County News - Spring 2012 by Lincolnshire County Council

countynews SPRING 2012

carrying the torch

Rescue heroes Neil Woodmansey and Holly are among the county’s proud Olympic torchbearers

Cash BOOST FOR COUNTY GROUPS

Hundreds of community groups are benefiting from cash made available by their local councillors

LEADING THE WAY

How we’re meeting the challenge to recycle even more of the county’s waste

FOCUS ON WEST LINDSEY starts on page 22

contents

NEWS IN BRIEF

countynews

Lincolnshire news round-up

spring 2012

Because they really deserve it!

3 News in brief

The search is on for Lincolnshire’s unsung heroes as the popular Good Citizens Awards return for 2012. Run by Lincolnshire County Council, they are your chance to nominate local people who freely give up their time to help others but often get little recognition. There are three categories: Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year (aged 16 or below) and Community Group of the Year. For more information, or to make a nomination using the online form, visit www.lincolnshire.gov. uk/goodcitizensaward. Alternatively, send your contact details and those of the person you’re nominating, along with a description of the voluntary work they’ve done, to: Good Citizens Awards, Lincolnshire County Council, FREEPOST DC1082, Lincoln, LN1 1BR.

Four pages of stories from across Lincolnshire

Leader’s welcome...

A warm welcome to County News – the Lincolnshire County Council publication for residents – in its new magazine format. I hope you like it. Whatever your views, please let us know. Feedback is the lifeblood of any publication, and we really want to hear from you. So, why have we changed from a traditional newspaper to a magazine? Firstly, every publication has to adapt to changing times, and the old-style County News – popular as it was – needed a refresh. The fact that we now only produce four editions a year also supported the idea of a magazine. Having decided on a format, we tried to create a much more attractive design, with shorter articles appropriate to your busy lives! For readers wanting more detail, we’ll include ways you can find extra information. As regards advertising, we’re making two pages in every edition available to public sector partners – for example, the NHS, Lincolnshire Police and the district councils. They often find County News the most cost-effective way to communicate with residents, so it makes sense to give them that opportunity. The reduced frequency of County News means it is now costing about £240,000 a year less than in 2010 when we produced 10 editions. What’s more, each copy only costs about 15p to produce and deliver. Compare that to the price of a secondclass stamp – 36p – and we hope you’ll find County News very good value for money. For readers in West Lindsey, County News now comes as a 32-page edition featuring eight extra pages of district council news, starting on page 22. Don’t forget that you can also find a wealth of information and access to services on our website at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk.

Cllr Martin Hill, Leader of Lincolnshire County Council

7 Leading the way Lincolnshire is streets ahead at recycling – and it’s

all down to you!

8 Special feature: Big Society Fund Good causes are reaping the benefits of a freeze in councillors’ allowances

11 Planning your care An Advanced Care Plan can give you peace of mind about the future

12 Marathon man

Cllr Kelly Smith, the man behind the council budget

15 Double delight

All the excitement of the Diamond Jubilee and Olympic torch relay

The closing date for entries is Friday 20 April. More information is available on 01522 552118.

Consider fostering

16 Finding your councillor It’s never been easier with our A-Z area guide 18 Win a family tree day!

Expert help from Lincolnshire Archives up for grabs in our free prize draw

20 Lincolnshire Showtime!

Make a date in your diary for the 128th Show

22 West Lindsey news

To find out more about fostering in Lincolnshire, including events for Foster Care Fortnight, visit lincolnshire.gov.uk/ fostering, email fosteringrecruitment@ lincolnshire.gov.uk or phone 0800 093 3099.

Eight fabulous pages of district news

30 What’s On

Your essential guide to local events

32 Contact us

Contact information

Cover picture: Neil Woodmansey, from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, one of the special torchbearers selected to carry the Olympic torch through Lincolnshire.

If you have a concessionary bus pass coming up for renewal, remember the county council – not your district council – now deals with new passes, renewals and the replacement of lost passes. Applications are currently dealt with by post, although an online service is being developed. An application in person can still be made at City Hall in Lincoln. Current passes are valid until their expiry date, and the county council is continuing funding to allow holders to travel for free at any time. For more information, phone 01522 782070 or visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/ concessionaryfares.

Web, email, phone or post – you choose!

EDITORIAL Lincolnshire County Council Tel: 01522 782060 Email: countynews@lincolnshire.gov.uk By post: County News, Lincolnshire County Council, County Offices, Newland, Lincoln LN1 1YL Online: www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/countynews Editor: David Harding, communications officer Managing editor: Karen Spencer, communications manager Design: Neil Lamont and Associates West Lindsey news: Julie Heath, communications officer, 01426 676502 / communications@westlindsey.gov.uk

A hard-hitting campaign called “In My Shoes” is being launched in Lincolnshire in the run-up to Foster Care Fortnight. The Fortnight, from 14-28 May, will be highlighting the need for more foster carers, particularly for older childen, siblings and those with additional needs. In November, the Fostering service – part of Lincolnshire County Council – received an outstanding rating in its Ofsted inspection.

Renewing your bus pass

MORE INFORMATION Printing: Ink Print Management Distribution: County News is published by Lincolnshire County Council. Each edition is delivered to about 337,000 homes and businesses by Royal Mail. Next edition: The Summer 2012 edition of the magazine will be distributed in late June. Audio versions: County News is available to download as an audio file at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/countynews or as a tape on request from Listening Lincs on 01522 782010. Sustainability: County News is printed on paper from sustainable forest growth. Please recycle the magazine when you have finished with it.

Restoring local woodland If you go down to the woods today – either Mareham Pastures near Sleaford or Snipe Dales near Spilsby – you can be sure of a big surprise! Traditional apple, pear and plum trees have been planted at Mareham Pastures Local Nature Reserve by children from The William Alvey Church of England School, creating a Jubilee Orchard in commemoration of the Queen’s 60 years on the throne. The former landfill site is owned by the county council and managed jointly with the Friends of Mareham Pastures. Meanwhile, a major makeover at Snipe Dales Country Park, funded by the Forestry Commission and following the recent felling of diseased pine trees, is seeing the park restored as native woodland. Managed by the council and Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, the park is already developing much richer birdlife, with even nightingales paying a visit in recent years!

countynews

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contents

NEWS IN BRIEF

countynews

Lincolnshire news round-up

spring 2012

Because they really deserve it!

3 News in brief

Four pages of stories from across Lincolnshire

Leader’s welcome...

Cllr Martin Hill, Leader of Lincolnshire County Council

7 Leading the way Lincolnshire is streets ahead at recycling – and it’s

all down to you!

8 Special feature: Big Society Fund Good causes are reaping the benefits of a freeze in councillors’ allowances

11 Planning your care An Advanced Care Plan can give you peace of mind about the future

12 Marathon man

Cllr Kelly Smith, the man behind the council budget

15 Double delight

All the excitement of the Diamond Jubilee and Olympic torch relay

The closing date for entries is Friday 20 April. More information is available on 01522 552118.

Consider fostering

16 Finding your councillor It’s never been easier with our A-Z area guide 18 Win a family tree day!

Expert help from Lincolnshire Archives up for grabs in our free prize draw

20 Lincolnshire Showtime!

Make a date in your diary for the 128th Show

22 West Lindsey news

Eight fabulous pages of district news

30 What’s On

Your essential guide to local events

32 Contact us

Contact information

Cover picture: Neil Woodmansey, from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, one of the special torchbearers selected to carry the Olympic torch through Lincolnshire.

Web, email, phone or post – you choose!

Renewing your bus pass

countynews

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Don’t suffer hate crime in silence Are you being victimised because of prejudice about your disability? Your age? Your race or religion? Your gender or sexual orientation? If so, you could be the victim of a hate crime. Last year, more than 281 of these were reported to Lincolnshire Police, and that is probably just the tip of the iceberg. Thankfully, you don’t need to suffer in silence, even if you’d find it difficult to talk to the police. Just contact the charity Stop Hate UK, totally free. Their fully trained staff will help you decide whether to report the problem – either anonymously or formally – so that action can be taken to stop it. Remember: no hate crime is too minor to report. Stop Hate is supported by Lincolnshire County Council, all seven district councils, Lincolnshire Police and Victim Support. For help 24/7 and in 55 languages, call 0800 138 1625, text 07717 989025 or visit www.stophate.uk.org.

Farmers get direct line to Government The Lincolnshire Forum for Agriculture and Horticulture has been invited to join a new rural and farming network. The network has been created by the Government to help shape future rural policies. Among other benefits, membership will guarantee the forum easier access to ministers, meaning important issues can be taken directly to the highest level.

For details of the forum and its work, visit www.lincsfoodandfarming.org.uk.

A DV E RT I S E M E N T

Give learning a go!

The NHS Health Check - Working together to improve your health

Looking to change career, learn new skills or meet new people? An adult learning course could be the answer. 12-18 May is Adult Learners’ Week, a chance to sample some of the great courses offered across the county. And, as part of Race Online 2012, there are also free beginners’ internet taster sessions at county libraries, helping you get online for the first time. For further details, visit www. lincolnshire.gov.uk/lifelonglearning, call 01522 782011 or pick up a brochure at your local library.

Anyone could be at risk at risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes or kidney disease. The good news is by identifying these problems early they can often be prevented or managed effectively – even if you have a history of them in your family. The NHS Health Check is a free service, for 40 to 74 year olds, offered by your GP practice. If you are eligible for one of these checks then your practice will send you an invitation to attend at some point in the future. The reason for not inviting people with some already diagnosed conditions is that your GP will already be managing and monitoring your health, so an NHS Health Check would not be of use to you. The check itself only takes between 20 and 30 minutes and involves a basic assessment

to include: height, weight, current medication, age, family history, smoking and blood pressure. There is also a simple blood test for cholesterol and (in some cases) glucose levels. After the check you will be told the results and, if necessary, be offered advice and support to maintain a healthy lifestyle and lower your risk. When you are invited it’s worth going along, even if you are feeling well you may have an underlying condition which you are unaware of, such as high blood pressure or

high cholesterol. In partnership with your practice any underlying problems can be managed, thus improving your health now and in the future. Over 30,000 people in Lincolnshire have already benefited from their NHS Health Check For more information please go to: http://www.lincolnshire.nhs.uk/yourhealth/NHS-Health-Check/

Support plain packaging Research has shown that, each year, 340,000 children in the UK are tempted to try smoking. Could putting all tobacco products in plain packets reduce the number of young people taking up the habit and support adults who want to quit? As the Government launches a public consultation to decide whether plain packaging should be adopted, the county council-led Smokefree Lincs Alliance is giving Lincolnshire residents the chance to have their say. To show your support, visit www.smokefreelincs.co.uk and click on Plain Packaging or phone 01522 550544.

Make your business dreams a reality The new Business Lincolnshire website is now online at www.businesslincolnshire.com. The site brings together for the first time useful information on starting or growing your business, plus details of support, training and events available locally. There is also a weekly round-up of local business news, searchable lists of contacts and networking groups, and case studies, tips and articles. With so much support in place, it has never been easier to find the advice and guidance you have been looking for.

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NEWS IN BRIEF

For details of the forum and its work, visit www.lincsfoodandfarming.org.uk.

