Forty-six electoral divisions of the new Council were outlined in December 1888.[5] For the 1892 election, Sleaford and Bourne, which were initially two member divisions, were split,[6] the former into Sleaford East and Sleaford West, the latter into Bourne and Morton.[7] Nearly every candidate was returned unopposed, with contests in only eight divisions. Of these, six involved political parties; the Liberals won four and the Conservatives two.
The Council met on 16 March 1895 to elect its chairman and aldermen. The only sitting councillor elected an alderman was W. B. Harrison of Grantham no. 7 division.[9] This triggered a by-election, in which two candidates came forward. The first, Joshua Lincoln, was an alderman on Grantham Municipal Borough Council, while his opponent was Charles Basker, a magistrate and town councillor.[10]