Here is a summary of the scheduled Boston Borough Council Cabinet meeting on 10 December 2025. The Cabinet will be discussing the Quarter 2 performance and risk report, proposed amendments to the council's contract procedure rules, the counter fraud, bribery and corruption policy, the Quarter 2 forecast outturn, the local council tax support scheme, a council/public sector partnership services transformation and service modernisation programme, and the South and East Lincolnshire Council's partnership - contracting of leisure facilities. Notably, much of the meeting will be held in exclusion of the public and press due to the discussion of exempt information.

Performance and Risk Management

The Cabinet will be presented with the Quarter 2 2025/26 Performance and Risk Report. This report, prepared by Assistant Director – Corporate, James Gilbert, and Assistant Director – Governance and Monitoring Officer, John Medler, provides an overview of the council's performance and risk position at the end of September 2025. The report includes key performance indicators (KPIs), strategic and operational risks, and any significant changes requiring the Cabinet's consideration. The report pack indicates that there are 92 KPIs for Boston Borough Council in 2025/26, set out by priority following the adoption of the Sub-regional Strategy. The strategic risk register has also been reviewed, and enhancements have been made to improve clarity and focus on key areas of concern, including target status and mitigation action tracking.

Contract Procedure Rules

The Cabinet will consider proposed amendments to the council's Contract Procedure Rules. The report, prepared by Assistant Director – Governance & Monitoring Officer, John Medler, seeks a recommendation to Full Council for adoption of the revised rules. The report pack states that the current Contract Procedure Rules were approved in January 2023, and that public procurement legislation has changed since then with the implementation of the Procurement Act 2023 in February 2025. The proposed rules aim to ensure the council meets basic principles of public procurement, including transparency, fairness, integrity, and value for money. The Cabinet will also be asked to approve the Delegations to Officers, which sets out the authorisation for decision-making in relation to the proposed Contract Procedure Rules.

Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy

The Cabinet will be asked to approve an updated Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy. The report, prepared by Assistant Director, Governance, John Medler, seeks approval and adoption of a revised and updated policy, with the intention of aligning it across the councils within the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership. The report pack states that the council has a zero-tolerance approach to fraud, corruption, theft, and bribery, and that the proposed policy has been developed using the CIFAS five principles to fight fraud and CIPFA guidance. The policy outlines the approach to tackling fraud, bribery, and corruption, and includes a section on key roles and responsibilities, as well as the council's Fraud Response Plan.

Financial Performance

The Cabinet will review the Quarter 2 2025/26 Forecast Outturn. The report, prepared by Director of Finance (S151 Officer), Russell Stone, presents the council's current financial position for the period ending 30 September 2025. The report pack indicates that the forecast revenue position is a £0.571m deficit for 2025/26, and that the Cabinet will note the amendments to the Capital Programme. The Cabinet will also recommend to Full Council the amendments to the Capital Programme for approval.

Exclusion of Public and Press

The Cabinet will consider a resolution to exclude the public and press from the meeting for certain items of business. This exclusion is based on Section 100(A)(iv) of the Local Government Act 1972, as the items involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

Council / Public Sector Partnership Services Transformation and Service Modernisation Programme

The Cabinet will be presented with a report by Assistant Director – Corporate, James Gilbert, regarding the Council / Public Sector Partnership Services Transformation and Service Modernisation Programme.

South and East Lincolnshire Council's Partnership - Contracting of Leisure Facilities

The Cabinet will discuss a report by Deputy Chief Executive (Programme Delivery) and Assistant Director – General Fund Assets, Andy Fisher, regarding the South and East Lincolnshire Council's Partnership - Contracting of Leisure Facilities with an external operator as agent for service delivery.