May News

Safer Rural Roads campaign

Kay Johnson and I have been out campaigning for safer rural roads. Astonishingly, the Conservative-led Council wants to take longer to repair our rural roads, with a guideline of three months for a 4cm deep pothole, unless it is a “link” road. This is too dangerous. If you would like to help reach our target of signatures to take it to full Council, please print off a sheet, sign and send it to me. www.lincolnshireindependents.org Many thanks indeed.

Cheaper Electricity for you

Residents sign up for cheaper electricity with iChoosr. The Council will help, or go directly on line and say how much energy you use. iChoosr then run an auction three times a year to find the supplier who offers the cheapest tariff. You then receive a personal offer telling you what you can save. If you accept, the full switching process is dealt with by iChoosr on your behalf. If you don’t accept, you will receive an offer in the next round. Happy saving!

https://www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/residents/living-in-your-area/lincolnshire-energy-switch/

Elections are hatching on Thurs 2^nd May

 Going somewhere on May 2nd?

We independent councillors work hard for you and only ask for a cross once in four years in return! That is on May 2^nd! Please support our democracy, by voting.

Photo ID can be a passport, driving licence or bus pass. Or non-photo ID can be your polling card and a credit card.

I look forward to seeing you on the day!

You can take your postal vote in its envelope into the polling station on the day. Someone else can vote on your behalf, by getting a proxy form off the web and into NKDC by Wednesday 5pm, or in an emergency, even on the day.

Bomber Command

SCOOPS TOURISM AWARD

A moving visit for Verteran father and son at the Bomber Command Centre

The Centre has been awarded the Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Award for “Taking Lincolnshire to the World” in recognition of the work the project has done globally and the high levels of international visitors to the Centre.  This award will now enable the project to go forward to the Visit Britain national tourism awards.

In the last six months the project has also been awarded the Visit England Quality Assured Rosette and has also been featured in the 2019/20 the Lonely Planet Guide. https://internationalbcc.co.uk/

Are we protecting our heritage?

Notre Dame on fireAfter the shocking destruction seen in Paris, you will be glad to know that Fire Safety Officers have been through the procedures and plans for Lincoln Cathedral with a fine toothcomb.

Climate Change: Local action

We are working on a Climate Change Strategy at the Lincolnshire County Council and an Energy Strategy to reduce Carbon emissions and save money.

Supporting our local heritage

Thank you for your comments on the consultation. There was strong support to keep the Usher Gallery, which was donated for that purpose. It is bizarre that the conservative-led Council is seeking to offload heritage assets at the same time as asking for our support. Why not visit the Usher Gallery in Lincoln and the Collection next door, both owned by the Council? The Collection has a good exhibition on until April 28^th, celebrating fifty years since man walked on the moon. They also do moonlight yoga, lectures, evening opening and weekend films. Website: visitlincoln.com/whats-on/museum-of-the-moon

Museum of the moon

Navenby Church Roof

Sadly, thieves have taken the lead from the roof of our beautiful church at Navenby and another Eagle. It is recommended to have the church lit at night and the roof alarmed. It remains important that we keep vigilant and report anything to 101 or if a crime is in progress, ring 999.

Navenby is insured but that only covers a small part of the cost. If anyone feels able to make a donation to Navenby Church in its hour of need please contact Malcolm Green on malcolm@agga.co.uk or Rev Michelle Godbold. Thank you very much.

Many thanks for your vigilance. Let’s all hope that these thieves are apprehended quickly so that this is not a problem faced by more of our churches.

Rev. Christine Goldsmith

has arrived to serve the

“Leadenham Plurality”, that is, Beckingham, Brant Broughton, Stragglethorpe, Leadenham and Welbourn. Christine received a very warm welcome in a packed church in Brant Broughton. She brings experience of service as a Police Constable, organisational skills, work abroad and is married to Rick.

Not enough local primary school places

I hope your child is happy with a place in favourite school. This week 7,500 places were allocated to primary pupils starting school in September. Over four hundred cannot attend their local school and will be commuting further afield. Local school places are not keeping pace with development.

