The Policy Development Panel met on Tuesday 2 June 2026 to discuss a range of policy matters, including an approach to strategy and policy review in the lead-up to Local Government Reorganisation, the final report of the Derelict and Untidy Sites Task Group, and proposed revisions to HR policies. The panel also reviewed its own work programme and considered updates on outstanding actions from previous meetings.

Strategy / Policy Review and Development in light of Local Government Reorganisation

The panel was scheduled to consider an approach to future strategy and policy review and development in anticipation of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). The report proposed a streamlined approach for policies outside the Council's Policy Framework during the transition period, which is expected to conclude by 2028. The suggested approach would delegate the approval of minor or non-material amendments, and consequential changes due to legislative updates, to Service Directors in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder and Monitoring Officer. This aims to maintain governance while freeing up capacity to focus on LGR.

Final Report of the Derelict and Untidy Sites Task Group

A key item on the agenda was the consideration of the Final Report of the Derelict and Untidy Sites Task Group. This task group was established to assess the effectiveness of the Derelict and Untidy Sites Policy, introduced in 2022, and to explore potential improvements or alternatives. The report was expected to highlight that the existing policy was largely duplicative of statutory powers already available to departments such as Planning and Environmental Health. The task group's conclusion was that the current policy should be retired and replaced with a concise, 2-3 page guidance document for Members and Parish Councils. This new document would serve as a signpost, detailing how to identify relevant issues, what information to gather, which service to contact, realistic timescales, and links to public reporting methods.

Review of HR Policies

The panel was also scheduled to review proposed HR policies prior to their submission to the Council. These policies, developed by Public Sector Partnership Services (PSPS) with input from a Readers' Panel comprising officers and trade union representatives, aimed to ensure consistency across the Partnership. The report presented three new policies: Fixed-term Contracts and Secondments Policy, Housing Competence and Conduct Policy, and Housing Code of Conduct. Additionally, four existing policies were presented with amendments: Learning & Development Policy, Managing and Supporting Change Policy, Probation Policy, and Recruitment Policy. The Housing Competence and Conduct Policy and Housing Code of Conduct were specifically highlighted as being developed to meet the expectations of the Regulator of Social Housing under the Competence and Conduct Standard, with tenant feedback incorporated into their development.

Policy Development Panel Work Programme

The panel was set to review its Work Programme for 2026/27, as outlined in Appendix 1 of the report. This programme details future meeting dates and proposed items for consideration, which are either suggested by councillors or referred from officers or the Cabinet. Appendix 2 was also to be reviewed, outlining the task groups established by the panel, their objectives, key dates, membership, and reporting back dates. This agenda item aimed to ensure the panel's work remained relevant and up-to-date.

Actions from Previous Meetings

The panel was scheduled to consider updates on actions that arose from the Policy Development Panel meeting on 21 April 2026, and to track outstanding actions. This included updates on the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) and Hate Crime Policy for the Housing Landlord Service, the Housing (HRA) Damp Condensation and Mould Policy, the Graffiti and Street Art Management Policy, and the Debt Write Off Policy.

Key Decision Plan

The panel was also scheduled to note the current Key Decision Plan, which outlines key decisions the Council is likely to make over the next twelve months. Key decisions are defined as those with a significant effect on communities in two or more Wards, or those likely to result in expenditure, income generation, or savings above specific financial thresholds.

SHDC Policy Register & SELCP Policy Register

The panel was to note the SHDC Policy Register and the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership (SELCP) Policy Register. These registers provide an overview of approved policies, their review cycles, and their current status.

Health and Safety Policy – General Statement of Intent and Arrangements

Consideration was scheduled for proposed amendments to the Council's Health and Safety Policy. The report indicated that these changes were minor and part of a scheduled three-yearly review, aimed at enabling the policy to be adopted separately by each sovereign council and providing greater flexibility.

Debt Write Off Policy

The panel was scheduled to review the Debt Write Off Policy. This item was proposed to be considered in conjunction with item 19 in an exempt session.

Any Other Items Which the Chairman Decides Are Urgent

The agenda allowed for any other urgent items to be considered, at the Chairman's discretion.

The meeting also included standard procedural items such as apologies for absence, the signing of previous minutes, and declarations of interest. Items 15 and 16 related to the exclusion of the press and public for the consideration of restricted minutes from a previous meeting.