Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Martin Foster,

Members were invited to disclose any interests.  None were received.

To confirm the Open and Exempt Minutes of the Meeting held on 5^th November 2025 and the Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting held on 25^th November 2025.

The Open and Exempt Minutes of the Meeting held on 5^th November 2025 and the Minutes from the Extraordinary Meeting held on 25 November 2025 were confirmed as a correct record.

To consider approval to update the Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy for the Council and align the document across the Partnership.

1.     That the Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy (attached at Appendix 1 to the report referred) be approved.

2.     That authority be delegated to the S151 Officer to review and make minor amendments to the Policy to reflect changes in legislation, statutory guidance or contact details.

A report was presented to consider approval to update the Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy for the Council and align the document across the Partnership.

During his introduction of the report, the Portfolio Holder for Finance advised Members that the Council had a duty to prevent fraud and corruption, whether it was attempted by someone outside or within the Council.  For this purpose, the Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy captured the approach and procedures to prevent and deal with fraud, bribery and corruption. 

A comprehensive Fraud Response Plan would be in place, clearly defining roles, responsibilities, and procedures for prevention, detection, and investigation.  The policy ensured compliance with the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 and the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.  The latter introduced a corporate offence of failing to prevent fraud, which was reflected in the updated policy.

The report sought approval and adoption of a revised and updated Policy with the intention being to align this for the Councils within the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership (SELCP).

The full background and details were included at Section 1 of the report, pages 16 to 17 of the Agenda refer.  The draft policy was attached at Appendix 1 to the report referred.

Members were invited to put their comments forward.  None were received.

RESOLVED

1.     That the Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy (attached at Appendix 1 to the report referred) be approved.

2.     That authority be delegated to the S151 Officer to review and make minor amendments to the Policy to reflect changes in legislation, statutory guidance or contact details.

Reasons

By seeking to prevent fraud and encouraging the reporting of potential corruption, the Council can better safeguard the public funds that it administers.

Other Options

Not having a Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy - rejected as the Council has statutory obligations to have measures in place to tackle fraud.

To consider information relating to the Council’s performance and risk at the end of Quarter 2 – 2025/26 (as at 30 September 2025).

That the performance information contained within the report and appendices be noted.

A report was presented to provide an update on performance information for Quarter 2 of 2025/26 (as at the end of September 2025).

During his introduction of the report the Leader of the Council asked that Portfolio Holders noted the details for their specific areas and where relevant, considered any further action in respect to the performance and risk information contained within the appendices, pages 41 to 74 of the Agenda refer.

The full background and details were included at Sections 1 to 4 of the report, pages 34 to 38 of the Agenda refer. 

Members were invited to put their comments forward.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning highlighted the information which showed that 96.83% of major and minor planning decisions for the current quarter had been determined within the required timescales, page 50 of the Agenda refers.  This represented a strong performance by the team, particularly in light of the challenges encountered earlier in the year and it was pleasing to see performance restored to the expected level.

RESOLVED

That the performance and risk information contained within the report and appendices be noted.

Reasons

To monitor delivery of performance and governance objectives and to support future planning and decision making within the Council.

Other Options

Alternative reporting arrangements.

N.B.  James Gilbert, Assistant Director (Corporate) left the Meeting at 6.05pm.

To consider the Council Tax Support Scheme 2026/27.

i)                 That the continuation of the current Council Tax Support scheme, uprated in line with DWP’s annual update of allowances and premiums for 2026/27 be recommended to Full Council for approval.

ii)               That approval be delegated to the Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance for developing the 2026/27 scheme rules in accordance with recommendation i) above as appropriate, including prescribed, administrative and minor changes.

A report was presented that sought an Executive Board decision on the final proposals for the 2026/27 Council Tax Support scheme.

During his introduction of the report, the Portfolio Holder for Finance highlighted that the report presented the outcome of the consultation process for Executive Board consideration and sought its recommendation regarding the proposed Council Tax Support scheme for 2026/27, following which Executive Board’s recommendation would be submitted to Full Council for approval on 28th January 2026.

