Agenda and draft minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 20 January 2026 (copy enclosed). 

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 20 January 2026 were agreed and signed by the Leader.

As no discussion was required on the exempt set of minutes from the Cabinet meeting held on 20 January 2026, appended later on the agenda, these minutes were also agreed and signed by the Leader at this point.

(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.)

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To approve and refer to Council on 26 February 2026 for consideration and approval: The General Fund Budget for 2026/27, including the use of reserves, Medium Term Financial Strategy, Capital Programme and Strategy, Treasury Management Policy/Strategy and the Annual Delivery Plan including the approval of Council Tax levels (report of the Director of Finance (S151 Officer) enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Finance (S151) which requested approval and referral to Council on 26 February 2026 for consideration and approval: The General Fund Budget for 2026/27, including the use of reserves, Medium Term Financial Strategy, Capital Programme and Strategy, Treasury Management Policy/Strategy and the Annual Delivery Plan including the approval of Council Tax levels.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance presented the report.

The creation of the budget had been challenging for South Holland.

This was because of the uncertainty over the outcome of the Government’s Fair Funding Review not becoming clear until mid-December.

To add to this, errors were flagged on the methodology used by the government to calculate the figures announced in December. This meant that further adjustments had to be made by the Government in the Final Local Government Settlement which was only released late last Wednesday.

The budget position continued to be refined from the information provided post Final Settlement. Whilst the position for 2026/27 remained unchanged, it was future years that were affected, with the gap being more than what  had been budgeted for from the original figures provided in the Provisional Settlement.

General Fund budget:

While the move to multiyear settlements significantly improved medium term visibility, the immediate impact for South Holland District Council had been a rebalancing of funding sources exercise, rather than it being a net increase in resources.

In particular, the reset of Business Rates and the revaluation exercise being progressed had materially reduced locally retained income, thus placing greater reliance on Revenue Support Grant and transitional protections provided directly by the government.

This was at a time when the following was sought:

·             Supporting those who were most vulnerable in our society

·             Creating a vibrant District for our residents to live in, and also

·             Creating an environment for businesses to grow.

The budget also included expenditure for the creation of the Food Waste collection service for which SHDC received no additional resource from the government and which the Authority had managed to budget for within existing resources.

Furthermore, the Internal Drainage Boards continued to be an ever-increasing pressure, with an increase in their levy for 2026/27 of 4.6%. This took the increase since 2021/22 to 49% with the total cost for 2006/27 being £3.723 million which now accounted for 55% of the Council Tax retained.

Against this backdrop, the proposed budget:

·             Delivered a balanced and sustainable position for 2026/27

·             Supported statutory service delivery

·             Protected financial resilience, and

·             Maintained capacity for transformation and investment

Additional efficiency measures, further partnership working across the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership, and maximising income opportunities had been key to mitigating the financial challenges. Despite a complex and volatile environment, the proposed budget enabled the Council to maintain service delivery in line with its priorities.

Included in the budget pack was a suite of Treasury Management documents. These were very important for the Council as they outlined its Treasury Management strategy for the year which included the management of the Council’s  ...  view the full minutes text for item 102.

To propose revised waste policies, including the Policy Development Panel’s feedback (report of the Director of Communities).

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Communities which requested approval of waste policies required to implement the new waste collection delivery model.

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate and Environmental Services presented the report.

Cabinet made the decision in July 2025 to change the waste collection regime within the South Holland area and since that time, the team had been working towards implementing those changes.

A key item of those changes were the new waste policies which had been considered by two Special Policy Development Panel meetings on 17 December 2025 and 9 February 2026, prior to consideration at this meeting.

Members were reminded that these changes were driven by the Environment Act including the introduction of weekly food waste collections and the separation of paper and card from other recyclables.

The policies could be found in Supplement 1 of the agenda pack:

• Appendix A - Summary of Policies and Policy Development Panel discussions; and
• Appendix B - Full Policies document

Whilst there were a number of changes to the policies as a result of moving from bags to bins, the key change to identify was policy 3.5 on Side Waste, which stated that nothing placed outside of the bin would be collected.

For properties that were identified as not being suitable for bins, the policy outlined the number of bags that would continue to be provided and how many could be presented per collection.

