This week in South Holland:

Housing Policies Updated to Better Support Tenants

South Holland District Council's cabinet has approved a series of updated and new housing policies designed to improve services for tenants, particularly those who are vulnerable or have disabilities. The changes aim to ensure greater accountability, transparency, and a focus on tenant wellbeing, in line with the Regulator of Social Housing's consumer standards. Read more about the meeting.

Key Policy Changes:

• Disabled Aids and Adaptations Policy 2025-2028: This new policy outlines how the council will provide support for disabled tenants, promoting independent living and safety. It introduces means testing for major adaptations and a tenant panel for appeals. This could mean some tenants will have to pay for adaptations they previously received for free.
• Housing Revenue Account Governance Framework 2025-2026: The updated framework aims to make the management of the Housing Landlord Service more transparent and accountable, with clearer roles, stronger scrutiny, and improved risk management.
• Reasonable Adjustments Policy 2025-2029: This new policy focuses on supporting tenants with reasonable adjustments, in line with recommendations from the Housing Ombudsman. It sets out how the council will identify and respond to vulnerability, and implement adjustments to help tenants maintain their tenancies.

These changes come after the council received a C2 grade from the Regulator of Social Housing, indicating weaknesses in delivering consumer standards. Councillor Tracey Carter, Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing, previously stated that the judgement provides a clear framework for enhancing housing services .

Body Worn Video Policy Approved for South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership

The cabinet has approved a new Body Worn Video Cameras (BWV) Policy for the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership. Read more about the meeting. The policy aims to ensure the use of body worn video is lawful, proportionate, and necessary, primarily for violence reduction and evidence collection.

• The policy outlines procedures for collecting, processing, and retaining video evidence.
• Only trained staff will be authorized to use body worn video.

Industrial Unit Letting Policy Updated

The cabinet has adopted an updated Industrial Unit Letting and Management Policy 2025-2030, providing strategic direction for letting council industrial units. Read more about the meeting. The policy includes legislative updates and clarifies the criteria for unit use for current and prospective tenants.

Other Matters

• The cabinet received an update on social housing regulation, noting progress in addressing weaknesses identified by the Regulator of Social Housing.
• The cabinet noted the Q1 Performance Report 25-26, which highlighted areas of under-performance, including waste recycling rates and complaint response times.
• The cabinet received an update on the Housing Stock Condition Survey, with over 80% of homes surveyed to date.

Governance and Audit Committee to Review Financial Statements and Fraud Policy

The Governance and Audit Committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday to review the council's financial statements, external auditor reports, and updates to the Counter Fraud, Bribery & Anti-Corruption Policy. Read more about the meeting.

Key Items on the Agenda:

• Approval of the audited Financial Statements 2024/25 for publication.
• Consideration of reports from KPMG, the council's external auditor.
• Updates to the Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy to align with the Partnership.
• Consideration of amendments to the council's Contract Procedure Rules.
• An update on Treasury Management performance.
• An update on the council's activity and compliance with Data Protection, Environmental Information Regulation and Freedom of Information requirements.

Upcoming Meetings

Here's a look at the upcoming meetings scheduled for the next week:

• The Derelict and Untidy Sites Task Group will meet on Wednesday 19 November 2025.
• The Cabinet will meet on Monday 24 November 2025.
• The Policy Development Panel will meet on Tuesday 25 November 2025.
• South Holland District Council will meet on Wednesday 26 November 2025.

This week in South Holland:

Spalding Regeneration Plan Takes Shape Amidst Consultation

South Holland District Council is moving forward with its Plan for Neighbourhoods programme in Spalding, seeking to revitalize the town through targeted investments and community engagement. The Joint Performance Monitoring Panel and Policy Development Panel met this week to discuss progress on the Regeneration Plan, which aims to secure up to £20 million in government funding over the next decade. Read more about the meeting.

Pride in Place: A Vision for Spalding's Future

The Plan for Neighbourhoods programme, now part of the UK Government's Pride in Place Strategy, focuses on three key themes: Thriving Places, Stronger Communities, and Taking Back Control. The council is working with the Spalding Town Board to develop a Regeneration Plan that addresses local priorities and improves the physical and social infrastructure of the community.

• The council is required to submit a Regeneration Plan by November 28, 2025, outlining a 10-year vision for Spalding and a detailed 4-year investment plan.
• The plan must demonstrate significant and sustained engagement with stakeholders and residents.

