Councillor Stephen Bunney, Chairman of the Council, opened the meeting with tributes to former councillors and staff, before councillors moved to discuss the financial performance review, the youth justice plan, and a motion regarding asylum seekers. Councillors approved the Lincolnshire Youth Justice Plan 2025-28, and voted to approve an amended motion regarding the location of asylum seekers in the county. They also approved the calendar of meetings for 2026/27, and made appointments to committees and outside bodies.

Asylum Seeker Accommodation

Councillors debated a motion regarding the location of asylum seeker accommodation in Lincolnshire. The original motion, put forward by Councillor Richard Davies, called on the executive to work with MPs, district councils and residents to oppose any proposals to use military sites in greater Lincolnshire for asylum seeker accommodation, and to lobby the government to protect regeneration opportunities.

Councillor Rob Gibson, Deputy Leader of the Council, proposed an amendment to the motion, which included a change to oppose the government's proposal to use urban sites in greater Lincolnshire for asylum seeker accommodation, and to assist on only using secure remote sites where necessary. The amendment also requested that the Leader of the Council write to Lincolnshire MPs Hamish Faulkner and Caroline Johnson to strongly oppose the Labour government on any proposals to use RAF Scampton for asylum seeker accommodation, and that the Leader meets with the Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner to inquire how the underfunded police service would cope with any additional policing requirements associated with such a large proposal.

Councillor Davies opposed the amendment, stating that the inclusion of the word 'urban' ruled out the vast majority of Lincolnshire. Councillor Matthews clarified that the administration considered the three sites that had been mentioned - RAF Scampton, Prince William of Gloucester Barracks, and the bell hotel in Epping Forest - to be in the classification of urban.

Councillor Christopher Reeve said that he did not support the amendment because it contradicted what Councillor Liam Kelly had said previously. Councillor Karen Lee said that she would be abstaining from the vote because she felt that the motion ignored the plight of asylum seekers, and that she was not convinced that they would get the support they needed at RAF Scampton.

Councillor Overton said that she thought the country struggled to assess asylum seekers quickly enough, and that putting large numbers of mainly young men in one place without adequate facilities was a recipe for disaster.

Councillor Davies rejected Councillor Matthews' offer to remove the word 'urban' from the amendment, and requested a recorded vote. The amendment was carried with 38 votes for, 14 against, and 11 abstentions. The council then voted on the amended motion, which was carried with 39 votes for, 13 against, and 9 abstentions.

Review of Financial Performance 2024/25

Councillors reviewed the Review of Financial Performance 2024-25 report, which described the council's financial performance in 2024/25. The report noted that the council had an underspend of £9.851m on council budgets, but an overspend of £2.420m on schools budgets.

Councillor Phil Dilks raised concerns that the report appeared to suggest that the flood emergency reserve created a few months ago was about to be scrapped. Councillor Matthews assured him that this was not the case. Councillor Hill supported Councillor Matthews' assurance that the million pounds would be spent on flooding.

The council voted to approve the recommendations set out in the report.

Lincolnshire Youth Justice Plan 2025-28

Councillors reviewed the Lincolnshire Youth Justice Plan 2025-28. The plan sets out how youth justice services will be funded and delivered locally, together with key commitments and priorities to meet statutory obligations in respect of reducing re-offending, supporting victims of crime, and safeguarding children.

Councillor Natalie Oliver moved the item, and Councillor Hassan seconded it. The council voted to approve the plan.

Calendar of Meetings 2026/27

Councillors considered the Calendar of Meetings 26-27. Councillor Dyer raised the point that minutes to council meetings were not published until the agenda for the next council meeting, and suggested that the council should set a standard for democratic services to produce the minutes of meetings within a week.

The council voted to approve the calendar of meetings, with an amendment to reschedule the council meetings currently scheduled for 18 December 2026 to 11 December 2026.

Appointments to Committees and Appointment of Committee Chairmen

Councillors considered the Appointment to Committees and Appointment of Chairmen report. Councillor Hill asked when the vacancy arose for the position of Chairman of the Planning and Regulation Committee, as the chairman and vice chairman were both absent from the last planning committee. Councillor Matthews said that the council was trying to see if Councillor Barry Daish was going to be well enough, but that Councillor Thomas Sneath had taken over as chairman.

The council voted to approve the recommendations set out in the report.

Appointments to Outside Bodies

Councillors considered the Appointment to Outside Bodies report. The council voted to approve the changes to the appointments to outside bodies as detailed in the report.

Executive Decisions - Rule 17 (Special Urgency)

Councillors considered the Council - Rule 17 Special Urgency report. The report detailed two decisions that had been taken under Rule 17 (Special Urgency) of the Access to Information Procedure Rules in the Council's Constitution. Both decisions related to Exception to Contract Regulations - Lincolnshire Community Equipment Services. The council voted to note the report.

Statements and Announcements by the Leader and Members of the Executive

Councillor Matthews, Leader of the Council, stated that since forming a new leadership in May, councillors had made it a priority to visit residents, businesses, community groups, and different council bases.

Councillor Rob Gibson, Deputy Leader and Executive Councillor for Community Engagement, stated that since May the council had heard from over 5,000 residents who had given valuable feedback through consultations, surveys and events.

Councillor Danny Brookes, Executive Councillor for Environment, stated that the new Environment Scrutiny committee had endorsed the approach being taken by the collaborative partnership seeking to develop the business case for funding for better maintained and improved sea defences on Lincolnshire's open coast.

Councillor Tom Catton, Executive Councillor for Resources, stated that the council's draft accounts for 2024/2025 were presented to Audit Committee on 21 July 2025 and were available for public inspection on 1 July, which complied with the statutory deadline.

Councillor Michael Cheyne, Executive Councillor for Highways and Transport, stated that the Public Inquiry into the legal orders for the North Hykeham Relief Road took place in early July, with the Inspector's report completion expected during August 2025 for submission to the Secretary of State.

Councillor Steve Clegg, Executive Councillor for Adult Care and Health, stated that adult social care services were likely to be notified by the Care Quality Commission¹ (CQC) on 1 September for an external inspection.

Councillor Liam Kelly, Executive Councillor for Growth, stated that Commercial had delivered several complex, high-value procurements that would significantly improve services and deliver long-term savings for the council.

Councillor Alex McGonigle, Executive Councillor for Community Safety, stated that the Safer Lincolnshire Partnership Strategy 2025–2028 had been formally endorsed.

Councillor Natalie Oliver, Executive Councillor for Children's Services and Culture, stated that the Holiday Activities and Food Programme had gone from strength to strength, with nearly 44,000 places planned across 164 locations.