The South Holland District Council convened for its Annual Meeting on Wednesday, 13 May 2026. The agenda included the election of a Chairman and Vice-Chairman, updates from Portfolio Holders, consideration of committee minutes, and discussions on key council strategies and arrangements. A significant item was the report from the Cabinet meeting on 28 April 2026 concerning the Pride in Place Programme Delivery for Spalding.

Portfolio Holder Updates

Councillor Nick Worth, Leader of the Council, provided updates on his involvement with the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority Employment and Skills Board, discussing the implementation of the Adult Skills Fund, an updated Careers Action Plan, and the Post-16 Capacity Capital Fund. He also reported on the Spalding Neighbourhood Board's efforts to maintain momentum on anti-social behaviour initiatives following the withdrawal of Hot Spot Policing, including plans to employ additional Council Wardens and contract with the private security sector. Councillor Worth also attended the District Council Network Annual Conference, which focused on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), and noted that a decision on the LGR structure was still expected mid-July.

Councillor Paul Redgate, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance, updated on the renaming of the Special Interest Group to the Drainage and Flood Resilience Group and ongoing engagement with MPs and government officials regarding Internal Drainage Board (IDB) levies. He also provided an update on the closure and completion of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and Rural England Prosperity Fund Programme, noting that 94% of the funding had been distributed. A final quickfire round of the GRASSroots scheme was opened for grants to Parish Councils, Village Halls, and community projects. Councillor Redgate also detailed a successful debt restructuring exercise that achieved a discount of £18,371,630 and resulted in an annual saving of £83,469 on interest payable costs.

Councillor Jim Astill, Portfolio Holder for Corporate and Environmental Services, reported on ongoing work with the garden waste collection service, acknowledging disruption for some subscribers due to system uploading issues and apologising for the situation. He also provided an update on the Waste Transformation project, with an all-member briefing planned for early June. An apprentice technician had joined the vehicle maintenance unit, demonstrating skill and potential.

Councillor Henry Bingham, Portfolio Holder for Assets and Strategic Planning, noted the rollout of national planning reform, including a national scheme of delegation expected in September, and new Local Plan regulations. He reported strong performance in planning decisions, with 100% of major and non-major applications determined on time. The appeal decision for the Fendyke Farm solar farm was received, with the appeal upheld and approved. Updates were provided on Ayscoughfee Hall Museum & Gardens, including visitor numbers and a successful light-based installation event, and the South Holland Centre, noting healthy ticket sales and a new bar concessionaire. The establishment of a new SELCP conservation team was highlighted, representing the best capacity the three authorities have had for over 10 years. The contract for archaeological advice across the partnership was awarded to Lincolnshire County Council. New documents for adoption, including the Spalding and Holbeach Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans, were noted.

Councillor Tracey Carter, Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing, provided an update on the Housing Landlord Service (HRA), including the recruitment of a Tenant Influence Panel, progress on the Regulatory Improvement Plan, and a district-wide Repairs Roadshow. The Housing Standards team was preparing for the operative date of the Renters' Rights Act on 1 May 2026, with a communications timetable planned to inform landlords and tenants. Funding for Disabled Facilities Grants had assisted 30 families in 2025/26, with a further commitment rolled forward into 2026/27. The Housing Related Support service had been extended until March 2027, and the Council supported three local voluntary, community, and faith sector applications for Ending Homelessness Communities Funding. Two new properties were funded under round three of the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF), and the Council had been successful in securing funding for round four.

Councillor Anthony Casson, Portfolio Holder for Public Protection, reported on the continuation of the Local Authority managed CCTV Camera service in Crowland, with an upgrade to the latest technology planned. Discussions were ongoing with Holbeach Parish Council regarding the continuation of CCTV services and exploring a potential new area for CCTV services in Holbeach. A letter had been sent to private premises in Spalding Town Centre with graffiti, encouraging owners to clean it off. The enviro-crime enforcement contract with Kingdom LA Support had been extended for a further two years, with a renewed focus on education and engagement.

Councillor Elizabeth Sneath, Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing, Conservation and Heritage, provided information on targeted support for households reliant on heating oil facing financial hardship, administered by Lincolnshire Community Foundation. The Household Support Fund had ended, with cost of living support information to be updated on the council's website. A new 3-year Crisis & Resilience Fund had been announced, with Lincolnshire County Council as the lead authority. The SELCP Healthy Living Board continued to provide strategic oversight to address health inequalities, and the new Healthy Communities Team was in place. Digital inclusion sessions were being delivered in partnership with Lincs Digital, helping residents with essential digital skills. Ayscoughfee Hall Museum and Gardens hosted a successful Light Night – Shifting Perspective event.

