Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from or on behalf of Councillor T Carter.

(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.

To consider approving the Partnership’s proposal to Government for Local Government Reorganisation in Greater Lincolnshire (report of the Leader enclosed).

Consideration was given to the Report of the Assistant Director – Corporate which sought approval for the Partnership’s proposal to Government for Local Government Reorganisation in Greater Lincolnshire.

Following extensive engagement with partners, communities, businesses, town and parish councils, and all councillors, the Leader of the Council presented to Cabinet a proposal for the future of local government in Greater Lincolnshire.

The Leader advised that the proposal, developed by Boston, East Lindsey, and South Holland Councils, set out a bold vision for the region, meeting the government’s invitation and addressing long-standing challenges such as deprivation. It proposed the creation of two new financially stable unitary councils designed to deliver for the future.

The Leader reported that during engagement across Lincolnshire, transport had emerged as a major barrier to wellbeing, affecting access to education, healthcare, and social opportunities. This was reinforced by feedback from students who highlighted affordability and connectivity issues. The Leader confirmed that the proposal included a plan to address these concerns.

The Leader explained that the approach had started from a blank canvas, considering what structure would best meet the government’s criteria. Unlike other proposals focused on preserving the status quo, this proposal sought to create a new landscape for councils that would better serve communities.

The Leader noted that concerns had been raised about risks to adult and children’s services. He confirmed that the proposal focused on aggregation of these services, guided by expert advice and examples from other areas, ensuring safety and continuity.

The Leader advised that using independently verified financial assumptions and a midpoint approach to avoid optimism bias, the projected savings were £221 million over 10 years, with a four-year payback on initial investment which was significantly more than alternative proposals.

The Leader stated that the new authorities would work closely with the Mayoral County Combined Authority, complementing its role and noted that all partner councils were considering the final proposal during the week, ahead of submission on Friday 28^th November.

The Leader confirmed that the proposal was considered to best meet the government’s criteria and deliver the greatest benefits for communities in Greater Lincolnshire.

Those present acknowledged the significant work undertaken in preparing the documentand agreed that it represented a positive step towards achieving the intended objectives. Concerns were expressed regarding trust in central government and the potential impact of any savings on future grant funding, which might leave authorities in a similar financial position under a different structure.

Those present highlighted uncertainty over funding for road repair and maintenance within Lincolnshire, given the current poor condition of many roads.

The proposed reduction in democratic representation was regarded as detrimental, and questions were raised about the location of Area Committees or Panels, with an expectation that most would be situated in the north of the county. This could lead to significant travel requirements for members and the public. While digital solutions were acknowledged, concerns remained about accessibility and office locations.

Those present recognised the need to maximise potential benefits but cautioned  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.

To approve the submission of a new ten-year Regeneration Plan and four-year investment profile for Spalding under the UK Government’s Pride in Place Programme (formerly Plan for Neighbourhoods) (report of the Director of Economic Development enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Economic Development which sought the approval of Cabinet for the submission of a new ten-year Regeneration Plan and four-year investment profile for Spalding under the UK Governments’ Pride in Place programme (formerly Plan for Neighbourhoods).

The Leader reported that the first four years of the investment plan had been shaped by public consultation, with anti-social behaviour and PSPO enforcement identified as the main concerns. Work had commenced on these priorities, and significant investment was planned to improve safety in the town centre and shopping areas.

A second theme was the desire for more markets and events, recognised as mutually reinforcing to attract visitors and traders. Concerns about empty shops were noted; although vacancies were relatively low, members emphasised the need to support new retail and leisure businesses through affordable leases and reliefs.

Robin Hancox, the Chairman of the Town Board was in attendance at the meeting and expressed appreciation for the opportunity to speak and stated that it had been a privilege to chair the Board over the past 18 months. He noted the strong commitment shown by Board members during this period.

Mr Hancox acknowledged that progress had been somewhat interrupted by the change of government midway through the process; however, once clarity was achieved in October, the Board was able to move forward effectively. Significant support had been received from Council officers in developing the plan, which comprised approximately 90 pages and was based on extensive consultation.

Mr Hancox advised that the consultation process included engagement with residents of Spalding through market stalls, opportunities at South Holland District Council, social media, and online surveys. Many survey questions were derived from the Government’s Zencity initiative, which had provided a useful starting point for gathering feedback

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Mr Hancox expressed gratitude for the contributions of local residents and Board members and confirmed that a strong plan had been developed.  He advised that funding would be phased, with £650,000 expected next year and £2 million in subsequent years. He stressed the importance of managing expectations, noting that the funding would not resolve all issues immediately. He confirmed his willingness to remain involved with the Board and assured members that funds would be prioritised and spent wisely, with continued support from officers and Board members.

In closing, Mr Hancox thanked the meeting for the opportunity to provide background and reaffirmed his commitment to the process.

Members thanked the Town Board team and volunteers for their contributions, particularly on town centre development. The importance of the “Pride in Place” theme was highlighted, with recognition that the £20 million investment represented a unique opportunity requiring high standards and flexibility.

Safety and security remained a priority, with hotspot policing funded by Smarter Funding acknowledged. Members agreed to continue lobbying for improved policing resources. Support for markets and traders was reiterated, alongside ambitions to create a welcoming environment and enhance customer service to compete with online shopping.

Generational inclusivity was discussed, aiming for a clean,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

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.

There were no further items.