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Weekly updates
Boston Council Leader Ousted Amidst Betrayal
Claims
This week in Boston:
Council Leadership Overturned Amidst Accusations of Betrayal
and Financial Inducements
In a dramatic turn of events, Councillor Anne Dorrian was removed as leader of Boston Borough Council at a full council meeting on July 21st, following a motion proposed by Councillor Dale Broughton. Councillor Broughton was subsequently elected as the new leader. The meeting was marked by accusations of betrayal, financial inducements, and a heated debate over the council's direction. Link to meeting.
- Motion of No Confidence: Councillor Broughton argued that Councillor Dorrian had lost significant support within the Boston Independent Group and could no longer effectively lead the council.
-
Hearsay and Lies
: Councillor Emma Cresswell defended Councillor Dorrian, calling the motionbased on inaccurate, unsubstantiated hearsay and lies
and highlighting her success in securing external funding for the council. -
Betrayal Over Bravery
: Councillor Dorrian accused a group of individuals of choosingbetrayal over bravery, and cowardice over conversation,
alleging that councillors had been offered financial inducements to join Councillor Broughton's group. - Recorded Vote: The motion to remove Councillor Dorrian passed with 21 votes for, three against, and four abstentions.
- New Leader Elected: Councillor Broughton was elected as the new leader with 21 votes for, four against, and three abstentions.
-
Dodgy Dale
: Councillor Dorrian claimed that Councillor Broughton was now being referred to asDodgy Dale
on social media.
Capital Project Re-Phasing Approved Amidst Stadium Grant Concerns
Councillors approved the re-phasing of £5.38 million in capital projects from 2024/25 to 2025/26, including funding for the Towns Fund1, Levelling Up Fund2, and Boston Partnership Fund. Councillor Peter Bedford raised concerns about the Boston United grant for stadium additions, questioning when the funds would be released. Link to meeting.
- Towns Fund: £2.109 million re-phased.
- Levelling Up Fund: £324,000 re-phased.
- Boston Partnership Fund: £2.582 million re-phased.
- Stadium Grant Delay: Councillor Bedford expressed frustration over the delay in the Boston United grant, citing escalating costs and public inquiries.
-
Final Arrangements
: Interim Director of Finance Brendan Arnold stated thatfinal arrangements were being made
regarding the Boston United grant.
BTAC Grants and Community Safety on the Agenda
The Boston Town Area Committee (BTAC) met on July 24th to discuss crime and policing in Boston, the BTAC Small and Empowering Healthy Communities Grant Scheme, and the committee's work programme. No video was provided. Link to meeting.
- Small Grants: The committee considered recommendations for grant applications submitted in Round 1 of the 2025/2026 BTAC Small Grant Scheme, aimed at supporting community work benefiting BTAC wards.
- Crime Update: Inspector Ian Cotton of Lincolnshire Police provided a verbal update on crime and policing in Boston.
- Work Programme: The committee discussed and updated its work programme for the current year, including items such as BTAC Small Grants, updates from Lincolnshire Police and Lincolnshire Housing Partnership, and the proposed BTAC Budget 2026/27.
Other Matters
- Councillors approved the revised allocation of seats and appointments as detailed in appendix 1 of the Allocation of Seats Review for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2025-2026.
- Councillors resolved to exclude the public and press from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 4 of part 1 of schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. The item was to implement a pay structure and associated Job Evaluation Scheme for Officers in shared Partnership roles within the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership3.
Upcoming Meetings
- Unknown committee on July 30th will discuss an application for a premises licence for 3-4 Market Place, Boston. Link to meeting.
- Unknown committee on July 30th will discuss an application for a private hire vehicle driver licence. Link to meeting.
- Unknown committee on July 31st will discuss the 2024/25 Q4 finance update, the Q4 performance and risk report, the home energy advice and retrofit team, an update on the plan for neighbourhoods, and local government re-organisation. Link to meeting.
-
The Towns Fund is a UK government scheme to support regeneration projects in selected towns. ↩
-
The Levelling Up Fund is a UK government scheme to invest in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK. ↩
-
The South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership is a collaboration between several local authorities to share resources and expertise. ↩
Boston Council Leader Faces Removal Vote Amidst Scrutiny
This week in Boston:
Council Leader Faces Removal Vote Amidst Financial Scrutiny
A motion to remove Councillor Anne Dorrian, Leader of Boston Borough Council, will be debated at a full council meeting on July 21st. Councillors Dale Broughton and Callum Butler proposed the motion, arguing that Councillor Dorrian has lost significant support and can no longer effectively lead the council. This comes as the council is also set to review its annual treasury report, revealing a net surplus of £710,516 against a budget of £2,117,003. The meeting will also address the allocation of seats on committees following the formation of a new political group. Link to meeting.
