Andy Clark says…

I want  to raise awareness some scam builders operating in the area that have stolen 98k from me!

I would like to make sure everyone in Grantham and surround areas knows what they are capable of to stop anyone else getting scammed by them!!

They seem to change company name frequently yet is always the same operators involved clearly as they are doing this regularly and winning old names to avoid bad reviews.

The highlights (or lowlights in reality) of my/the problem are:

• I have paid £98k to a builder who has completed approx £20k worth of work
• The builder has now completely vanished, since September, and is not returning to complete the job
• It is my belief that they deliberately made it looked like they were working for me to make our contracted payments, once they had the majority without the last completion payment they vanished.
• It is my belief this was a deliberate scam from the outset to extract money from me and no intention of ever completing this work
• I am constantly told this is a civil matter as they started work. My dispute is starting the work is in fact part of their scam to facilitate the contracted staged payments and is clearly all part of the same fraud. 
• They have never paid Scaffolders, Site Toilets or Building Suppliers for anything ordered
• The cost to finish the work is roughly £80-100k which evidently I do not have as they have it so my house is ruined, I cannot fix it and I cannot get my money back
• They have caused serious damage to my house making it fully unsecured to the elements
• My house insurance refuses to cover the legal costs despite me paying for legal cover – as such I cannot afford to pursue my funds to be returned through courts, as such they will have just stolen £98k without recourse
• Neither my bank nor the recipient banks will reverse the transactions – despite it being my belief these transactions were not paid to EP Contracts as I thought they were, as such were fraudulent
• Action Fraud/Police/Trading Standards seem completely disinterested in the case as such no criminal prosecution will be brought.
• I have a reporter from the Express/Sunday Express who will write an expose on the matter, but that is unlikely to provide any result but at this point is the only shining light in an awful situation
• I am now going to be paying the £98k for the next 25 years with nothing to show for it
• So at this moment in time every mechanism a consumer has to be protected from situations like this have failed and simply help the fraudster commit the crime without punishment and enjoy my money whilst I pay it off.
• A change in the law is needed to protect people, this happens far to regularly and is not fair. We work hard for our money and I am not sure how this is fair to hard working members of the public to be wilfully robbed like this in broad daylight. 
• This man is now free to continue to do this to others at will and go unpunished! I will not be the only victim of this man to date or in the future, not to mention thousands others like him doing the same
• I have nowhere else to turn now so hoped you could help in some way!
• This isn’t a small amount of money, £98k is a life changing sum to create a dream home and now I somehow have to find a further £90k approx to complete the job, which frankly I do not have so we have no idea what to do if we cannot recover the funds which looks impossible at this stage.

Ours may be a lost cause and we will probably take years to recover from it and get the house to where it needs to be.

But something has to change to protect people and their money from idiots like this. It is becoming all too common and every mechanism that is supposed to protect you currently doesn’t!    I mean who when they have lost 98k and has a ruined house can afford a 30k legal bill only at the end of it to probably not get money back anyway!

Yet someone who stole the money walks free to just do it over and over again with no way to stop him!

Mr Jarvis has been found safe and well. Thank you for your support with this appeal.

New ambulance cars with special sirens to launch in Lincolnshire

Supermarket chain Aldi is planning to move from its South Parade home to much larger premises to the west of the town.

They are planning to develop the field on the on corner of Harlaxton Road and Trent Road, previously occupied by Grantham Road Services.

Plans have been submitted to SKDC, following a positive reponse in Novemeber when 3,000 residents in the area were asked for their opinions.

95 per cent said they were in favour of the move.

An Aldi spokesman said: “Aldi are investing significantly across the UK, modernising its existing estate and has identified this vacant land as an opportunity to upgrade its current offer in Grantham.

“The current Aldi at South Parade is very popular. However, there is no potential to expand the site and bring it in line with Aldi’s latest openings and it is therefore necessary to relocate.

“The proposed store will accommodate the full range of Aldi goods and enhance the customer experience through improved facilities, including customer toilets.

“Our current store is extremely popular but is no longer able to meet the needs of our customers. It is now dated and in need of modedrnisation and reconfiuration.”

