Agenda item

The Leader of the Council presented a look back at the 2025/2026 municipal year, using Corporate Plan headings:

Communities

• In May 2025, over 700 people enjoyed the ‘Whale’ exhibition. South Kesteven also enjoyed its first ever ‘Bike Night’.
• October 2025 saw ‘Thatcherfest’ to mark what would have been Lady Thatcher’s 100^th birthday, and ‘Soldiers from the Sky’, which aimed to shine a light on the history and activities of the Airborne Forces of the United Kingdom, United States and Poland during World War 2. This event was celebrated in pubs, stately homes, and Grantham train station.
• Other notable events included the Christmas Market; a visit from Team GB Olympic swimmer Freya Colbert; the opening of a new Skate Park in Grantham; the Walking Festival; and the installation of new play equipment at Harrowby Lane, Grantham.

Sustainability

• New climate friendly gym equipment was installed at the Meres Leisure Centre, Grantham. The Council had pledged to reduce carbon emissions by at least 30% by 2030; in 2026 emissions had already been reduced by 29%.
• The Council informed, educated and enforced against fly tipping.
• Food waste collections had commenced from approximately 70,000 homes across the district. The Waste Service continued to receive complaints about waste and missed bins, but the number of complaints received was miniscule when compared to the number of homes served.
• The Waste team won Waste Authority of the Year at the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) Awards.

• The CCTV team won a national award for its ‘outstanding commitment and contribution to helping residents and businesses feel safer’ at the National CCTV Conference 2026.

Planning

• Planning Committee had considered many contentious planning matters this year.
• Officers had completed inspections on more than 70 houses of multiple occupation (HMOs). They had identified several concerns that were fed back to landlords.

Finance and Economic Development

• The roof had been fixed at Grantham’s Guildhall Arts Centre, and the bell had been put back in position.
• The roof had also been fixed at the Deepings Community Centre.
• There had a great deal of work carried out on the district’s car parks, including maintenance; increased income/revenue; extension of the Cattle Market car park, Stamford; and refurbishment at Welham Street and Wharf Road car parks, Grantham.
• The new depot site received an official Civic opening on 21 May 2026.

Housing

• Swinegate in Grantham was recognised with the ‘Best Development – up to £5m’ award at the Inside Housing Development Awards 2025.
• Larch Close in Grantham was halfway towards completion.
• Contractors had ‘broken ground’ at Wellington Way, Market Deeping.
• Other key activities included new roofs, energy efficiency improvements, and the completion of 1,659 fire risk actions, with only 230 outstanding.

Effective Council

• The Council’s Facebook page had over 20,000 followers.
• Cabinet had approved a high number of policies and contracts over the course of the year.
• The Customer Service team had had a busy year and had been shortlisted for the Customer Focus award.
• Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) had been a big focus over the previous year and would continue to be so.

The Leader of the Council finished by announcing that the Cabinet would increase in size to eight members, with Councillor Bridget Ley assuming the portfolio for Finance. The Leader would retain responsibility for HR and Economic Development. He had been grateful for the support of the Chief Executive over the previous year.

Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for HR and Economic Development

Councillor Ashley Baxter

Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture

Councillor Paul Stokes

Portfolio Holder for Environment and Waste

Councillor Rhys Baker

Portfolio Holder for Property and Public Engagement

Councillor Richard Cleaver

Portfolio Holder for Planning

Councillor Phil Dilks

Portfolio Holder for Corporate Governance and Licensing

Councillor Philip Knowles

Portfolio Holder for Finance

Councillor Bridget Ley

Portfolio Holder for Housing

Councillor Virginia Moran