- Leadership Challenge: The motion states that Councillor Dorrian can no longer fulfill her function on behalf of council members. If successful, a new leader would be appointed at the same meeting to serve until the next borough council elections.
- Treasury Performance: The Annual Treasury Report 2024/25 shows a net surplus of £710,516, with treasury investment balances at £35.339m and non-treasury investment balances (long-term investments in property funds) at £15.330m as of March 31, 2025. The rate of return on treasury investments averaged 5.29%, while property funds achieved a net rate of 3.21%.
- Committee Seat Allocation: The council is legally required to allocate seats proportionally based on the representation of political groups, as outlined in the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990.
Temporary Alcohol Sales Face Police Objections Due to Public Space Protection Order
The Licensing Sub-Committee met on July 14th to discuss two temporary event notices (TENs) for Star Market, a convenience store on New Street, Boston. The notices requested permission to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises, but Lincolnshire Police objected, citing concerns that it would undermine licensing objectives1 due to the store's location within a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) area. No video was provided. Link to meeting.
- PSPO Conflict: The police argued that without conditions on alcohol sales, the applicant could not demonstrate that licensing objectives would be promoted within the PSPO area, which restricts alcohol consumption.
- Lack of Dialogue: The police also raised concerns about the lack of prior communication with the applicant and insufficient time to fully understand the business.
- Sub-Committee Options: The sub-committee could have permitted the activities, or issued a counter notice preventing the events, but could not modify the notices or impose conditions.
Equality, Crowdfunding, and Body Cameras: Scrutiny Committee Tackles Key Policies
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on July 17th to discuss a range of policies, including the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership's (SELCP) Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy, the South and East Lincolnshire Council's Crowdfunding Scheme, and the Partnership Body Worn Video (BWV) Policy. The committee also reviewed performance and risk reports. No video was provided. Link to meeting.
- EDI Strategy: The EDI Strategy 2025-2028 aims to improve service provision to ensure services are accessible to all, with objectives including understanding community needs, creating diverse leadership, and ensuring inclusive services and employment.
- Crowdfunding Scheme: The South and East Lincolnshire Crowd, launched in Spring 2023, has supported 10 projects with a 90% success rate, raising a total of £105,497.
- Body Worn Video Policy: The BWV policy aims to ensure the lawful and proportionate use of body-worn cameras for violence reduction and evidence collection, with consideration for privacy rights.
Other Matters
- The Boston Town Area Committee (BTAC) are scheduled to meet on 24 July 2025 to discuss crime and policing in Boston, a review of the committee's work programme, and a discussion on the BTAC Small and Empowering Healthy Communities Grant Scheme. Link to meeting.
Upcoming Meetings
- Unknown committee on July 24th will discuss crime and policing in Boston, the BTAC Small and Empowering Healthy Communities Grant Scheme, and the committee's work programme. Link to meeting.
- Unknown committee on July 30th. Link to meeting.
- Unknown committee on July 30th. Link to meeting.
-
The licensing objectives are: the prevention of crime and disorder; public safety; the prevention of public nuisance; and the protection of children from harm. ↩
Boston Council: Questions Raised Over Spending and Insurance Oversight
This week in Boston:
Boston Council Faces Questions Over Town Board Spending and Insurance Contract Oversight
The Audit and Governance Committee met this week, scrutinizing the Boston Town Board's capital projects, internal audit findings, risk management strategies, and treasury activities. Key concerns emerged regarding the oversight of spending on Town Board projects and the council's relationship with PSPSL, particularly in relation to insurance contracts.
- Town Board Scrutiny: Councillor Anton Dani questioned discrepancies in the funding totals for the Boston Leisure project, highlighting a lack of clarity in the project's financial breakdown. Councillor Stephen Woodliffe requested an update on the Boston railway station refurbishment, seeking assurance on the project's completion timeline.