The South Parade store opened in 1995.

Charges for using South Kesteven District Council’s car parks are set to go up on April 1st.

The cabinet has issues new tarriffs which will see up to four hours on short stay car parks go up by 80p from £3.

All day parking on long-stay sites will go up by a similar amount.

SKDC Cabinet Member for Commercial and Operations, Cllr Dr Peter Moseley, said: “SKDC has managed to freeze parking charges for ten years and the proposed increases will bring them into line with inflation over that time.

“We have thought long and hard before suggesting this, but there is a significant maintenance cost associated with our car parks and any increase will help cover that. It also means we will be able to explore opportunities to make improvements through the use of new technology.

“A new leisure tariff is being proposed for the Welham Street car park that is intended to encourage footfall for local businesses, including the cinema and nearby restaurants.”

Parking will remain free after 6pm where that is currently the case.

The old and new charges in Grantham are as follows….

1. SHORT STAY (Except Wharf Road)

Up to 30 mins    from 0.50      to   0.70

Up to 1 hour                0.80             1.00

Up to 2 hours              1.30              1.70

 Up to 3 hours             1.80              2.30  

Up to 4 hours              3.00              3.80  

Over 4 hours               4.00               5.00

1. SHORT STAY Wharf Road Grantham

Up to 30 mins    from  0.50    to      0.70  

Up to 1 hour                 0.80              1.00  

Up to 2 hours               1.30              1.70  

Up to 3 hours               1.80              2.30  

Up to 4 hours               6.00              7.60

 Over 4 hours               8.00            10.00

      2.  LONG STAY

Up to 3 hours     from 1.80    to       2.30  

Up to 4 hours               2.50              3.20  

All day                            3.00             3.80

3. LEISURE TARIFF – Welham Street

Up to 3 hours                                     1.00  

Up to 4 hours                                     1.50  

Up to 6 hours                                     3.00  

Over 6 hours                                     10.00

4 LONG STAY SEASON TICKETS (Monday to Friday)

Per quarter       from   99.00   to   126.00  

Per 6 months             190.00          240.00

5 LONG STAY SEASON TICKETS  (Monday to Saturday)

Per quarter  from       120.00   to   150.00  

Per 6 months               230.00          290.00

Ten innovative new homes were lifted into place by crane this week as South Kesteven District Council took delivery of its first modular council houses.

The affordable housing was built remotely, brought in by lorry and put together on land west of Kinoulton Court, Grantham. The modular format creates energy-efficient new homes that have lifetime home features, making them fully accessible and easily adaptable for additional needs at minimal cost. The project can take half the time of a traditional build. The ten one-bedroom units will shortly be available to people on the housing register. They form part of SKDC’s commitment to deliver good quality social housing across the district. Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Barry Dobson, said: “Affordable housing is in short supply across the country and South Kesteven is no exception. “This is an ambitious new-style development providing homes for those who need them most. “It is the first of several new developments SKDC has in the pipeline to meet demand as part of our £60m investment in new housing over the next five years. This will include sites for more new builds to provide more than 500 homes for local people on our housing register. “We are building new homes in a range of different ways and this modular housing project is unique for us in that it is not a traditional onsite build. “It’s great to see these much-needed homes being lifted into place after our property development team identified the need, won approval for the plans and sourced the modular designs.” Premier Modular produces each entire module off-site before transporting to Grantham for installation. Once on site the brickwork cladding, roofing, and the finishing touches to the exterior frames are completed. A similar project for four homes is under way at Earlesfield Lane, also in Grantham. “We are creating a better quality of life for our residents, which is part of our vision for the future of this district,” Cllr Dobson added. “As we move forward with these building projects in Bourne, Market Deeping, Stamford and Grantham, we are focusing on individual homes and small to medium developments rather than the large council estates built in the past.” During the week, Harlaxton Road together with other roads in Earlesfield, have seen parking restrictions to allow the extra wide loads.

Two cars were burnt out and a further car had minor damage on Sandon Road Grantham early this morning.

