The Cabinet of Boston Borough Council is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 5th May 2026 to discuss the delivery of the Pride in Place programme and the allocation of the Pride in Place Impact Fund. The meeting will also review arrangements for attending the Local Government Association Annual Conference.

Pride in Place Programme Delivery

A key item on the agenda is the delivery of the ten-year Pride in Place programme for Boston. The Cabinet is expected to consider accepting a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) from the UK Government, which will enable Boston Borough Council to act as the lead contracting and accountable body for the programme. This programme, part of the UK Government's wider Pride in Place Strategy, aims to empower communities to drive change based on local priorities. The Council has already received capacity funding and had its Regeneration Plan for Boston approved in November 2025. The programme is set to receive up to £20 million over ten years, with funding allocated across revenue and capital grants. The report outlines recommendations for accepting the MoU and delegating authority for budget variations, approving Neighbourhood Board expenditure, and entering into delivery contracts.

Pride in Place Impact Fund

The Cabinet will also consider the allocation of the £1.5 million Pride in Place Impact Fund for Boston. This fund, separate from the main Pride in Place programme, is intended to support quick, practical enhancements that boost local pride, wellbeing, and identity. The report proposes prioritising investment into three key themes: Community Spaces, Public Spaces, and High Street and Town Centre Revitalisation. A significant portion of the fund, £750,000, is earmarked for Impact Grants, split into small (£5,000–£25,000) and large (£25,000–£75,000) grants, to support projects such as enhancing public realm, green spaces, and community facilities. A further £700,000 is proposed for Borough High Streets and Town Centre Revitalisation, focusing on improvements to attract trade and footfall, with input from Boston College students to audit town centre conditions. A contingency fund of £50,000 is also included. The recommendations include agreeing these funding allocations and delegating authority for delivery and contractual matters.

Local Government Association Annual Conference

The Cabinet will review the Council's arrangements for Member attendance at the Local Government Association (LGA) Annual Conference. The conference brings together senior decision-makers and policy influencers to debate key challenges facing local government. Current arrangements, agreed in 2012, limit attendance to the Leader of the Council, the Deputy Leader(s), and the Leader or spokesperson of the largest opposition group, capped at a maximum of three representatives. The report asks the Cabinet to consider whether these arrangements should be retained or amended, following requests from opposition Members. Options include retaining the current position, offering places to the next largest opposition group if the primary opposition cannot attend, or increasing the number of elected Members attending, which would incur additional costs. The delegate fee for the conference is £599 plus VAT per attendee, with further costs for travel and accommodation.