The full background to the Council Tax Support Scheme was set out at Sections 1 to 4 of the report, together with the Consultation report at Appendix 1, pages 76 to 88 of the Agenda refers.

Members were invited to put their comments forward.  None were received.

RESOLVED

i)                 That the continuation of the current Council Tax Support scheme, uprated in line with DWP’s annual update of allowances and premiums for 2026/27 be recommended to Full Council for approval.

ii)               That approval be delegated to the Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance for developing the 2026/27 scheme rules in accordance with recommendation i) above as appropriate, including prescribed, administrative and minor changes.

Reasons

Full Council must make any revision to its scheme, or any replacement, and agree its final scheme no later than 11^th March 2026, in relation to the 2026/27 financial year.

The recommendation has regard to the earlier deliberations of Executive Board, and the outcome of the consultation process.

Uprating in line with Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will ensure the scheme continues to support the most vulnerable and low-income households by using nationally recognised rates of DWP income.

Other Options

To reduce the maximum level of support to 70% for households with children and 60% for other households.

This option was consulted on but rejected in favour of retaining the current level of support at this time, for the reasons set out in this report.

N.B.  Sharon Hammond, Head of Revenues and Benefits (PSPS Limited) left the Meeting at 6.08pm.

To report on the Council’s Finances as at the end of Quarter 2 - 2025/26.

1.     That the forecast revenue position of a £418k underspend for 2025/26 as detailed in Table 1 of Appendix A to the report referred be noted.

2.     That the amendments to the Capital Programme as detailed in Appendix B - Table 3 - Section A to the report referred be approved.

A report was presented to summarise the current financial position for the Council at the end of the second quarter of 2025/26 forecasting to the year end.

During his introduction of the report the Portfolio Holder for Finance referred Members to Appendix A which provided information on the full year forecasted financial performance at 30 September 2025 for the following areas:

•                  The General Fund Revenue Provisional Outturn

•                  Savings Target Forecast Outturn

•                  Reserves

•                  Treasury Management

•                  Finance Capital Report

•                  Grants

Particular reference was made to the following key points:

• Income forecasts were broadly in line with full year budgets at Q1, however as signalled in the Q1 report Planning Application fees and Car Parking charges had been reviewed during Q2.  Car Parking income at Q2 was forecast to overachieve by £252k, primarily due to a dry summer period.  Planning Application fees were now forecast to overachieve by £150k primarily linked to an increase in volume and value, for context 3 times the number of mid-range applications had been received in 2025/26 compared to the previous year.

• Notable forecast adjustments during Q2 that were previously assumed to budget in Q1, included electricity that had released £271k, public conveniences that had released £110k (budgets not required on externally managed assets) and Housing Benefit Overpayments released £100k anticipation of increased receipts on historic overpayments.  Sutton on Sea Colonnade added £140k pressure as ELDC took on operational responsibility of the asset to 31^st March 2026.

• During Q3, further information would be sought from the energy provider responsible for the PV Solar income across the authority’s assets to determine the likely forecast outturn in 2025/26.  Q2 currently forecasted to budget, however it was possible that a pressure could result and an update would be provided in Q3.

• The Council’s 2025/26 gross budget for investment income was £2.149m and the outturn for gross investment income was £2.863m, contributing to an overachievement of £714k.

• Unallocated Corporate Efficiency Target of £1.128m had been assigned to the cost of services in Table 1 and was detailed further in Table 1b.  The Transformation Board would meet to discuss opportunities to assign Q2 forecast assumptions against the unmet efficiency and items to consider were noted in Table 1b.

Full details were contained in Sections 1 to 4 of the report, pages 90 to 92 of the Agenda refer.  A copy of the Q2 Finance Revenue Report 2025/26 and Q2 Finance Capital Report 2025/26 were attached at Appendices A and B respectively.

Members were invited to put their comments forward.

