Agenda and decisions

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Minutes of the meeting held on 10 March 2026.

To approve the award of contract to the preferred supplier for the provision of play equipment repairs, supply of new equipment and monthly operational inspections across South Kesteven for five years.

Decision

That Cabinet approves the award of contract to the preferred supplier for the provision of play equipment repairs, supply of new equipment and monthly operational inspections across the South Kesteven district for five years.

Reasons for the decision

The contract with KOMPAN Limited provided the Council with independent assurance on the condition, suitability and maintenance of play equipment across the district. It also assisted the Council to prioritise investment and replacement of equipment.

A compliant procurement exercise was undertaken to identify a preferred supplier and following the expiry of the appropriate standstill period the contract needed to be formally awarded.

Other options considered

The Council could have adopted an in-house model for its monthly operational inspections should a new contract not be pursued. However, this approach would have required additional resources to complement the existing team and would not have provided the Council with independent assurance.

Decision

The Cabinet approved for the Council to enter into a contract with Huws Gray for the supply of building materials for use by our in-house repairs and voids trades teams.

Reasons for the decision

The Council was required to ensure that a contract was in place for the procurement of materials for use by the in-house repairs and voids teams.  The current contract had expired and required renewal.

This contract had been procured in accordance with relevant Council policies and procedures to ensure transparency, value for money and compliance with procurement legalisation and Council policies.

Once the recommendation had been approved, the preferred bidder would be notified of the outcome, and the Council intended to execute the Contract at the conclusion of any standstill period with the intention to enter into contract on 1 May 2026.

Other options considered

The Council could have chosen not to procure a new materials contractor, but this was not considered an option due the existing contract expiring. Without a contract in place the Council was not compliant with relevant procurement regulations and Council policies and procedures.

This report proposes updates to the existing Street Trading Policy; this includes feedback from Licensing Committee and the Joint Environment and Rural & Communities OSC.

Decision

Cabinet approved the adoption of the Street Trading Policy for South Kesteven District Council and agreed to delegate authority to the Cabinet Member for Corporate Governance and Licensing in consultation with the Head of Service (Public Protection) to make inconsequential amendments.

Reasons for decision

The Policy and proposed updates supported the Council in fulfilling its duties associated with street trading. Reviewing the Policy had provided an opportunity to update the intention and enforceability of the Policy.

Other options considered

Cabinet could have decided to remove the Street Trading Policy in its entirety. Which would mean no-one within the District of South Kesteven would require consent to trade. However, to do this, a full public consultation would have been undertaken to understand the impact of the businesses and residents within the district, and the full impact of this decision would need to be considered.

Decision

The Cabinet approved the proposed changes to the SK Community Fund which included amendments to grant levels and eligibility criteria. The proposed changes allowed for the Fund to re-launch for the 2026/27 financial year. It was also agreed to delegate authority to the Deputy Leader of the Council, in consultation with the Assistant Director for Leisure, Culture and Place, to make inconsequential amendments. 

Reasons for decision

The recommended changes would improve opportunities offered by the SK Community Fund.

Establishing an appropriate delegation to allow for the decision-making authority of the Assistant Director would ensure suitable governance.

The proposals for change were fully supported by the Rural and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting of 24th March 2026.

Other options considered

The Fund’s criteria could have remained unchanged. The proposed amendments, however, allowed for increased opportunities which would greatly benefit civil society within South Kesteven.

UK Shared Prosperity funding had proven a need for grants which supported larger projects; hence the reasoning provided around the proposed introduction of the Large Grants Fund. Statistical information from the existing SK Community showed that, in the previous two years, 69% of awards had been for grants of £2,000 and less, therefore providing evidence of need to continue the Small Grants Fund as proposed.

This report highlights matters on the Cabinet’s Forward Plan.