No one was injured in the incident at about 1.30am.

Two Grantham fire crews attended, using two hosereel jets and two breathing apparatus to extinguish.

Police are treating this as arson and appealing for anyone who saw or heard any suspicious activity in the area to call them on 101 quoting Incident no 11 of 24 January.

Walton welcomed ShelterBox representatives, Alan Jones and Ken Goodwin, to the academy on Friday 17 January 2020.

ShelterBox is a charity that works with disaster-hit families around the world, offering emergency shelter and other essential items to support them in rebuilding their lives.

Year 8 geography students saw first-hand the large tent, tools, cooking pans, water purification system, and blankets that are tightly packed in a large green ShelterBox and shipped within 24-48 hours to the disaster area.

Students had the opportunity to ask questions following an eye-opening video presentation.  They were tasked with trying to imagine themselves with absolutely no possessions or basic living necessities in a thought provoking presentation by Mr Jones and Mr Goodwin – How would they cope?

What would they need to survive? 

Students and staff were shocked to learn that there are currently more than 88 million people around the world made homeless by natural disasters and conflict.

Miss Lee, teacher of geography, who organised the visit said: “We are very grateful to ShelterBox for coming in to talk to our students.  Year 8 students are currently studying tectonic hazards and to see the personal aftermath of natural disasters has given them valuable insight into the devastating impact earthquakes can have on ordinary families. 

They also appreciated how relatively small acts of kindness can have a huge impact on someone’s life.”

During the session, students were given a useful overview of possible careers and volunteering opportunities charities can offer in the UK and abroad.

More information about ShelterBox and their current fundraising efforts can be found at www.shelterbox.org

The next meeting of the Board of Directors for Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust will take place in public on Thursday 30 January 2020 at 9.00am at the Trust’s Headquarters, St George’s, Long Leys Road, Lincoln, LN1 1FS.

Once again, the Board will receive important feedback on patient and carer experiences of services.  The meeting will receive a report from the Chief Executive, in addition to a performance report, setting out the Trust’s progress against the key performance targets it has to meet for quality, activity and finance.

Additionally, the Board will receive the draft minutes of a number of the Board’s committee meetings and will consider approval of a number of reports, such as the Trust’s annual review of its governance arrangements, an annual review of the Trust’s Constitution and the Board’s assessment of the Trust against the Freedom to Speak Up Board Review Tool for NHS trusts and foundation trusts.

Paul Devlin, Trust Chair, said:  “Our board meetings give people a chance to find out more about the work of the Trust and the services we provide for the community of Lincolnshire. The public are very welcome to attend and listen to the discussions and to submit questions to us at the beginning of the meeting if they wish.”

This meeting is open to members of the public and interested parties.  To register your interest in attending the meeting and/or to table a question, please contact Karen Scott on 01522 309175, or email karen.scott4@nhs.net.    

South Kesteven District Council is paying for six new life-saving defibrillators in Grantham.

As part of the £7,000 investment, existing defibrillators in SKDC’s Customer Services area and the Guildhall Arts Centre will also be moved outside so they are accessible 24/7.

A defibrillator gives a high-energy electric shock to the heart to someone who is in cardiac arrest and plays an essential role in helping to save lives.

SKDC’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Health and Wellbeing, Cllr Robert Reid, said: “Installing these defibrillators is a perfect fit with our commitment of supporting the wellbeing of our local communities.

“With Grantham being such a busy town, it is a no-brainer to have such important lifesaving equipment easily available at several locations, yet to be decided.

“While we all hope they won’t have to be used, it is reassuring for people to know they are there if required.

“The reality is that increasing the number of defibrillators can make the difference between life and death and ultimately give people the chance to spend more time with their loved ones that they might not otherwise have had.”

The need for more defibrillators was highlighted by Grantham St Vincent’s Councillor Charmaine Morgan.

“There is a need for defibrillators in the town centre and in all our residential areas and estates where gaps exist,” she said.

“The issue has been raised with me by street pastors, who help late night revellers at weekends, and the LIVES emergency responders, who say they should be available 24 hours.

