Transport issues lead council’s campaign to cut carbon emissions

Two by-elections in different parts of South Kesteven take place next month, which will be contested on Thursday 24 February.

Voting for Isaac Newton and Aveland wards will be on the same day as a by-election for Colsterworth Rural electoral division of Lincolnshire County Council.

Candidates can be nominated from Friday 21 January, and nomination papers must be signed by a proposer and seconder who need to be local government electors for the relevant ward or division.

SKDC Chief Executive and Returning Officer for the district, Karen Bradford, said: “Councillors make a real difference to their communities and these elections will give people the chance to put themselves forward to help decide local issues.

“If you are interested in standing, please get in touch with our Elections team who can explain the process and assist with all aspects of the process, including the paperwork, campaigning and count arrangements.” 

Information on how to become a councillor can be found via the SKDC website at southkesteven.gov.uk/becomecouncillor

Nomination papers and information packs are also available from the SKDC website at southkesteven.gov.uk/byelections or from the elections team: 01476 406080, email: elections@southkesteven.gov.uk

The election timetable will begin with the publication of the Notice of Election on 20 January and prospective candidates will have until 4pm on Friday 28 January to submit completed nomination papers.

Full details on each election can be found at www.southkesteven.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=15659

There are also deadlines for those who wish to vote. To take part, residents need to be registered to vote by the end of Tuesday 8 February. Visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote and register, particularly those who have recently moved or are turning 18. The website asks for your date of birth and National Insurance number in addition to the usual details of name, address, previous address and nationality.

Hare coursing ‘surge’ in south Lincolnshire

A snapshot into the number of rough sleepers across South Kesteven has shown a reduction on the previous figure.

The rough sleeper count takes place every year with volunteers from South Kesteven District Council taking to the streets to seek and support anyone found sleeping rough.

Local authorities across England take a single night snapshot of people sleeping rough, either with a physical count or an estimate based on their caseload and advice from partner agencies.

This year, SKDC took a count-based approach and on the night of 18 November 2021, volunteers checked shop doorways, local parks, under passes and known rough sleeper locations in Grantham and Stamford.

Cabinet Member for Housing Cllr Robert Reid said: “Two individuals were recorded as rough sleeping this year, which was a reduction to the six counted in the previous year. These figures go some way to show the good work that our rough sleeper initiative, Change4Lincs has been doing over the past two years.

“South Kesteven District Council is the lead authority for this project and host the team employed to deliver these objectives. The team works in conjunction with our housing options team, which provides advice and assistance to all households who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.

“Anyone concerned about someone over the age of 18 they have seen sleeping rough can call free on 0800 121 4430. Please give as much detail as possible so that we can locate them and offer our support.”

This annual count takes place in autumn rather than summer, where numbers are likely to be higher due to warmer temperatures or winter, where numbers may be lower as more temporary night shelters are set up to ensure people do not sleep rough on the streets in very cold weather.

One person was located in Grantham, asleep on a bench. SKDC had previously been notified but were unable to find him. He engaged with the council’s homeless service and went to stay with a friend.

The other was already known to be living in a tent in Stamford. He remained in situ with ongoing outreach support from Change4Lincs and has now sourced his own accommodation.

Change4Lincs is a project run by SKDC in partnership with North Kesteven, South Holland and West Lindsey. It is to provide a new response to tackle rough sleeping through partnership working with the housing options teams in each district.

Staff identify and engage with rough sleepers, source accommodation and provide intense support, giving people a chance to escape homelessness and transition into settled accommodation.

The main objectives of the project are to:

Provide increased prevention work for those at risk of rough sleeping

Reduce the number of ‘repeat’ rough sleepers

Reduce the number of rough sleepers that are likely to become entrenched

Improve physical and mental health and wellbeing

Provide greater levels of effective support in unstable accommodation

Source sustainable private sector accommodation which meets the needs of a wide range of customers

St Barnabas Hospice has kicked off the year with a huge fundraising boost, thanks to its generous supporters.

The Hospice has raised £92,200.83 from its Light Up A Life campaign, Rudy’s Run events and Tree-cycle initiative this festive period.

Head of Fundraising and Lottery at the Hospice, Veronica McBain, said: “We are so pleased to see such a huge amount being raised since November. After a difficult few years for charities, particularly one like ours that relies on donations to continue our work, it’s really heartening to see we have passionate supporters who are willing to keep donating to us. 

