Decisions

That the Cabinet considers and notes the quarterly performance for Quarter 4 (as at the end of March 2026) and risk monitoring information for Quarter 3 of 2025/26 (as at the end of December 2025).

To consider the Spalding Heritage Strategy 2026-2035 and South and East Lincolnshire Traditional Buildings Design Guide.

1.    That Cabinet approves the Spalding Heritage Strategy 2026-2035, Action Plan and Theory of Change attached at Appendices 3, 4 and 5.

2.    That Cabinet approves the South and East Lincolnshire Traditional Buildings Design Guide attached as Appendix 1.

To report on the Council’s Finances as at 31st March 2026.

It is recommended that Cabinet:

1)    Notes the General Fund draft outturn position for 2025/26 being an underspend of £258,000 as detailed in Appendix A - Table 1.

2) Approves the reserve transfers as set out in Appendix A – Table 2a.

3) Approve the use of the Neighbourhoods reserve of £130,000 in 2026/27 to support future Neighbourhood service delivery costs shown within Appendix A – Table 2a.

4) Approves the final Spalding Special Expenses revenue position of £76k and the transfer of the surplus to the Spalding Special Expenses reserve.

5) Notes the HRA draft outturn position for 2025/26, showing an underspend of £3.130m as set out in Appendix A - Table 3.

6) Notes the draft HRA capital position for 2025/26 as detailed in Appendix A – Table 4.

7) Approves the rephasing of the slippage of the existing HRA capital schemes into 2026/27 and the budgetary adjustment required, as outlined in Appendix A – Table 5.

8) Notes the draft General Fund capital position for 2025/26 as detailed in Appendix B – Table 1a.

9) Approves the rephasing of the slippage of the existing capital schemes into future financial years as outlined in Appendix B – Table 1d which include amendments to the Capital Programme at Appendix B – Table 1c and the addition to the capital programme in 2026/27 noted in Appendix B – Table 1d which will be financed via earmarked reserves.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL FROM CABINET:

 It is recommended that Cabinet approves the following recommendations for onward referral to Full Council:

10) A capital addition of £2m within the HRA for 2026/27 to enable the continuation and expansion of energy efficiency improvements across the housing stock.

11) Notes the HRA draft outturn position for 2025/26, showing an underspend of £3.130m as set out in Appendix A - Table 3, and approves the transfer of this underspend to the HRA General Reserve.

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

1.    That Cabinet notes the progress made in addressing areas of weakness identified in the Regulator of Social Housings C2 judgement of the Council against the Consumer Standards as part of its proactive regulatory inspection regime.

2.    That Cabinet approves changing the frequency of this report, and its accompanying appendix (Tenant Engagement and Impact Assessment report) to 6 monthly, and that the HRA Governance Framework is updated accordingly to reflect this change.

3.    That Cabinet notes the quarterly Tenant Engagement Impact Assessment Report. (included as appendix B)

For Cabinet to agree the 2027/28 Council Tax Support Scheme consultation

That Cabinet approves consultation to retain the current Council Tax Support scheme, updated in line with the Department for Work and Pension (DWP) annual up-ratings for 2027/28.

Update members on performance of our Complaints Service 25/26 against the Housing Ombudsman Code and to adopt the SHDC Housing Comments, Compliments and Complaints Policy.

That Cabinet:

·         Adopts the Housing Comments, Compliments and Complaints Policy (Appendix 1).

·         Delegates minor operational and legislative amendments to the Housing Comments, Compliments and Complaints Policy to the Service Director for Housing in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing.

·         Notes and endorses the Complaints Performance and Improvements planned reflected in the Housing Annual Complaints Performance and Service Improvement Report for 2025/26 at Appendix 4 and note the Annual Housing Ombudsman Self-Assessment form at Appendix 5.

·         Agree the draft governing body response on slide 4 Appendix 4

Recommendation 1 - Cabinet agrees to extend those policies/strategies listed at Appendix A to 31st March 2028 where their current expiry date is sooner;

Recommendation 2 - Cabinet agrees a delegation to Service Directors, in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder and Monitoring Officer, to update the policies at Appendix A as might be required to accommodate minor or non-material amendments, and consequential amendments where there has been a change in legislation requiring an amendment. This delegation is to be exercised only once Policy Development Panel members have been informally notified of the proposed amendment(s), providing the opportunity for Panel Members to request scrutiny in advance of implementation. This delegation will cease to have effect if Local Government Reorganisation does not proceed.

To retire the Derelict and Untidy Sites Policy

1.    That the existing Derelict & Untidy Sites Policy should be retired and replaced with a guidance signpost document.

2.    A concise 2–3-page Member and Parish Council Guidance Signpost Document be developed, covering several areas:

·        How to identify relevant issues

·        What information to gather

·        Which service to contact

·        Realistic expectations of timescales

·        Links to public reporting methods

To seek Cabinets approval for the adoption of the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) and Hate Crime Policy for the Housing Landlord Service

1.    That Cabinet adopts the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) and Hate Crime Policy for the Housing Landlord Service.

2.    That Cabinet delegates minor operational amendments and/or legislative changes to the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) and Hate Crime Policy to the Service Director for Housing in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing

That Cabinet:

1.    Agrees to take part on the Local Authority Housing Fund Round 4 programme, with a view to bringing 3 properties into the council’s ownership to meet housing needs within the district.

2.    Delegates to the Service Director of Strategic Growth & Development, in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder, to finalise and agree the terms of the MOU for the LAHF Round 4 programme with MHCLG and

3.    That it recommends to Council that the 2026/27 capital programme is amended to reflect the LAHF 4 funds required to match fund the Local Authority Housing Funding of £345,000 received, £70,000 from underspends from round 3, with £434,477 from the council’s S106 affordable housing commuted sum reserves giving a total scheme value of £849,477.

To seek Cabinets approval for the adoption of the updated Damp, Condensation and Mould Policy 2026-2029 (Appendix 3)

1.    That Cabinet adopts the revised Housing Damp Condensation and Mould (DCM) Policy 2026-2029.

2.    That Cabinet delegates minor operational amendments and/or legislative changes to the Housing Damp Condensation and Mould (DCM) Policy 2026-2029 to the Service Director for Housing in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing.

Adopt the Holbeach and Spalding Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans

1.    That Cabinet approves the adoption of the Holbeach Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan (Attached at Appendix 1), including the revised Holbeach Conservation Area boundary (Attached at Appendix 2)

2.    That Cabinet approves the adoption of Spalding Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan (Attached at Appendix 4), including the revised Spalding Conservation Area boundary (Attached at Appendix 5).

3.    That Cabinet approves the Spalding Shop Front Design Guide (Attached in Appendix 6) to be published as an appendix to the Spalding Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan.

To seek Cabinet approval of the South & East Lincolnshire Destination Management Plan and the Destination Management Action Plan for 2026–2030

That Cabinet:

1.    Approves the South & East Lincolnshire Destination Management Plan 2026–2030, attached at Appendix A.

2.    Approves the South & East Lincolnshire Destination Management Action Plan 2026– 2030, attached at Appendix B.

3.    Delegates authority to the Service Director for Culture & Regeneration, in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder, to make minor amendments to the Action Plan and oversee delivery, monitoring and annual refreshes to ensure it remains aligned to local priorities, funding opportunities and partnership arrangements.

There were none.

To enter into contract(s). This will enable the provision of significant works to HRA properties following a full procurement process. The works are required to enable tenants to live independently and safely in their home.