Leader of Boston Borough Council vows to change negative perception of the town

Coun Dale Broughton spoke to the Local Democracy Reporting Service about his priorities for the year ahead and his mission to create a more positive perception of Boston.

Coun Broughton took over from Coun Anne Dorrian in July 2025 after 14 of her 17-strong Boston Independents Group withdrew their support, resulting in the authority now being led by the Progressive Independents Boston.

Speaking six months on from securing the role of council leader, Coun Broughton said it had been ‘challenging but very rewarding’ time.

He added: “I was elected three years ago as a councillor, I’m not political. I’m here for one reason and that’s to make the town a better place.

“I’m a born and bred Bostonian. I’ve lived here all my life – 51 years. I just want my town to improve for the future generations and also for the people that are here at the moment.

“Obviously, the town has issues – no town doesn’t. Obviously, there are financial constraints all across the country and Boston is no different.

“But Boston is full of so many really good people – residents, businesses – and I was elected and stood for the simple reason that I want my town to progress, go forward and leave a lasting impression for the people coming to the town, being born in the town, living in the town.”

“All I can do is the best of my ability and that’s what I’m doing,” he added. “I’m here just to make Boston a better place.”

Coun Broughton went on to say that he feels that Boston gets a worse reputation than it deserves – and he wants to change that.

He added: “We all need to get on board and work together to push our town forward.

“Nobody is going to want to come to the town while everybody is putting it down, saying there’s nothing here.

“There are things here. Yes, there are issues with the town. There are issues with every single town and village in this country.

“But we need to focus on the good as well as the bad and that’s my message to everybody.

“Let’s push Boston for what it is – a market town, good people, good businesses, a good future for our youngsters, a good future for people leaving college and schools to open a business in Boston, live in Boston, make Boston great, which is how it should be and what I’m here for until the day I stop being a councillor.”

Coun Broughton went on to say that the borough council is planning more events to try to increase footfall in the town and support local businesses.

Members of the Boston Town Area Committee (BTAC) agreed to a budget of £65,500, including £17,000 funding contribution from them, for a three-day Christmas festival and a further £24,000 contribution towards an inclusive music event, at a meeting on Thursday, January 22.

The music festival will attract a variety of national tribute bands and local artists and will feature a variety of food and drink stalls.

The event is due to take place on August 2 from 12pm onwards and will be free to all visitors.

Coun Broughton said: “My priority is to give back to the people of Boston. If we’re putting events on, we want Boston people to be the first ones who have got businesses here to take it up.

“Obviously, national tribute bands are good – people want to see them. But ultimately we want to give exposure to local artists, local bands. We’re going to get dance schools involved.

“It’s going to be a fun day for everybody. But not only is it an event, it’s also to put the town on the map, put the businesses on the map to say ‘hey, there’s empty shops in Boston, look how many people are coming, look what’s happening in the town. The town is moving forward’.

“Not at speed like some people wish, and I’m the same. Things in local government do not happen overnight, it takes time, but we are moving in the right direction.”

Coun Broughton explained why the borough council was planning to increase the number of events it offers.

He said: “The reason Boston Borough Council focuses quite a lot on events – specifically Christmas and obviously now as I’ve said this music event, Boston Strongest and the Food Festival – is that it brings people into the town.

“It gets the businesses thriving, especially the Christmas event – the three-day Christmas event.

“We all know that January and February are really hard months for residents and businesses.

“That Christmas three-day period brings thousands of people into the town and that keeps the businesses going during the quieter months.

“That’s the reason we put events on. We want residents to enjoy it; we want the word of Boston getting spread about.”

Coun Broughton also spoke about the authority’s proposal to create a town council following Government plans to merge together district councils and create large unitary authorities.

Councils have submitted their own proposals to the Government which will have the final say.

The South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership, which covers Boston, East Lindsey and South Holland, has submitted its ‘Greater Lincolnshire for All’ plan for two unitary councils.

Under the plans, Northern Lincolnshire Unitary Council would cover North Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire, West Lindsey and the City of Lincoln.

A Southern Lincolnshire Unitary Council would cover North Kesteven, South Kesteven, Boston, South Holland and East Lindsey.

Coun Broughton said the proposed town council would help Boston to maintain its local identity within that new structure.

He added: “We wanted to protect everything that the borough has – obviously the mayoralty, all the history and everything that we had going back hundreds of years with the town.

“We cannot let these sorts of things go and obviously we want to protect Boston Borough Council – if LGR (Local Government Reorganisation) does go through – Boston Borough Council ceases to exist in March or April 2028.

“But, ultimately, the people are still going to be here. That hasn’t changed. Whether it’s a unitary or two unitaries running the area, Boston people will still be Boston people, whether they’re governed by Boston Borough Council or the new unitaries.

“So, we want a Boston council who people can still relate to, and is still there for their interests.”

The first phase of the public consultation has already taken place and the second phase of the consultation will start in February.

Coun Broughton’s does not have the typical background of a council leader – having been a professional wrestler, with two world titles to his name when he was younger.

That action in the squared circle does, however, seem to have prepared him well for life in the council chamber.

He added: “It’s the same with anything, in any sport nowadays, people are getting fitter, getting more dedicated to it, pushing for more. I’m getting older, they’re getting younger. It hurts a lot more.

“But it has set me up well for being a councillor because obviously some heated debates happen and it stands you in good stead.

“But on that side, my time as a professional wrestler taught me how to make decisions quickly, obviously be part of a team as well, organising events which is what I used to do as well.

“It stood me in good stead for becoming a councillor and also understanding what people need, want and look towards me to do.”