“Once installed they become part of the 999 network so that if people call 999 in an emergency they will be told where to find their nearest defibrillator.”

The defibrillators will be in easily-recognisable boxes on the outside walls of buildings to make sure they are always accessible.  

Morrisons is axing 3,000 management roles as part of a huge restructuring to create more shop floor jobs.

The firm says it is also creating 7,000 new hourly-paid roles at its 500 stores, including Grantham, meaning a net 4,000 new posts.

The new jobs will be in customer-facing roles, such as more butchers, bakers, fishmongers, the supermarket said.

Managers will be able to move to the new jobs, with the firm saying there will be roles “for everybody who wants to continue to work at Morrisons”.

David Lepley, Morrisons group retail director, said: “Whilst there will be a short period of uncertainty for some managers affected by these proposals we will be supporting them through this process.

“There will also be more roles with greater flexibility that are very attractive to colleagues with families.”

The company says those in managerial jobs who want to remain working at Morrisons can stay, however, their new offer will be at the shop floor level.

Front-line store staff at Morrisons earn £9 an hour.

 

Windy and rainy conditions are some of the worst to drive in, and with the country facing an intense few weeks of winter weather, it’s more important than ever to be prepared. That’s why a Volvo retailer in Grantham has some advice so local people can stay safe on the roads over the coming weeks.

Geoff Wicks, Retailer Principal at local car retailer Marshall Grantham, said: “We understand that preparing your car for the daily commute can make you late in the morning, which leads to rushing in dangerous conditions. Volvo endeavours to keep people safe and save everyone time this winter, so here are our top tips for driving in adverse weather conditions:

1. Frozen out

“If the temperature drops, everything could freeze over, from the windscreen to the door mirrors, and sometimes even the car’s locks. If you ever find yourself in this position, one unusual way to get back into your car is to take a drinking straw, aim it directly at the lock and blow through it. The impact should dislodge any snow or ice that has found its way into the lock.

2. Prevent and prepare

“One quick and easy tip to help speed up the de-icing routine is to prevent your door mirrors from freezing over in the first place by placing reusable binbags over them and securing them in place with elastic bands. This will prevent snow falling on them and ice forming. Another trick to stop your windscreen wipers from freezing to the car is to wipe them down with alcohol the night before. Some modern cars even allow you to clear your windscreen and warm the cabin via an app on your phone before you step outside your front door, such as Volvo On Call.

3. Tread carefully

“Your tyres are your connection to the road, so it’s essential they are in good working order, especially as ice and snow can lead to increased wear and tear. The minimum legal limit for tyre tread in the UK is 1.6mm; however, we recommend having a tyre tread of at least 3mm. This is because in wet or icy weather, it can take up to 10 times longer for your car to come to a complete stop. A simple way to check a tyre’s tread depth is to take a 20p coin and place it into the tread. It should be able to sit in the groove of the tyre’s tread so that the rim of the coin is no longer visible. If it can’t, it’s time to buy some new tyres.

4. Be ready for anything

“In winter, it’s best to be prepared for your journey and anything that might happen. We also recommend keeping an emergency kit in your car that includes a jumper, a waterproof coat, extra-thick socks, water and snacks, a torch, a shovel and a first-aid kit.

5. Get winter-ready

“If you’re considering upgrading your car for peace of mind when making long journeys in rain, sleet or snow, there isn’t a better time to find your next model than during our Volvo Selekt Approved Used Car Event (Friday 17 to Monday 20 January), where we will be offering 0% APR finance on all models*.”

For further information about Marshall Grantham and the event, please visit volvocarsgrantham.co.uk, call 01476 452867 or email geoff.wicks@marshall.co.uk.

Man punches himself and assaults police officer during interview

Another van was attacked early this morning, time in Bridge Street.

Neighbours were awoken at about 3.30am

Anyone with information should contact police quoting incident 30 of 23.01.

The previous evening, a couple of cars were broken into in the Denton Avenue area.

Leading meningitis charity Meningitis Now has today welcomed new research findings that show the MenB vaccine has reduced cases of the disease by 62 per cent in young children since it was introduced in September 2015. 