Consultation Reveals Key Priorities

A public consultation in the summer of 2025, building on previous consultations in 2024, revealed key priorities for residents:

• Tackling anti-social behaviour and improving safety (25%)
• Creating more things to do and attract visitors (23%)
• Town-centre renewal, particularly the market area and waterfront
• Youth and community infrastructure
• Cleanliness and maintenance

The consultation also highlighted that residents value Spalding's heritage and riverside setting but perceive a decline in cleanliness, safety, and retail offerings.

Addressing Anti-Social Behaviour: A Top Priority

The consultation revealed that anti-social behaviour, particularly street drinking, is the number one issue in Spalding town centre.

• Over 70% of respondents cited ASB as their greatest concern.
• Three-quarters of residents mentioned drug use or drunkenness as making them feel unsafe.

The council is currently consulting on whether the existing Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) is being used effectively and whether a dedicated town centre resource, such as wardens or marshals, is needed to improve safety.

Revitalizing the Market and Town Centre

Residents expressed a strong desire to see a thriving market return to Spalding's centre, offering a wider variety of stalls and themed days.

• 41% of respondents said the range of shops and services needs improvement.
• Empty shops were a key reason people feel low pride in the town.

The council is exploring options for improving the market experience, including a lightweight canopy at Hall Place to provide better shelter for market activities and a full events calendar to encourage year-round use.

Investing in Heritage and Culture

Many residents value Spalding's heritage and cultural life, with the South Holland Centre viewed as a loved community building but underused.

• 71% support investment in historic buildings and 69% in live cultural activity.
• Residents link cultural revival to civic pride and evening-economy footfall.

The council is considering investing in the South Holland Centre to offer more ways to use it for entertainment and community activities.

Improving Connectivity and Public Spaces

Residents criticized poor pavements, weak crossings, and unclear signage, with Spalding scoring below average on public transport and attractive public spaces.

The council is exploring options for improving connectivity and public spaces, including:

• A new gateway arch across Bridge Street to welcome visitors
• A floating pier at London Road to provide better access to the water
• Improvements to The Crescent to make it more attractive and easier to walk around
• Public art and better lighting in narrow passages to make them more welcoming

Financial Risks and Accountable Body Status

The council will act as the accountable body for the Plan for Neighbourhoods programme, responsible for ensuring that public funds are distributed fairly and effectively and managed in line with government requirements.

• The main financial risk relates to potential clawback of funding if ineligible expenditure is identified.
• Strong due diligence, audit, and monitoring arrangements will be essential to mitigate exposure.

Next Steps

The council is continuing to collate consultation comments and prepare the Regeneration Plan requirements. An all-member briefing session is scheduled for November 3, followed by Cabinet consideration of the final draft documents on November 24. The plan is due to be submitted to the government by November 28.

Contracting of Leisure Facilities

The panel was also scheduled to consider the award of a contract for the operation and lifecycle maintenance of the council's leisure facilities, but no further details are available. Read more about the meeting.

This week in South Holland:

Housing Director Appointment and Energy Project Spark Debate

South Holland District Council has been busy with key decisions this week, ranging from appointing a new housing director to considering a micro energy storage project. These decisions have the potential to significantly impact residents, from housing services to the local environment.

New Housing Director Appointed Behind Closed Doors

The Chief Officer Employment Panel met on Monday to discuss the permanent appointment of the Assistant Director of Housing. Read more about the meeting. The public was excluded from the discussion due to the sensitive nature of the information being considered, as defined by the Local Government Act 1972.

• The panel was scheduled to elect a chair before discussing the appointment.
• The decision on who will lead the council's housing strategy and services will have a direct impact on vulnerable residents and the overall quality of housing in the district.

Energy Storage Project Faces Safety and Noise Concerns

The Planning Committee met on Wednesday to discuss a full application for a micro energy storage project at Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field, Spalding. Read more about the meeting. The project has raised concerns about safety and noise.

• Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue requested that the project meet the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) guidance, emphasizing the importance of containing any fire within the battery energy storage system (BESS). They recommended tests such as UL9540 / UL 9540A to ensure safety.
• South Holland District Council Environmental Protection requested additional data to assess the potential noise impact on residents at 39-43 Pinchbeck Road.
• The report stated that the application is subject to the de minimis exemption¹, due to the proposal not impacting a priority habitat and the development impacts less than 25 square metres of onsite habitat.

