This week in South Holland:

Care Home Plan Sparks Debate Over Heritage and Community Needs

The Planning Committee met on Wednesday to discuss a range of planning applications, with a major proposal for an 86-bed care home in Spalding drawing significant attention and debate. The meeting highlighted tensions between development needs, heritage preservation, and community concerns. No video was provided.

86-Bed Care Home Proposed for Former Bull and Monkie Site

The committee considered an application to demolish the vacant former Bull and Monkie pub in Spalding and erect a large care home. The proposal has generated considerable local interest and concern, particularly regarding its impact on the town's historic environment.

• The site is located in a sensitive heritage area, raising concerns about the design's compatibility with the surroundings.
• The Spalding and District Civic Society strongly objected, arguing that the design is inauthentic and incongruous and would harm views of historic buildings like the Grade I listed Church of St Mary and St Nicholas and Ayscoughfee Hall.
• Local residents raised concerns about insufficient parking, over-development, increased traffic, and the loss of mature trees.
• Some residents argued that there are already enough care homes in the area, and that the site would be better used for other purposes.
• The NHS requested a financial contribution of £33,819.50.
• Councillor David Ashby, local Ward Member, submitted comments offering full support to the proposal.

Anglian Water initially objected to the proposal due to capacity constraints and pollution risk, but later removed objections on the used water network, requesting that an informative were to be applied to an approval in its place. Anglian Water retained the objection on Surface Water Disposal.

The outcome of the application is not yet known.

Sack Delivery Service Set to End as Council Moves to Wheeled Bins

The Performance Monitoring Panel met on Tuesday to discuss several key issues, including the future of the refuse and recycling sack delivery service. The meeting highlighted the council's plans to transition to a wheeled bin system, driven by environmental concerns and legislative requirements. No video was provided.

From Sacks to Bins: A Major Shift in Waste Collection

The panel discussed a report outlining the current sack delivery service and future opportunities for improvement. The report revealed that:

• The council currently provides households with 52 black sacks and 80 recycling sacks, delivered twice yearly.
• The service costs £355,355 annually, with one full-time employee making approximately 90,174 deliveries of 5.95 million sacks.
• The council's policy for providing refuse and recycling sacks is published on its website.
• The Environment Act 2021 requires councils to have an efficient and effective waste service, which the current model is not.

The report noted that the Cabinet has decided to move to wheeled bins, which would eliminate the need for the sack delivery service. This decision aligns with the council's commitment to meeting the requirements of the Environment Act 2021 and improving recycling rates, as discussed in previous meetings.

Crowdfunding Scheme Supports Local Projects

The Performance Monitoring Panel also received an overview of the South and East Lincolnshire Crowdfunding Scheme, which launched in Spring 2023.

• By July 2025, the scheme had supported ten projects totalling £105,497 across the sub-region.
• The scheme is operated through a contract with Spacehive Ltd at a cost of £34,000 per year, split equally between Boston Borough Council, East Lindsey District Council, and South Holland District Council.
• The council's investment leverage is 1.58, meaning that for every £1 the council pledges, the crowd contributes an additional £5.80.

Supported projects include the Tydd Dog Paddock Play Area, Young Farmers Gardening Club, Crafty Cabin, and Rural Friendship Group.

Other Matters

• The Performance Monitoring Panel received an update on the Sustainable Products Policy, noting that the council has adopted a Net Zero by 2040 carbon reduction target. Audits of 'single use products' purchasing and procurement practices have been completed, identifying the top ten suppliers for single use items.
• The Performance Monitoring Panel received information regarding the use of Section 113 Agreements across the Partnership, noting that there are currently 144 such agreements in place. Section 113 of the Local Government Act 1972 allows councils to share officers.

Upcoming Meetings

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

• The Cabinet will meet on Monday, July 21st, to discuss the South Holland Health and Wellbeing Hub project.
• South Holland District Council will meet on Wednesday, July 23rd.

