The Cabinet of South Holland Council met on Tuesday 20 January 2026 to discuss a range of important issues, including the council's financial performance, housing standards, and long-term asset management strategies. Key topics included the Q2 performance report, proposed housing standards policies, a partnership social media policy, and the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan and Asset Management Strategy. The transfer of open space to Sutton Bridge Parish Council was also scheduled for consideration.

Q2 Performance Report 25-26

The Cabinet was scheduled to receive an update on the council's performance for the period of July 1 to September 30, 2025. The report, authored by Corey Gooch, Business Intelligence and Change Manager, and presented by Councillor Jim Astill, Portfolio Holder for Corporate, Governance, Communications and Environmental Services, aimed to provide an overview of key performance indicators. The report indicated that 90% of the council's performance metrics were on target, with 7% slightly below and 3% significantly under target. Areas highlighted for attention included the percentage of corporate complaints responded to within set timescales and the percentage of fly-tips collected within five working days. The Performance Monitoring Panel had previously discussed these underperformances, suggesting feedback mechanisms for fly-tip reporters and noting a decrease in fixed penalty notices issued by Kingdom due to staffing issues.

Housing Standards Policies

Councillor Tracey Carter, Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing, was scheduled to present the South and East Lincolnshire Housing Standards Policies for approval. The report, authored by Jon Challen and Luke Settle, and presented by Emily Spicer, Assistant Director – Communities and Housing Services, covered three draft policies: Empty Homes, Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO), and Housing Standards Enforcement. These policies had been reviewed, updated, and aligned across the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership to ensure consistency and compliance with statutory requirements. The Empty Homes Policy introduces a scoring matrix for prioritisation, the HMO Policy establishes a consistent partnership-wide fee structure, and the Enforcement Policy revises fixed penalty notice amounts in line with the Renters' Rights Act.

Partnership Social Media Policy

Councillor Jim Astill, Portfolio Holder for Corporate, Governance and Communications, was scheduled to seek approval for the Partnership Social Media Policy. The report, authored by Shaun Gibbons, Group Manager – Communications and Engagement, and presented by James Gilbert, Assistant Director – Corporate, outlined a coordinated approach to social media usage across the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership. The policy aims to provide clear house rules for residents interacting with the council's social media channels, establish strategic objectives based on data and audience insights, and detail security and housekeeping protocols. The policy also addresses the use of social media by officers and followers, comment moderation, and response protocols, noting a strategic shift away from X (formerly Twitter) towards platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn, with potential exploration of Bluesky.

HRA Business Plan and Asset Management Strategy

Councillor Tracey Carter, Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing, was scheduled to present the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan 2026-2056 and the HRA Asset Management Strategy 2026-2035 for consideration and feedback. The report, authored and presented by Vikki Cherry, Assistant Director – Housing, detailed a 30-year HRA Business Plan that models financial sustainability based on updated stock condition data and new requirements in the social housing landscape, including rising inflation and increased investment needs. The plan projects significant investment in housing stock, aiming to meet government standards for energy efficiency (EPC C by 2030) and address repairs to sewage treatment works. The Asset Management Strategy outlines an action plan based on these recommendations, including a five-year capital investment programme. Tenant and Member consultations informed the strategies, with a focus on extending component lifecycles, prioritising existing stock investment, improving neighbourhoods, and supporting aids and adaptations.

Transfer of Open Space to Sutton Bridge Parish Council

Councillor Henry Bingham, Portfolio Holder for Assets and Strategic Planning, was scheduled to present a report seeking Cabinet approval to transfer a parcel of land at King Street Playing Field, Sutton Bridge, to Sutton Bridge Parish Council. The report, authored by Andy Fisher, Deputy Chief Executive, Programme Delivery and Assistant Director – General Fund Assets, recommended relying on the provisions within Circular 06/2003 to transfer the land at an undervalue of £29,999. This decision was justified as likely to contribute to the promotion or improvement of social well-being. The transfer would include restrictive covenants limiting the land's use to car parking and other recreational purposes, with a 100% overage clause in favour of the Council triggered by any alternative use. The report also noted that the land edged red on the accompanying plan was already subject to a Portfolio Holder decision for transfer at its unrestricted market value.

The meeting also included scheduled discussions on restricted minutes and debt write-offs, which were not detailed in the publicly available agenda.