The Cabinet of South Holland Council met on Tuesday 28 April 2026 to discuss a range of important issues, including the Council's financial performance, market policies, housing strategies, and a significant regeneration programme for Spalding. The meeting also covered updates on performance and risk management, as well as health and safety and data protection policies.

Quarter 3 Performance and Risk Report 2025/26

The Cabinet was scheduled to receive an update on the Council's performance and risk management as of the end of December 2025. The report, available at Quarter 3 Performance and Risk Report 2526.pdf, detailed areas of underperformance, such as the percentage of corporate complaints responded to within set timescales, which had dropped to 77.5% against a target of 95%. The report also outlined the Council's strategic risk register, partnership risks, fraud risks, and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) risks, indicating the status and direction of travel for each.

2025/26 Quarter Three Finance Update

A report was presented to outline the Council's financial position at the end of the third quarter of the 2025/26 financial year, forecasting to the year-end. The report, available at Q3 202526 Forecast Outturn.pdf, indicated a projected revenue underspend of £187,000 for the General Fund and a projected surplus of £890,000 for the HRA. It also detailed the HRA Capital Programme position and proposed amendments to the General Fund Capital Programme. The report noted that the Council had carried out debt restructuring on HRA borrowing in March 2026.

South Holland District Council (SHDC) Markets Policy Review

The Cabinet was scheduled to consider an update to the existing Markets Policy and the introduction of a new Markets Severe Weather Policy. The report, SHDC Markets Policy Review.pdf, detailed draft policies for the service, including changes to trader classifications, promotional fees, risk assessments, and payment procedures. A new Severe Weather Policy was also presented, developed in collaboration with the Health and Safety Manager, to mitigate risks associated with changing weather patterns. The report noted that the new policies aimed to ensure the market is operated efficiently, consistently, and safely, and that the changes were informed by feedback from the Policy Development Panel.

Lincolnshire Good Home Alliance and Disabled Facilities Grant Funding

This report sought approval for the use of Better Care/Disabled Facilities Grant funding received from Lincolnshire County Council. The funding was intended to contribute to an extension of the Lincolnshire Good Home Alliance Advice and Casework service. The report, available at Lincolnshire Good Home Alliance and Disabled Facilities Grant funding.pdf, detailed the findings from the first year of operations and the funding required for a further 21-month extension. It also outlined the use of funds to support the delivery of Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG) and Discretionary Housing Financial Assistance (DHFA).

Extension of the Housing Landlord Strategy

The Cabinet was asked to adopt a one-year extension to the Housing Landlord Strategy (2024-2027). The report, Housing Landlord Strategy Report to Cabinet.pdf, explained that the extension would allow alignment with ongoing service transformation activity and provide more time for meaningful tenant engagement in shaping the next strategy. It detailed progress made against the current strategy's four themes: Culture and Operational Excellence, Accountability and Transparency, Quality Homes and Connected Neighbourhoods, and Tenant Voice and Opportunity. The report also highlighted the Council's C2 grading from the Regulator of Social Housing and the actions being taken to address identified weaknesses.

Housing Landlord Service - Access to Service

This report provided an analysis of how tenants, across key protected characteristics, access the Council's housing landlord services. The report, available at Housing Landlord Service - service access report.pdf, examined engagement and considered whether service provision remains accessible, fair, and compliant with the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) Consumer Standards. The analysis indicated that while services are broadly accessible, some marginally lower access rates were visible for specific ethnic minorities, nationalities, and age groups, with suggested actions to encourage access for these groups outlined in an accompanying action plan.

Housing Stock Condition Survey

The Cabinet was presented with the findings from the HRA stock condition surveys, conducted between October 2024 and January 2026. The report, Housing Stock Condition Survey.pdf, provided an overview of the findings, detailing how the data has informed the HRA Business Plan and future investment programmes. It also set out a strategy for maintaining robust and up-to-date data on the condition of homes within the HRA. The report indicated that 90.33% of stock had been surveyed, with most components achieving or exceeding their expected lifespan.

Health and Safety Policy – General Statement of Intent and Arrangements

The Cabinet was asked to approve amendments to the Council's Health and Safety Policy (V5.0). The report, Health and Safety Policy General Statement of Intent and Arrangements.pdf, explained that the review was necessary to ensure continued compliance with the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and subsequent regulations, and to keep pace with organisational changes within the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership (S&ELCP). The policy had been reviewed by the Policy Development Panel and aligned with similar policies in Boston Borough Council and East Lindsey District Council.

Data Protection Policy and Records Management Policy

The Cabinet was asked to consider and approve revised Data Protection Policy and Records Management Policy documents. These policies, available at Data Protection Policy and Records Management Policy.pdf, have been updated to ensure compliance with the latest statutory requirements, including the UK GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018, and the new Data Use and Access Act 2025 (DUAA). The policies aim to align across the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership (S&ELCP) and include provisions for lawful access, interoperability, transparency registers, and risk assessment for data sharing.

Pride in Place Programme Delivery

The Cabinet was asked to approve the acceptance of the UK Government's Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enable the delivery of the ten-year Pride in Place programme for Spalding, commencing in 2026/27. The report, Pride in Place Programme.pdf, detailed the programme's financial implications, outlining annual funding allocations over ten years. It also requested delegated authority for the Council's Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer to sign the MoU and approve expenditure recommended by the Spalding Neighbourhood Board, following due diligence. The report highlighted that Spalding has been allocated up to £20 million over ten years.

The meeting also included standard agenda items such as apologies for absence, minutes of the previous meeting, and declarations of interest, which were not detailed in the provided report pack.