- Internal Audit Concerns: Councillor Barrie Pierpoint, Chairman of the Committee, expressed concern about the time taken to address identified gaps and weaknesses in internal controls. Councillor David Middleton questioned the council's decision to entrust PSPSL with sorting out and placing insurance contracts, given the
limited assurance
rating in this area. -
Adequate
Assurance Debated: Councillor Woodliffe challenged the meaning ofadequate
assurance in the Internal Audit Annual Report, seeking a clearer definition of the term. Claire Goodenough, Head of Internal Audit, clarified thatadequate
meantfit for purpose, satisfactory, and reasonable.
- Risk Management and AI: Councillor Woodliffe raised the absence of any mention of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its potential impact on the council in the Quarter 4 Risk Report.
- Treasury Management Praised: Councillor Cantwell commended the
substantial assurance
rating for Treasury management, while Councillor Middleton questioned the likelihood of the council's property fund investments recovering to their original purchase value. - PSPSL Outsourcing: Councillor Adam Cartwright sought clarification on whether PSPSL had outsourced an insurance contract to an external provider called TRF. Ms Goodenough confirmed that PSPSL did arrange for somebody else to deliver that.
- Budget Preparation Concerns: Councillor Dani expressed concerns about potential pressures on council departments during the budget preparation process. Councillor Woodliffe cautioned about the unstable financial climate and the potential impact of government decisions on the council's budget plans.
Councillor Concerns Prompt Action
The committee's discussions led to several key actions:
- Officers will investigate the discrepancies in funding for the Boston Leisure project and provide clarification.
- A detailed response regarding the insurance contract situation with PSPSL will be provided at the next meeting.
- The council will explore the potential risks and opportunities associated with AI and incorporate them into the risk management framework.
- The council will provide a written explanation of the asset ceiling for pension liabilities.
Cancelled Cabinet Meeting
The Cabinet meeting scheduled for July 9th was cancelled, preventing discussion of key items such as the 2024/25 Q4 finance update, the Home Energy Advice and Retrofit Team, and the Plan for Neighbourhoods.
Upcoming Meetings
- Unknown committee on July 17th will discuss the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership's (SELCP) Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, a crowdfunding scheme, and a body worn video policy, as well as reviewing performance and risk reports. Link to meeting.
- Unknown committee on July 21st. Link to meeting.
- Unknown committee on July 24th. Link to meeting.
- Unknown committee on July 14th will discuss a report regarding two temporary event notices that have been submitted for Star Market on New Street in Boston. Link to meeting.
Boston Approves Fishtoft Homes Amid Flood, Safety Concerns
This week in Boston:
Fishtoft Development Approved Amidst Flood Concerns and Scout Safety Worries
The Boston Borough Council Planning Committee has approved a controversial application for a residential development on land east of Gaysfield Road, Fishtoft, despite objections from residents and concerns about flood risk and the safety of children using a nearby Scout Hut. The decision, made subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement, allows for the construction of 89 dwellings and associated infrastructure.
- Legal Scrutiny: The application had previously been before the committee but was brought back for reconsideration following independent legal advice to ensure a
robust and defendable decision.
- Objectors' Voices: Residents raised concerns about drainage, housing density, and highway safety. Ian Scott argued that the proposed attenuation pond was undersized and incorrectly designed, failing to comply with national drainage design standards.
- Scout Safety: Councillor Helen Crawford, Chairperson of Fishtoft Parish Council, voiced concerns about the impact of the proposed access road on the safety of children using the adjacent Scout Hut and field, requesting relocation of the road or a Section 106 contribution for toilet facilities and a pelican crossing.
- Ward Councillor's Objections: Councillor Helen Staples, ward councillor, objected to the application, citing concerns about the scale and density of the development, flood risk, and the lack of local amenities and public transport.
- Applicant's Defense: Fiona Bedos, land manager for Gleeson Homes, emphasized the company's commitment to delivering affordable, energy-efficient homes and highlighted the financial contributions included in the Section 106 agreement.
- Officer Reassurance: Officers addressed concerns, stating that the drainage strategy had been reviewed by statutory consultees and that the proposed infrastructure would mitigate flood risk. They also defended the proposed housing density as consistent with other modern developments in the area.
- Committee Compromise: The committee added a revised condition requiring a pedestrian crossing of the new entrance road near the Scout Hut, with the design and position to be agreed upon by the local planning authority.
Housing Land Supply Shortfall Influences Decision
The committee acknowledged that Boston Borough Council's assessment of its future housing land supply was 4.6 years, below the minimum of 5 years required by national planning policy. This meant that the South East Lincolnshire Local Plan (SELLP) was considered out-of-date
, triggering a presumption in favor of sustainable development.
