The Council meeting on Friday, 19 December 2025, saw the approval of the Section 17 Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy 2025-2028 and the adoption of the Council Plan 2026-2031. A significant debate also took place regarding the Council's Budget for 2026/27, which ultimately resulted in a 2.90% Council Tax increase, with an amendment to suspend the closure of Long Sutton and Mablethorpe Community Centres being unanimously carried.

Review of the Financial Regulations and Budget Definition within the Constitution

The Council reviewed and approved amendments to its Financial Regulations and consequential amendments to the budget definition within the Constitution. These changes were identified as necessary to align with updated legislation, professional codes of practice, and guidance. The amendments primarily focused on roles in financial management, financial planning and management, risk management and internal control, and the control of resources and other assets. The Chief Finance Officer (S151) is responsible for ensuring these regulations support the council's financial governance and are regularly reviewed. No equality impacts were identified from these proposed changes.

The Council's Section 17 Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy

The Council approved the Section 17 Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy 2025-2028. This strategy formalises the council's commitment to embedding crime prevention across all its functions, promoting safer communities, and reducing harm. It outlines a whole-organisation approach, aligning with the council's corporate ambitions and strengthening multi-agency collaboration. The strategy details objectives such as ensuring all council services consider their impact on crime and disorder, promoting proactive prevention measures, strengthening multi-agency collaboration, equipping staff with knowledge, and monitoring effectiveness. The Community Safety team, within Adult Care and Community Wellbeing, plays a central role in coordinating multi-agency responses and spearheading initiatives. The strategy was developed with input from various directorates and partnership boards, and the Community Safety Scrutiny Committee unanimously supported its recommendations.

Council Budget 2026/27

The Council debated and ultimately approved the budget for 2026/27, which included a 2.90% increase in the County Council element of Council Tax for a Band D property, setting it at £1,673.01. Several amendments were proposed by various groups, including the Liberal Democrats, Labour, Independents, and Conservatives, aiming to reverse proposed cuts, increase funding for specific areas like highways and community centres, or freeze Council Tax.

The Liberal Democrat amendment sought to release £3.247m from the Voluntary Revenue Provision to fund 24-hour emergency repairs and create a Resilience Fund for pothole repairs and footway improvements. This amendment fell.

The Labour Group proposed reversing cuts to the Integrated Lifestyle service, funded by reserves, but this amendment also fell.

The Independent Group put forward three amendments: one to increase Council Tax by 4.99% to raise an additional £8.6 million, another to top up the Flood Emergency Fund to £1 million, and a third to fund a Summer Reading Scheme initiative. All three of these amendments fell.

A significant amendment by the Conservative Group, proposing to halt the proposed closures of Long Sutton and Mablethorpe Community Centres and undertake a full options appraisal and community consultation, was unanimously carried.

Following these debates and amendments, the original motion for the Council Budget 2026/27 was put to a vote. The approved budget includes changes to the revenue budget, the capital programme, the County Council element of Council Tax, the Financial Strategy, the Capital Investment Strategy, prudential indicators, and the Treasury Management Strategy Statement. Crucially, the decision to suspend the closures of Long Sutton and Mablethorpe Community Centres was also incorporated into the final resolution.