“This also comes at a poignant time for the Hospice, as we celebrate our 40th anniversary this year, so it’s a great way to kick that off. More will be revealed regarding our plans for celebrating, but supporters and those involved in the Hospice will be excited.

“During 2021, an incredible 2,831 supporters donated to St Barnabas Hospice for the first time. We’re so glad to be reaching new people that want to help. We have a lot of longstanding support that we are incredibly grateful for, but to know we are attracting new supporters is always fantastic news too.” 

For the Hospice’s annual Light Up A Life event, more than 1,465 people were remembered with a light dedicated in their name. 

Veronica added: “We always see this as a hugely personal calendar event for our supporters, and to know people are willing to donate so much means the world. The event raised £53,351.30, including Gift Aid and Torchlight Procession income.”

Rudy’s Run meant that schools and nurseries could send off for a festive activity pack and take part in sponsored physical activity on the countdown to Christmas. A fantastic £13,434.55 was raised including Gift Aid.

Following a cancellation due to COVID-19 concerns in early 2021, the Tree-cycle scheme was also a resounding success this year, with supporters booking in almost 1,500 trees and funds raised totalling £25,414.98.

Veronica said: “A special thank you to all the local businesses who made this possible by donating time and resources to this – we wouldn’t have been able to do this without you. 

“Thank you to all who made the end of 2021 and the New Year a successful one. May I take this opportunity to wish all a peaceful and prosperous year.”

From Lincolnshire Police….

Our Neighbourhood police officers strive to make life better and safer for everyone in the communities they serve. They are problem-solvers, investigators, mediators, they safeguard, they advise on crime prevention.

They are also the people we turn to when something really serious happens where we live, or work, or where children go to school, or where we have vulnerable members of our communities.

Perhaps most importantly, our Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs) are made up of police officers who know the people in the areas where they serve, and who know them.

Chief Superintendent Kate Anderson, Lincolnshire Police’s Neighbourhood Policing strategic lead, said: “Our NPTs understand local challenges and try to find long-term solutions to help overcome them. They are the eyes and ears of our communities and the ones who understand what’s going on in specific areas and help to find a resolution that works for as many people as possible. Their problem-solving work is one of the vital aspects of their role because it’s this work that can really make a difference to making Lincolnshire safe and to how people feel about where they live.”

This week, as part of the national Neighbourhood Policing week of action, we will be showcasing some of the successes our NPTs have had in recent times, as well as talking more about who they are and what they do.

C/Supt Anderson added: “Our Neighbourhood police officers deal with a range of incidents; they are the people who might help neighbours resolve disputes, or respond to ASB reports, or offer advice on how to prevent crime, or identify people who might need extra help or support. We’re incredibly proud of them because them because they make such a huge difference in making Lincolnshire safe.”

Neighbourhood Policing week of action runs from today, Monday 17 January, to Sunday 23 January.

Find out more about our NPTs by following us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, using #NeighbourhoodPolicingWeek and #WeekOfAction.

Video

C/Supt Kate Anderson on NPT Action Week

C/Supt Kate Anderson celebrates Neighbourhood police officers as part of national week of action.

Grantham vocalist/drumming Shaun Muffett has launched an appeal for his former singing partner Vicky who has terminal cancer.

They sang together in local groups Taxi and Norfolk ‘n’ Good.

49-year-old Vicky said: “I had chemotherapy treatment for womb cancer.

“I had the highest dose they give anyone but unfortunately it hasn’t worked.  The cancer is very rare and stubborn and really wants to stay with me.

“There isn’t any other treatment available as it has spread to my lymph nodes and the tumors are growing fast in my womb and overies.

“I am going to start radiotherapy in the next few weeks to help with the pain.

“But I’m not going to let it get me down.

“I’m a fighter and will fight as long as I can breathe.

“There is so much I want to do …. Go on holiday, renew my vows, made a CD and do a bucket list.”

To help her ambitions, Shaun is staging a concert at the Railway Club (NG31 7XF) on Saturday, January 29^th starting at 7pm.

He said: “People can pay at the door – hopefully with a generous donation.”

He has also launched a gofundme site for her friends, fans and family.

Go to…

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-vicky-with-her-bucket-list?utm_source=messenger&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1

Queen Eleanor Cycle Ride

200 miles – August Bank Holiday weekend 26-29 August

Only weeks into the New Year and already many may be struggling with New Year’s resolutions. Some of you will be looking to get ft, be more active and support one of the many good causes out there. Good news! The annual Queen Eleanor Cycle Ride has just opened for bookings this year.