Other Matters Discussed
- A petition objecting to the development was noted but did not contain any new material planning considerations.
- Correspondence from Historic England confirmed that the Council's Conservation Officer was the appropriate consultee for assessing the impact on heritage assets.
Upcoming meetings in the next 7 days are listed below. These are included to help you inform readers about what is coming up.
- Unknown committee on July 7th will discuss the annual internal audit, treasury management, risk management and governance statements, as well as the council's unaudited financial accounts. Link to meeting.
- Unknown committee on July 9th will discuss the 2024/25 Q4 finance update, the Quarter 4 24/25 Performance and Risk Report, the Home Energy Advice and Retrofit Team, and the Plan for Neighbourhoods. Link to meeting.
- Unknown committee on July 14th. Link to meeting.
- Unknown committee on July 17th. Link to meeting.
Boston debates £20m plan, HMO enforcement & renters rights
This week in Boston:
£20 Million Neighbourhood Plan Sparks Debate Over Community Benefit
The Boston Borough Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee convened to discuss the government's Plan for Neighbourhoods programme, which will allocate £20 million to Boston over the next 10 years. While the funding is welcomed, concerns were raised about ensuring the projects truly benefit the community and address long-standing issues.
- Funding Breakdown: Pranali Parikh, Director of Economic Development, explained that 75% of the funding is earmarked for capital projects and 25% for revenue, with a plan submission deadline of November.
- Community-Led Approach: The plan is to be prepared by Boston’s communities, particularly the Boston Town Board, and will be reviewed annually.
- Town Board Concerns: Councillor Mike Gilbert expressed reservations about the Town Board, stating that members
tend to sort of have members of the town board who identify projects which are of benefit to the members of the town board and don't necessarily benefit the town.
He requested council oversight of proposed projects. - Councillor Anne Dorrian, Leader of the council, responded that the board is in a transition phase, and that the government expects local people to have a stronger voice in the town board and the projects that evolve from it. She committed to bringing a regular report back to the scrutiny committee to ensure councillors have a voice.
- Education Focus Urged: Councillor Anton Dani emphasized the importance of focusing on education within the plan and collaborating with the county council to improve infrastructure.
- Inflation Concerns: Councillor Stephen Woodliffe questioned whether the funding was inflation-proofed, as £2 million a year may not hold the same value in the future.
- Public Access Limited: Councillor Andy Izard sought clarification on the Town Board's final composition and whether the public could attend its meetings. Councillor Dorrian confirmed that the final board makeup would be finalized by the end of the year or the beginning of next year, and that members of the public cannot attend town board meetings.
- Town Centre Focus: Councillor Alison Austin inquired whether the plan applied to the town centre or the wider area, given the opening of a Marks and Spencer's store at Chainbridge. Councillor Dorrian clarified that the focus is very much on the town centre, with government data and metrics used for measurement.
- Engagement Concerns: Councillor Paul Gleeson, Chair of the committee, noted that while the council seems more prepared to engage and listen to people, the mechanisms for that to come back to the council are not yet in place.
- Community Outreach: Councillor Martin suggested knocking on doors to gather input from residents who may not be active on social media or able to attend surgeries.
HMO Enforcement and Renters Rights Bill Take Center Stage
The committee also received an update on the council's approach to Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), including enforcement activity and the upcoming Renters Rights Bill, which aims to strengthen tenant protections.
- Enforcement Focus: Jonathan Challen, Safer Communities Service Manager, highlighted the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) as the foundation for the council's enforcement efforts, noting that HMOs present the highest risk to tenants.
- Renters Rights Bill: Luke Settle provided an overview of the Renters Rights Bill, calling it the biggest shake up in the private rented sector within the last 20 years. Key provisions include a private sector database requiring landlord registration, increased investigatory powers for councils, higher fines for civil penalties, extended Rent Repayment Orders, Awaab's Law extension to the private sector, a 12-month no re-let period for landlords, and a £7,000 fine for rental bidding online.
- HMO Numbers a Concern: Councillor Izard expressed disappointment that the report focused on enforcement rather than the increasing number of HMOs. He suggested policies to refuse HMOs in areas with high concentrations, require contained garbage and recycling, and mandate planning permission for every HMO.
- Letting Agency Involvement: Councillor Dani suggested involving letting agencies in managing properties and ensuring residents in all HMOs receive the same protections as those in licensed HMOs.
