Agenda and draft minutes

It was proposed by Councillor David Brown and seconded by Councillor James Cantwell that Councillor Jonathan Noble, be elected Mayor of the Borough until the next Annual Meeting of the Council.

Resolved:

That Councillor Jonathan Noble be elected Mayor of the Borough of Boston to hold office until the next Annual Meeting of the Council.

The Mayor Elect thereupon made the declaration required by the Local Government Act 1972, took the Chair, and acknowledged the honour that had been conferred on him.

(The Mayor in the Chair.)

It was proposed by the Mayor and seconded by Councillor Claire Rylott that Councillor James Cantwell, be elected Deputy Mayor of the Borough until the next Annual Meeting of the Council.

Resolved:

That Councillor James Cantwell be elected Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Boston to hold office until the next Annual Meeting of the Council.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Anne Dorrian, Paul Gleeson, David Middleton and Lina Savickiene.

Councillor Dale Broughton moved a vote of thanks to Councillor Barrie Pierpoint as retiring Mayor. This was seconded by Councillor Suzanne Welberry.

Resolved:

That the best of thanks of the Council be extended to Councillor Barrie Pierpoint for his term of office as Mayor, and to Mrs Pamela Love for supporting the Mayor in her role as Mayoress.

The Mayor presented a Past Mayor’s Badge and Borough Plaque to the retiring Mayor, Councillor Barrie Pierpoint, who then addressed the meeting.

The Mayor presented a Past Mayor’s Badge and Borough Plaque to Mrs Pamela Love.

Councillor Barrie Pierpoint moved a vote of thanks to Councillor Patsie Marson as retiring Deputy Mayor. This was seconded by Councillor Chris Mountain.

Resolved:

That the best of thanks of the Council be extended to Councillor Patsie Marson for her term of office as Deputy Mayor, and to Donna Goss for supporting the Deputy Mayor in her role as Deputy Mayoress.

The Retiring Mayor presented a Borough Plaque to Councillor Patsie Marson, who then addressed the meeting.

The Mayor handed the Sash of Office to the new Mayor’s Scout, Lily-Star Dainty-Morrison.

The Mayor expressed his appreciation to Isabel Chapman, the retiring Mayoress' Guide, for the manner in which she carried out her duties during the past year. The Retiring Mayor presented a Borough Plaque to Isabel Chapman.

The Mayor handed the Sash of Office to the new Mayoress’ Guide, Isobel Cook.

[Councillor Emma Cresswell left the meeting at 7.20pm, following consideration of the above item.]

No declarations of interest were received.

To agree the minutes of Full Council held on 2^nd March 2026.

The Minutes of the Full Council meeting on 2^nd March 2026 were agreed and signed by the Mayor.

The Chief Executive reported to Council a communication concerning the resignation of the Borough Council’s Macebearer, Andy Lamming, due to ill health, following over two decades of dedicated service. The statement reflected on the individual’s long-standing commitment to the role, during which they had supported 24 Mayors and contributed significantly to the Borough’s civic functions. Members expressed their appreciation and acknowledged the exemplary service provided, and it was agreed that this should be formally recognised by the presentation of a plaque and certificate in recognition of that service.

(A report by John Medler, Service Director – Legal & Governance (Monitoring Officer))

The Service Director – Legal & Governance (Monitoring Officer) presented a report which set out proposals to establish the Council’s democratic arrangements for the municipal year 2026/27, including the allocation of seats to political groups and appointments (and substitutes) to Committees, Sub-Committees, Panels and Working Groups, as detailed in Appendix 1, together with nominations for Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen as set out in Appendix 2, the Programme of Meetings in Appendix 3, the Cabinet membership and portfolios in Appendix 4, and the appointments to outside bodies in Appendix 5.

The Monitoring Officer advised Members of an amendment to the nominations contained within Appendix 2, namely that Councillor Neil Drayton was now the nominee for the Vice-Chairman of the Licensing Committee / Regulatory and Appeals Committee.

The recommendations were moved by Councillor Dale Broughton and seconded by Councillor Mike Gilbert.

Resolved:

1.     That the establishment of Committees, Sub-Committees, Panels and Working Groups for the municipal year 2026/27, including the allocation of seats to political groups and appointments (and substitutes), as set out in Appendix 1 within the report, be approved;

2.     That the appointment of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of Committees, Sub-Committees and Panels for the municipal year 2026/27, as set out in Appendix 2 within the report including the amendment to the nominee for the Vice-Chairman of the Licensing Committee / Regulatory and Appeals Committee, be approved;

3.     That the Programme of Ordinary Council and Committee Meetings for the municipal year 2026/27, as set out in Appendix 3 within the report, be approved; and that delegated authority be given to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the relevant Chairman, to amend meeting dates or cancel meetings as and when required;

4.     That the membership of the Cabinet and Portfolios for the for the municipal year 2026/27, as set out in Appendix 4 within the report, be noted;

5.     That the appointments to the Council’s outside bodies for the municipal year 2026/27, as set out in Appendix 5 within the report, be approved; and

6.     That Amanda Boustred and David Irvine be reappointed as the Council’s Independent Persons for a two year term, and

7.     That Simon Sperring, Chris Penney and Nicci Marzec be reappointed as members of the Council’s Independent Remuneration Panel for a two year term.

(A report by James Gilbert, Service Director – Corporate Services)

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Dale Broughton, presented a report by the Service Director – Corporate which provided an update on the progress of the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership and sought approval of a revised Memorandum of Agreement, attached at Appendix A.

The report outlined progress against the Partnership’s Alignment and Delivery Plan, including delivery of key projects, the achievement of efficiencies and the securing of external funding. Members noted the continued development of collaborative working arrangements across the Partnership and the work undertaken across a range of priority areas.

Members were advised that the revised Memorandum of Agreement had been updated to ensure it remained relevant and reflective of the maturity of the Partnership, incorporating greater flexibility in governance arrangements.

The recommendations were moved by Councillor Dale Broughton and seconded by Councillor Sandeep Ghosh.

Resolved:

1.     That the report be noted;

2.     That, subject to agreement by the other Partnership Councils, the updated Memorandum of Agreement for the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership (Appendix A within the report) be approved; and

3.     That authority be delegated to the Executive Director – Programme Delivery to sign the revised Agreement on behalf of the Council, to replace the previous agreement.