Agenda and minutes

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There were none.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Elvis Stooke.

Members are asked to disclose any interests in matters for consideration at the meeting.

Councillor Matt Bailey declared an interest on agenda item 4 as one of his family members was a blue badge holder. He also declared an interest on agenda item 5, as he was a supporter of Grantham Town Football Club.

Councillor Mark Whittington declared an interest on agenda item 4 as he was in the process of applying for a blue badge. He also declared an interest on agenda item 5, as he was a supporter of Grantham Town Football Club and a Member of the Supporters Club. He would discuss the decision-making process, however, would not comment on the lease itself.

The Monitoring Officer confirmed Members were able to take part on the items. Item 5 was to discuss a decision-making process rather than the lease to Grantham Town Football Club itself.

There were none.

The Chairman stated there had been a ‘call-in’ for a review of SKDC Car Parking arrangements.

Councillor Sue Woolley called the application in due to being contacted by a resident who was the holder of a blue badge who did not understand the expectations of blue badge holders in SKDC car parks.

Cabinet had implemented the decision on 2 June 2026, the decision was ‘called-in’ for clarification on the following point:

‘ Instruct officers to undertake the necessary steps pursuant to the introduction of a maximum 3 hour free parking limit at all Council Pay and Display car parks for blue badge holders’.

Councillor Sue Woolley highlighted that the resident, who is a blue badge holder works in Stamford for four hours. The decision was unclear as to whether a blue badge holder was expected to return to their car following 3 hours free parking to pay for a ticket for 1 hour.

Officers had previously clarified that blue badge holders would receive th3 hours free parking and the normal tariff would apply if the vehicle remained parking in an SKDC car park.

The Deputy Chief Executive and S151 Officer confirmed there was not an expectation for the individual to return to their vehicle and move it to park elsewhere. There was no restriction on the blue badge holder remaining parked in the same space beyond the free period. However, if they wished to remain in the same space beyond the free period, they would be required to pay in accordance with the tariffs of the car park.

A query was raised on whether the clarified information had been released in the public domain.

The Chairman clarified that Officers had advised that Cabinet had authorised the commencements of the process rather than implementing the scheme itself. Officers would also undertake an Equality Impact Assessment during the process, which would highlight any concerns raised by residents who are blue badge holders.

Following the closure of this meeting, Officers would commence a statutory process in line with the Road Traffic Act. A formulated process has to be followed in respect to parking order amendments, one of which was consultation with statutory consultees and the wider community.

The Cabinet Member for Property and Public Engagement confirmed he had previously clarified the 3 hour free parking at the last meeting of this Committee, whereby the Committee had a thorough debate.

Councillor Sue Woolley further highlighted her main concern was that the resident had read information in the public domain that was not clear on car parking.

Further clarification was sought on whether a blue badge holder would be required to return to the car park to buy a ticket, if they required parking for more than 3 hours or whether they could purchase their ticket upon arrival at the car park for 4 hours, but get the first 3 hours free.

The Chairman highlighted that the Equality Impact Assessment would decide how the 3-hour free parking would be managed.

The Deputy Chief Executive and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The Chairman stated there had been a ‘call-in’ for a review of the lease to Grantham Town Football Club.

Councillor Matt Bailey called the application in due to the decision previously not being eligible for ‘call-in’. However, following review, the decision was corrected and re-published and then became eligible for ‘call-in’.

The Member highlighted he had expected the decision to come back to the Culture and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee, rather than be published as an Officer Delegated Decision. It was felt decisions of this nature should be scrutinised prior to implementation taking place.

The lease to Grantham Town Football Club was discussed by the Culture and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee in February 2026, where it was clear the final decision would be considered by Cabinet. At the meeting of the Culture and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee it was highlighted that any decision made would be predicated over the clubs future ambitions and resulting benefits to the Council and the wider community.

Further clarification was sought around the Officer Delegated Decision and why the decision had not been considered by Cabinet or an Overview and Scrutiny Committee prior to a lease being granted.

The Deputy Chief Executive and S151 Officer outlined he had liaised with the Monitoring Officer and had completed the Officer Delegated Decision in line with the Constitution in terms of leases. The authority to delegate had previously been approved by Full Council. The requirement to expediate certain leases was important, due to the commerciality of them.

Clarification was sought on which Cabinet Members were involved with this decision as it was not clear on the Officer Delegated Decision report.

The Leader of the Council confirmed the lease of Grantham Town Football Club had been discussed at most Executive Briefings over the course of a year. It was noted the lease had been a long-standing matter and there had been understandable reasons due to changes in management and chairmanship of the football club.

The Chairman of the Culture and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee clarified that discussions around the performance of the football club could not take place until a lease was in place.

The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure confirmed he had been present at several meetings with the football club alongside the Assistant Director for Culture, Leisure and Place. It was noted that these meetings included the clubs future aspirations and the club had assured they would undertake community work alongside junior and ladies’ football.

It was clarified that the Cabinet Member for Property and Public Engagement was present during Executive Briefings when this matter had been discussed, in line with the consultation within the Constitution.

One Member was pleased to see the lease was being put into place, which would provide more security for the football club.

Historically Grantham Town Football Club resided at land on London Road, Grantham where they owned a parcel of land at the top of the ground. It was understood that once the land was sold,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The Committee noted the Work Programme 2026/27.

The Chairman informed the Committee of an additional report that would be added to the meeting on 21 July 2026:

·       Asylum Dispersal Grant Funding

There were none.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 11:15.