A DV E RT I S E M E N T

Give learning a go!

The NHS Health Check - Working together to improve your health

countynews

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NEWS IN BRIEF

R E CYC L I N G S U CC E S S

Leading the way

Celebrating Lincolnshire’s finest

Lincolnshire has one of the top recycling rates in the country – and it’s all down to you!

Tealby, one of last year’s winners

A prestigious Lincolnshire contest celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, with a record number of communities expected to enter! The Best Kept Villages and Small Towns Competition has grown over the years and now attracts more than 125 entries in five population categories. The contest is run by Community Lincs, with the Campaign to Protect Rural England. It encourages communities to take pride in their surroundings and improve the local environment. This year’s contest – sponsored by the county and district councils, with continued support from

Pennells Garden Centres – was launched by Teresa Palmer, competition organiser at Community Lincs. She said: “Lincolnshire has some of the loveliest villages in the country, with some of the best environments to live in. “The competition is an annual recognition of this, and we look forward to its continuing success over the next 50 years.” The closing date for entries is 18 May. To find out more, contact your parish clerk or visit www.communitylincs.com.

14% rise in number of county carers

School-age working Did you know that if you are working while still attending school, there are laws to keep you safe? For example, you must have a work permit, and there are limits on how many hours you can work. For more information about the times you can work and the type of job you can do while at school, visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/ childemployment or www.nncee.org.uk, or phone Lincolnshire County Council on 01790 753574 and ask for your child employment officer.

The number of known carers in Lincolnshire has risen to 75,000 – up by 9,000 in the last decade. Research from the 2011 Census shows people from as young as five to over 95 are helping a relative, partner or friend to do basic everyday tasks. Whatever your age, advice and support is on hand from the Lincolnshire Carers Partnership. To find out more or to sign up to the LCP newsletter, please call 01522 554214 or email carerspartnership@lincolnshire.gov.uk.

Bright future for apprenticeships Finding a job as an apprentice means you can earn a wage, learn on-the-job skills and enjoy training towards nationally recognised qualifications. Anyone over the age of 16 can apply. As one of a number of measures to increase apprenticeship places in Lincolnshire, the county council has awarded funding to a not-for-profit organisation, Access Your Future, to set up a local Apprenticeship Training Agency (ATA). ATAs offer a unique approach to the recruitment

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of apprentices in that they are the apprentices’ employer but place them with a host business. That helps firms unable to take on an apprentice, either because of the current economic climate or other recruitment barriers. The training is delivered by a provider. To find out more about apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk. For details of the new ATA, please contact apprenticeships@access-your-future.com.

New showcase for Stamford’s story The Discover Stamford exhibition is now open at Stamford Library, featuring fantastic objects, stories and images that tell the town’s story. The centrepiece is the fantastic Stamford Tapestry, a 20ft-long work of art that traces the history of the town. The hub is the ideal way to discover Stamford’s rich heritage before you go out and explore the town for yourself.

– seven days rrace, Lincoln Te n er th or N t • Grea to 4pm; a week, 9am Tuesday, ery day except • Spalding – ev 9am to 4pm; Bain, Louth, ay tham, Kirkby on Frid • Bourne, Graneaford and Middle Rasen – Skegness, Sl m to 4pm; , but to Monday, 9a day, 9am to 4pm ursday to Mon and Sunday; Th – y sb hi W • rday afternoon closed Satu and Sunday all iday, Saturday Fr – m ha en ad • Le 9am to 4pm; year round, changes in and Boston – no • Gainsborough1 December. pt opening until Holidays exce en on all Bank d New Year’s Day. op e ar s RC an HW y, Boxing Day Christmas Da

With a recycling rate of almost 53%, Lincolnshire is already ahead of a 50% target set by the Government for 2020. Thanks to your efforts, we’re also way in front of the national average, which stands at just 42%. Now the challenge is to recycle even more of the county’s waste, despite difficult financial times. There are 13 Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) around the county where you can take additional waste to be recycled, on top of the excellent kerbside collection services provided by the district councils.

You can find details, including opening hours and what you can take to each one, online at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/recyclingcentres, or call 01522 782070. The county council is committed to keeping all 13 HWRCs open, although some changes are taking place to opening hours and days. Executive councillor for waste services Cllr Lewis Strange said: “Residents already recycle a tremendous amount of waste and make good use of our household waste recycling centres. “We want people to continue doing everything they can to divert their rubbish away from costly landfill sites.” Cllr Strange continued: “Anything that isn’t recycled will be taken to the new Energy from Waste facility now being built. It will work hand in hand with recycling, by turning the waste into electricity. “Five waste transfer stations are needed around the county to take this waste to the facility in the most efficient way. The facility will help to avoid increasing taxation and fines, and save millions of pounds.” countynews

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NEWS IN BRIEF

R E CYC L I N G S U CC E S S

Leading the way

Celebrating Lincolnshire’s finest

Lincolnshire has one of the top recycling rates in the country – and it’s all down to you!

Tealby, one of last year’s winners

14% rise in number of county carers

countynews

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Co u n c i l lo r B i g S o c i e ty F u n d

Cash boost for county groups A self-imposed freeze in councillors’ allowances has released thousands of pounds now being given to local organisations Hundreds of community groups across Lincolnshire are benefiting from cash made available by their local councillors. All 77 elected members of Lincolnshire County Council voted last year for a two-year pay freeze, releasing £320,000 for a Councillor Big Society Fund. From that, each councillor can donate £2,000 a year to worthwhile local or countywide groups. Cllr Mrs Sue Woolley, executive councillor for health,

housing and community, said: “In these difficult times, councillors felt it was important to support local groups that are really making a difference but need a financial helping hand.” Here, County News catches up with just a few councillors from across the political spectrum to find out what good causes they have supported. For more about the Fund, visit www.lincolnshire.gov. uk/bigsocietyfund.

Food for those in need

HELPIN G HAN D: Past Dark a or Chas t the A Sandhu gapecare and Cll Foodba r Graha nk in S m palding.

Cllr Graham Dark, an Independent from Spalding, chose The Agapecare Foodbank to benefit from £500. The project, run by volunteers, provides free food to individuals or families in need of short-term help. Cllr Dark’s grant will go towards the purchase of a van to deliver food parcels throughout Sutton Bridge, Spalding, Crowland and outlying villages. He said: “I became aware before Christmas of the generosity being shown by people across South Holland donating food to the project. “There is a tremendous groundswell of support, but their main difficulty is getting food out to those who need it.” For more information, visit www.agapecare.org.uk or phone 075888 66300.

Helping hand for jobseekers A voluntary group supporting jobseekers in Bourne has been backed by local Conservatives Cllr Mrs Sue Woolley and Cllr Mrs Charlotte Farquharson. Toolbar was set up in 2009 by Neville Hydes, a retired local government officer, and members of a local church. It advises on searching for jobs, CV writing and interview techniques, and has eight laptops. It can also help with transport costs. Up to 30 people attend the free sessions every Monday, and the group has many success stories. Neville said: “The councillors’ funding is so wonderful. It came completely out of the blue and will help to cover our running costs.” To contact Toolbar, phone 07749 689026 or visit www.toolbar-local.org.uk.

Backing young Olympians!

RACE TIME! Cllr Michael Tinker and Cllr Pat O’Connor with the children at Gainsborough Children’s Centre.

An action-packed Games day for under-fives in Gainsborough has been chosen for funding by two Lib Dems. The grants from Cllr Michael Tinker and Cllr Pat O’Connor will buy sports equipment, including hoops, bean bags and stop watches, as well as medals and certificates, for the event planned for 20 June. Organiser Kathy Denman, from Gainsborough Children’s Centre, said: “We have invited all pre-school settings in Gainsborough, and there has been huge interest.” Besides the sporting activities, healthy toddler walks will enable children to have their own torch relay through the town. Cllr Tinker said: “Being a parent and a grandparent, I’ve always been interested in helping children enjoy sport and stay healthy.”

A Skegness community group has been given vital funds to help clear footpaths along the foreshore and ensure access for people with mobility scooters, pushchairs and bicycles. Conservative Cllr Mark Smith’s £500 grant to Skegness Coastal Access for All (CAFA) will be used to buy equipment to clear sand blown onto coastal paths, from Skegness to Ingoldmells. Volunteers include Army Cadets, Explorer Scouts and Skegness Grammar School students. Cllr Smith said: “I’m very keen to support this initiative. It’s a win-win for everyone and a fantastic example of local people contributing to their local community.” To get involved, please phone CAFA chairman Paul Marshall on 01754 768775 or email paulmarshallske@gmail.com.

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New look for community café

eel with Derek B left, and n, so ck Ja Cllr Nev tabler. CHEERS! d Page-S nteer Te café volu

Sand clearance

USE YOUR TOOLBAR! Jobseeker Roy Newsome with Neville Hydes, Cllr Sue Woolley and Cllr Charlotte Farquharson.

A community café in Lincoln has had a much-needed revamp, thanks to a grant from Labour Cllr Nev Jackson. He chose the Bridge Church Community Café, an important social hub in the Newark Road area, to benefit from £960 for new furniture. Café treasurer Derek Beel said: “The new tables are really smart and have made a real difference. We really appreciate Cllr Jackson’s support.” The café is run by volunteers to provide somewhere for local people to socialise. It also sells second-hand books and clothes and provides emergency food parcels. Located at 72A Newark Road, the café is open from 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, and 10am to 1pm on Saturday. To find out more, visit www.bridgechurchlincoln.co.uk.

Highlighting youth achievements

WIN-WIN PR OJECT: Cllr Mark Smith Coastal Acce , left, with Sk ss for All ch egness airman Paul Marshall.

Grantham Conservative Cllr Ray Wootten has used his grants to benefit the whole community, from playgroups to the Grantham U3A. However, he is particularly keen to support positive activities for children and young people: “Youngsters in the Grantham area can come in for criticism, but I wanted to highlight their achievements and the good work they do.” Cllr Wootten has given grants to Grantham and District Scout Council, 47F Grantham Squadron Air Training Corps, and the Barkston and Syston Cricket Club junior section, with its newly formed Under 13 girls’ team. He is keen to continue supporting these groups in the future, and welcomes any further applications.

CASH BOOST: Cllr Ray Wootten is supporting groups including the Barkston and Syston Cricket Club junior section.

Co u n c i l lo r B i g S o c i e ty F u n d

Food for those in need

HELPIN G HAN D: Past Dark a or Chas t the A Sandhu gapecare and Cll Foodba r Graha nk in S m palding.

Backing young Olympians!

RACE TIME! Cllr Michael Tinker and Cllr Pat O’Connor with the children at Gainsborough Children’s Centre.

countynews

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New look for community café

eel with Derek B left, and n, so ck Ja Cllr Nev tabler. CHEERS! d Page-S nteer Te café volu

Sand clearance

USE YOUR TOOLBAR! Jobseeker Roy Newsome with Neville Hydes, Cllr Sue Woolley and Cllr Charlotte Farquharson.

Highlighting youth achievements

WIN-WIN PR OJECT: Cllr Mark Smith Coastal Acce , left, with Sk ss for All ch egness airman Paul Marshall.

