The Policy Development Panel were scheduled to meet on 25 November 2025 to discuss a range of topics, including reviewing the council's policies and considering action plans for environmental strategies. Councillors were also scheduled to review the panel's work programme.

Net Zero Action Plan

The panel were scheduled to discuss the draft Net Zero Action Plan, detailed in the Action Plan for Carbon Reduction, before it goes to the cabinet for adoption. The plan outlines how the council intends to meet its commitment to be net zero by 2040.

The Action Plan for Carbon Reduction covers:

• Fleet - including a review of the potential for electrification of fleet vehicles.
• Operational Buildings - including developing decarbonisation strategies for key operational buildings.
• Priory Road/South Holland Centre - identifying opportunities to improve energy efficiency at both sites.
• Social Housing - continuing to roll out energy efficiency projects and engaging with residents on energy saving methods.
• Waste - reducing single use plastic and increasing recycling.
• Commuting/Business Travel - promoting the use of EVs and cycling amongst employees.
• Public Lighting - continuing the LED upgrade programme.
• Linked Initiatives - including carbon literacy training for staff and members, and supporting the South and East Lincolnshire Climate Action Network (SELCAN).

Tree and Hedgerow Strategy Action Plan

The panel were scheduled to discuss and agree on an action plan to deliver the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership's Tree and Hedgerow Strategy, detailed in the Tress Hedgerows Strategy Action Plan. The strategy sets out a vision for greener spaces and how trees and hedgerows can help people and wildlife adapt to environmental challenges. The action plan is designed to support this vision through a series of activities based around protecting existing resources, planting new trees and hedgerows, and encouraging participation from local communities.

The Tress Hedgerows Strategy Action Plan includes:

• Implementing biosecurity measures to minimise the spread of pests and diseases.
• Documenting and maintaining existing tree and hedgerow habitat.
• Implementing the principles of Biodiversity Net Gain¹ to provide opportunities for new tree and hedgerow planting.
• Developing a better understanding of the potential for tree and hedgerow planting on council-owned sites.
• Increasing canopy cover across the sub-region.
• Reviewing and reinvigorating the Tree Warden Network.
• Developing community orchard schemes.

Partnership Environment Policy

The panel were scheduled to review the new Partnership Environment Policy, detailed in the Environment Policy, one year after its adoption. The policy sets out the mandate for delivery against the sub-regional strategy's environment priority and provides the overarching framework for more detailed strategic documents and project plans.

The Environment Policy is broken down into four key themes:

• Protecting and recovering our natural environment.
• Mitigating and adapting to climate change.
• Protecting and enhancing our built environment.
• Ensuring a sustainable approach to waste and resource management.

Housing Standards Policies

The panel were scheduled to consider the review and update of housing standards policies prior to alignment across the partnership. The relevant document was the Housing Standards Policies. The policies included:

• Empty Homes Policy, detailed in the Appendix 1 Empty Homes Policy and Appendix 1A Empty Homes Policy.
• Houses in Multiple Occupation Licensing Policy, detailed in the Appendix 2 Housing Standards HMO Policy and Appendix 2B HMO Licensing Policy.
• Housing Standards Enforcement Policy.

Social Media Policy

The panel were scheduled to consider the draft Social Media Policy, detailed in the Social Media Policy and Appendix 1, and provide feedback before its presentation to the cabinet. The policy aims to introduce a coordinated approach to how social media channels are used across the partnership, ensure consistency, and place a strategic emphasis on data and audience insights to influence decision-making and messaging.

The policy includes:

• 'House rules' for followers of the council's social channels.
• Strategic objectives and approaches for each of the council's social media channels.
• Actions relating to security and housekeeping.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

The panel were scheduled to review the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy one year after its adoption at cabinet.

Other Matters

The panel were also scheduled to:

• Approve the minutes of the previous meetings, detailed in the Minutes Public Pack 23092025 Policy Development Panel and Minutes Public Pack 21102025 Joint Performance Monitoring Panel and Policy Development Panel.
• Consider updates to actions arising from the previous meeting, detailed in the PDP23 sept 2025ActionSheet.
• Note the current Key Decision Plan, detailed in the Key Decision Plan.
• Note the SHDC and S&ELCP Policy Registers, detailed in the Policy Register -SHDC and Partnership Policy and Strategy Register.
• Consider any items referred from the Performance Monitoring Panel.
• Consider any questions asked under standing order 6.
• Consider any other items which the Chairman, Councillor Andrew Robert Woolf, decides are urgent.
• Consider a restricted minute from the Special Joint Performance Monitoring Panel and Policy Development Panel held on 21 October 2025.
• Set out the Work Programme of the Policy Development Panel, detailed in the Policy Development Panel Work Programme, and allow members to monitor the progress of the programme and identify any additional items for inclusion.