Here is a summary of the scheduled discussions for the South Holland District Council meeting on 1 October 2025. The agenda included portfolio holder updates, a six-monthly partnership performance report, and the designation of a Section 151 officer¹. Councillors were also scheduled to discuss the 2025/26 Quarter One Finance Update and the Governance and Audit Annual Report 2024/25.

Portfolio Holder Updates

Each portfolio holder was expected to provide updates on their activities. Councillor Charles Nicholas Worth, Leader of the Council, was scheduled to provide an update including information on the Mayoral County Combined Authority, markets, Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), and the Spalding Town Board. He noted that engagement sessions continue at pace regarding LGR, and that a detailed proposal document would be coming to a briefing of members towards the end of October, before going to Cabinet for sign off on 24 November.

Councillor Paul Redgate, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance, was expected to discuss the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, finance, and Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs).

Councillor Jim Astill, Portfolio Holder for Corporate, Governance, Communications and Environmental Services, was scheduled to give an update noting that some aspects of his portfolio have moved. He noted that work was ongoing within the Environmental Services on the expansion of the garden waste scheme, and with the detailed planning on waste service changes for the South Holland area.

Councillor Henry Bingham, Portfolio Holder for Assets and Strategic Planning, was expected to discuss the South Holland Centre, Ayscoughfee Hall Museum & Gardens, planning, and assets.

Councillor Tracey Carter, Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing, was scheduled to provide an update on housing landlord services, housing standards, disabled facilities grants, housing services, and the Lincolnshire Good Home Alliance (Good Home Lincs).

Councillor Anthony Casson, Portfolio Holder for Public Protection, was expected to discuss air quality management, the Licensing Act 2003, land charges, food safety, graffiti, and CCTV.

Councillor Elizabeth Sneath, Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing, Conservation and Heritage, was scheduled to provide an update on the Healthy Communities Team, the Household Support Fund, Age Friendly South Holland, Sport England Place Expansion, and the new Conservation Team across the Partnership.

Councillor Gary Taylor, Portfolio Holder for Community Development, was expected to discuss the Give it a Go event in Holbeach, Love Parks Week, the Spalding Pumpkin Festival, the autumn shop window display competition, a parade in Spalding Town Centre to mark Remembrance Sunday, and the Spalding Christmas light switch on.

2025/26 Quarter One Finance Update

The Cabinet was scheduled to put forward recommendations concerning the 2025/26 Quarter One Finance Update. The report before cabinet included a summary of the current financial position for the council at the end of the first quarter of 2025/26 forecasting to the year end. The revenue outturn forecast indicated an overspend position of £462,000 at year-end. The 2025/26 budget included a savings efficiency target of £1.203m. As at 30 June, 54% of this target had been identified. The capital budget for the General Fund as at Quarter 1 was £14.880m. Changes to the capital programme totalling £304,000 were identified. The HRA revenue outturn, showed a surplus of £373,000, and the HRA capital programme totalled £20.356m for 2025/26. The Council's cash continued to perform well, with £371,000 forecast to be achieved in excess of budget.

Designation of Section 151 Officer

The council was asked to designate Russell Stone, the council's incoming Director of Finance, as the council's Section 151 Officer with effect from 3rd November, 2025. The Assistant Director - Corporate noted in his report that the Section 151 Officer, along with the Head of Paid Service and the Monitoring Officer combine to form the Council's Statutory Officer functions, and that these roles are key to ensuring accountability, lawfulness, fairness, probity and general good governance that support the council in achieving its aims.

South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership Performance Report

Councillors were scheduled to receive a six-monthly update on the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership performance. The report set out the progress of the Partnership since the last update in May 2025. Of the 102 activities in the Alignment and Delivery Plan (ADP) for the year, 82% are already complete or on plan. The Partnership Business Case identified that £42m in financial efficiencies could be derived from the 3 Councils working together. The report noted that the Partnership is already on track to achieve the efficiency savings up to £39,174,161.

Governance and Audit Annual Report 2024/25

The Assistant Director - Governance (Monitoring Officer) was scheduled to present the Governance and Audit Annual Report 2024/2025. The report provides an overview of the role and function of the Governance and Audit Committee, committee membership, meeting dates and summary of work undertaken, internal audit, external audit, governance, treasury and accounts, risk management, and training and development.

Appointment of Vice-Chairman Licensing Committee

The council was asked to seek nominations and appoint a Vice-Chairman for the Licensing Committee and the Committee of the Licensing Authority for the remainder of the 2025/26 municipal year. The Assistant Director - Governance (Monitoring Officer) noted in his report that the appointment of a Vice-Chairman to the Licensing Committee and the Committee of the Licensing Authority ensures continuity of leadership and supports the effective functioning of the committees.

Key Decision Plan

The council was scheduled to receive the current Key Decision Plan. The Key Decision Plan shows all key decisions that the council is likely to make over the next twelve months.

Committee Minutes

The council was scheduled to receive the minutes of the following Committees and Panels:

• Policy Development Panel – 24 June 2025
• Governance and Audit Committee – 10 July 2025
• Performance Monitoring Panel – 15 July 2025
• Planning Committee – 16 July 2025
• Committee of the Licensing Authority – 9 September 2025