Although the changes may be unpopular, SHDC as a local authority was required to:

• Control the amount of waste being collected.
• Drive up the amount of waste being recycled.
• Drive down the amount of waste being incinerated.

All of these would lead to a more effective and efficient service.

For those with additional capacity needs, Policy 3.14 showed that households of 6 or more residents or those with health needs would be able to request additional capacity.

Consideration was given to the report and the following issues were raised:

·       Members acknowledged the thorough work undertaken by the Policy Development Panel in scrutinising the policies.

·       Members raised concerns regarding the proposed charging arrangements for places of worship, village halls and community centres, noting that these venues were often run by volunteers and not-for-profit groups.  They also queried the original policy position relating to bin allocation and charging, particularly the shift from providing one free bin set to charging for all containers.

o   The Portfolio Holder responded that one free bin had been the original policy position, that the Policy Development Panel had recommended the revised approach of charging at a commercial rate due to the commercial nature of many activities undertaken within these buildings, such as private hire events, and that Cabinet retained the authority to amend the recommendations. It was confirmed that one free set of bins could be provided, with any additional requirement chargeable.

·       Councillor Taylor proposed an amendment to Recommendation 1, clarifying that places of worship, village halls and community centres should not be charged at a commercial rate  ...  view the full minutes text for item 103.

To provide Cabinet with an update on progress made towards meeting the outcomes of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, including revised consumer standards (report of the Assistant Director – Housing enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Housing which provided Cabinet with an update on progress made towards meeting the outcomes of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, including revised consumer standards.

The Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing presented the report.

The report provided an update on the Council’s progress in meeting the outcomes of the RSH consumer standards.

The report outlined the steps taken to address identified weaknesses, including the progress against the Regulatory Improvement Plan and continued delivery of the Housing Transformation Programme.

Key improvements included:

• Stock condition surveys were now over 91.12% complete, giving  accurate data on homes, with surveys continuing to take place.
• Tenant engagement had expanded, with the development of a Tenant Scrutiny Panel which was being recruited to this month (February).
• Review of key letters with tenants to ensure they were providing clear and understandable information.
• Several key tenant led policies had been developed and adopted, including the Reasonable Adjustments Policy and Aids and Adaptations Policy, ensuring services better reflected tenants’ needs.
• Development of a Contractor Code of Conduct with Tenants.

The Council remained committed to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement and the quarterly reports would provide progress on how the authority was working towards a C1 grading.

Consideration was given to the report, and the following issues were raised:

·         Members congratulated officers on the progress achieved to date and stated that a high bar was being set.  In addition, it was encouraging to see the new level of transparency around housing issues.

 DECISION:

1)    That Cabinet notes the progress made in addressing areas of weakness identified in the Regulator of Social Housing’s C2 judgement of the Council against the consumer Standards as part of its proactive regulatory inspection regime;

2)    That Cabinet notes the quarterly Tenant Engagement Impact Assessment Report (included as Appendix C).

(Other options considered:

·         Do nothing – to retain progress updates through operational arrangements with the Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing.  This option is not considered to be appropriate as the Regulator of Social Housing is clear that Councillors are responsible for ensuring that the Council, in its role as a registered provider, is meeting the regulatory standards set;

Reasons for decision:

·         To provide oversight, awareness and assurance of the Council’s compliance with regulatory requirements as a Social Landlord).

Adoption of a new Safeguarding Policy (report of the Assistant Director – Communities and Housing Services enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Communities and Housing Services which requested adoption of a new Safeguarding Policy.

The Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing, Conservation and Heritage presented the report.

Under the ‘Children Act 1989 and the Care Act 2014’ all local authorities were legally required to have safeguarding procedures in place. The policy under consideration laid out clear and consistent guidance to all officers and councillors across the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership area, on how to deal with concerns they may have in respect to safeguarding vulnerable adults or children. This included where to seek advice and how to submit a case for further action.

The policy would be reviewed annually for minor changes such as practice updates from case reviews, which would be overseen by the Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing, Conservation and Heritage.  A full review would also take place every four years, with any proposed revisions presented to Cabinet for approval to maintain strategic oversight and governance.

Supporting the strategy development and its subsequent actions, the shared Safeguarding Officer would play a key role in the administration of our safeguarding responsibilities.  This included ensuring appropriate training was in place and being undertaken for all officers and Councillors each year.