The 2022 Queen Eleanor Cycle Ride takes place over August Bank Holiday weekend, 26-29 August, raising funds to support the work of The Connection. In 2021, the Ride raised a record £30,000 in spite of the challenges presented by COVID. Money raised helps the long-term homeless into safe accommodation and a more settled and secure life. The Connection at St Martin-in-the-Fields is based in central London, a few yards from the site of one of the original Queen Eleanor crosses in Trafalgar Square.

As fog and icy mornings have hit a lot of the UK, the temperatures have plummeted. The Connection’s outreach team is currently out on the streets every day, inviting people into the day centre and referring them to emergency accommodation. The capacity of their day centre has been increased to make sure even more people can get in the warm, shower, do their laundry and receive a hot meal – all in a COVID-secure manner. Spare beds at The Bridge, their hotel accommodation project, are also available for those currently rough sleeping.

There’s a choice of options on the cycle ride designed to reflect cycling ability.

THE TRADITIONAL GROUP RIDE 200 miles cycling from Harby near Lincoln, where Queen Eleanor died in 1290, and following the route of the 12 Queen Eleanor Crosses, including Geddington, Northampton and Waltham Cross, to Charing Cross in London. The ride starts on Friday morning, with overnight stops in Grantham, Geddington and Dunstable, and ends at Westminster Abbey on Monday. Day cyclists are also welcome.

All meals and lots of cake are provided with accommodation in church and village halls, plus full transport back up. 40 places are available, although places are already going fast. All cyclists aged 18 or over are welcome, plus younger cyclists if accompanied by a responsible adult. You will cycle in small groups chosen according to speed, led by a cyclist who is familiar with the route.

CYCLE 200 MILES CLOSE TO HOME Even if you can’t join the Group Ride, you can still take part, setting your own goal. This could be 200 miles in a day, 200 miles in the summer holidays or one amazing cyclist, Ken Mason, is doing 3,650 miles on a static bike in his bedroom over 12 months.

FUNDRAISING We do not set a minimum sponsorship target, but over £30,000 was raised last year with an average of £1,000 per cyclist.

REGISTRATION FEE The entry fee for the full ride is £80 before 30 June, and £95 thereafter. To register, go to: www.friendsoftheconnection.org.uk/events  or contact Keith Busfield at queeneleanorcycle@gmail.com; on 07568 707089. For more information, visit www.queeneleanorcycleride.org or find us on Facebook.

Keith Busfield from Stamford: “I have a bed for the night. I have a roof over my head. A lock on the door. A hot shower after a hard afternoon’s cycling. Then there’s dinner on the table I feel so lucky!! That’s why I’m raising money to assist the homeless in London.”

For further information on this press release, please contact Keith Busfield, Queen Eleanor Cycle Ride, on 07568 707089 or email kbusfield@hotmail.co.uk 

South Kesteven District Council is offering residents and businesses the chance to have their say on Council Tax proposals for 2022/23.

The consultation runs for two weeks from Friday, 14th January and asks for views on a proposal to increase the SKDC share of Council Tax by £5 for properties in Band D for the 2022/23 financial year.

The increase for households in Bands A, B and C would be less than £5, while those in Bands E, F, G and H would see an average increase of more than £5 – but no more than £10.

The consultation outlines how SKDC funds the services it provides and includes an update on projects it has been working on in each of its priority areas – growth and the economy, housing, healthy and strong communities, the environment and performance.

Cllr Adam Stokes, Cabinet Member for Finance and Waste Services, said: “The Council is looking at ways it can continue to maintain services at current levels, while at the same time delivering on its ambitions.

“We believe that by making the most of what we have, streamlining costs where we can and attracting funding from other sources, we are able do this.

“An increase of £5 per Band D property in SKDC’s element of Council Tax for the 2022/23 financial year will also help to generate around £250,000 of additional income.

“This contribution will help to sustain day-to-day services such as refuse collection, street cleaning and CCTV, as well as offset the costs of longer-term projects across the district.

“These include supporting local businesses affected by the pandemic, improving our town centres, focusing on initiatives that target homelessness, and delivering projects designed to combat climate change.

“We know that times are tough but by supporting a proposal to increase SKDC’s Council Tax by the price of a pint or posh cup of coffee, you can help us to continue to make a difference in your local area. Please take the opportunity to have your say through the consultation.”

