The Policy Development Panel of South Holland Council met on Tuesday 2 June 2026 to discuss a range of policy matters, including proposed changes to strategy and policy review processes in light of Local Government Reorganisation, the final report of the Derelict and Untidy Sites Task Group, and a review of HR policies. The panel also considered updates to various council registers and its own work programme.

Strategy / Policy Review and Development in Lead up to Local Government Reorganisation

The panel was scheduled to consider an approach to future strategy and policy review and development in the lead-up to Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). The report proposed a refined and proportionate approach to managing the council's strategies and policies during the transition period, which is anticipated to conclude by 2028. The proposal focused on policies outside the Council's Policy Framework, suggesting that minor or non-material amendments, and consequential amendments due to legislative changes, could be delegated to Service Directors in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder and Monitoring Officer. This approach aimed to maintain strong governance while freeing up capacity to focus on LGR.

Final Report of the Derelict and Untidy Sites Task Group

Consideration was scheduled for the Final Report of the Derelict and Untidy Sites Task Group. This task group had been established to assess the effectiveness of the Derelict and Untidy Sites Policy, introduced in 2022, which aimed to address unsightly and neglected properties. Concerns had been raised about the policy's effectiveness, potential duplication of existing statutory powers, and a lack of demonstrable outcomes. The task group was expected to recommend whether the policy should be retired, retained, or repurposed as an informative document.

Review of HR Policies

The panel was asked to provide its views on proposed HR policies prior to their submission to the Council. These policies had been developed by Public Sector Partnership Services (PSPS) and reviewed by a Readers' Panel comprising officers and trade union representatives. The report indicated that the policies were considered practical to implement operationally. The review included new policies on Fixed-term Contracts and Secondments, Housing Competence and Conduct, and a Housing Code of Conduct, as well as amendments to existing policies on Learning & Development, Managing and Supporting Change, Probation, and Recruitment.

SHDC Policy Register & SELCP Policy Register

The panel was scheduled to note the South Holland District Council (SHDC) Policy Register and the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership (SELCP) Policy Register. These registers provide an overview of the council's policies, their approval dates, review cycles, and current status.

Key Decision Plan

The panel was scheduled to note the current Key Decision Plan. This plan outlines key decisions that the council is likely to make over the next twelve months, detailing the purpose of the decision, consultees, supporting documents, likely decision-makers, and officer contact information.

Policy Development Panel Work Programme

The panel was set to review its Work Programme for 2026/27, which included a calendar of future meeting items and details of ongoing task groups. This agenda item provided an opportunity for members to propose new items for discussion and monitor the progress of existing work streams.

Tracking of Recommendations

The panel was scheduled to consider responses from the Cabinet to reports previously submitted by the Panel.

Actions

An update was scheduled on actions that arose from the previous Policy Development Panel meeting on 21 April 2026, and the tracking of outstanding actions.

Items Referred from the Performance Monitoring Panel

The panel was to consider any items that had been referred from the Performance Monitoring Panel.

Strategy / Policy Review and Development

The panel was to consider an approach to future strategy and policy review and development in the lead-up to Local Government Reorganisation. The report proposed a refined and proportionate approach to managing the council's strategies and policies during the transition period to 2028.

Debt Write Off Policy

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

Any Other Items Which the Chairman Decides Are Urgent

This item allowed for the consideration of any urgent matters that the Chairman deemed necessary to bring before the panel.

The meeting also included standard procedural items such as apologies for absence, the signing of previous minutes, and declarations of interest. A portion of the meeting was also scheduled to be held in private to consider exempt information.