The Cabinet of South Holland District Council is scheduled to meet on 16 December 2025 to discuss the Net Zero Action Plan, the Tree and Hedgerow Strategy Action Plan, the Quarter Two Finance Update, the Local Council Tax Support Scheme 2026/27, and proposed amendments to the Council's Contract Procedure Rules. The meeting will also include a review of the Quarter 1 Risk Report 2025/26 and a discussion regarding the contracting of leisure facilities with an external operator.

Environment and Sustainability

The cabinet will consider a report about the Net Zero Action Plan, which aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2040. The Net Zero Action Plan follows recommendations by consultants WSP. The report pack states that the plan will set out projects to investigate the feasibility of recommendations and provide delivery timescales. The Net Zero Action Plan will use the following categories as a framework: gas, electrical, fleet, waste, and business and commuter travel.

The cabinet will also discuss the Tree and Hedgerow Strategy Action Plan, which is designed to inform delivery against the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership Tree and Hedgerow Strategy. The report pack says that the strategy sets out a vision for communities to be richer in greener spaces through the sustainable presence of trees and hedgerows. The core objectives of the strategy are to protect, plant and participate, which recognise the need to manage and enhance existing resources, take a considered approach to new planting, and engage local communities and stakeholders in the strategy.

Finance and Resources

The cabinet will review the Quarter Two Finance Update, which sets out the current financial position of the council at the end of the second quarter of 2025/26. The report includes information on the General Fund Revenue Budget, reserves, the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Revenue Budget, the HRA Capital Programme for 2025/26, and Treasury Management performance for the year.

Also on the agenda is the Local Council Tax Support Scheme 2026/27. The report pack states that the cabinet will determine the Council Tax Support scheme for 2026/27, and that the cabinet's final scheme recommendation will be submitted to the full council for approval on 28 January 2026.

The cabinet will also consider proposed amendments to the Council's Contract Procedure Rules, with the intention of introducing a new updated version of the rules. The report pack says that the proposed revised Contract Procedure Rules are designed to ensure the council meets basic principles, and that the proposed rules seek to ensure the council has rules that reflect current public procurement legislation.

Risk Management

The Quarter 1 Risk Report 2025/26 will be presented to the cabinet, providing an update on risk as at the end of June 2025. The report pack states that each strategic risk now includes an indication of whether it is currently being managed at its target level, and that the summary incorporates the status of planned mitigation actions, using a RAG (Red, Amber, Green) rating¹.

Leisure Facilities

The cabinet will discuss the contracting of leisure facilities with an external operator as an agent for service delivery. The report pack says that this relates to the award of a contract under an agency agreement for the operation and lifecycle maintenance of the council's leisure facilities.