Having played an instrumental role in calling for the MenB vaccine, Bexsero, to be included in the infant immunisation schedule in 2015, the charity is delighted that so many cases of MenB disease among young children have been prevented. 

It is now calling on parents to use this new and indisputable science-based evidence to ensure that their children are fully vaccinated, not only against meningitis but against other childhood diseases such as MMR. 

The research from Public Health England (PHE), published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine, shows the MenB vaccination programme has reduced cases of meningitis and septicaemia in young children in the UK by 227 cases out of an expected 446, potentially saving both infants and their families from experiencing the trauma of the disease. 

Dr Tom Nutt, CEO at Meningitis Now, said: “MenB cases in infants under the age of 1 in 2018 were 44^*1, the lowest recorded case numbers in over 20 years^*2 and probably since records began in the early 1900s*³.  This significant drop provides compelling evidence that vaccines save lives.”

The success of the vaccination programme has also been welcomed by charity supporters Georgie and Bryan Hall, whose son Ollie, 6, died from the disease in October 2017. 

“Ollie, like many children, was too old to get the MenB vaccination from the NHS when it was first introduced”, Georgie said, “and we were unaware that it was also available privately. 

“It’s so important to raise awareness of this lifesaving vaccination and encourage uptake to prevent as many families as possible from the heartbreak this devastating disease leaves in its wake. 

“Please make sure your children are vaccinated – this research shows it saves lives and prevents so much suffering.” 

Whilst the PHE research talks to the success of the MenB vaccine for those receiving at least two of the three MenB vaccinations on offer to infants, it doesn’t comment on a recent PHE report that shows vaccine uptake is declining in the UK. Neither does it highlight the 5 per cent drop in infants getting the important MenB booster vaccine at 12 months – which is putting children at increased risk. 

Dr Nutt added: “I would urge parents to take action to ensure that their children receive all three of the MenB vaccinations being offered. 

“If they have concerns about vaccine safety they should talk with their GP and make informed decisions based on the evidence that this new report provides and not on social media based propaganda and hearsay.”

Meningitis Now was instrumental in calling for the vaccine to be introduced through its Beat it Now! Campaign, which began in January 2013 after the vaccine, Bexsero, was licensed for use in Europe.

Infants are offered the MenB vaccine as part of the routine immunisation programme at 8 and 16 weeks of age, followed by a booster around their first birthday.

Figures from PHE show that MenB vaccinations are well-accepted by parents, with uptake remaining consistently high. During the first three months of 2018 around 95 per cent of infants completed their primary immunisations by their first birthday and around 90 per cent had received all three doses by two years of age.

 So far, almost five million doses of the MenB vaccine have been safely given to children in the UK.  

 ^{*1Public Health England Invasive meningococcal disease in England – epidemiological year 2018/19:} https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/842368/hpr3819_IMD-ann.pdf

^{*2 Public Health England  – Invasive meningococcal disease – laboratory confirmed cases of IMD England 2017/2018 data tables:} https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/752085/Laboratory_confirmed_cases_of_IMD_England_data_tables_2017to2018.pdf

*³ Notifiable Infectious Disease (NOIDS) data 1912 – 2018
​

Meningitis and Septicaemia Facts

• Meningitis is inflammation of the membranes that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord; usually caused by bacteria or viruses.
• Some bacteria that cause meningitis can also cause septicaemia.
• We estimate that there are currently around 2,000 cases of bacterial meningitis in the UK and 6,000 cases of viral meningitis each year – equivalent to 22 a day.
• Certain age groups are more susceptible – the under 5s are most at risk, particularly those under the age of one; teenagers and young adults and older adults, particularly those over 65.
• Many people who contract meningitis and septicaemia will make a good recovery, but some will suffer physical, neurological and psychological after-effects.

For more information visit www.MeningitisNow.org. Freephone helpline 0808 80 10 388.

Hospital trust bids to extend Lincoln A&E to ease ‘significant pressure’

‘No plans’ to reopen Grantham A&E overnight until consultation end