The SKDC share of Council Tax accounts for around 9% of the total bill. The majority goes to Lincolnshire County Council, while there are also contributions to the Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner and parish councils.

SKDC will decide in early March on its element of Council Tax for 2022/23.

To take part in the consultation visit http://www.southkesteven.gov.uk/counciltaxconsultation2023

The survey can also be completed at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ctaxskdc2023

…or by scanning the QR code (below) with a smart phone camera.

The consultation closes on 28th January 2022.

For a paper copy of the survey, please contact the Council’s Communications Team on 01476 406080.

A New Year and a fantastic and exciting opportunity!  Lincolnshire Community Foundation is now recruiting Trustees to join our dedicated and committed Board, to help deliver our vision to create a county of thriving places where the people that live in them are healthy, happy, resilient, and empowered.

Lincolnshire Community Foundation is the County’s leading grant maker dedicated to serving the voluntary and community sector within the County, building endowment, generating, and distributing funds to support community needs and local organisations making a positive difference.

We are one of 47 Community foundations across the UK who connect philanthropic people with local causes that matter to them.

Trustees ensure the organisation has a clear strategy, and that our work and goals are in line with the values and vision.

A trustee’s role in a charity is to be the ‘guardians of purpose’, making sure that all decisions put the needs of the beneficiaries first.  They safeguard the charity’s assets – both physical, including property, and intangible, such as its reputation and local impact. They make sure these are used well and the charity is managed and run in a sustainable way. 

they are looking for up to four new Board members who can bring any one or more of the following attributes, together with an appreciation of the passion and drive within our communities to do good work for the benefit of others:

• Experience of marketing and communications
• Experience in the IT/creative and cultural sector
• An understanding of local needs/experience of personal engagement in communities covered by LCF – in other word ‘experts by experience’
• Trustees from a younger demographic who can bring new insights
• Representation from the North, East and South of the County
• Experience of philanthropy/fund-raising

If you would like to be part of a forward-thinking, progressive charitable organisation and can bring energy, enthusiasm, commitment and a breadth of knowledge and expertise to Board, we want to hear from you.  Don’t be dissuaded from applying if you’re new to charitable organisations, we welcome creativity and innovation.

The position is a voluntary one, where out of pocket expenses will be paid; the board meets (virtually and in person) on a bi-monthly basis on different days of the week, at different times of the day, removing barriers to participation.  We will do our utmost to adapt our processes to be inclusive ensuring board members are on an equal footing and they should not be afraid to suggest better ways of working.  Training and support will be offered to ensure you feel fully able to contribute to our work.

Prospective Trustees should send a copy of their CV, with up to five key reasons why they feel they are the right person for the role. In order to attract a broad range of skills and experience, we encourage creativity and will accept applications in a format that you feel will best showcases skills, personality and motivation to work with us.  The closing date for receipt of expressions of interest will be on 28 February 2022 and informal interviews will take place w/c 7 March 2022.

For an informal chat about the role please contact Sue Fortune CEO on 01529 305825/ 07908 208838 or sue@lincolnshirecf.co.uk

There will be longer than usual delays on Dysart Road and Sankt Augustin Way from tomorrow (Monday) due to road repairs.

This will probably lead to a ‘knock’on’ effect on other town roads.

County Highways will begin to resurface the road under Dysart Road Bridge which carries the East Coast Main Line and Notting-Norwich lines through the town.

The work is necessary due to the condition of the road due to pot holes.

In a statement., Lincolnshire County Council confirmed it will require “more significant traffic management than would be normal.

“To carry out these particular works does require some traffic signal switch-offs and more significant traffic management than would be normal for this type of work.”

Having now given more than 459,000 covid booster vaccinations, the NHS in Lincolnshire continues to appeal to anyone who is not yet boosted or has not had their first and/or second doses, to come forwards urgently, particularly those under the age of 50.

Nationally 1.3 million people remain eligible for a booster vaccination but have not yet had it, with one million of them being under the age of 50.  In Lincolnshire, just over 100,000 people who are eligible for a booster are yet to have it, with 61,437 of these being under 50 years old.

“We know, both from our national colleagues and also anecdotally based on local knowledge, that age remains the biggest factor for those yet to be vaccinated, followed by deprivation,” explains Rebecca Neno, Director of Covid and Influenza Vaccination Programmes, NHS Lincolnshire CCG.

