The South Kesteven District Council cabinet met to discuss a range of issues, including finances, housing, and conservation. They approved a contract for construction of new social housing, reviewed the council's financial position, and agreed to recommend the designation of two new conservation areas to the full council.

Here's a breakdown of the key topics discussed:

Housing

Contract Award for Wellington Way New Build Scheme

The cabinet approved the award of a contract to Lindum Group Limited for the construction of 11 new social housing units at Wellington Way, Market Deeping. The cost is £1,926,000. The development will include 2 one-bedroom apartments, 4 two-bedroom apartments, and 5 two-bedroom houses. The new build properties are designed to include air source heat pumps¹ and solar photovoltaic (PV) panels², and infrastructure for electric vehicles. The council expects rental income from the properties, and the development will contribute to replacing homes lost through the right to buy scheme³.

Contract Award for Reactive Repairs

The cabinet approved entering into contracts with Foster Property Maintenance Limited and Lukeman Electrical Services Limited to carry out reactive repairs to council-owned properties. The contracts are for three years, with the option to extend for up to two additional years, and have an annual value of up to £2.2 million, split between the two contractors. The aim is to improve the repairs service for residents by reducing the time taken to complete repairs.

Contract Award for Radon Remedial Works

The cabinet approved awarding a contract to The Radon Consultants Ltd for radon remedial works on council housing stock. The contract is for two years, with an option to extend for up to two additional years, and has an annual value of up to £500,000. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. Although South Lincolnshire is considered a low-risk area, the council is taking action to mitigate any risks to residents.

Annual Complaint Performance and Service Improvement Report

The cabinet reviewed the 2024/25 Annual Complaint Performance and Service Improvement Report and the council's self-assessment against the Housing Ombudsman Complaint Handling Code. In 2024/25, the housing directorate received 233 stage 1 complaints, compared to 284 in 2023/24, and 18 stage 2 complaints, compared to 39 the previous year. The report noted that the council responded to 84% of stage 1 complaints on time, compared with 39% in 2023/24, and 100% of stage 2 complaints on time, compared with 26% the previous year. The most frequent findings by the Housing Ombudsman related to property condition and the handling of complaints. Councillor Virginia Moran, Cabinet Member for Housing, said that tenant feedback had directly shaped updates to key policies, including the Repairs and Maintenance Policy, Tenancy Management Policy, Estate Management Policy, and Anti-Social Behaviour Policy, and that a dedicated Damp and Mould Team had been set up.

Conservation Areas

Aslackby Conservation Area Appraisal

The cabinet agreed to recommend to the full council that it formally designate the Aslackby Conservation Area boundary as shown in Appendix A of the Aslackby Conservation Area Appraisal, and adopt the appraisal as part of the Development Plan evidence base and as a material planning consideration. The appraisal notes that Aslackby has a dispersed plan form and an informal rural character, and that the grouping of St James Church, The Elms, The Rectory and Manor House make a significant contribution to the character and appearance of the conservation area. The cabinet also agreed to recommend that the full council delegate decision-making to the Assistant Director of Planning to make minor changes to the appraisal prior to formal publication.

Ropsley Conservation Area Appraisal

The cabinet agreed to recommend to the full council that it formally designate the Ropsley Conservation Area boundary as shown in Appendix A of the Ropsley Conservation Area Appraisal, and adopt the appraisal as part of the Development Plan evidence base and as a material planning consideration. The appraisal notes that Ropsley has a linear plan form centred on High Street and Peck Hill, and that St Peter's Church dominates the village. The cabinet also agreed to recommend that the full council delegate decision-making to the Assistant Director of Planning to make minor changes to the appraisal prior to formal publication.

Finance

Finance Update Report

The cabinet reviewed the Finance Update Report: April to July 2025, which presented the council's forecast financial position as of the end of July 2025. The report covered the General Fund Revenue Budget, the Housing Revenue Account Budget, and the Capital Programmes for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account. The report forecast a £492,000 underspend for the General Fund, but highlighted a potential pressure on the repairs and maintenance budget for the Housing Revenue Account. The report also noted that higher average interest rates had resulted in increased investment income. Appendix A is the 2025-26 Finance Risk Register.

Weekly Food Waste Collection Service Update

The cabinet discussed a report on the progress of the weekly food waste collection service rollout, and agreed to recommend to the council that it approve the formation of a revenue budget of £542,195 for the 2025/26 financial year to facilitate the rollout, using £400,125.45 from allocated revenue transitional funding and an additional £142,069.55 from the Waste Service Reserve. The cabinet also agreed to recommend that the council approve an increase to the vehicle replacement capital budget of £171,850 from the Waste Service Reserve to contribute towards funding the food waste collection vehicles and caddies, and accept the additional pEPR payment of £935,377.03 for the financial year 2025/26, allocating this funding to the established Waste Services Reserve. The government has mandated that the weekly food waste collection service must be in place by 31 March 2026, and South Kesteven District Council will start collecting food waste on Monday 13 April 2026.

Local Government Outcomes Framework

The cabinet approved the council's response to the government's consultation on the draft Local Government Outcomes Framework (LGOF). The LGOF sets fifteen outcomes that the government expects to work with local authorities on to deliver key national priorities for local people and communities, underpinned by outcome metrics drawing from existing data sources to show how progress will be measured.

Other Matters

People Strategy

The cabinet approved the People Strategy 2025 – 2028, which sets out six key priorities: workforce planning, learning and development, employee experience, equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging, wellbeing, and reward and recognition.

Cabinet Forward Plan

The cabinet noted the Cabinet Forward Plan, which sets out the decisions that are scheduled to be considered by the cabinet over the next 12 months.

During question time, Councillor Ian Selby, Chairman of the Council, asked the Cabinet Member for Property and Public Engagement to investigate the accessibility and dilapidation of the Grantham Meres Stadium. Councillor Rhea Rayside asked whether there were any best practices from other councils that South Kesteven District Council could adopt to ensure a proactive rather than reactive approach to those that walk too many dogs. Councillor Virginia Moran, Cabinet Member for Housing, asked for the issue to be re-visited in a year's time to have a look at the number of issues or incidents, and the Cabinet Member for Property and Public Engagement agreed to investigate joint publicity campaigns with Lincolnshire Police on this issue.