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Cabinet - Tuesday 27th January 2026 6.00 pm

January 27, 2026 at 6:00 pm View on council website

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Summary

The Boston Council Cabinet is scheduled to consider a range of policy documents at its upcoming meeting. Key discussions are expected to focus on housing policies, including allocations and standards, as well as a new Trees and Hedgerow Strategy Action Plan. The meeting will also address a partnership safeguarding policy and a social media policy.

Housing Allocations Policy

A significant item on the agenda is the proposed revised Housing Allocations Policy for Boston Borough Council (BBC) and East Lindsey District Council (ELDC). This policy outlines the criteria and procedures for allocating social housing. The report pack includes the current Housing Allocation Policy from 20211 and a proposed new policy for 20252.

Housing Standards Policies

The Cabinet will also review Housing Standards Policies. This agenda item encompasses several draft policies related to housing standards, including a draft Empty Homes Policy3 and a draft Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Licensing Policy4. These policies aim to ensure that housing within the borough meets required standards and addresses issues such as long-term vacant properties.

Trees and Hedgerow Strategy Action Plan

A new Trees and Hedgerow Strategy Action Plan is set to be presented. This plan, developed by Christian Allen, Assistant Director – Regulatory, is intended to guide the council's approach to managing and enhancing the borough's trees and hedgerows. The report pack includes the strategy itself5 and an action plan6, along with supporting appendices78.

Partnership Safeguarding Policy

The meeting will consider the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership Safeguarding Policy. This policy, reported on by Emily Spicer, Assistant Director – Communities and Housing Services, aims to ensure safeguarding measures are in place across the partnership's services. An appendix details the safeguarding policy for the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership (SELCP)9.

Partnership Social Media Policy

A report by James Gilbert, Assistant Director Corporate, will cover a Partnership Social Media Policy. This policy is likely to set out guidelines for the use of social media by partner organisations. The report pack includes the main policy document10 and a supporting appendix11.

Recommendations from Overview and Scrutiny and Boston Town Area Committee

The Cabinet will also receive any recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Boston Town Area Committee (BTAC) as standing items on the agenda. These committees provide a crucial oversight function, reviewing council decisions and policies.


  1. This refers to the existing Housing Allocation Policy from 2021, which sets out the current framework for allocating social housing. 

  2. This refers to the proposed new Housing Allocation Policy for 2025, which will be considered for adoption. 

  3. This is a draft policy aimed at addressing the issue of long-term vacant properties within the borough. 

  4. This is a draft policy concerning the licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), which are properties rented out to multiple people who share a kitchen, bathroom, or living area. 

  5. This is the overarching strategy document for managing trees and hedgerows. 

  6. This is the action plan detailing the specific steps to implement the Trees and Hedgerow Strategy. 

  7. This is an appendix providing further details or supporting information for the Trees and Hedgerow Strategy Action Plan. 

  8. This is another appendix related to the Trees and Hedgerow Strategy. 

  9. This is the specific safeguarding policy document for the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership. 

  10. This is the main document outlining the Partnership Social Media Policy. 

  11. This is an appendix providing additional information or context for the Partnership Social Media Policy. 

Attendees

Profile image for Councillor Dale Broughton
Councillor Dale Broughton Leader • Progressive Independents Boston • Coastal
Profile image for Councillor Mike Gilbert
Councillor Mike Gilbert Deputy Leader • Blue Revolution • Staniland
Profile image for Councillor John Baxter
Councillor John Baxter Portfolio Holder - Housing • Progressive Independents Boston • Old Leake and Wrangle
Profile image for Councillor Callum Butler
Councillor Callum Butler Portfolio Holder - Environmental Services • Progressive Independents Boston • Old Leake and Wrangle
Profile image for Councillor Sandeep Ghosh
Councillor Sandeep Ghosh Portfolio Holder - Finance and Economic Growth • Progressive Independents Boston • Witham
Profile image for Councillor Chris Mountain
Councillor Chris Mountain Portfolio Holder - Infrastructure • Progressive Independents Boston • Wyberton
Profile image for Councillor Claire Rylott
Councillor Claire Rylott Portfolio Holder - Green Spaces and Travel • Conservative • Kirton and Frampton
Profile image for Councillor Sarah Sharpe
Councillor Sarah Sharpe Portfolio Holder - Heritage, Culture and Tourism • Progressive Independents Boston • Fishtoft
Profile image for Councillor Helen Staples
Councillor Helen Staples Portfolio Holder - Communities • Progressive Independents Boston • Fishtoft

Topics

No topics have been identified for this meeting yet.

Meeting Documents

Agenda

Agenda frontsheet 27th-Jan-2026 18.00 Cabinet.pdf

Reports Pack

Public reports pack 27th-Jan-2026 18.00 Cabinet.pdf

Additional Documents

Minutes of Previous Meeting.pdf
Appendix 3 - Excerpt from Overview Scrutiny Committee Minutes.pdf
Appendix 1 - Safeguarding Policy for SELCP v2.3.2 Dec25.pdf
Partnership Social Media Policy.pdf
Appendix 1 - Tree and Hedgerow Action Plan.pdf
Appendix 1 - Social Media Policy.pdf
Tree and Hedgerow Strategy Action Plan.pdf
Appendix 2 - Tree and Hedgerow Strategy.pdf
South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership Safeguarding Policy.pdf
Revised Housing Allocations Policy BBCELDC.pdf
Appendix 1 - Housing Allocation Policy 2021.pdf
Appendix 2 - Housing Allocation Policy 2025.pdf
Housing Standards Policies.pdf
Appendix 1A - DRAFT Empty Homes.pdf
Appendix 1 - DRAFT Empty Homes Policy.pdf
Appendix 2 - DRAFT HMO Licensing Policy.pdf
Appendix 1B - DRAFT Empty Homes.pdf
Appendix 2B - DRAFT HMO Licensing.pdf