CASH BOOST: Cllr Ray Wootten is supporting groups including the Barkston and Syston Cricket Club junior section.

A DVA N C E D CA R E P LA N

DO YOU...

Planning your care

LOVE

An Advanced Care Plan – available free from the council – can give you and your loved ones peace of mind

TAKEAWAYS?

No-one likes to think too much about old age or ill-health, but deep down we all know it’s best to plan ahead. With that in mind, carers in Lincolnshire have teamed up with the county council to create something called an Advanced Care Plan.

DIET? BUT

It isn’t a legal document or a will, but simply a statement of your future care wishes if you became poorly or had an accident, or perhaps developed memory problems. As you put your plan together, you may want to discuss issues with your family, friends, carers or professionals.

WANT A HEALTHY

Your wishes are then formally recorded in the plan, which can also be used to keep all your important and personal information in one place. You may wish to include in your plan:

•

Personal preferences such as places you like to go, people who are important to you, and how you like to dress and wear your hair;

----------------------------

ON HEALTHIER DISHES AT PARTICIPATING INDIAN RESTAURANTS IN LINCOLNSHIRE Valid on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday only. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Subject to terms and conditions.

See our website www.healthiertakeaways.co.uk for more details and to find your nearest participating restaurant. Offer expires 31 August 2012

Offer tracker: Mar4



2 FOR 1

VOUCHER REDEMPTION Name of restaurant Date YOUR DETAILS: Name Postcode Are you? Male/female Your age range? 18-25/25-35/35-50/50+ How often do you eat Indian food: A. Occasionally B. Once a week C. More than once a week

• Key contact details such as family members, your GP, solicitor and executor; • Anything else you’d like people to know about your future care wishes. Cllr Graham Marsh, the council’s executive member for adult social care, said: “None of us likes to think about old age or ill-health, but planning ahead is always a good idea.

“

None of us likes to think about our old age or ill-health, but planning ahead is always a good idea

”

“In particular, an Advanced Care Plan can give you and your loved ones the peace of mind of knowing you’d be cared for in the way you’d like.” To obtain a plan, either for yourself or someone you care for, phone the Customer Service Centre on 01522 782343 or visit www.lincolnshire. gov.uk/advance-care-planning.

Would you describe you general diet as: A. Healthy B. OK C. Unhealthy Would you like to recieve more offers and news on healthier food? Please tell us your email address:

Thank you for your time. We hope you enjoy trying your chosen restaurantʼs healthier dishes.

countynews

| spring 2012

A DVA N C E D CA R E P LA N

DO YOU...

Planning your care

LOVE

An Advanced Care Plan – available free from the council – can give you and your loved ones peace of mind

TAKEAWAYS?

DIET? BUT

WANT A HEALTHY

Your wishes are then formally recorded in the plan, which can also be used to keep all your important and personal information in one place. You may wish to include in your plan:

•

Personal preferences such as places you like to go, people who are important to you, and how you like to dress and wear your hair;

----------------------------

See our website www.healthiertakeaways.co.uk for more details and to find your nearest participating restaurant. Offer expires 31 August 2012

Offer tracker: Mar4



2 FOR 1

“

None of us likes to think about our old age or ill-health, but planning ahead is always a good idea

”

Would you describe you general diet as: A. Healthy B. OK C. Unhealthy Would you like to recieve more offers and news on healthier food? Please tell us your email address:

Thank you for your time. We hope you enjoy trying your chosen restaurantʼs healthier dishes.

countynews

| spring 2012

F AC E TO F AC E

Marathon man Cllr Kelly Smith, Lincolnshire County Council’s executive member for finance, is putting his business skills to maximum use in the public sector Q:

Why did you go into local government?

I wanted to make a difference. I know it’s a cliché, but it’s true – I really believed I could improve the lives of local residents. Having been in business locally for many years, I wanted to apply that knowledge to solve local issues, and nothing gives me more satisfaction than doing just that.

What does your job involve?

As a ward councillor, I spend a lot of time helping residents with problems, as well as promoting and supporting local groups and initiatives. This often means bringing the right people together and exploring new ways of providing a benefit or service to the community. I’m also a member of the executive, with responsibility for finance and human resources. This involves monitoring the council’s finances and making decisions on finance and employment policies – areas where my experiences in business are very useful.

What other work are you involved with?

I am a member of Lincolnshire Police Authority and chairman of the West Lincolnshire Community Safety Partnership, which is responsible for co-ordinating things like policing the evening economy in Lincoln city centre.

How do you relax in your spare time?

I spend time with my family, and I’m a keen runner. In fact, I will be running my first London Marathon on 22 April. I also play keyboards in a rock covers band – “The Zimmer Band”– playing about 20 to 30 gigs a year around Lincolnshire.

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How do you see Lincolnshire’s future?

Bright! As a sparsely populated county, we have some unique challenges when it comes to delivering services to people, but that is balanced by Lincolnshire being a great place to live, with a quality of life that is unrivalled. To ensure future prosperity, it’s important that we remain competitive and create employment opportunities, which is why we continue to invest in our roads infrastructure and major initiatives such as our superfast broadband plan, which should deliver universal coverage by 2017.

Cllr Smith, who is married with two children, represents Lincoln Moorland on the council. Contact him on 07831 879115, email cllrk.smith@lincolnshire. gov.uk or visit www.kellysmith.org.uk.

“

I spend time with my family, and I’m a keen runner. In fact, I will be running my first London Marathon on 22 April

”

Not a single penny more! Lincolnshire County Council has again frozen its council tax, ensuring you won’t pay a penny more for services Council tax bills hitting doormats across Lincolnshire last month (March) gave hard-pressed households some welcome news. They confirmed there would be no increase in the authority’s share of council tax for the 12 months from April. It is the second year in a row councillors have voted for a freeze. Cllr Kelly Smith, executive member for finance, said: “This is a difficult time financially for Lincolnshire residents, and it’s important we do all we can to help.” Besides freezing council tax, the council’s budget for 2012/13 will again protect services vital for public safety, including: • Safeguarding children • Winter gritting • Fire and rescue • Emergency planning • Road maintenance • Flood management There will also be extra support for children and young people looking for employment and training, as well as those leaving care. The investment comes despite the fact that Lincolnshire has to save £125m over four years as the country seeks to cut the national deficit. Cllr Smith said: “In the last year, the council has made savings of over £50m. We’ve achieved this without severe cuts to frontline services or large-scale compulsory redundancies, relying instead on making the council ever more efficient.” Looking to the future, Cllr Smith added: “We will continue to invest in major infrastructure projects, such as the Lincoln Eastern Bypass and next-generation broadband, to pave the way for renewed prosperity in Lincolnshire.” For more about the council’s finances, visit www.lincolnshire. gov.uk/finance, email finance@lincolnshire.gov.uk or phone 01522 553648.

F AC E TO F AC E

Marathon man Cllr Kelly Smith, Lincolnshire County Council’s executive member for finance, is putting his business skills to maximum use in the public sector Q:

Why did you go into local government?

What does your job involve?

What other work are you involved with?

How do you relax in your spare time?

countynews

| spring 2012

How do you see Lincolnshire’s future?

Cllr Smith, who is married with two children, represents Lincoln Moorland on the council. Contact him on 07831 879115, email cllrk.smith@lincolnshire. gov.uk or visit www.kellysmith.org.uk.

“

I spend time with my family, and I’m a keen runner. In fact, I will be running my first London Marathon on 22 April

”

VO L U N T E E R I N G

Walking with a purpose New volunteers are always needed to help keep Lincolnshire’s rights of way open and easy to use The county has a 2,500-mile network of footpaths and bridleways – everything from the famous long-distance Viking Way to shorter, local routes. Volunteers help Lincolnshire County Council’s Countryside Access Team keep routes open and easy to use. Recruits can be individuals or groups – whether keen walkers, people exercising their dogs, riders, cyclists or Scout and Guide groups. If they come across ploughed-up paths, obstructions or bridges and signs in need of repair, they can report them to the Countryside Access Team for further investigation. Countryside access officer Debby Braund said: “We’re looking for people to take an interest in their local rights of way and be our ‘eyes and ears’ on the ground.

“Volunteers don’t need experience in map-reading or rights of way – we can offer training for that. “We also provide basic equipment, such as secateurs for snipping back small overhanging bushes. “One of the simplest ways to become involved is to register to ‘Adopt-a-leaflet’ and check one of the circular walks the council promotes.” Miriam and Colin Smith (pictured), from Lincoln, have surveyed 13 paths in recent weeks. While most were clear, they encountered a few problems, which they reported to the Countryside Access Team. Colin said: “You feel as though you are walking with a purpose. It’s nice to be out in the open air, and you can see so much

“

countryside you don’t see from a car or bus. “You can also discover new walks, and if you report problems, the council can look into putting them right.” Besides recruiting volunteers, the council is also planning to re-launch its successful Parish Paths Partnership (P3) scheme. Launched in 1994, it has helped nearly 90 parishes become involved in surveying, maintaining and improving local rights of way. To get involved as a volunteer or as a Parish Council for P3, contact Debby Braund on 01522 782070 or visit www.lincolnshire. gov.uk/countryside. (You can scan this QR code with your Smart phone QR reader app to take you directly to the website.)

We’re looking for people to take an interest in their local rights of way and be our ‘eyes and ears’ on the ground

”

The Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics will give us a double celebration none of us will ever forget! Communities across Lincolnshire are busy planning street parties for early June to mark the Queen’s 60 years on the throne. The county council is also making plans for a public celebration at Lincoln Castle on Monday 4 June. It will include the lighting of beacons – part of a huge chain across the entire country – a medieval re-enactment, and much more. Although tickets will be free, there will only be a limited number available, closer to the event. Elsewhere in the county, a Jubilee Picnic is taking place at Burghley House on the 13th. Please keep checking your local media and www.lincolnshire. gov.uk/jubilee for further details on these and other jubilee-related events. Once the Diamond Jubilee weekend is over, it’ll soon be time to get the flags out again as the iconic Olympic torch makes its historic journey through the county. On 27 June, there will be celebrations in the 13 communities the torch will travel through in East Lindsey, including Louth, Mablethorpe and Skegness, followed by an evening event at Yarborough Sports Ground in Lincoln to mark the torch’s overnight stay in the city. The following morning, the county council is staging a special breakfast and activities at Lincoln Castle for selected pupils from local schools. They’ll be waving off the torch as it makes its way through the grounds before heading out of the city. Throughout its journey, the Olympic torch will be carried by special torchbearers chosen because of their outstanding achievements. They include Neil Woodmansey, from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, who is hoping to run with former rescue dog Holly. Neil became an MBE in 2010 for services to UK International Search and Rescue.

After being chosen as a torchbearer, Neil said: “I’m really excited about it, and so pleased that colleagues nominated me for this great honour.”

More information For advice about Diamond Jubilee street parties, please visit www. lincolnshire.gov.uk/streetparties or phone 01522 782070. Organisers are reminded to apply for a road closure as early as possible. For all the excitement of the Olympics in Lincolnshire, including the full torch relay route, visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/olympics.