This week in South Holland:

Spalding Regeneration Plan Gets Green Light Amidst Funding Debate

The Cabinet convened on Tuesday to discuss a range of issues, including the Plan for Neighbourhoods in Spalding, anti-social behaviour, and tenant satisfaction. The meeting saw approval for the Spalding regeneration plan, but also highlighted concerns about funding allocation and the impact of anti-social behaviour on residents. No video was provided.

£20 Million Boost for Spalding: But How Will it Be Spent?

The Cabinet approved the release and expenditure of capacity funding to develop a new Regeneration Plan for Spalding, as part of the Plan for Neighbourhoods scheme. Spalding is set to receive £2 million per year for 10 years, totaling £20 million, to be invested in the town.

• The plan focuses on revitalising local areas, fostering stronger communities, and empowering local people.
• A local Town Board will work with the council to co-produce the Regeneration Plan, engaging with the local community.
• The council has already received £250,000 in capacity funding, with a further £350,000 expected.

However, the intended allocation of capacity funding has raised some eyebrows:

• £60,000 for Spalding Christmas Lights 2024
• £50,000 for work undertaken as part of 2024 Long Term Plan submission
• £170,000 to deliver engagement, consultation, events, capacity building, project development and other related activities
• £70,000 to develop the Regeneration Plan and Investment Plan for Spalding
• £20,000 match funding contribution to help secure Spalding Gentlemen's Society's grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to develop plans for expanding its Broad Street museum.
• £80,000 for the delivery of a hot spot policing pilot with Lincolnshire Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner in Spalding town centre.

Some residents have questioned whether these allocations truly address the core needs of the community, such as infrastructure improvements and job creation.

Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour: A New Framework for Housing

The Cabinet adopted the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Framework 2025-2027, aiming to create safer and more welcoming neighbourhoods for all residents. The framework is built on four priorities:

• Prevention and Early Intervention
• Working Together
• Risk Management and Victim Support
• Putting Tenants First

The framework was developed in response to the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 and feedback from an external Consumer Regulation Health Check. The Council commissioned an external Consumer Regulation Health Check in 2023, which identified several areas for improvement in the Council's approach to ASB, including case management, investigation processes, and the working relationship between the Housing Landlord Service and the Community Safety Team. These recommendations have been incorporated into the Housing Transformation and Service Improvement Programme.

Formal tenant consultation showed strong support for the framework, with 91% of respondents finding it easy to understand and 94% agreeing it clearly explained what ASB is and how to report it.

Preparing for Awaab's Law: Addressing Damp and Mould in Social Housing

The Cabinet received an update on the requirements of Awaab's Law and how the Housing Landlord Service is preparing for the change in legislation. Awaab's Law, prompted by the tragic death of Awaab Ishak due to mould exposure, requires social landlords to address health hazards within specified timeframes.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has published a phased implementation timeline:

• October 2025: Address damp and mould hazards that pose a significant risk to tenants within fixed timescales and address all emergency repairs within 24 hours.
• 2026: Requirements will expand to cover a wider range of hazards, such as excess cold and heat, falls, and structural collapse.
• 2027: Full implementation covering all hazards under the Housing Health and Safety Rating Scheme (HHSRS).

The council is currently exploring options to include damp, condensation, and mould (DCM) in the definition of an emergency repair.

Tenant Satisfaction Measures: Mixed Results for 2024/25

The Cabinet received an update on the 2024/2025 Tenant Satisfaction Measure outcomes. The Measures provide tenants with greater transparency about their landlord's performance and support the Regulator in assessing a Registered Providers' ability to deliver a housing service that meets the consumer standards.

Key findings include:

• 74% of tenants surveyed were satisfied with the overall service received from the council.
• 86% of respondents felt safe in their homes, and 83% felt the council treated tenants fairly and with respect.
• Tenant perceptions of the council's management of anti-social behaviour cases increased from 50% to 69%.
• 1.6% of properties are considered non-decent, compared to 2.5% in the previous year.
• Complaint handling performance improved drastically from 48.65% to 95.45%.

Finance Update: Underspend Offset by Investment Income

The Cabinet received a report on the council's finances as of 31 March 2025. The general fund draft outturn position was an underspend of £317,000, offset by additional investment income earned due to high interest rates. The HRA revenue outturn position was a net surplus of £13,000.

