The South Holland District Council met on Wednesday 15 July 2026, with key decisions including formal objection to Lincolnshire County Council's proposed booking system for the Spalding Household Waste Recycling Centre and approval for significant changes to the Housing Repairs Service structure. The Council also approved amendments to the capital programme to fund temporary and resettlement homes and noted a positive financial outturn for the 2025/26 financial year.

Objection to Spalding HWRC Booking System

The Council formally objected to Lincolnshire County Council's proposed appointment-only booking system at the Spalding Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC). Councillors expressed concerns that the system would create a digital exclusion barrier for elderly and vulnerable residents, be unfair to working individuals requiring flexibility, and exacerbate waste pressures due to the Council's no side waste policy. They argued that restricting tip access while banning side waste would lead to a surge in fly-tipping. The Council resolved to demand that the Spalding HWRC remains fully open without booking restrictions, calling for a seven-day operational schedule from 08:00 to 18:00, achievable through a staff shift system at no extra personnel cost. This motion was to be sent to relevant portfolio holders at both South Holland District Council and Lincolnshire County Council, as well as the Lincolnshire Waste Partnership.

Housing Repairs and Compliance Resourcing Review

Approval was sought and granted to amend the Housing Repairs Service Establishment to strengthen its structure, ensuring sustainable service delivery and regulatory compliance. This included adding three new posts: a Housing Repairs and Voids Manager, a Housing Compliance and Assurance Manager, and a Repairs and Logistics Officer. The existing Housing Repairs and Compliance Manager's job title will be changed to Housing Operations Manager – Repairs and Compliance. Furthermore, ten existing fixed-term positions, created to bring damp, condensation, and mould (DCM) response and responsive repairs in-house, were converted to permanent posts. These changes, costing an additional £90,735.75 from the 2026/27 HRA budget, aim to enhance management oversight, improve resilience in critical compliance functions, and ensure the service can meet increasing regulatory demands, including Awaab's Law¹ and emerging consumer standards².

Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) Round 4

Full Council agreed to amend the 2026/27 capital programme to reflect the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) Round 4 funds. This funding, totalling £849,477, will be used to acquire two temporary accommodation properties and one resettlement property. The funding comprises £345,000 from the LAHF, £70,000 from underspends from round 3, and £434,477 from the council's S106 affordable housing commuted sum reserves. This initiative aims to address local homelessness needs, reduce reliance on costly bed and breakfast accommodation, and create long-term housing assets for the authority.

2025/26 Draft Outturn Finance Report

The Council noted a positive financial outturn for the 2025/26 financial year. The General Fund showed a favourable variance of £258,000, exceeding the efficiency target of £1.256 million. The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) reported a significant surplus of £3.13 million, primarily due to a £1.8 million borrowing discount released following the redemption and refinancing of HRA debt, alongside savings on forecast borrowing costs and overachievement of investment returns. Cabinet recommended, and Council approved, a capital addition of £2 million to the HRA for 2026/27 to continue and expand energy efficiency improvements across the housing stock. The HRA underspend of £3.130 million was approved for transfer to the HRA General Reserve.

Implementation of HR Policies

Council approved a suite of revised and new Human Resources (HR) policies. These included three new policies: the Fixed-Term Contracts and Secondments Policy, the Housing Competence and Conduct Policy, and the Housing Code of Conduct. Four existing policies were also revised: the Learning and Development Policy, Managing and Supporting Change Policy, Probation Policy, and Recruitment Policy. These policies have been developed across the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership (SELCP) to ensure consistency, legal compliance, and best practice in workforce management. The Housing Competence and Conduct Policy and Housing Code of Conduct were developed with significant tenant engagement to meet the requirements of the Regulator of Social Housing's Competence and Conduct Standard.

Annual Treasury Report 2025/26

The Council received and approved the Annual Treasury Report for 2025/26. The report detailed the Council's treasury management activities, including capital expenditure, financing, investment portfolio performance, and borrowing strategy. Key highlights included the repayment of £67.5 million of HRA borrowing at a favourable discount of £18.4 million, which was refinanced with new borrowing at a lower average interest rate. This restructuring is projected to save approximately £0.084 million annually in interest payments for 2026/27 and 2027/28, with the discount being credited to the HRA revenue account over ten years. The report also noted a favourable variance of nearly £3 million in interest payable and receivable during 2025/26.

Other Matters

• Minute Silence for Councillor David Wilkinson: A minute's silence was observed in memory of Councillor David Wilkinson, who had served the residents of Long Sutton with distinction since 2007. Tributes were paid by Councillor Eldridge (on behalf of Councillor Tyrrell) and Councillor Alcock, highlighting Councillor Wilkinson's dedication to community projects, scrutiny, and his collegial spirit.
• Nominations for Committees and Other Seats: Following the passing of Councillor David Wilkinson, Councillor Barnes was appointed as the Council's representative on the South Holland Internal Drainage Board, and Councillor Beal was appointed as the Council's representative on the Wash and North Norfolk Marine Partnership.
• Addition to Shared Workforce Structure - Section 113 Agreement: Council approved the permanent sharing of the Democratic Services Manager post with Boston Borough Council under a Section 113 agreement, following consideration of an exempt report.