Route of the Olympic torchbearers through the county

countynews

| spring 2012

VO L U N T E E R I N G

“

We’re looking for people to take an interest in their local rights of way and be our ‘eyes and ears’ on the ground

”

After being chosen as a torchbearer, Neil said: “I’m really excited about it, and so pleased that colleagues nominated me for this great honour.”

Route of the Olympic torchbearers through the county

countynews

| spring 2012

G U I D E TO YO U R CO U N C I L

Your county councillor Find your elected representative using this guide showing all 77 listed alphabetically by their areas 62

Conservative

Independents

Liberal Democrats

Folkingham Rural Martin Hill OBE Leader of Lincolns hire County Council 01778 440733 cllrm.hill@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Labour

Louth Wolds

Skegness South

Spilsby Fen

Hugo Marfleet 01507 534672 cllrh.marfleet@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Ken Milner 01754 612378 cllrk.milner@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Jim Swanson 01790 752460 cllrj.swanson@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Mablethorpe

Skellingthorpe & Hykeham South

Stamford North

Graham Gooding 01507 473628 cllrg.gooding@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Reg Shore 01427 612411 cllrr.shore@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

John Hicks 01780 751853 cllrj.hicks@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Alford & Sutton

Boston Fishtoft

Bracebridge Heath & Waddington

Gainsborough Rural South

Heighington & Washingborough

Lincoln Birchwood

Lincoln North

Market Deeping, Langtoft & West Deeping

Sleaford

Stamford Rural

Graham Marsh 01507 490473 cllrg.marsh@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Raymond Singleton-McGuire 07768 918663 cllrr.singletonmcguire@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Mrs Christine Talbot 01522 790691 cllrc.talbot@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Stuart Kinch 01427 717431 cllrs.kinch@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Ron Oxby 01522 826706 cllrr.oxby@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Eddie Strengiel 01522 884688 cllre.strengiel@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Alister Williams 07891 227908 cllra.williams@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Peter Robinson 01778 343383 cllrp.robinson@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

David Dickinson 01529 307433 cllrd.dickinson@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Martin TrollopeBellew 01778 560634 cllrt.trollopebellew@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Ancholme Cliff

Boston North West

Branston & Navenby

Gainsborough Trent

Holbeach

Lincoln Boultham

Lincoln Park

Market Rasen Wolds

Sleaford Rural South

Stamford West

Lewis Strange 01652 628448 cllrc.strange@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Miss Andrea Jenkyns 01205 310329 cllra.jenkyns@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Mrs Marianne Overton 01400 273323 cllrm.overton@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Pat Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor 01427 615625 cllrp.oconnor@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Nick Worth 01406 701420 cllrn.worth@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Kev Clarke 07969 471191 cllrk.clarke@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Nev Jackson 01522 534073 cllrn.jackson@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Burt Keimach 01673 849895 cllrb.keimach@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Barry Young 01529 460205 cllrb.young@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

David Brailsford 01780 757242 cllrd.brailsford@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Bardney & Cherry Willingham

Boston Rural

Colsterworth Rural

Grantham Barrowby

Holbeach Rural

Lincoln Bracebridge

Lincoln West

Nettleham & Saxilby

Sleaford West & Leasingham

Sutton Elloe

Ian Fleetwood 01522 751939 cllri.fleetwood@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Michael Brookes 01205 820616 cllrm.brookes@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Roy Chapman 01476 566266 cllre.chapman@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Mrs Pam Bosworth 01476 561430 cllrp.bosworth@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

William Webb 01406 363673 cllrw.webb@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Rachel Hubbard 07706 237712 cllrr.hubbard@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Robert Parker 01522 535086 cllrr.parker@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Ray Sellars 01522 750286 cllrr.sellars@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Andrew Hagues 01529 300053 cllra.hagues@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Chris Brewis 07951 365831 cllrcbrewis@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Bassingham Rural

Boston South

Crowland & Whaplode

Grantham East

Horncastle & Tetford

Lincoln East

Louth Marsh

North Wolds

Spalding East & Moulton

Tattershall Castle

Ray Phillips 01522 686432 cllrr.phillips@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Paul Skinner 01205 353754 cllrp.skinner@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Paul Przyszlak 01733 210936 cllrp.przyszlak@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Paul Carpenter 01476 530311 cllrp.carpenter@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Bill Aron 01507 526951 cllrb.aron@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Reverend Sara Cliff 07974 784059 cllrs.cliff@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Robert Palmer 01507 358647 cllrr.palmer@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Tony Turner MBE JP 01472 371382 cllra.turner@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Eddy Poll 01406 380470 cllre.poll@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Mrs Betty Harvey OBE 01526 342382 cllrb.harvey@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Billinghay & Metheringham

Boston West

Deeping St James

Grantham North

Hough

Lincoln Glebe

Louth North

Ruskington & Cranwell

Spalding Elloe

Wainfleet & Burgh

Mrs Patricia Bradwell 01526 352842 cllrp.bradwell@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Major Ray Newell 01205 316444 cllrr.newell@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Mike Exton 01780 751265 cllrm.exton@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Ray Wootten 01476 400183 cllrr.wootten@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Christopher Farrar 01522 789125 cllrc.farrar@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Mrs Pauline Mathers 01522 544613 cllrp.mathers@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Mrs Pauline Watson 01507 607815 cllrp.watson@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Eran Bauer 01526 323000 cllre.bauer@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Steve Williams 01775 630375 cllrs.williams@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Neil Cooper 01754 810131 cllrn.cooper@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Boston Coastal

Bourne Abbey

Donington Rural

Grantham North West

Hykeham Forum

Lincoln Hartsholme

Louth Rural North

Scotter Rural

Spalding South

Welton Rural

Peter Bedford 01205 760567 cllrp.bedford@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Mrs Sue Woolley 01778 571153 cllrs.woolley@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Amanda Puttick 01775 821401 cllra.puttick@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Richard Davies 01400 251533 cllrr.davies@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

John Marriott 01522 687965 cllrj.marriott@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Ronald Hills 01522 878352 cllrr.hills@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Mrs Jean Johnson 01472 822406 cllrj.johnson@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Chris UnderwoodFrost 07939 030695 cllrc.underwoodfrost @lincolnshire.gov.uk

Graham Dark 01775 768923 cllrg.dark@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Mrs Sue Rawlins 01673 885545 cllrs.rawlins@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Boston East

Bourne Castle

Gainsborough Hill

Grantham South

Ingoldmells Rural

Lincoln Moorland

Louth South

Skegness North

Spalding West

Woodhall Spa & Wragby

Michael Gilbert 01205 355006 cllrm.gilbert@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Mrs Charlotte Farquharson 01778 421012 cllrc.farquharson@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Michael Tinker 01427 615777 cllrm.tinker@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Adam Stokes 01476 591142 cllra.stokes@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Colin Davie 01754 810433 cllrc.davie@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Kelly Smith 07831 879115 cllrk.smith@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

John Hough 01507 358650 cllrj.hough@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Mark Smith 01754 611400 cllrm.smith@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Howard Johnson 01775 767623 cllrh.johnson@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Denis Hoyes MBE 01526 352292 cllrd.hoyes@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

countynews

| spring 2012

countynews

| spring 2012

G U I D E TO YO U R CO U N C I L

Your county councillor Find your elected representative using this guide showing all 77 listed alphabetically by their areas 62

Conservative

Independents

Liberal Democrats

Folkingham Rural Martin Hill OBE Leader of Lincolns hire County Council 01778 440733 cllrm.hill@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Labour

Louth Wolds

Skegness South

Spilsby Fen

Hugo Marfleet 01507 534672 cllrh.marfleet@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Ken Milner 01754 612378 cllrk.milner@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Jim Swanson 01790 752460 cllrj.swanson@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Mablethorpe

Skellingthorpe & Hykeham South

Stamford North

Graham Gooding 01507 473628 cllrg.gooding@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Reg Shore 01427 612411 cllrr.shore@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

John Hicks 01780 751853 cllrj.hicks@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Alford & Sutton

Boston Fishtoft

Bracebridge Heath & Waddington

Gainsborough Rural South

Heighington & Washingborough

Lincoln Birchwood

Lincoln North

Market Deeping, Langtoft & West Deeping

Sleaford

Stamford Rural

Graham Marsh 01507 490473 cllrg.marsh@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Raymond Singleton-McGuire 07768 918663 cllrr.singletonmcguire@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Mrs Christine Talbot 01522 790691 cllrc.talbot@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Stuart Kinch 01427 717431 cllrs.kinch@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Ron Oxby 01522 826706 cllrr.oxby@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Eddie Strengiel 01522 884688 cllre.strengiel@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Alister Williams 07891 227908 cllra.williams@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Peter Robinson 01778 343383 cllrp.robinson@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

David Dickinson 01529 307433 cllrd.dickinson@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Martin TrollopeBellew 01778 560634 cllrt.trollopebellew@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Ancholme Cliff

Boston North West

Branston & Navenby

Gainsborough Trent

Holbeach

Lincoln Boultham

Lincoln Park

Market Rasen Wolds

Sleaford Rural South

Stamford West

Lewis Strange 01652 628448 cllrc.strange@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Miss Andrea Jenkyns 01205 310329 cllra.jenkyns@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Mrs Marianne Overton 01400 273323 cllrm.overton@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Pat Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor 01427 615625 cllrp.oconnor@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Nick Worth 01406 701420 cllrn.worth@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Kev Clarke 07969 471191 cllrk.clarke@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Nev Jackson 01522 534073 cllrn.jackson@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Burt Keimach 01673 849895 cllrb.keimach@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Barry Young 01529 460205 cllrb.young@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

David Brailsford 01780 757242 cllrd.brailsford@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Bardney & Cherry Willingham

Boston Rural

Colsterworth Rural

Grantham Barrowby

Holbeach Rural

Lincoln Bracebridge

Lincoln West

Nettleham & Saxilby

Sleaford West & Leasingham

Sutton Elloe

Ian Fleetwood 01522 751939 cllri.fleetwood@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Michael Brookes 01205 820616 cllrm.brookes@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Roy Chapman 01476 566266 cllre.chapman@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Mrs Pam Bosworth 01476 561430 cllrp.bosworth@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

William Webb 01406 363673 cllrw.webb@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Rachel Hubbard 07706 237712 cllrr.hubbard@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Robert Parker 01522 535086 cllrr.parker@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Ray Sellars 01522 750286 cllrr.sellars@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Andrew Hagues 01529 300053 cllra.hagues@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Chris Brewis 07951 365831 cllrcbrewis@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Bassingham Rural

Boston South

Crowland & Whaplode

Grantham East

Horncastle & Tetford

Lincoln East

Louth Marsh

North Wolds

Spalding East & Moulton

Tattershall Castle

Ray Phillips 01522 686432 cllrr.phillips@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Paul Skinner 01205 353754 cllrp.skinner@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Paul Przyszlak 01733 210936 cllrp.przyszlak@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Paul Carpenter 01476 530311 cllrp.carpenter@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Bill Aron 01507 526951 cllrb.aron@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Reverend Sara Cliff 07974 784059 cllrs.cliff@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Robert Palmer 01507 358647 cllrr.palmer@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Tony Turner MBE JP 01472 371382 cllra.turner@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Eddy Poll 01406 380470 cllre.poll@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Mrs Betty Harvey OBE 01526 342382 cllrb.harvey@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Billinghay & Metheringham