Councillor Gary Taylor, Portfolio Holder for Community Development, reported on the ongoing progress of the Castle Activity & Fitness Centre development, with the steel frame and internal reinforcement works completed. Evaluation of tenders for the 3G pitch construction was imminent. Temporary gym facilities continued to operate successfully, demonstrating sustained member demand. Updates were provided on events including Spring into Spalding, Nature Day Ayscoughfee, and Spring Bunny Hunts. The South and East Lincolnshire Crowdfunding initiative and the Community Lottery scheme were continuing to raise funds for good causes.

Key Decision Plan

The Key Decision Plan, issued on 29 April 2026, outlined upcoming key decisions for the next twelve months. These included the acceptance of funding allocation from Lincolnshire County Council for the Crisis and Resilience scheme, disposal of land and property assets, consideration of documents related to the Spalding and Holbeach Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans, and the Spalding Heritage Strategy. Decisions were also scheduled regarding the Destination Lincolnshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership Destination Management Plan and the SELCP Destination Management Plan, the award of a contract for electrical Installation Condition Reports for the HRA landlord, and the approval of the award and spend of funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Rural England Prosperity Fund for 2025/26.

Report from Cabinet Meeting on 28 April 2026

The Cabinet recommended that Full Council amend the Capital and Revenue budgets to reflect funding for the ten-year Pride in Place Programme Delivery for Spalding. The Council would act as the accountable body, with delegated authority to the Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer to sign the Memorandum of Understanding. The Spalding Neighbourhood Board would be responsible for recommending how funding is allocated to individual projects, with Cabinet to be kept informed.

South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership Performance Report

This report provided an update on the progress of the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership since Autumn 2025. It detailed the progress of the Alignment and Delivery Plan, with 81% of activities completed or on track for 2025/26. The report highlighted significant external funding secured since August 2020, totalling £277,894,888. The Partnership was on track to achieve efficiency savings of £47,333,486 by the end of March 2026, exceeding the initial target. Updates were provided on four Priority Partnerships: Growth and Prosperity, Healthy Lives, Safer Communities, and Environment. Preparations for Local Government Reorganisation were ongoing, with a decision on the model expected before the summer Parliamentary recess. A revised Memorandum of Agreement was presented, with key changes including amendments to the Terms of Reference for the Joint Strategy Board, a change to the Joint Chief Officer Employment Panel, and a move to annual Partnership Performance Reports to Council.

Spalding Community Governance Review - Stage 1 Consultation Outcomes and Draft Recommendations

This report presented the draft recommendations of the Community Governance Review (CGR) Working Group following Stage 1 consultation. The consultation showed strong support for establishing a single parish council for Spalding, with 84% in favour of parishing and 86% preferring one council to cover the whole town. The draft recommendations proposed establishing a single parish of Spalding with 19 councillors, warded into six wards aligned with existing district ward boundaries. The first elections for these arrangements were proposed for May 2027. A second stage of consultation on these draft recommendations was sought.

Democratic Arrangements 2026/27

This report set out recommendations for establishing the Council's democratic arrangements for the municipal year 2026/27. This included approving the establishment of Committees and Panels, with proposed changes to the size of the Planning Committee from 11 to 13 members. Nominations and appointments to outside bodies were to be received and made, and the 2026/27 Schedule of Meetings was presented for approval. The reappointment of the members of the Independent Remuneration Panel until May 2028 was also proposed.

Health Scrutiny for Lincolnshire Report

Councillor Glynis Scalese, South Holland District Council's representative to the Health Scrutiny Committee for Lincolnshire, provided an update following the committee's latest meeting. The report detailed the East Ambulance Service's graduated response model and clinical strategy, focusing on clinical priorities such as rapid identification of critical cardiac events and community education initiatives. It also highlighted a report from the National Pharmacy Association calling for the expansion of pharmacy services to save the NHS money and warning of potential pharmacy closures. The report outlined the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework, including essential, advanced, and enhanced services, and noted that all community pharmacies in Lincolnshire were providing the Pharmacy First service as of 31 January 2026.