Other Planning Matters

Crowland Housing Application

The committee was scheduled to discuss a full application for the erection of three dwellings with garages at Land at Blackbird Close, Crowland. Read more about the meeting. This was a resubmission of a previous application.

• The application was subject to amended plans, following a planning committee deferral.
• The Lincolnshire County Council Historic Places Team requested that conditions relating to archaeology are applied to any permission that may be granted.
• The report noted that the application site is located in Flood Zone 2² and in an area categorized as 'low hazard' within the South East Lincolnshire SFRA³.

Spalding Shopfront

The committee was scheduled to discuss a retrospective full application for a new shopfront at 24 Winsover Road, Spalding. Read more about the meeting.

• Three letters of representation had been received, with concerns raised including the shopfront's design, potential trip hazards, and alleged illegal trading of cigarettes.

Planning Appeals Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on recent appeal decisions. Read more about the meeting.

• Since the previous report, there had been three appeals dismissed and one appeal allowed.

Upcoming Meetings

Here's a look at the upcoming meetings scheduled for the next week:

• The Performance Monitoring Panel will meet on Wednesday, October 15th.
• The Joint Performance Monitoring Panel and Policy Development Panel will meet on Tuesday, October 21st.

This week in South Holland:

Council Faces Financial Headwinds Amidst Service Updates

South Holland District Council is navigating a complex financial landscape while also implementing key service updates, including changes to waste collection and housing standards. Recent meetings have highlighted both the challenges and opportunities facing the council as it strives to meet the needs of its residents.

Budget Overspend and Savings Targets Loom Large

The South Holland District Council meeting on October 1st revealed a projected revenue overspend of £462,000 for the 2025/26 financial year. Read more about the meeting. This comes as the council is also working to achieve a savings efficiency target of £1.203 million, with just over half of that target identified as of June 30th.

• The report before the council noted that the cash position remained strong, with £371,000 forecast to be achieved in excess of budget.
• 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).

This financial pressure underscores the importance of careful resource management and strategic planning as the council seeks to deliver essential services to the community.

Waste Collection Changes Move Forward

The council meeting also included updates on the planned changes to the waste collection model, including the transition to wheeled bins and weekly food waste collection. Read more about the meeting. These changes are driven by the Environment Act 2021, which mandates separate food waste collections.

• The council is investing in new vehicles and bins to support the updated service.
• Councillor Jim Astill, Portfolio Holder for Corporate, Governance, Communications and Environmental Services, 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.

Spalding Town Forum Discusses Local Improvements

The Spalding Town Forum met on September 30th to discuss a range of local issues, including the Spalding Special Expenses, updates on the Spalding Business Improvement District (BID), the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), and the Active Cycling Route. Read more about the meeting. No video was provided.

Spalding Special Expenses

The forum considered the Spalding Special Expenses Quarter 1 Forecast report for 2025/26, which provided details of the forecast outturn position as of June 30, 2025.

• The budget for 2025/26 was approved by the Full Council on February 27, 2025, with a total of £223,450.
• The forecast outturn for the year was £211,207, which is £23,043 less than the budget.
• The report noted that any savings realised at the year's end would be transferred to the earmarked Spalding Special Account reserve.

Other Matters

• The Spalding Business Improvement District (BID) Manager was scheduled to provide a verbal update to the Spalding Town Forum.
• The Chair of the Spalding Town Forum, Councillor Robert A Gibson, was scheduled to provide a verbal update on the implementation of the Spalding Traffic Regulation Order (TRO).
• The Spalding Town Forum was scheduled to receive an update on the planned Active Cycling Route.

Other Matters

• The council designated Russell Stone as the Section 151 Officer, responsible for ensuring the council's financial affairs are properly managed, effective November 3rd, 2025.
• Councillors received a six-monthly update on the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership performance, noting that the Partnership is already on track to achieve efficiency savings up to £39,174,161.

Upcoming Meetings

Here's a look at the upcoming meetings scheduled for the next week:

• The Chief Officer Employment Panel will meet on Monday, October 6th, to discuss the permanent appointment of the Assistant Director of Housing.
• The Planning Committee will meet on Wednesday, October 8th, to discuss planning applications for new dwellings in Crowland, a new shopfront in Spalding, and a micro energy storage project, also in Spalding.
• The Performance Monitoring Panel will meet on Wednesday 15 October 2025.