Boston West

Deeping St James

Grantham North

Hough

Lincoln Glebe

Louth North

Ruskington & Cranwell

Spalding Elloe

Wainfleet & Burgh

Mrs Patricia Bradwell 01526 352842 cllrp.bradwell@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Major Ray Newell 01205 316444 cllrr.newell@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Mike Exton 01780 751265 cllrm.exton@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Ray Wootten 01476 400183 cllrr.wootten@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Christopher Farrar 01522 789125 cllrc.farrar@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Mrs Pauline Mathers 01522 544613 cllrp.mathers@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Mrs Pauline Watson 01507 607815 cllrp.watson@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Eran Bauer 01526 323000 cllre.bauer@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Steve Williams 01775 630375 cllrs.williams@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Neil Cooper 01754 810131 cllrn.cooper@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Boston Coastal

Bourne Abbey

Donington Rural

Grantham North West

Hykeham Forum

Lincoln Hartsholme

Louth Rural North

Scotter Rural

Spalding South

Welton Rural

Peter Bedford 01205 760567 cllrp.bedford@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Mrs Sue Woolley 01778 571153 cllrs.woolley@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Amanda Puttick 01775 821401 cllra.puttick@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Richard Davies 01400 251533 cllrr.davies@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

John Marriott 01522 687965 cllrj.marriott@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Ronald Hills 01522 878352 cllrr.hills@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Mrs Jean Johnson 01472 822406 cllrj.johnson@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Chris UnderwoodFrost 07939 030695 cllrc.underwoodfrost @lincolnshire.gov.uk

Graham Dark 01775 768923 cllrg.dark@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Mrs Sue Rawlins 01673 885545 cllrs.rawlins@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Boston East

Bourne Castle

Gainsborough Hill

Grantham South

Ingoldmells Rural

Lincoln Moorland

Louth South

Skegness North

Spalding West

Woodhall Spa & Wragby

Michael Gilbert 01205 355006 cllrm.gilbert@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Mrs Charlotte Farquharson 01778 421012 cllrc.farquharson@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Michael Tinker 01427 615777 cllrm.tinker@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Adam Stokes 01476 591142 cllra.stokes@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Colin Davie 01754 810433 cllrc.davie@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Kelly Smith 07831 879115 cllrk.smith@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

John Hough 01507 358650 cllrj.hough@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Mark Smith 01754 611400 cllrm.smith@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Howard Johnson 01775 767623 cllrh.johnson@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

Denis Hoyes MBE 01526 352292 cllrd.hoyes@ lincolnshire.gov.uk

countynews

| spring 2012

countynews

| spring 2012

CO M P E T I T I O N

lives

Win a day

at Lincolnshire Archives! Enter our free prize draw for a beginner’s day tracing your family tree with the help of our experts If you’ve ever been inspired to look into your family’s Lincolnshire roots, then we have just the competition for you. We’d like to give one lucky reader special access to Lincolnshire Archives – the county council’s vault of historical records. You’ll start your day with a behind-the-scenes tour, exploring areas usually closed to the public. Our friendly staff (pictured, Claire Arrand and Nicola Rogers) will show you a range of items tailored to your interests – for example, your village, your surname or a particular subject. The choice is yours!

After your tour, one of our experts will advise how to start your family research and how the archives might help. With documents spanning six miles of shelves and nearly 1,000 years, your hidden history is just waiting to be explored. And if you discover something really interesting, we’d love to bring your family’s story to life in a future edition of County News.

HOW TO ENTER Simply send your name, address and contact telephone number to County News Archive Day, Lincolnshire County Council, FREEPOST DC1082, Lincoln LN1 1BR or to countynews@lincolnshire.gov.uk, putting “archive day” in the subject box. The winner will be the first name drawn out of the hat after the closing date of Monday 30 April 2012.

countynews

| spring 2012

“You gave me my wife back!” Golden Wedding husband pays tribute to two LIVES First Responders who saved his wife after a heart attack A devoted couple who recently celebrated their 50th anniversary together say they owe their happiness to two LIVES First Responders. When Keith Auvache got a call about a lady in Sutton-on-Sea having breathing difficulties, he and fellow volunteer Roger Capper grabbed their equipment and were on the scene in less than five minutes. However, just as they were assessing Audrey Lane, she stopped breathing and went into cardiac arrest. Fortunately for Audrey, LIVES First Responders are equipped with a defibrillator and trained to deal with emergency life-threatening situations. Keith and Roger therefore immediately started cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), used the defibrillator to “shock” Audrey, and then carried on with CPR and rescue breathing. By the time an ambulance arrived, Audrey, 79, was breathing unaided and able to make murmuring noises. She has since gone on to make a full recovery. Audrey herself can remember little of what happened: “I was hanging out the washing and suddenly felt ever so queer. I didn’t know what was wrong, and I can’t remember what happened after that.” Husband Geoff, 78, said: “We think Keith and Roger are fantastic. When my wife went into cardiac arrest, I could see they knew what they’re doing. “They gave me my wife back, and we were able to celebrate our Golden Wedding anniversary on 12 February this year.”

Lincolnshire’s life-savers LIVES (Lincolnshire Integrated Voluntary Emergency Service) volunteers are called out by the ambulance service to help patients who have collapsed or are suffering breathing difficulties, chest pains or suspected heart attacks or strokes. Because they are based in their local communities, LIVES First Responders are on the scene of an emergency within minutes. They provide emergency life support and help relatives in the first vital minutes before an ambulance arrives.

Becoming a volunteer Marketing and recruitment officer Steve Hyde said: “LIVES always needs more volunteers, especially in the area from Boston to Skegness and Mablethorpe, and inland between Louth and Horncastle. “Having LIVES in the county gives you that peace of mind that someone will be with you in that critical moment.” To find out more, visit www.lives-responders.co.uk or phone 01507 525999.

countynews

| spring 2012

CO M P E T I T I O N

lives

Win a day

countynews

| spring 2012

countynews

| spring 2012

The 128th Lincolnshire Show CO M P E T I T I O N

l inco l n s h i r e s h ow

Ticket prices Lifestyle held from 2009 Lincolnshire!

Wednesday and Thursday 20th & 21st June 2012

Dogs are welcome

doors open at 8am

A packed day out with something for everyone

Celebrate all our county has to offer at the Lincolnshire Show Adult £20 Young Person £15 Child £6 Family £45 Discount available on advance ticket sales and group bookings To attend as a Member call 01522 585504

Call 01522 522900 @lincsshow

Visit www.lincolnshireshow.co.uk

/lincolnshireagriculturalsociety

Join the council’s celebration at the Lincolnshire Show of the very best the county has to offer Lincolnshire’s lifestyle is quite simply unbeatable! Fantastic food, fascinating attractions, a beautiful coastline and stunning countryside combine to make our county a really great place to be. Lincolnshire County Council will be celebrating that unique blend at its area at this year’s show, the highlight of the county calendar. In addition to the best of local lifestyle, we are also bringing the excitement of the London Olympics right here to Lincolnshire. Council events manager Mark Stoneham says there will be fun for the whole family: “Music, games and Olympics-style sports will give visitors of every age something to enjoy. “You can also find out about all the things we do to improve your lifestyle in Lincolnshire. From coastal country parks to attractions like Lincoln Castle, we’ve got it covered.”

The 128th Lincolnshire Show takes place on Wednesday 20 June and Thursday 21 June. The council’s area is at 10th Avenue, Row B. Highlights of our attractions include: • The chance to have a chat with your elected councillor and the chairman. • Displays about the many services we provide, plus knowledgeable staff to answer your questions. • Hands-on activities for youngsters. • Sports and games. • Fun competitions for all ages, including some prizes! For more details about the council’s area, phone Mark Stoneham on 01522 552118, email mark.stoneham@lincolnshire. gov.uk or visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/ lincolnshireshow.

NOTICE OF MINIMUM NUMBER OF THE ELECTORATE REQUIRED TO PETITION FOR A REFERENDUM FOR AN ELECTED MAYOR Under the Local Government Act 2000 and under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, one of the things we have to do by law is let people know about their right to ask for a referendum if they want an elected mayor to manage their council. We also have to tell you the numbers needed for a valid petition. If 5% of the number of people on the local electoral register submit a petition asking for a referendum for an elected mayor, then the local council must hold a referendum in their area. We have listed the numbers of people the 5% equates to in each council district in Lincolnshire, as well as the total for Lincolnshire County Council – these figures apply from February 2012. 5% (rounded) a. Boston Borough 2394 b. East Lindsey 5275 c. City of Lincoln 3263 d. North Kesteven 4192 e. South Holland 3533 f. South Kesteven 5263 g. West Lindsey 3638 h. Lincolnshire 27,558

Fantastic, diverse range of activities

Knights of the Damned, boutique-style shopping in The Mews, Food Court showcase of county produce, Scruffts, Parade of Hounds, flower show, vintage vehicles and much more...

General show enquiries For more information about the show and ticket details, please see the advert on the opposite page.

These figures will be used to check the validity of any petition received between 1 April 2012 and 31 March 2013 or any earlier date required by Government Regulation. Every year we publish the 5% figures and remind you of your right to tell us in a petition that you would like a referendum. The petition must be signed by the correct number of people (using the 5% figures for your district listed above) and delivered to a council’s ‘principal office’. Do not forget that in Lincolnshire you have two ‘principal offices’ – your local District Council and Lincolnshire County Council. If you want a referendum for both, petitions need to be completed and sent to both. The addresses for the Councils in Lincolnshire are:a. Boston – Chief Executive, Boston Borough Council, Municipal Buildings, West Street, Boston, Lincs PE21 8QR Tel: 01205 314200 (www.boston.gov.uk)

b. East Lindsey – Chief Executive, East Lindsey District Council, Tedder Hall, Manby Park, Louth, Lincs LN11 8UP Tel: 01507 601111 (www.e-lindsey.gov.uk) c. City of Lincoln – Chief Executive and Town Clerk, City of Lincoln Council, Beaumont Fee, Lincoln LN1 1DD Tel: 01522 881188 (www.lincoln.gov.uk) d. North Kesteven – Chief Executive, North Kesteven District Council, Council Offices, Kesteven Street, Sleaford, Lincs NG34 7EF Tel: 01529 414155 (www.n-kesteven.gov.uk) e. South Holland – Chief Executive, South Holland District Council, Council Offices, Priory Road, Spalding, Lincs PE11 2XE Tel: 01775 761161 (www.sholland.gov.uk)

f. South Kesteven – Chief Executive South Kesteven District Council, Council Offices, St Peter’s Hill, Grantham, Lincs NG31 6PZ Tel: 01476 406080 (www.southkesteven.gov.uk) g. West Lindsey – Chief Executive, West Lindsey District Council, Guildhall, Marshalls Yard, Gainsborough, Lincs DN21 2NA Tel: 01427 676676 (www.west-lindsey.gov.uk) h. Lincolnshire – Chief Executive, Lincolnshire County Council, County Offices, Newland, Lincoln LN1 1YL Tel: 01522 552222 (www.lincolnshire.gov.uk) Tony McArdle Chief Executive Lincolnshire County Council

Grange de Lings, Lincoln, LN2 2NA countynews

| spring 2012

The 128th Lincolnshire Show CO M P E T I T I O N

l inco l n s h i r e s h ow

Ticket prices Lifestyle held from 2009 Lincolnshire!

