The Boston Borough Council Cabinet met to discuss the first quarter performance and risks, the financial position, and several strategic initiatives. Councillors agreed to consult on options for the local Council Tax Support scheme for 2026/27, approved a new Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy, and supported the continuation of the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Crowdfunding Scheme. A new Body Worn Video Policy for the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership was also approved.

Council Tax Support Scheme Consultation

Cabinet members agreed to launch a consultation on the Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2026/27¹, with the aim of gathering feedback from major precepting authorities and the public. The council is facing considerable challenges to produce a balanced budget for 2026/27, and is exploring all areas of expenditure.

The consultation will focus on three options:

• Option 1: Retain the current maximum level of support for households with children (100%) and other households (85%).
• Option 2: Reduce the maximum level of support to 90% for lone parents, 80% for couples with children, and 75% for all other households. This option would save the council £45,000, but would increase council tax bills for affected households by an average of £2.50 per week (£132 per year).
• Option 3: Reduce the maximum level of support to 90% for lone parents, 80% for couples with children, and 70% for all other households. This option would save the council £57,000, but would increase council tax bills for affected households by an average of £3.20 per week (£167 per year).

Councillor Sandeep Ghosh, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Economic Growth, was in favour of launching the consultation so that feedback could inform the final recommendation to the Full Council. The report noted that previous options to reduce support in the current scheme groups were rejected in favour of options that maintain a higher level of support for lone parent households. Oversight and approval of the consultation approach was delegated to the Section 151 Officer² in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance.

Approval of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy

The Cabinet approved the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, as detailed in Appendix A - Equality Diversity Inclusion Strategy Document and Appendix B - High-level Action Plan. The strategy aims to further develop service provision to ensure services are accessible to all, and includes a high-level action plan to implement the strategy effectively. The key objectives of the strategy are to:

• Understand the needs of communities and bring local people together.
• Create a diverse and inclusive leadership team and embed inclusion in decision-making.
• Ensure council services meet the diverse needs of residents and make it easy for local residents to access services.
• Be an inclusive and fair employer with a diverse workforce at all levels.

The Cabinet also agreed to contribute to a two-year fixed term officer role to provide expertise and oversee the implementation of the high-level action plan.

Body Worn Video Policy Approved

The Cabinet approved the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership Body Worn Video (BWV) Policy 2025, as detailed in South East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership Body Worn Video BWV Policy 2025. The policy ensures that the operational use of Body Worn Video (BWV) is lawful, proportionate, legitimate, and necessary, and that it will be used only when deemed necessary for violence reduction or evidence collection by trained staff. The policy sets out roles and responsibilities, and provides staff with the correct procedures for collecting, downloading, processing, and presenting video evidence. The Assistant Director Regulatory / Senior Responsible Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, was given delegated authority to make amendments to the policy as required.

South and East Lincolnshire Council's Crowdfunding Scheme

The Cabinet noted the progress of the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Crowdfunding scheme and supported its continuation. The scheme has supported fifteen projects totalling £149,887 across the sub-region in its first two years. The scheme provides an innovative platform to support community projects, and levers a good return on investment.

Quarter 1 Performance and Risk Report

The Cabinet noted the quarterly performance and risk monitoring information for Quarter 1 of 2025/26, as detailed in the Quarter 1 25/26 Performance and Risk Report. The report provided an update on performance and risk as at the end of June 2025.

Quarter 1 Finance Update

The Cabinet noted the forecast revenue position of £0.829m overspend for 2025/26, as detailed in 202526 Quarter 1 Finance Update, and the need for continuous focus on the savings and efficiency programme. The Cabinet also approved the amendments to the Capital Programme, as detailed in Appendix B - BBC Q1 Finance Capital Report 2025-26, that require Cabinet approval, to take into account the changes set out within the report.