedure Rules

Local Council Tax Support Scheme 2026/27:

That Council approves the continuation of the current Council Tax support scheme, uprated in line with DWP’s annual update of allowances and premiums for 2026/27.

To consider recommendations of the Cabinet in respect of:

·         HRA Business Plan and Asset Management Strategy

(report of the Cabinet enclosed)

Consideration was given to the report of the Cabinet meeting held on 20 January 2026 which sought approval for the Cabinet’s recommendations.

The Leader introduced the report which had been presented and discussed fully at Cabinet, noting the following points:

• These documents had been produced in partnership with Savills, and shaped by extensive consultation with tenants, Members, and the Senior Leadership Team.
• The Business Plan set out a robust, evidence-led approach to maintaining and enhancing our council housing stock. It was underpinned by up-to-date stock condition data and responded to significant changes in the social housing landscape.
• The HRA remained sustainable over the full 30-year period.
• The plan was fully fundable, delivered on all our principal objectives, and aligned with Local Government Association benchmarks.
• While the plan included an increase in borrowing to deliver the largest investment programme in South Holland’s HRA history, this investment was affordable and necessary to meet government expectations, ensuring our homes remained safe, decent, and efficient. 
• The Asset Management Strategy translated these ambitions into a clear five-year capital investment programme.
• Both documents would be updated annually as part of budget setting to reflect the latest position and ensure we remained responsive to changing conditions.  
• The item was scrutinised at a joint scrutiny session on 13 January.
• Scrutiny commented on the general uncertainty of planning for a 30-year period and stressed the importance of ongoing monitoring, ensuring that financial and human resources are reviewed annually.
• The item was submitted to Cabinet on January 20th, where the recommendations for Council to adopt the documents and delegations were supported, subject to one minor wording amendment, which had since been implemented.

DECISION:

That Council:

a)    Adopt the HRA Business Plan 2026/2056.

b)    Delegates minor operational and legislative amendments to the HRA Business Plan 2026/2056 to the Assistant Director for Housing in consultation with the s151 Officer and the Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing.

c)    Adopt the HRA Asset Management Strategy 2026-2035

d)    Delegates minor operational and legislative amendments to the HRA Asset Management Strategy 2026-2035 to the Assistant Director for Housing in consultation with the s151 Officer and the Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing.

Toseek Councilapproval forthe proposedapplicable rentincrease allowable under theDirection onthe RentStandard 2026 for Council tenants and other housing tenures (report of the Assistant Director – Housing enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Housing which sought Council approval for the proposed applicable rent increase allowable under the Direction on the Rent Standard 2026 for Council tenants and other housing tenures.

The Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing introduced the report, noting the following points:

• When the report was published, the Government had not yet finalised the 2026 Rent Standard, so three options were presented for social rented properties on page 128 of the report. MHCLG had announced that afternoon that the rent policy continued to be set at an increase of up to CPI + 1%. 
• The report recommended that the Council approve the maximum increase permitted under the Rent Standard.  This maximum increase was now confirmed as 4.8% for all properties within the HRA and those managed by the HRA.
• Setting rents at the maximum level permitted was essential to ensure the long-term viability of our Housing Revenue Account and to deliver on our 30-year Business Plan. 
• The team remained committed to supporting those who may face financial hardship with dedicated Tenant Fund continuing. 

Councillor Woolf declared an interest as a renter of a garage within the HRA stock and therefore did not vote on the item.

DECISION:

That:

a)    South Holland District Council approve the following rent increases for 2026/27:

b)    South Holland District Council approve that, for 2026/27, rents for properties let at a social rent are set at the maximum level permitted under the 2026 Rent Standard.

c)    South Holland District Council approve that, for 2026/27, rents for South Holland Homes properties are set at the maximum level permitted under the 2026 Rent Standard.

To seek delegated authority for the Chief Executive to make Orders under Section 91 of the Local Government Act 1972, appointing named persons to be Parish Councillors on a temporary basis (report of the Assistant Director – Governance (Monitoring Officer) enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Governance (Monitoring Officer) which sought delegated authority for the Chief Executive to make Orders under Section 91 of the Local Government Act 1972, appointing named persons to be Parish Councillors on a temporary basis.

The Leader introduced the report, noting the following points:

• When a parish council lacked sufficient elected members, it was unable to conduct basic duties such as considering planning applications or authorising routine business.
• The report outlined a practical and lawful approach under Section 91 of the Local Government Act 1972 that enabled the Chief Executive to make temporary appointments to inquorate parish councils.
• The delegated mechanism ensured continuity, protected local governance, and provided stability for parish communities during periods of low membership.
• The intention was not to intervene unnecessarily, but to ensure no parish within South Holland was left unable to function.

Members made the following comments on the report:

• Members queried whether the outlined process would apply where a parish council is inquorate due to a councillor having a long-term illness.
  • The Democratic Services Manager responded that the quorum to conduct business was three members or a third of members, whichever was greater. In such circumstances where the Parish Council becomes inquorate, the Section 91 process would apply.
• Members asked whether more than one temporary member could be appointed to an inquorate Parish Council to ensure stability and broader perspectives.
  • The Leader agreed that appointing more than one temporary member could be beneficial and appointment of those outside of the Parish could also be valuable to provide a more impartial and balanced approach.

DECISION:

That delegated authority be granted to the Chief Executive, in consultation with District Ward Member(s) for the parish affected, to make such orders under Section 91 of the Local Government Act 1972, to appoint named persons to be Parish Councillors on a temporary basis, following the procedure set out in Appendix A to the report.

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.

Members resolved that, under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

To consider and agree two proposed service reviews; one relating to the Strategic Growth and Development service and the other relating to the Culture and Regeneration service (report of the Director for Economic Development enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Economic Development which sought consideration and agreement to two proposed service reviews; one relating to the Strategic Growth and Development service and the other relating to the Culture and Regeneration service.

DECISION:

That the recommendations detailed within the exempt report be approved.