Wednesday and Thursday 20th & 21st June 2012

Dogs are welcome

doors open at 8am

A packed day out with something for everyone

Call 01522 522900 @lincsshow

Visit www.lincolnshireshow.co.uk

/lincolnshireagriculturalsociety

Fantastic, diverse range of activities

Knights of the Damned, boutique-style shopping in The Mews, Food Court showcase of county produce, Scruffts, Parade of Hounds, flower show, vintage vehicles and much more...

General show enquiries For more information about the show and ticket details, please see the advert on the opposite page.

Grange de Lings, Lincoln, LN2 2NA countynews

| spring 2012

FOCUS ON WEST LINDSEY

We’ve done it again! Leader’s welcome... Welcome to the very first newlook West Lindsey District Council news section in County News – the magazine for local people. In an exciting venture, we have joined forces with Lincolnshire County Council to bring you all the news about local services in one place. This innovative example of joint working was launched in response to comments from local people, who told us they would prefer to receive just one publication rather than two. Besides being more convenient for you, this approach is also more costeffective. Over the next eight pages, you will see some of the big initiatives coming your way in the near future, and how West Lindsey District Council will be helping you and your local communities to make a difference. We have grants available for local Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations and to help community groups as part of a Community Action and Volunteering Fund. Your local councillor also has grants for worthy projects that will benefit your area through the Councillor Initiative Fund. I am also delighted to tell you that by working better together, we have been able to freeze any council tax increase for the second year running. I would like you all to get involved in your community to see what you can achieve in what is promising to be a thrilling year. Cllr Burt Keimach West Lindsey District Council Leader

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| spring 2012

For the second successive year West Lindsey District Council has frozen council tax without any significant impact on frontline services or redundancies Council leader Cllr Burt Keimach said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in all the hard work which has been done to help us get where we are today. “We are in a strong financial position and in the last year we have identified savings of £1m. This has been achieved while protecting front-line services as well as avoiding redundancies. “In recognition of the difficulties faced by households we are also freezing council tax for the second year.” The decision comes despite a 25% or £2.5m fall over two years in the district council’s formula grant from the Government. The council is now preparing for more funding reductions, reforms to welfare and business rates, and an increase in demand for services. Cllr Keimach said: “Whilst we celebrate this achievement, I want to reassure residents that we are not complacent. We are already working on plans to keep up this momentum over the coming weeks and months.” West Lindsey District Council has been able to allocate substantial resources to local projects including broadband, housing, growth and investment to help benefit residents. Cllr Reg Shore, the leader of the opposition (Liberal Democrats), said: “In general terms, we support this budget and we are pleased that the Liberal Democrat amendments are being looked at closely.”

Budget measures

We are in a strong financial position and in the last year we have identified savings of £1m. This has been achieved while protecting front-line services as well as avoiding redundancies

Some of the projects in the budget inclu de: • Strategic housing projects – £1.1 m has been set aside over three years to add ress the issues of affordable homes and emp ty properties. Some of the money will be used to refu rbish homes using renewable technologies to drive down the costs of living for pros pective tenants or buyers. • Rural broadband – The council has committed £555,000 over three years to support the provision of superfast broa dband connection to the internet in the distr ict. This is part of a wider scheme across Lincolns hire and is supported by the Government. • Localism – West Lindsey District Cou ncil is supporting communities to help them selves and others and encouraging voluntee ring as part of our localism programme. Two community grant schemes worth

£300,000 to support community actio n have been launched. These include a £50,000 Olympic and Diamond Jubilee Fund. We are also working closely with our prio rity neighbourhoods including the ex-Minist ry of Defence communities. • Growth and investments – Usin g our existing resources differently we have earmarked £1,350,000 to support grow th and investment initiatives. • Disabled Facilities Grant and Independent Living – West Lindsey District Council has teamed up with Lincolns hire County Council and NHS Lincolnshire to pilot an Integrated Health and Social Care scheme. By offering greater choice and control to our customers, we want to maximise thei r ability to live independently, moving away from more institutional models such as resid ential and day care. This will generate significa nt savings to reinvest in the service.

Pay your council tax by Direct Debit

Save time and hassle on Easy Street! Pay by Direct Debit! Spread the cost over 10 months and you’ll enjoy the peace of mind of never being late to pay! • Set up a Direct Debit with your bank and payments are made automatically but you stay in control • Everything’s protected by the Direct Debit Guarantee • You can trust Direct Debit to be totally secure So just relax and enjoy the way it frees up your time To pay the Smart way, visit www.west-lindsey.gov.uk or call us on 01427 676566 now

countynews

| spring 2012

FOCUS ON WEST LINDSEY

countynews

| spring 2012

Budget measures

We are in a strong financial position and in the last year we have identified savings of £1m. This has been achieved while protecting front-line services as well as avoiding redundancies

Pay your council tax by Direct Debit

countynews

| spring 2012

FOCUS ON WEST LINDSEY

Skills fair hailed a success A trip to Lincoln University proved to be just the job for hundreds of people looking for work and training opportunities. West Lindsey District Council’s skills fair at the Riseholme Campus was attended by more than 250 people and 39 exhibitors. Cllr Irmgard Parrott said: “The council is very keen to get people back into work and I am delighted we could facilitate such a worthwhile initiative. “It was great to see so many job providers there with different opportunities on show, demonstrating a need for events like this. It was a brilliant day and there was a real buzz around the event.” A free bus service to the event was well used.

Donate unwanted furniture The spring bank holidays are a busy time of year for DIY and home improvements. So if you are buying new furniture and want to find an easy way to pass on your old items, visit www.west-lindsey.gov.uk/furniture-reuse. The Gainsborough Furniture Resource Centre www.gfrc.org.uk will collect good quality items within a 12-mile radius of Gainsborough.

Raising awareness of homelessness Young people with a flair for drawing are being encouraged to put their skills to the test. As part of Lincolnshire councils’ continued commitment to raising awareness of youth homelessness, a drawing competition is being run in partnership with Lincolnbased Zest Theatre. All young people who saw the drama Until It’s Gone – a hard-hitting production based on the true-life stories of homeless young people from across Lincolnshire – during its 2011 tour around schools in the district are eligible to enter. Participants are asked to think about what homelessness means to them and capture it in an original drawing. The winner will receive an iTunes voucher and have their design published on the front cover of Lincolnshire’s Homelessness Strategy. Their school will also have the opportunity to script and perform six episodes of a soap opera based around homelessness. It will be created with help from a Zest drama worker, using a range of activities including discussion, the creation of tableaux, basic writing tasks, improvisation and drama games. For further information or to submit your entry, email sarah.shaw@west-lindsey.gov.uk. The closing date is 16 April.

Council team rewarded

Positive about our young people

National Excellence Awards have “highly commended” the West Lindsey local land charges team in the “most improved” category. The council carries out land and property searches, which are a requirement when selling any property in this country. Senior technical administrator Lesley Wain was also “highly commended” in the “officer of the year” category. She was one of only four officers in the country nominated.

Good recruitment practices have earned West Lindsey District Council the Positive About Young People (PAYP) regional award. The PAYP initiative is being developed by a group of employers in Lincolnshire and Rutland. The award was presented by Lincolnshire County Council in recognition of West Lindsey’s commitment to develop the skills and employability of young people in the workplace. Council support officer Laura Guilliatt (pictured) is currently studying for an NVQ level 2 in business administration. The 22-yearold said: “I am grateful to the council for providing me with an opportunity to gain further qualifications. This is helping me in my current job and it will be a great asset as I progress further in my career.” In 2011, the council employed 15 young people aged from 16 to 24, working in different service areas across the whole authority. They included a number of apprentices, trainees, casual workers and those on work placements for schools and universities. Council chairman Cllr William Parry said: “The council has an important role to teach young people valuable skills and on-the-job training.”

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| spring 2012

Praise for this “resilient” council West Lindsey District Council welcomed the chief executive of the Local Government Association, Carolyn Downs, to the district. Her visit came just months after The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, The Rt Hon Eric Pickles, visited the area. Mrs Downs said: “These are very difficult times for councils across the country and councils are dealing with

HIGH PROFILE: LGA chief executive Carolyn Downs, Cllr Jeff Summers and Manjeet Gill. CLEAN SWEEP: Zena Kliszcz, of Zena’s Top Nosh, has been awarded top marks in the new food hygiene rating system.

Changes to hygiene rating The National Food Hygiene rating scheme will be rolled out to food businesses this month. West Lindsey District Council is switching to the national scheme developed by the Food Standards Agency. The chairman of the Prosperous Communities Committee, Cllr Malcolm Parish, said: “Although the council has run the successful Scores on the Doors system, we see the benefits of joining the nationwide scheme. “The rating will have the same significance wherever people are buying food. The public will be able to use the information when deciding which food outlets to visit and we hope that food companies will recognise that displaying a good hygiene rating is good for business.” How it works Food businesses will be given a food hygiene rating on a scale from 0 to 5 when they are inspected by a local authority food safety officer. The top rating is 5 – which means the hygiene standards are very good. The bottom is 0 – which indicates urgent improvement is required.

them differently. Some are much more resilient than others and West Lindsey seems to be more resilient.” The vice-chairman of the Prosperous Communities Committee, Cllr Jeff Summers, gave Carolyn a quick tour of the Marshall’s Yard development in Gainsborough. He said: “It was a pleasure to meet Carolyn and an ideal opportunity for us to share our achievements with her. We wanted to showcase how our entrepreneurial style is starting to pay dividends and stress the importance of our strong partnership working.” The chief executive of West Lindsey District Council, Manjeet Gill, said: ”It was an honour that one of the most influential figures in local government wanted to see first hand how we avoided redundancies and service cuts with our entrepreneurial council model.”

Support local businesses To keep our district thriving, shop local and support West Lindsey District Council’s Think Local First campaign. The council is working with town and parish colleagues to encourage residents to support local businesses. The chairman of the Prosperous Communities Committee, Cllr Malcolm Parish, said: “We can all help small local shops to stay in business. This will help support local jobs and improve the well-being of local communities.” Gainsborough Town Centre Partnership manager David Hawkins said: “Many small retailers are concerned about the lack of trade and we need to do the small things to contribute to the prosperity and survival of our towns.” countynews

| spring 2012

FOCUS ON WEST LINDSEY

Council team rewarded

Positive about our young people

countynews

| spring 2012

HIGH PROFILE: LGA chief executive Carolyn Downs, Cllr Jeff Summers and Manjeet Gill. CLEAN SWEEP: Zena Kliszcz, of Zena’s Top Nosh, has been awarded top marks in the new food hygiene rating system.

| spring 2012

FOCUS ON WEST LINDSEY

Apply now

for a share of £250,000 A new drive to boost volunteering and community activity has been launched West Lindsey District Council is keen to increase the number of volunteers in the community as part of its localism programme. To help support the initiative, it has launched a new Community Action and Volunteering Fund (CAV Fund) worth £250,000. Groups can apply for small grants of up to £250 for activities that bring the community together – for example, setting up a residents group or gardening club. Funding could also be available for carrying out small improvements to community buildings, such as painting community rooms, or projects involving volunteers that promote community action. Council leader Cllr Burt Keimach said: “This is an exciting time for West Lindsey. At a time when councils

are facing huge reductions in grants from government, West Lindsey understands the need to support communities in all the wonderful things they are doing locally. “The council wants to help improve the good work that is happening in our communities and create a legacy of celebration, volunteering and community spirit.” A panel made up of district councillors in each area will decide, along with community members, on applications. To apply for the CAV Fund, contact Jenny Stone on 01529 301951/302466 or email her at cav.fund@ communitylincs.com.