The Chief Executive commented that a lot of the good practice required in this area was already in place within the HRA.

DECISION:

1)    That Cabinet adopts the joint SELCP Safeguarding Policy.

2)    That Cabinet delegates authority to the Assistant Director – Communities and Housing Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder to make minor amendments to the policy, ensuring it remains up to date with legislative changes and operational requirements.

3)    That the Assistant Director – Communities and Housing Services undertakes a full review of the policy every four years, with any proposed revisions presented to Cabinet for approval to maintain strategic oversight and governance.

(Other options considered:

·         An updated single policy for each council was considered but discounted due to the possible confusion this may cause.  Especially when considering the fundamental requirements of the Children Act 1989 and the Care Act 2014 are the same for all three councils;

Reasons for decision:

·         Under the Children Act 1989 and the Care Act 2014, all local authorities are legally required to have safeguarding measures in place, helping to protect children and vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect and exploitation;

·         Prior to the three councils moving to the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership (SELCP), each council had their own safeguarding policy.  Following the move to a single workforce, including having a single Strategic Safeguarding Officer for the Partnership, a single policy will ensure a standardised approach to safeguarding exists across the councils and its functions).

To seek approval of the Community Safety Strategy and to recommend its adoption by Full Council (report of the Assistant Director – Communities &  Housing Services enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Communities and Housing Services, which sought approval of the Community Safety Strategy and to recommend its adoption by Full Council.

The Portfolio Holder for Public Protection presented the report.

The South and East Lincolnshire Community Safety Strategy set out how the councils of South Holland, Boston, and East Lindsey worked with partners such as Lincolnshire Police, Fire and Rescue and the voluntary and community sector, to reduce crime, anti?social behaviour (ASB), and fear of crime across the sub?region. It fulfilled statutory duties under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and aligned with countywide activity through the Safer Lincolnshire Partnership.

A strategic review incorporating police data, local health information, the Lincolnshire Strategic Needs Assessment, and public feedback identified four areas of focus for the South and East Lincolnshire Community Safety Partnership:

1. Tackling ASB in our communities, with a particular focus on neighbour-related issues.
2. Develop understanding of fear and perceptions of crime, to identify underlying causes.
3. Work with the Safer Lincolnshire Partnership to support a place?based approach to project delivery.
4. Encouraging increased reporting to build a stronger intelligence picture.

The partnership approach ensured coordinated activity across the three districts, avoiding duplication and making best use of shared resources. Responsibilities such as public consultation, Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews, and countywide public meetings were discharged jointly through the county level Safer Lincolnshire Partnership.

The Strategy aligned strongly with corporate priorities on safe and resilient communities and enhanced the partnership’s reputation for responding to local safety concerns.

The strategy was supported by scrutiny as part of a wider update relating to crime and disorder duties at the end of 2025.

The Portfolio Holder passed on his thanks to officers within the HRA who had provided support and feedback as part of the development of this strategy and associated action plan.

The Leader commented that the South and East Lincolnshire Community Safety Partnership was highly regarded across the County and its effectiveness had been noted by a number of consultees being spoken to as part of the LGR process.

DECISION:

a)    That Cabinet note the contents of the report and the work of partners in addressing crime and disorder in South and East Lincolnshire and Lincolnshire as a whole.

b)    That Cabinet recommends Full Council adopt the Community Safety Strategy which sets out the areas of focus identified by the South and East Lincolnshire Community Safety Partnership.

c)    That Cabinet requests that the Full Council authorises the executive of the authority to make any future amendments to the Strategy as required to meet emerging needs identified; and that subject to Full Council authorisation the Cabinet authorises the Assistant Director, Communities and Housing Services, in consultation with relevant Portfolio Holders to amend the Strategy.

(Other options considered:

·         Do nothing;

Reasons for decision:

·         To communicate the commitment of the South and East Lincolnshire Community Safety Partnership in supporting the Safer Lincolnshire Partnership to meet the statutory duties set out in the Crime and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 106.

Note:         (i)      No other business is permitted unless by reason of special circumstances, which shall be specified in the Minutes, the Leader is of the opinion that the item(s) should be considered as a matter of urgency. 

(ii)     Any urgent item of business that is a key decision must be dealt with in accordance with the Constitution’s Access to Information Procedure Rules.

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