Governance and Audit Committee to Review Financial Statements and Risk Management

The Governance and Audit Committee met on Thursday to discuss a range of topics, including the annual treasury report, risk management, audit plans, and the council's financial statements. The meeting provided an overview of the council's financial health and governance practices. No video was provided.

Unaudited Financial Statements 2024/25

The committee reviewed the unaudited financial statements for 2024/25, noting a decrease in the council's net worth by £4.8 million, mainly due to reductions in asset valuations.

External Audit Plan and Strategy

The committee noted the KPMG External Audit Plan and Strategy for the year ended 31 March 2025, which identified significant risks including the valuation of land and buildings, management override of controls, valuation of post retirement benefit obligations, and group valuation of investment properties.

Internal Audit Annual Report and Opinion

The committee received the Head of Internal Audit's annual report and opinion for 2024/2025, which concluded that the frameworks of governance, risk management, and management controls provide adequate assurance.

Risk Report and Annual Governance Statement

The committee received an update on risk as of the end of March 2025 and approved the Annual Governance Statement 2024/25, which explains the purpose of the governance framework and highlights any significant governance issues.

Treasury Annual Report

The committee scrutinised the Annual Treasury Report 2024/25, noting that the rate of return on the council's treasury investments averaged 5.41% for the 2024/25 financial year.

Budget Preparation 2026/27

The committee received a briefing on the system for preparing the 2026/27 Budget, aiming to enhance and redesign budget setting processes.

Self-Assessment and Work Programme

The committee reviewed the Self-Assessment Action Plan from 2024/25 and considered the Work Programme, identifying additional items to be added.

Upcoming Meetings

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

• The Performance Monitoring Panel will meet on Tuesday, July 15th, to discuss the South and East Lincolnshire Council's Crowdfunding Scheme, the Sustainable Products Policy, and the refuse and recycling sack delivery service.
• The Planning Committee will meet on Wednesday, July 16th, to discuss planning applications, including a large care home development, and to review recent planning appeal decisions.
• The Cabinet will meet on Monday, July 21st.
• South Holland District Council will meet on Wednesday, July 23rd.

This week in South Holland:

Wheeled Bins and Weekly Food Waste: Council Approves New Waste Collection Model

The Cabinet met on Thursday to approve a new waste collection delivery model, aiming to boost recycling rates and comply with environmental legislation. The meeting focused on the need to meet the requirements of the Environment Act 2021, which mandates separate food waste collections. No video was provided.

• The council aims to move away from unlimited sack collections, which they say do not incentivise recycling.
• South Holland residents currently produce the highest amount of waste per household in Lincolnshire, at 750kg, compared to a county average of 550kg.
• The council's recycling rate has stagnated at 31% for over a decade.

The approved model, Option B, will introduce:

• Alternate weekly collection of residual waste in 240l wheeled bins.
• Alternate fortnightly collection of recycling, paper, and card in separate 240l bins.
• Weekly collection of food waste in a small 23l caddy.

The council claims this model will save £0.514m per year compared to the current service. Additional officers will be deployed to support residents during the rollout, providing guidance on bin usage and waste minimisation. The Cabinet was also asked to recommend that the Council approves drawing forward £3.150m from the Capital Programme allocation for 2028/29 and 2030/31 into 2026/27 to fund the capital costs of purchasing food waste collection vehicles and wheeled bins.

Licensing Policy, Body Cameras, and HR: Council Panel Tackles Key Issues

The Policy Development Panel convened on Tuesday to discuss a range of important policies, including licensing, body worn video cameras, HR practices, and equality, diversity, and inclusion. The meeting covered topics that directly impact residents, council staff, and the overall community. No video was provided.

Licensing Act 2003 Draft Statement of Licensing Policy

The panel considered a draft of the Statement of Licensing Policy required by the Licensing Act 2003, which the council is legally obligated to review every five years. Proposed changes include:

• Adding sections on awareness of the sexual exploitation of children, safeguarding, modern-day slavery, and counter-terrorism.
• Updating the public safety section to include new initiatives and current guidance, including information on drink spiking.
• Advising licence holders of the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in force within the borough.