- HMO Quality: Councillor Gilbert stated that most HMOs are reasonably decent places and that delinquent behavior and fly-tipping are not exclusive to HMOs.
- Housing Crisis Concerns: Councillor Woodliffe acknowledged the need to drive out rogue landlords but cautioned that reducing the number of rental properties could worsen the housing crisis.
- Asylum Seeker Housing: Councillor Austin inquired whether the council inspects properties rented by the government for asylum seekers.
- Recurring Issues: Andy Fisher reflected that the issues discussed at the meeting mirrored those from 20 years ago, highlighting the persistent challenges and the lack of optimal solutions due to financial constraints.
Work Programme and Future Discussions
The committee discussed its work programme and agreed to hold an informal workshop on 3 July 2025 to discuss potential topics in a more open and collaborative setting. Councillor Gould said that the workshop would be an opportunity to raise the issue of bins on streets and gating orders. Councillor Staples suggested that members submit their concerns to the chair in advance of the meeting.
Upcoming meetings in the next 7 days are listed below. These are included to help you inform readers about what is coming up.
- Unknown committee on July 1st will discuss topics in a more open and collaborative setting. Link to meeting.
Recent meetings
Boston Town Area Committee (BTAC) - Thursday 24th July 2025 6.30 pm
The Boston Town Area Committee (BTAC) met on 24 July 2025 to discuss crime and policing in Boston, the BTAC Small and Empowering Healthy Communities Grant Scheme, and the committee's work programme. The committee was also scheduled to discuss excluding the public and press from part of the meeting.
Full Council - Monday 21st July 2025 6.30 pm
Boston Council's meeting on 21 July 2025 saw Councillor Anne Dorrian removed as leader, with Councillor Dale Broughton elected as the new leader. Councillors also approved the capital re-phasing from 2024/25 to 2025/26 and the Annual Treasury Report 2024/25.
Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Thursday 17th July 2025 6.30 pm
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee were scheduled to meet to discuss the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership's (SELCP) Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, the South and East Lincolnshire Council's Crowdfunding Scheme, and the Partnership Body Worn Video Policy. Also on the agenda was the Quarter 4 2024/25 Performance and Risk Report, and the committee's work programme and forward plan.
Licensing Sub-Committee - Monday 14th July 2025 10.00 am
Here is a summary of the scheduled discussions for the Licensing Sub-Committee meeting.
Cabinet - Wednesday 9th July 2025 6.30 pm
This meeting has been cancelled.
Audit & Governance Committee - Monday 7th July 2025 6.30 pm
The Audit and Governance Committee of Boston Borough Council met on 7 July 2025, receiving reports on capital projects, internal audits, risk management, treasury activities, governance, and financial statements. The committee agreed to review and approve the Annual Governance Statement for 2024/25 and scrutinise the Annual Treasury Report 2024/25.
Planning Committee - Tuesday 1st July 2025 10.00 am
The Planning Committee of Boston Borough Council met to reconsider planning application B/23/0379 for a residential development on land east of Gaysfield Road in Fishtoft. The committee had previously resolved to approve the application at a meeting on 6 June 2025, but following legal advice, the application was brought back for a fresh decision. After hearing from public speakers and discussing the issues, the committee voted to approve the application subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement[^1].
Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday 17th June 2025 6.30 pm
The Boston Borough Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the Plan for Neighbourhoods and an update on Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). The committee heard that Boston is to receive £20 million over the next 10 years as part of the government's Plan for Neighbourhoods programme, and that the council has received £450,000 in capacity funding to help prepare the plans. The committee also received an update on the council's enforcement activity in relation to HMOs, and discussed the upcoming Renters Rights Bill. The committee agreed to note the report on HMOs and the Plan for Neighbourhoods, and to discuss them further at a workshop on 3 July 2025.
Licensing Committee - Tuesday 10th June 2025 2.00 pm
The Licensing Committee of Boston Borough Council met to discuss and approve a draft statement of licensing policy, which is required to be reviewed every five years under the Licensing Act 2003[^1]. The committee approved the draft policy for consultation, which will run for eight weeks, commencing on 23 June. After the consultation, the committee will consider the responses and approve a final draft to be referred to the full council for adoption.
Regulatory & Appeals Committee - Tuesday 10th June 2025 2.00 pm
This meeting has been cancelled.
Upcoming meetings
Regulatory and Appeals Sub Committee - Wednesday 30th July 2025 12.00 pm