Dust down your fold-out tables, unpack the bunting and let’s really get the 2012 party started! To mark 60 years of the Queen’s reign and the Olympics coming to Britain, the council has set aside £50,000 to help get the celebrations underway. If you’re planning a street party to mark these exciting events, then make sure you apply for a slice of the money.

Council leader Cllr Burt Keimach said: “There certainly seems to be a lot of excitement around these events and we hope communities embrace the community spirit and join in the street party festivities.” Steph Chilvers, 59, of Dunholme Road, Gainsborough, said: “It’s great to see the council backing plans for street parties and helping to fund them.” The celebration fund is match-funded and will help towards the cost of putting on Olympic and Jubilee-themed celebrations and events this summer. The Lincolnshire Sports Partnership is managing the fund on behalf of the council. Groups and organisations can bid for a maximum of £1,000 each. To apply for the Olympics or Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Fund, download an application at www.lincolnshiresports. com or call 01522 585580 for further details.

PARTY TIME! Gainsborough’s Pingle Close residents with West Lindsey District Council leader Burt Keimach.

It’s great to see the council backing plans for street parties and helping to fund them

Diary date: The Olympic Torch Relay will be visiting Saxilby on 28 June 2012.

countynews

| spring 2012

countynews

| spring 2012

FOCUS ON WEST LINDSEY

Apply now

PARTY TIME! Gainsborough’s Pingle Close residents with West Lindsey District Council leader Burt Keimach.

It’s great to see the council backing plans for street parties and helping to fund them

Diary date: The Olympic Torch Relay will be visiting Saxilby on 28 June 2012.

countynews

| spring 2012

countynews

| spring 2012

FOCUS ON WEST LINDSEY

Help shape your community

“Look to the future!” Laughterton resident Barbara Taylor says people should look to the future and use renewable energy. The 74-year-old’s green stance was prompted after she responded to a council survey on the controversial topic. She said: “I would love to see the wind turbines in the fields at the back of my house. I can’t see the problems people are moaning about. “Some would say the noise is a problem, but is it any worse than traffic or the thick smoke from the power stations? We will get used to them. Tell people to stop moaning, it’s the future!” Not everyone shares her opinion, however, with other residents describing wind turbines as a “blot on the landscape” or “useless”.

Some would say the noise is a problem, but is it any worse than traffic or the thick smoke from the power stations? Ivan Meyrick, of Torksey Lock, said: “I fail to see the economic value of wind turbines – they are terribly expensive to produce and set up. They appear to be the green-flavoured sweet at the moment. Just build a few more nuclear plants and forget about the wind farms.” The council’s Renewable Energy Group is looking at how it should deal with plans for wind turbines, solar panels and biomass plants. Group chairman Cllr Paul Howitt-Cowan said: “Thank you for responding – we are in the process of analysing all the replies. They will help us form an opinion about renewable energy.” About renewables Renewable energy is power which comes from natural resources, including sunlight, rain, wind, tides and geothermal heat. Crucially, it must be replenished naturally. It is estimated that 16% of the world’s energy comes from renewables.

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| spring 2012

What’s on

at Trinity Arts Centre Don’t forget to check out our latest programme of popular films and live entertainment at the Trinity Arts Centre in Gainsborough. We are extremely privileged to welcome to Trinity for the first time Fresh Glory Productions with their eagerly anticipated Lilies on the Land production. This theatrical production celebrates an extraordinary episode in Britain’s history – the Women’s Land Army of World War II. It is based on hundreds of letters from and interviews with the original Land Girls along with songs from the period. The Hoot Comedy Club will also be celebrating its fifth year performing at the venue.

A major plan is being pieced together to shape the places we live, work, learn and shop. Formal consultation on the local plan will start in the summer, but residents are being asked to get involved now and have their say on what their communities need. North Kesteven, West Lindsey and City of Lincoln councils formed a Joint Planning Unit in 2009. It found a need for 42,000 more homes, and about one square mile of employment land, across the 817-square mile area. They would support an anticipated population growth of 86,000, which will create demand for new shops, schools, health facilities, open spaces, flood defences and energy sources.

Check out our new website for further information at www. trinityarts.co.uk.

Live shows • Tuesday 10 April, 2pm, The Owl who was Afraid of the Dark • Thursday 12 April, 8pm, Hoot Comedy Club – 5th birthday special • Tuesday 24 – Saturday 28 April, Gainsborough Amateur Operatic Society,

For more information, call 01522 699013/01529 308084, email Talkplanning@central-lincs.org.uk or visit www. central-lincs.org.uk.

Residents have their say on broadband Calls for superfast broadband have been backed by hundreds of local residents. West Lindsey District Council asked people to register their support for the Lincolnshire-wide campaign in the winter edition of West Lindsey News. The response shows a need for faster broadband and highlighted areas where the service is either poor or nonexistent. One of West Lindsey’s ICT champions, Cllr Alan Caine, said: “I want to thank everyone who registers their support. The information that has been provided will help determine where up to £43m will be spent in Lincolnshire to improve broadband services.” Register your demand for faster broadband at www.onlincolnshire.net now!

Me and My Girl

• Thursday 10 May, 8pm, Hoot Comedy Club • Tuesday 22 May, 2pm and 7.30pm, Lilies on the Land • Friday 25 and Saturday 26 May, 7pm, The Everett-Fox School of Dance • Saturday 9 June, 2pm, Garlic Theatre: Little Red Robin Hood Children’s show • Saturday 16 June, 7.30pm, Pluck: Musical Arson

IMPRESSARIO! New Trinity Arts Centre manager Karen Whitfield is enjoying the quirky theatre in the heart of Gainsborough town centre.

Charges for wheelie bins From 1 April 2012, charges will be applied for new or replacement wheelie bins. These will enable the council to recover costs where new properties are built or where bins are damaged or lost through misuse or negligence. Last year, the council spent more than £100,000 providing new or replacement bins. In some circumstances, a householder in need of a replacement bin may qualify for a total waiver of the costs. Repairs will still be carried out free of charge. See the “questions and answers” section at www.west-lindsey.gov.uk for more information. All eligible West Lindsey residents have been provided with new wheelie bins free of charge since 2004. Residents are responsible for looking after them and they are expected to last 15 years.

Why is the charge being introduced?

How can I keep my bin safe?

The council is under increased pressure to save money. This charge will only cover the cost of the bins and their replacement. Blue recycling bins will be provided at a subsidised rate.

• Mark it clearly with your house number.

Am I paying for these services already through my council tax?

• Try to take it back inside the boundary of your property as soon as possible after your waste has been collected.

Council tax only accounts for a percentage of our revenue. Due to the significant reduction in central Government funding, West Lindsey no longer has the budget provision for replacing wheelie bins.

• Leave it out for emptying for the shortest time possible (but making sure it is out before 7am on your collection day).

FOCUS ON WEST LINDSEY

Help shape your community

countynews

| spring 2012

What’s on

Check out our new website for further information at www. trinityarts.co.uk.

For more information, call 01522 699013/01529 308084, email Talkplanning@central-lincs.org.uk or visit www. central-lincs.org.uk.

Me and My Girl

IMPRESSARIO! New Trinity Arts Centre manager Karen Whitfield is enjoying the quirky theatre in the heart of Gainsborough town centre.

Why is the charge being introduced?

How can I keep my bin safe?

The council is under increased pressure to save money. This charge will only cover the cost of the bins and their replacement. Blue recycling bins will be provided at a subsidised rate.

• Mark it clearly with your house number.

Am I paying for these services already through my council tax?

• Try to take it back inside the boundary of your property as soon as possible after your waste has been collected.

Council tax only accounts for a percentage of our revenue. Due to the significant reduction in central Government funding, West Lindsey no longer has the budget provision for replacing wheelie bins.

• Leave it out for emptying for the shortest time possible (but making sure it is out before 7am on your collection day).

Spalding Fl ower Parade 2011

W H AT’S O N

G A I N S B O RO U G H O L D H A L L

Out and about The essential guide to what’s on in Lincolnshire from April - June 2012 NATIONAL GARDENS SCHEME

April – September Countless Lincolnshire gardens are opening to visitors in aid of charity this spring and summer as the NGS celebrates its 85th anniversary. www.ngs.org.uk.

WASH CRUISES WITH SOUTH LINCS RSPB

April to October From Boston, aboard the 50-seater Boston Belle. The 4-5 hour cruises provide interest for all – from the avid birder to anyone with a general interest in nature. In 2011 over 100 bird species were seen on the cruises, averaging 60 per trip. 07531 495521, www.southlincsrspb.org.uk.

LINCOLNSHIRE WOLDS RAILWAY EASTER STEAM GALA

7, 8 and 9 April Ludborough Station, off the A16 between Grimsby and Louth (follow the brown signs). Visiting steam locomotives and special events over the Easter weekend, including Easter Bunny Run on the Sunday with an Easter egg for every child and a Heritage Steam Day on the Monday. 01507 363881, www. lincolnshirewoldsrailway.co.uk.

A HORRID HISTORY OF WORK

14 April, 10am – 4pm (last admission 3.30pm) Museum of Lincolnshire Life, Burton Road, Lincoln. Be amazed by the good, the bad and the ugly side of work in the Lincolnshire of yesteryear. Meet cruel masters, proud engine drivers and dreary drudges as they relive a life of grime, then try our museum trail and craft activities. Free admission. £1 charge for optional crafts. 01522 528448.

KEEPING UP (HISTORIC) APPEARANCES – THE LOUTH FESTIVAL OF CONSERVATION

14 April, 10am – 4pm Louth Methodist Church. A free event about how we can conserve historic buildings for future generations. Meet local contractors who specialise in traditional crafts, join a guided walk around Louth’s prominent listed buildings or listen to one of the interesting talks on offer. 01529 461499, heritage-atrisk@lincsheritage.org.

LINCOLNSHIRE ORCHID GROUP SPRING SHOW

15 April, 10am – 4pm Leasingham Village Hall. Displays, traders, demonstrations, free plant clinic and refreshments. Adults £1, accompanied children free. www. log-on.org.uk, 01205 461028.

SPRING CRAFT FAIR

22 April, 10am – 3pm New Bolingbroke Town Hall, PE22 7LD. Enjoy a varied selection of local stalls selling unique gifts, plus home-made refreshments and tombola. All proceeds towards the restoration of the Town Hall. Free entry.