Body Worn Video Cameras (BWVC) Policy

The panel discussed a new Body Worn Video (BWV) Policy across the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership. The policy aims to ensure the lawful and proportionate use of body worn video for violence reduction and evidence collection. All officers authorised to use BWV devices will receive training on applicable legislation, device operation, and data handling.

Review of HR Policies

The panel discussed proposed HR policies, including a new Drugs and Alcohol Policy, a Menopause Policy, and a Shared Officer Job Evaluation Scheme Policy. Tweaks were also proposed for the Disciplinary Policy, Adverse Weather Policy, and Volunteer Policy. The Menopause Policy aims to support employees experiencing menopausal symptoms, providing guidelines for workplace adjustments and access to medical support.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy

The panel discussed the proposed Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Strategy for the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership for 2025-2028. The strategy aims to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion across all areas of the council's operation, with key objectives including understanding community needs, creating a diverse leadership team, and ensuring accessible services.

Alcohol Sales and Police Concerns: Licensing Panel Reviews Amma Cash & Carry Application

The Panel of the Committee of the Licensing Authority met on Friday to consider a premises licence application for Amma Cash & Carry in Spalding. The meeting focused on the applicant's request to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises, with concerns raised by Lincolnshire Police. No video was provided.

• Lincolnshire Police submitted a representation citing concerns about the shop's location within an area covered by a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO).
• The police requested additional conditions, including reduced operating hours and measures to tackle street drinking, such as not selling single cans or bottles of beer, lager, and cider, and not selling super strength alcohol.
• The applicant agreed to some conditions, including no sales of single cans or bottles and a minimum sale of 4 items unless the volume is more than 670ml per item.

The panel considered the applicant's arguments against the remaining conditions and extracts from South Holland District Council's Statement of Licensing Policy 2021-2026. The outcome of the application is not yet known.

Upcoming Meetings

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

• The Cabinet will meet on Tuesday, July 8th.
• The Governance and Audit Committee will meet on Thursday, July 10th.

This week in South Holland:

Spalding Spending and Traffic Plans Under Scrutiny

The Spalding Town Forum convened on Wednesday to discuss town finances, traffic regulations, and public improvements. The meeting covered a range of topics, from managing special expenses to planning future community events. No video was provided.

Spalding Special Expenses Report

The Spalding Town Forum reviewed the Spalding Special Expenses Q4 report for 2024/25, detailing how funds allocated specifically for Spalding were spent.

• The report showed an outturn position of £192,366 against a budget of £246,350.
• Ayscoughfee Leisure saw a £23,730 spend to replace soft floor play areas after criminal damage.
• Increased cemetery charges for non-parishioners boosted income.
• Spalding United FC's lease at Halley Stewart generated more income than expected.

The report also noted that the Section 151 Officer has the authority to approve reserve spending up to £75,000, with anything above that requiring Cabinet approval.

Town Centre Traffic and River Celebrations

The forum was scheduled to receive updates on two key town centre initiatives:

• Councillor James Le Sage, Deputy Leader of the South Holland Independents Group, was expected to provide feedback on the Celebrate the River Day event, which took place on 8 June 2025.
• Councillor Robert A Gibson, Leader of the Reform UK South Holland Group and Chairman of the Spalding Town Forum, was scheduled to provide an update from Lincolnshire County Council on the Traffic Regulation Order for Spalding Town Centre.

Public Realm Improvements

The Portfolio Holder for Community Development was scheduled to give a verbal update on the Public Realm and Street Scene improvements, including a slideshow of before-and-after photos. The forum was also scheduled to discuss new criteria for Plans for Neighbourhoods funding investment at a future meeting.

Upcoming Meetings

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

• The Policy Development Panel will meet on Tuesday, June 24th, to discuss licensing policy, body worn video cameras, HR policies, and an equality, diversity and inclusion strategy.
• The Cabinet will meet on Thursday, June 26th, to discuss a new waste collection model and amendments to the Capital Programme.
• The Panel of the Committee of the Licensing Authority will convene on Friday, June 27th, to discuss a premises licence application for Amma Cash & Carry.