The South Holland District Council meeting scheduled for Thursday, 26 February 2026, was set to cover a wide range of significant financial and policy matters. Key discussions were expected to include the approval of the annual budget for 2026/27, the medium-term financial strategy, capital programmes, treasury management policies, and the setting of Council Tax levels. Additionally, the meeting was scheduled to address the adoption of the South & East Lincolnshire Community Safety Strategy and the Pay Policy Statement for 2026/27.

Portfolio Holder Updates

Councillor Nick Worth, Leader of the Council, provided updates on the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) proposals for Greater Lincolnshire, noting that these were out for consultation. He also mentioned the appointment of a Chief Executive and Director of Strategy and Operations for the Mayoral Combined Authority and provided an update on the Spalding Community Governance Review, with the first stage of consultation having opened.

Councillor Paul Redgate, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance, reported on the progress of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund Programme, stating that funds were fully committed and over 75% spent. He highlighted an extension to the national programme until September 2026, with no additional funding. He also detailed the strong performance of the Grants4Growth and Advice4Growth initiatives, which had awarded grants to 28 businesses, unlocking significant private sector investment. On skills, he noted that over 100 residents were expected to gain UKSPF-funded qualifications.

Councillor Jim Astill, Portfolio Holder for Corporate and Environmental Services, provided updates on Organisational Development, specifically the adoption of the EDI Strategy by all three Councils and the confirmed funding for an Inclusion Lead Officer post. In Environmental Services, he summarised the plans for the Waste Transformation Deposit Return Scheme, due to start on 1 October 2027, which would cover single-use plastic and metal drinks containers. He also detailed the modernisation and digitisation efforts within the Street Scene and Grounds Services, leading to improved scheduling, reporting, and resource allocation.

Councillor Henry Bingham, Portfolio Holder for Assets and Strategic Planning, reported that Ayscoughfee Hall Museum had reopened after the Christmas break and had seen almost 800 visitors in its final two weeks of January. He outlined a varied programme of events for 2026, including a family trail and a Light Night event. He also mentioned the installation of new bird boxes and bug hotels made by the Men's Shed PE11 in Ayscoughfee Gardens. The South Holland Centre had reopened after refurbishment with a sell-out weekend of comedy and live music, and had also hosted the annual Pride of South Holland awards.

Councillor Tracey Carter, Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing, provided an update on developments within the Housing Landlord Service (HRA), including the adoption of the HRA Business Plan and Asset Management Strategy, and the approval of the 2026/27 rent setting report. She also mentioned continued progress on the Regulatory Improvement Plan, the completion of Tenant Satisfaction Measure surveys, and the holding of a mock Aids and Adaptations Appeal Panel. Looking ahead, the service was working on member briefings regarding Tenant Satisfaction survey results and Damp, Condensation and Mould analysis findings, as well as developing a 5-year survey programme for stock condition surveys.

Councillor Anthony Casson, Portfolio Holder for Public Protection, reported on Community Safety, noting high-visibility patrols conducted by the Community Warden across various locations. He highlighted an incident where a person living in a layby near Crowland was assisted by the Community Warden, who made contact with the Homelessness Team. He also detailed plans to increase Fixed Penalty Notice fines for offences including littering and fly-tipping from 1 March, bringing them in line with Boston and East Lindsey.

Councillor Elizabeth Sneath, Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing, Conservation and Heritage, provided an update on Place Expansion with Active Lincolnshire, confirming additional funding from Sport England to boost physical activity in communities facing health inequalities. She also discussed the Household Support Fund, which ends in March 2026, and its replacement by a new 3-year Crisis and Resilience Fund, with Lincolnshire authorities working together to consider the guidance and funding allocations.

Councillor Gary Taylor, Portfolio Holder for Community Development, outlined upcoming events for 2026, including the Ayscoughfee Hall Light Night, Spring into Spalding, a Spring Bunny Hunt, and the launch of Nature Day in Ayscoughfee Gardens. He also provided an update on the South and East Lincolnshire Crowd Funding initiative, noting that the funding window for the Autumn round was open, and that the Community Lottery scheme continued to raise funds for good causes.

