Boston Borough Council achievements since May 2023

Council Tax Support Scheme - Boston is now one of very few authorities offering full council tax support to low or no income families. The Council has also increased support to other households and created an Exceptional Hardship Fund.

Boston Christmas Festival - Thousands of residents and visitors have enjoyed amazing festivities these past two years thanks to the Borough Council. From Christmas lights switch-on,  Illuminate Parade and all the Christmas cheer, they have been a real boost for our town and businesses.

Free Christmas parking - Shoppers have benefitted from free parking on Saturdays throughout December in the run up to Christmas, giving businesses an extra boost. 

Rosegarth Square - Residents are starting to see work happen on site to bring alive the vision for Rosegarth Square. The Council bought the former B&M site in2024 and acquired Crown House. The new public realm will feature relocated and new artwork, external social spaces, and a new entrance/drop-off area for the Len Medlock Centre. It will also include a sensory garden designed for quiet contemplation and reflection, as well as an amphitheatre-style seating area.

Additional funding secured to enhance Boston Leisure Project - The Council's Cabinet unanimously agreed to expand the Boston Leisure Project to incorporate Community Volunteering and Wellbeing Hub as part of the Town Partnership Funding. The council also agreed to accept broader funding for seven projects to enhance growth and economic resilience.

Community Skips pilot- The Council introduced a pilot community skip scheme in 2024 to give residents the opportunity to dispose of unwanted household items without the need to travel to the Household Waste Recycling Centre. These were organised as another way the council is tackling fly-tipping. The Council will be reviewing the success of this scheme before deciding if this will be expanded next year.

Town Centre Strategy - The actions within the Town Centre Strategy are well underway to bring new opportunities for residents and supporting the town centre so businesses can thrive. The strategy, and an action plan for the town's historic market, focus on installing pride in the town and add to the offer for visitors and residents.

New Public Spaces Protection Order approved - To address the uncontrolled feeding of wild birds in designated areas of Boston Town Centre and to protect our important heritage, the Council is introducing a Public Spaces Protection Order in 2025. The PSPO aims to reduce the negative impact of excessive bird feeding, which has caused damage to local infrastructure, buildings, the public realm, and the heritage of Boston.

Boston Heroes Celebrated - Boston Heroes celebrated all the community contributions made in the Borough, particularly those who go above and beyond to help residents. This year's awards spotlighted individuals, groups, and organisations who exemplified extraordinary dedication to serving others and making significant contributions to the Boston Borough area.

UKSPF and Rural England Prosperity Fund delivered funding to parishes and community projects - Boston's UKSPF Programme continues to perform strongly and has made a real difference to our businesses and communities. The Programme has so far either created or renovated 26 community facilities and there have been 2,338 additional uses of community facilities recorded by residents so far. Additionally, 308 volunteering opportunities have been created through the UKSPF Programme. To date, the UKSPF programme has also supported 149 businesses in Boston Borough with either advice (mostly through A4G) or a grant, leveraging a total direct cash investment of just shy of £700,000 in Boston's private sector.

Love Your Neighbourhood - The campaign highlighted the creativity and dedication of our community members, who demonstrated an unwavering commitment to enhancing and celebrating our neighbourhoods. Freiston won the Best Village category, Skirbeck Court Care Home won the Most Attractive Neighbourhood category and Mrs Ashley Cooper won the Best Front Garden category.

Mayhem Gyms Boston's Strongest and Food Fest - Thousands of people attended Boston Town Centre to be part of the first joint Boston's Strongest 2024 and Food Fest. Competitors in the Boston's Strongest event displayed remarkable feats of strength and endurance, captivating the audience with their impressive performances.  Alongside the event, the Food Fest offered a culinary journey with an array of hot and cold food and drink stands. The diverse selection ensured that there was something for everyone to enjoy. Look out for the event returning in 2025!

Boston's Brilliant Calendar 2025 - We have brought back the Boston Borough Calendar! The photos of Boston are in full colour all taken by local people. You can purchase yours for £5 each from Chris Cook Print 74 Main Ridge East, Boston PE21 6SY.

Market enhanced with different events - Boston's Market has been enhanced throughout 2024 with different events and opportunities. The talents of our young people have been celebrated with the popular Teenage Market, the first Charity Shop Flea Market also took place as well as an Art Street Market, and Busking Festival.

Boston Town Fund update - Blenkin Memorial Hall was crowned a winner in the prestigious Local Authority Building Control Building Excellence Awards. Town Fund projects will continue to progress this year.

Internal Drainage Boards - The Council along with more than 39 other local authorities is continuing to lobby the Government in asking for a fairer funding formula to support the important work of Internal Drainage Boards. The current formula is seeing all council tax increases go to the IDBs and not to council services. Work on addressing this with MPs continues.  

Live streaming meetings - Live streaming of council meetings has been introduced to enable residents to follow council meetings and democracy in action from the comfort of their home.

Meet the Cabinet - Public 'meet the Cabinet' sessions take place every month, creating another opportunity for residents to interact with councillors, without the need to submit questions in advance.

Working with parish councils - The Council has strengthened relationships with the Borough's hard-working Parish Councils in a way which allows us to work much more closely together. The Council is also working closely with community groups, local schools and voluntary organisations; and Councillors remain very active across the wards they represent.

Local Authority Housing Fund - The Council purchased thirteen new homes, under the Local Authority Housing Fund scheme. Whilst we are not a housing provider as such, we see this is an important step in ensuring that we help to deliver high-quality homes for our local residents.

Tackling anti-social behaviour - The Council has stepped up how it tackles anti-social behaviour and those who purposely spoil our beautiful borough through littering and fly-tipping. The Cabinet has increased penalties for fly-tipping to the maximum allowed of £1,000 and renewed our Public Space Protection Order which is helping to tackle street drinking. Our work to address these issues, done in partnership with Lincolnshire Police, is held as an exemplar; and through the receipt of a government grant we have been able to employ two Community Rangers to specifically tackle anti-social behaviour in the town centre.

Operation Clean Streets - The Council continues to work hard in keeping the streets and town centre nice for everyone. The dedicated neighbourhood officers sweep and litter pick and help beautify the town.