Too many houses?

As houses are going up in Waddington (above), Bracebridge Heath and Navenby, a further 3,200 dwellings are proposed near the bypass at Skellingthorpe, which already suffers considerable congestion.  There are a further 4,500 houses planned at Sleaford, and the Holdingham Roundabout is heavily congested. Lights are proposed, but it really needs an underpass to let the A17 long distance traffic carry straight through. Sadly, these houses do not come with matching services nor facilities in health, emergency support, jobs, public transport, police or school places. We deserve better!

Listening to you

The recent Leadenham application was discussed in my May 2018 news, just before the developer’s consultation. There was a good turnout to the consultation, and 15 written submissions from Leadenham, 11:4 in favour. The developers reduced their plan from 36 dwellings down to 25 to fit with local comments and it was passed in outline in March. There was a last-minute petition, but legally, it is the consultation from Leadenham residents at the time of submitting the application last August, that counts. Plans include six affordable homes and some funding to help extra places at the primary school and the village hall or other community facility, all being well. Thank you for your comments and thoughts. We will be watching closely. (Ref: “planning on line NKDC” 18/1045/OUT)

Your View? Consultation out now

Another 3,200 houses are proposed for the Lincoln area, Ref 2019/0294/RG3 in the City of Lincoln, fitting with the Conservative and Labour-led Local Plan for a total of over 37,000 in Central Lincolnshire. What do you think? You can let them know with your vote May 2nd and respond to developmentteam@lincoln.gov.uk. The application is on line, Search “planning online city of Lincoln 3,200”.

Supporting you on Planning

The road through the beautiful recreation ground in Sleaford was dropped at last, in  favour of a far better plan taking

the road through the bowling club and building a smart green and clubhouse next door. Thanks to everyone for huge support in a long and successful campaign.

Stick up for our Environment

Thanks to all for their brilliant support on volunteer clean-up days and events across our villages, from Witham St Hughs to Leadenham (below), which included excellent exhibitions and plastic free teas in Leadenham Village Hall, thanks to Hilary Proctor for all her organising.

Wildlife Watch for Children 7-13yrs

Our local RSPB Explorers and Wildlife Watch Group for children 7-13yrs is lively and fun. Ask for a calendar. You may have heard us on the radio, reporting in a break from our tree-planting the farm in Beckingham, kindly hosted by farmer, Claire Leggott.

Fighting for our local NHS Services

Thank you to all who turned out to support local health services and Grantham Hospital at the “Big Conversation” consultation last month. We need to work hard to get the point across as the Government seems intent on reducing rural services.

Campaigning for the NHS

Supporting our local community: Awards

Can you think of a local champion who deserves recognition? Please nominate them for a 2019 NK Community Champion award. There are ten winners.

The awards celebrate the many people who volunteer their time to help others in North Kesteven. So, if there is someone in your local area who goes the extra mile to support the environment, arts, sport or community, please nominate them. The awards will be presented in October at an event at the International Bomber Command Centre, compered by BBC Radio Lincolnshire’s Rod Whiting. If your business wants to get involved in the celebration of NK’s Community Champions, get in touch on champions@n-kesteven.gov.uk www.nkawards.org Let me know if I can help.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Navenby Bowling Club on the launch of their new clubhouse – and great teas!

Great Home-made teas at Navenby Bowls Club Open days

Big Progress at Carlton le Moorland’s       New Village Hall

Congratulations to all involved on great progress on the new Village facility at Carlton Le Moorland. Nearby, the White Hart has reopened and is doing well.

Carlton Le Moorland celebrating their successful new hall

Supporting local businesses: Beeswax visit

Thank to all who joined us on this visit. We had fascinating discussions on the ethics and politics of agriculture, and its future in this country. The guided tour was with excellent and enthusiastic management and staff.

Grants for businesses

EU Leader Fund to increase our rural economy is available, deadline April 30^th. https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/kestevens/how-to-apply