Key Decision Plan

The Key Decision Plan, issued on 18 February 2026, outlined decisions likely to be made by the Council over the next twelve months. These included the disposal of land and property assets by Councillor Henry Bingham, Portfolio Holder for Assets and Strategic Planning; the award of periodical electrical testing for landlord safety certificates by Councillor Tracey Carter, Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing; the approval of the award and spend of funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Rural England Prosperity Fund by Councillor Paul Redgate, Portfolio Holder for Finance; and the Destination Lincolnshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership Destination Management Plan and SELCP Destination Management Plan, to be considered by Councillor Charles Nicholas Worth, Leader of the Council.

Report from Cabinet Meeting on 17 February 2026

The Council was asked to consider recommendations from the Cabinet meeting on 17 February 2026, specifically regarding the South & East Lincolnshire Community Safety Strategy. The strategy aimed to reduce crime, anti-social behaviour, and the fear of crime across the sub-region, working with partners such as Lincolnshire Police and Fire and Rescue. Four areas of focus were identified: tackling anti-social behaviour, developing understanding of fear and perceptions of crime, working with the Safer Lincolnshire Partnership on a place-based approach, and encouraging increased reporting to build a stronger intelligence picture.

Annual Budget Report 2026/27, Medium Term Financial Strategy, Capital Programme and Capital Strategy, Treasury Management Policy/Strategy, Annual Delivery Plan, and Living Wage Supplement

This comprehensive report sought approval for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budgets for 2026/27, including the use of reserves. It also covered the Medium Term Financial Strategy, Capital Programme and Strategy, Treasury Management Policy/Strategy, the Annual Delivery Plan, and the Living Wage Supplement. A key recommendation was to set the Council Tax for a Band D property at £214.92 for South Holland District Council, a £6.39 per annum increase on 2025/26 levels, and £23.40 for Spalding Special Expenses, a £0.27 per annum increase. The report also included a Section 25 report from the Director of Finance on the robustness of estimates and adequacy of financial reserves, and recommended approving the application of the Living Wage Supplement to be paid to all employees whose current hourly rate falls below the Real Living Wage Foundation rate of £13.45 with effect from 1 April 2026.

Council Tax Setting 2026/27

This item sought to set the amounts of Council Tax applicable for 2026/27 for each valuation band and in each part of the district. The report detailed the Council Tax requirement for South Holland District Council and Spalding Special Expenses, along with the precepts from Lincolnshire County Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire. The summarised overall Band D Council Tax was projected to be £272.10, an increase of £7.28 (3.31%) on 2025/26 levels.

Pay Policy Statement for 2026/2027

This report presented the Pay Policy Statement for 2026/2027, as required by Section 38 of the Localism Act 2011. The statement detailed the Council's policies on the remuneration of Chief Officers, the lowest paid employees, and the relationship between Chief Officer remuneration and that of other officers. It also included updated information on the formal appointment of the Director of Finance as the Council's statutory Section 151 Officer, a new clause on TUPE, reference to potential incentivised retention arrangements linked to Local Government Reorganisation, and the new Shared Officer Pay structure.

Terms and Conditions Alignment across the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership

This report brought forward proposals for aligning further Terms and Conditions of employment across the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership. Phase 1 had already been completed, and this phase aimed to conclude the proposed alignment. It also included a proposed amendment to on-call arrangements for the Housing Landlord Services Team at South Holland District Council. The recommendations sought delegation of authority to the Head of Paid Service to lead employment consultations and implement revised Terms and Conditions, including amendments to the Pay Policy Statement regarding Redundancy and Severance Payments.

Health Scrutiny for Lincolnshire Report

This report provided South Holland District Council with an update following the latest meeting of the Health Scrutiny for Lincolnshire Committee, with a particular focus on the work of the NHS Humber Health Partnership. It detailed pressures on hospital flow, the connection between emergency and planned care, and implications for Lincolnshire. The report also provided an overview of the independent evaluation of Lincolnshire's Community Connectors and Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs, and outlined the qualifying criteria for non-emergency patient transport.

Nominations for Committees and other Seats and Proposed Changes to the Constitution

This item was scheduled to receive nominations for any changes to Committees and other seats from political groups and to consider any proposed changes to the Constitution.

Any Other Items Which the Chairman Decides Are Urgent

This item allowed for the consideration of any urgent business that the Chairman deemed necessary to be discussed.

Restricted Minute

This item was to sign as a correct record the restricted minute of the 28 January 2026 Full Council meeting.