ME AND MY GIRL

24 – 28 April, 7.30pm Trinity Arts Centre, Trinity Street, Gainsborough. Gainsborough Amateur Operatic Society present a musical for all the family, with great songs such as Leaning on a Lamppost, Lambeth Walk and The Sun Has Got His Hat On. Tickets £12.50 (concessions and family tickets available) from box office on 01427 676655, www.trinityarts.co.uk.

A SONNET FOR ANNE

25, 26, 27 April, 8pm The Room Upstairs, Lincoln Drill Hall. Indulgence Theatre Company present a dynamic new play about Anne Shakespeare. This production has been selected for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Openstages project. Tickets from Drill Hall box office on 01522 873894 and see Indulgence Theatre Company on Facebook.

ROCK & ROLL EVENING

28 April, 7.30pm until late Tattershall Village Hall. With the genuine Swinging Blue Jeans, Something for the Weekend and Steve Carmel. Tickets £20, including hot food at 8pm. Contact Marian on 01526 344724.

GOSBERTON FLOWER AND CRAFT FESTIVAL

28 April – 7 May, 10am to 5pm (last day 4pm) The theme of this year’s festival is “60 Glorious Years”, celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Enjoy magnificent floral displays, craft stalls, raffle, tombola, Boston

Branch of the Embroiders’ Guild, refreshments, and more. Admission free. www.gosberton.org.

SPALDING FLOWER PARADE

5 May, from 2pm Food Glorious Food is the theme of the 54th world-famous Parade, featuring breathtaking floats decorated with hand-pinned tulip heads. The Parade starts at the Springfields Events Centre and follows a three-mile journey to the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Fields for a free finale from 4 – 6pm. As well as the Parade, there will be lots to do in the Springfields Arena over the weekend, from 5 to 7 May. www.spaldingflower-parade.org.uk, twitter. com/flowerparade or Facebook (spaldingflowerparade2011).

LINCOLN GRAND PRIX

13 May, from 10am The 57th Annual International Cycle Race starts at 10am at the Yarborough Leisure Centre and will follow 13 laps, watched by huge crowds, around uphill Lincoln. The expected finish time is just before 2pm in Castle Square, which will host a Lincolnshire Farmers’ Market and other attractions. For more about the Grand Prix and other cycling events on the day, including Go-ride for schools, visit www. lincolngrandprix.org.uk or phone 01522 750000.

ANTIQUARIAN BOOK FAIR

19 May, 10am – 4pm Judges Lodgings, Castle Square, Lincoln. 25 UK-based booksellers with 1000s of good quality second-hand, rare and antiquarian books, maps and prints. Admission £1. Organised by the Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association. 01400 272086, www.pbfa.org.

LINCOLNSHIRE WOLDS WALKING FESTIVAL

26 May – 10 June The 8th walking festival features more than 90 walks exploring the beauty and heritage of the Lincolnshire Wolds and surrounding area. The festival starts with a fantastic launch at Gunby Hall, near Spilsby, on 26 May and ends with a finale in Caistor on 10 June. For a brochure, call 01507 609740 or visit www.woldswalkingfestival.co.uk.

TATHWELL 24TH ANNUAL FINE ART EXHIBITION

2 – 4 June St Vedast’s Church, Tathwell, Louth. Sale of paintings, books, old postcards, woodwork and greeting cards. Painting, upholstering and wool spinning demonstrations, plus plants and preserves stalls. Guided walk round the Chaplin estate village on 2 June at 11am. 01507 602869.

TRADITIONS AND SUPERSTITIONS

9 June, 10am – 4pm (last admission 3.30pm) Museum of Lincolnshire Life, Burton Road, Lincoln. A celebration of Lincolnshire folklore with colourful characters from the past. Have a go at traditional crafts, then follow our museum trail. Free admission. £1 charge for optional crafts. 01522 528448.

WICKENBY WINGS AND WHEELS

16 – 17 June, 1-4pm The third official airshow promises an impressive mix of displays, from vintage aircraft to the latest aerobatic machines. On the ground it will feature vintage cars and motorcycles, children’s entertainment and much more. www.wickenbyairfield.com.

SCARECROW AND OPEN GARDENS WEEKEND

23 and 24 June, from 11am Come along to Mareham le Fen village and enjoy a wide variety of gardens and many scarecrows on show to visitors. Admission charge of £3 (accompanied children free) includes entry to all the gardens. Refreshments available. 01507 568723.

THE WORLD EGG THROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS

24 June, 10am – 5pm The Championships – which generate global interest – are held at the Swaton Show, off the B1394 between Swaton and Helpingham. The event has twice been voted England’s “most unique” by Visit England and has helped raise around £60,000 for good causes. Show tickets: adults £4, children (school age) £3, younger children free, families £10. Entrance to the games is free (except Target Egg Throwing).

www.eggthrowing.com, admin@ eggthrowing.com.

CASTLE BYTHAM SUMMER FAIR

24 June, 9am – 4.30pm (music continues into the evening) Castle Bytham’s popular Summer Fair this year includes Civil War battle re-enactment from The Sealed Knot, 70 stalls, food and drink providers, children’s entertainments, all-day music, archery, classic cars, and lots more. www.midsummerfair.co.uk.

IT ’S SHO W TIME! Make a date in your diary for the fabulous 128th Lincolnshire Show on Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 June. See pages 20 and 21 for more details, including attractions at the county council’s area.

EVENT PUBLICITY To submit details of an event for a future edition, please email countynews@lincolnshire.gov.uk at least three months before it takes place. Due to the volume of requests, we cannot guarantee inclusion, so please make other publicity arrangements. You can also publicise events on Lincolnshire County Council’s website. Visit www.lincolnshire. gov.uk/whatson, email events@ lincolnshire.gov.uk or call 01522 552868.

MORE INFORMATION For details of Lincolnshire County Council heritage sites, including Gainsborough Old Hall, The Collection, Lincoln Castle and the Museum of Lincolnshire Life, visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/heritage or phone 01522 782040. General tourist information can be found at www.visitlincolnshire.com. For the Lincolnshire Heritage Forum, visit www.lincsheritageforum.org.uk.

New chapter for Old Hall Exciting things have been happening at Gainsborough Old Hall over the winter. This top tourist attraction is now better than ever, thanks to improvements by the county council, Friends of the Old Hall Association, English Heritage and West Lindsey District Council. Re-opening over the Easter weekend, it promises a real treat for families and children, with the opportunity to explore previously unseen rooms and marvel at exciting exhibitions. With new hand-held digital tour guides, the whole family can experience the history of this beautiful medieval manor house like never before. There’s also a new gift shop and café, giving visitors the opportunity to shop and relax with tasty treats. For the romantics among you, the Old Hall is now licensed to hold civil weddings and partnerships. There is even a wedding coordinator to help you plan your perfect day. Later this summer, visitors can also look forward to viewing a reconstruction of the Old Hall’s medieval wall painting, which will be on show in the new gift shop. Besides the two councils, funding for the improvements came from Arts Council England’s Renaissance programme, the Trent Vale Partnership and The Pilgrim Trust. For more information, please visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/gainsborougholdhall.

Please note: The information on this page is correct at the time of going to press. However, you may wish to confirm details with event organisers before starting your journey.

countynews

| spring 2012

countynews

| spring 2012

Spalding Fl ower Parade 2011

W H AT’S O N

G A I N S B O RO U G H O L D H A L L

Out and about The essential guide to what’s on in Lincolnshire from April - June 2012 NATIONAL GARDENS SCHEME

April – September Countless Lincolnshire gardens are opening to visitors in aid of charity this spring and summer as the NGS celebrates its 85th anniversary. www.ngs.org.uk.

WASH CRUISES WITH SOUTH LINCS RSPB

LINCOLNSHIRE WOLDS RAILWAY EASTER STEAM GALA

A HORRID HISTORY OF WORK

KEEPING UP (HISTORIC) APPEARANCES – THE LOUTH FESTIVAL OF CONSERVATION

LINCOLNSHIRE ORCHID GROUP SPRING SHOW

15 April, 10am – 4pm Leasingham Village Hall. Displays, traders, demonstrations, free plant clinic and refreshments. Adults £1, accompanied children free. www. log-on.org.uk, 01205 461028.

SPRING CRAFT FAIR

ME AND MY GIRL

A SONNET FOR ANNE

ROCK & ROLL EVENING

GOSBERTON FLOWER AND CRAFT FESTIVAL

Branch of the Embroiders’ Guild, refreshments, and more. Admission free. www.gosberton.org.

SPALDING FLOWER PARADE

LINCOLN GRAND PRIX

ANTIQUARIAN BOOK FAIR

LINCOLNSHIRE WOLDS WALKING FESTIVAL

TATHWELL 24TH ANNUAL FINE ART EXHIBITION

TRADITIONS AND SUPERSTITIONS

WICKENBY WINGS AND WHEELS

SCARECROW AND OPEN GARDENS WEEKEND

THE WORLD EGG THROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS

www.eggthrowing.com, admin@ eggthrowing.com.

CASTLE BYTHAM SUMMER FAIR

Please note: The information on this page is correct at the time of going to press. However, you may wish to confirm details with event organisers before starting your journey.

countynews

| spring 2012

countynews

| spring 2012

MORE PHONE INFORMATION

Our Customer Service Centre is open from 8am to 6pm, Mondays to Fridays (extended phone hours are shown on the website if available: www.lincolnshire. gov.uk/contactthe-council). Please dial the most appropriate service number listed below:

General county council enquiries If the service you need isn’t listed opposite, or you’re unsure which number to call, please phone 01522 782060.

BLUE BADGE SCHEME 01522 782232 CALLCONNECT 08452 343344 CULTURAL SERVICES including museums, heritage attractions and archives 01522 782040 EDUCATION 01522 782030 FAMILY INFORMATION SERVICE 0800 195 1635 FIRST CONTACT helping people aged 60 and above to live independently 01522 782172 FOSTERING AND ADOPTION enquiry line 0800 093 3099 HIGHWAYS AND PLANNING 01522 782070 – for out of hours emergencies, please phone 0300 1110300 LIBRARIES 01522 782010 LIFELONG LEARNING 01522 782011 REGISTRATION OF BIRTHS, DEATHS, MARRIAGES AND CIVIL PARTNERSHIPS 01522 782244 SCHOOLS TRANSPORT 01522 782020 SOCIAL CARE • Children – 01522 782111 • Adults – 01522 782155 • Carers Team – 01522 782224 • Emergency out of office hours – 01522 782333 TRADING STANDARDS 01522 782341

A recorded message service operates outside normal working hours with details of emergency numbers. The Big Word is a translation service for residents who speak little or no English. It’s available on the opposite numbers and includes an interpreter if needed. District councils Call your district council for council tax, housing benefit and waste collection queries. For more information and to find contact details for your district council, please visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/districtcouncils. Contacting your county councillor To find out how to contact your local councillor, visit www. lincolnshire.gov.uk/localdemocracy or phone 01522 782060. Parish and town councils To find your parish or town council, visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/ localdemocracy or phone the Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils on 01673 866596/863417.

ONLINE

Visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk or, to access our online services, www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/doitonline

BY POST

Write to Customer Services, Lincolnshire County Council, County Offices, Newland, Lincoln LN1 1YL