Boston Borough Council met to discuss the 2024/25 outturn report, appointments to committees, the designation of a Section 151 officer¹, the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership performance, and a motion to replace the Chairman of the Planning Committee. The council approved the transfer of a £1.015 million surplus to the volatility reserve, made appointments to committee vice-chairmanships and outside bodies, designated a Section 151 officer, and voted to replace Councillor David Middleton as Chairman of the Planning Committee with Councillor Peter Bedford.

Planning Committee Chairman

Councillor David Middleton was removed as Chairman of the Planning Committee and replaced by Councillor Peter Bedford. Councillor Helen Staples, Portfolio Holder for Communities, proposed the motion, which was seconded by Councillor Sarah Sharpe, Portfolio Holder for Heritage, Culture and Tourism. Councillor Staples argued that Councillor Bedford's eight years of experience as Chairman of the Planning Committee and seven years as Portfolio Holder of Planning and Development made him well-suited for the role, and that he would maintain the integrity of the planning process and retain public confidence in the council.

Councillor Middleton expressed his disappointment at being removed, highlighting his work to improve decision-making, arrange training for committee members, and ensure good performance. Councillor Anton Dani welcomed the change, stating that rotating posts would bring different experiences and that everyone should have the opportunity to prove themselves.

Councillor Anne Dorrian alleged the move was motivated by spite and to settle scores related to Facebook trolling, and that Councillor Middleton was being targeted because he is married to her. Councillor Andy Izard said he was embarrassed by Councillor Middleton's disrespect towards members of the public at the last two planning meetings. Councillor Staples said that she had taken a report from a member of the public about Councillor Broughton and herself to the committee clerk and the monitoring officer.

2024/25 Outturn Report

The council approved the transfer of a £1.015 million surplus to the volatility reserve. Councillor Sandeep Ghosh, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Economic Growth, introduced the 2024/25 Outturn Report, highlighting a revenue surplus of £1.015 million, an improvement from the Q3 forecast of £627,000. This was attributed to disciplined underspending in service direct rates and overperformance of investment income. The investment income had a favourable variance of £658,000 against a net budget of £1.587 million, while service direct rates recorded a net underspend of £746,000 through cost control measures, primarily by reducing IT, staffing, and operational expenses, as well as deferring certain projects. Councillor Ghosh recommended transferring the surplus to the volatility reserve.

Democratic Arrangements

The council made appointments to committee vice-chairmanships and outside bodies. The Democratic Arrangements report detailed vacancies that had arisen since the annual meeting in May 2025. Nominations were received for:

• Audit and Governance Committee Vice Chairmanship: Councillor James Cantwell
• Licensing/Regulatory and Appeals Committee Vice Chairmanship: Councillor Stuart Evans
• Black Sluice Internal Drainage Board: Councillor Richard Austin and Councillor Suzanne Welberry
• Washer North Norfolk Partnership Members Group: Councillor Peter Bedford
• John Lawton Educational Foundation: Councillor Mike Gilbert

Councillor Dorrian nominated Councillor Emma Cresswell as Vice Chair of Audit and Governance, arguing that it is good governance to have the main opposition in scrutiny roles. However, the nomination was not valid because Councillor Cresswell was not a member of the Audit and Governance Committee. Councillor Dorrian then nominated herself, but this amendment failed. The council then voted in favour of the original motion to elect Councillor Cantwell as the Vice Chair of Audit and Governance, and Councillor Evans as Vice Chair of Licensing.

Designation of Section 151 Officer

The council designated Russell Stone, the incoming Director of Finance, as the Section 151 Officer, effective from 3 November 2025. Councillor Dale Broughton introduced the Designation of Section 151 Officer report, noting that the interim Section 151 Officer, Brendan Arnold, was leaving the council. Councillor Broughton thanked Brendan Arnold for his service and wished him well. Councillor Jonathan Noble asked about the cost of the search agency, Gatenby Sanderson, and where Russell Stone had been a Chief Financial Officer for 15 years, and why East Lindsey District Council had not been consulted. Councillor Broughton said he would provide written responses to the first two questions, and that East Lindsey District Council had been on the employment panel.

South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership Performance Report

The council noted the content of the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership Performance Report. Councillor Dale Broughton presented the report, which provided a six-month update on the activities undertaken through the partnership across the three councils. The report showed that 82% of the 102 activities in the alignment and delivery plan for the year were complete or on plan. External funding was at £9,032,612 for the first quarter of 2025-26, and the partnership was on track to achieve efficiency savings of up to £39,174,161 by 2032.