The Portfolio Holder for Coastal Economy raised a query in relation to the reserves detailed on page 97 of the Agenda referred, specifically the Wellbeing Reserve.  Members noted that the Executive Board had consistently championed wellbeing initiatives, and clarification was sought regarding the current reserve balance, the recent addition, and the resulting increase compared to previous levels.  The question asked whether there were defined plans for the use of this reserve and the rationale for allocating funds  ...  view the full minutes text for item 141.

To seek Member approval to introduce a new updated version of the Contract Procedure Rules.

1. That the draft revised Contract Procedure Rules, at Appendix 1a to this report be recommended to Full Council for adoption.

2. That Delegations to Officers that sets out the authorisation for decision making in relation to Contract Procedure Rules at Appendix 2 to this report be approved. This approval will be subject to a Council decision to amend the Contract Procedure Rules.

A report was presented to seek Member approval to introduce a new updated version of the Contract Procedure Rules.

During his introduction of the report, the Portfolio Holder for Finance informed Members that the report set out a revised draft set of Contract Procedure Rules.  The Audit & Governance Committee considered the proposed amendments to the Contract Procedure Rules at its meeting on the 19^th November 2025 and recommended them for adoption by the Council, Minute No. 50 refers

Whilst agreement of these constitutional changes was a Council function, decision relating to the award of contracts were Executive decisions.  Accordingly, the Executive was asked to consider and approve the Delegations to Officers (Appendix 2), that set out the authorisation for decision making in relation to the proposed Contract Procedure Rules.

The Executive was asked to review the revised set of Contract Procedure Rules, following which any comments were then to be considered prior to the final draft revised documents being presented to Council for approval.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance highlighted that this was an important piece of work and made particular reference to the key changes to the revised Contract Procedure Rules as set out in Appendix 3, pages 165 to 168 of the Agenda refer.

Full details were contained in Section 1 of the report, together with the associated appendices attached at Appendices 1a, 1b, 2 and 3, pages 108 to 168 of the Agenda refer.

N.B.  Pranali Parikh, Director for Economic Growth joined the Meeting at 6.17pm.

Members were invited to put their comments forward.

The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Leisure and Culture and Carbon reduction raised a query regarding whether the new rules impacted the process for approving the continuation of a contract in circumstances where there was only one, or no alternative provider available.  It was confirmed that the new rules did not affect this process.

RESOLVED

1. That the draft revised Contract Procedure Rules, at Appendix 1a to this report be recommended to Full Council for adoption.

2. That Delegations to Officers that sets out the authorisation for decision making in relation to Contract Procedure Rules at Appendix 2 to this report be approved.  This approval will be subject to a Council decision to amend the Contract Procedure Rules.

Reasons

• To ensure that the Council has robust, up-to-date Contract Procedure Rules that provide clarity to officers, members, and potential suppliers.
• To ensure a clear and consistent approach in the award of contracts and safeguard the public’s trust and confidence and promote public accountability and procurement practice.
• To help avoid governance failures in the Council’s procurement activity.

Other Options

To do nothing – which would result in the retention of the existing Contract Procedure Rules.  This would not be deemed best practice as the Contract Procedure Rules have not been reviewed or updated for 3 years.

N.B.  Martin Gibbs, Head of Procurement and Contracts left the Meeting at 6.24pm.

The programmed date for the next Meeting of this Board will be Wednesday 21 January 2026.

The next meeting of Executive Board was noted as Wednesday 21^st January 2026.

RESOLVED

That under Section 100(a)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item on the grounds that, if they were present, there could be disclosed to them exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act (as amended).

To consider approval for the award of contract under an agency agreement for the operation and lifecycle maintenance of the Council’s leisure facilities.

That the recommendations contained within the Exempt report be approved.

An Exempt report was presented for consideration.

RESOLVED

That the recommendations contained within the Exempt report be approved.

Reason

As contained within the Exempt Report.

Other options

As contained within the Exempt Report.