“Having already boosted a significant proportion of those eligible in Lincolnshire, we are naturally still doing everything we can to encourage anyone who is yet to come forwards to be vaccinated to do so as soon as possible.

“As we’ve said previously, we think a lot of people see the national media headlines talking about the Omicron variant being milder for some than what has gone before, however, this is only the case for people who have either been vaccinated or who have had covid previously.

“The stark reality is that nationally 61% of those in ICU have had no vaccination and of the remaining patients 90% have not had a booster.  Perhaps younger people – and I am thinking of anyone under 50 – think covid won’t get them or affect them badly, but that’s not guaranteed.”

Sadly the increases in people being hospitalised by covid, across the country and in Lincolnshire, is being driven mostly by unvaccinated, or at least not fully vaccinated, younger people.

“Getting boosted and having your first and/or second doses if you haven’t already, is the best way to give yourself maximum protection from covid, whether you are 25 or 75.  Being boosted is key, particularly against Omicron, and we know the booster dose is continuing to give high levels of protection against severe disease and hospitalisation,” comments Rebecca.

“It’s never too late to get vaccinated and our vaccination teams across the county are still here for you, so please come forwards now if you have not yet been boosted or haven’t had your first and/or second doses.

“You can book an appointment online via the National Booking System or by calling 119 for a vaccination site close to you, or you can have your vaccination on a walk-in basis/without an appointment at either of our two Mass Vaccination Centres at PRSA, Boston and at the Lincolnshire Showground,” adds Rebecca.

Your Co-op Travel, which has 76 travel agency branches across England, including one in Guildhall Street, Grantham,  has enjoyed its busiest week of trading since the pandemic began, after the government announced the lifting of Covid-19 testing requirements for travellers.

Holiday bookings for Your Co-op Travel, part of The Midcounties Co-operative, have soared following the relaxation of the government’s stringent travel testing measures, with bookings in the period 9 – 12 January (Sun – Weds) up more than 100 per cent versus the same period the week before the announcement.

Natalie Turner, Head of Branches for Your Co-op Travel, said: “We’re delighted to see that the significant change to the travel testing rules from our own government, coupled with the news that holiday hotspots such France are planning to ease entry requirements for Brits, has inspired confidence in our members and customers and given a welcome boost to bookings.

“30 per cent of the holidays booked since Sunday are for departures between now and March, as many of our members and customers look for instant getaways. More than half (55 per cent) of bookings are for summer 2022, and the most popular week is currently 28 May – 4 June, as sunseekers look to take advantage of the two extra bank holidays for the Queen’s Jubilee and the school half-term break.

“The biggest-selling destinations for this summer are the Canaries and the Balearics, Turkey, Greece and Croatia. For winter ‘22/23, it’s the Canaries, Sri Lanka, New York and Barbados.

“Our Your Co-op Travel January sale is running until 11 February 2022, offering members and customers up to £200 off new bookings, so there’s never been a better time to book that long-awaited, dream holiday.”

With testing still part of the travel process, depending on the destination and vaccination status of the holidaymaker, Your Co-op Travel is offering Covid-19 tests to members and customers at cost price. The tests are supplied by government-approved, UKAS-accredited providers, Randox and C19 Testing, and can be ordered directly from the Your Co-op Pharmacy website, with a discount code provided on booking.

Your Co-op Travel has branches in Oakham (Inside Your Co-op Food, Burley Road) and Market Deeping (7 The Precincts), as well as a Carrick Travel shop in Grantham (14 Guildhall Street), which joined the Your Co-op family in October 2020 but continues to trade as Carrick Travel.

Your Co-op Travel offers one of the widest selections of holidays on the high street, including financially protected, flexible holiday deals to the top destinations. For added peace of mind, Your Co-op Travel is offering members and customers booking package holidays with its own tour operator, Co-op Holidays, low deposits, flexible payment options, free changes and cancellations and cash refunds within 10 days, as part of the Co-op Holidays Promise.

For more information on Your Co-op Travel, please go to a local branch, visit www.cooptravel.co.uk or call 01922 908 389.

Council tax to rise across Lincolnshire — again

There has been a change to the traffic light sequence at the Bridge End Road, London Road junction

The lane now changes to red before right lane filter right arrow from South Parade comes on.

It also gives those a chance to turn into Springfield Road from London Road.

The A1 southbound was down to one lane between the Colsterworth junctions at about 4pm this evening, due to a broken down van.

A little later, police closed the northbound carriageway in the Downtown area.

Both have since reopened.