News
November Norton Disney Rendering plant, Funding, Make Votes Matter
NEW APPLICATION
There is a plant in Skellingthorpe, still called “Hughes” by many, that cooks and squashes dead animals into “meal” for animals and “tallow”. Prior to their planning application, they are asking your opinion on whether they should start working in Norton Disney Parish on a largely greenfield site at Villa Farm, Folly Lane. The exhibition was packed all day with residents from the nearby Lincolnshire villages, from Witham St Hughes to Bassingham. The developers’ presentation at Norton Disney Parish Council was well attended, with very strong questioning. Let me know your views, so I can best represent you. As I sit on the planning committee at both District and County Councils, I must retain an open mind until the vote. However, it is my job to listen and represent your views and to make sure you know and can fully access the planning process. marianne.overton@biosearch.org.uk
FAIRER FUNDING CAMPAIGN
Nationally, as Vice Chairman of the Local Government Association (LGA), I have worked with colleagues to get better funding for our councils and for rural authorities like Lincolnshire. We made the case for better funding for adult care and gained an extra £2bn. Lincolnshire got its share which has made a significant improvement in our County. We made the case for more funding for repairing potholes and got £600m. Next we are working on funds for children. You may have heard me campaigning for funds for local leisure facilities to help reduce our NHS bill. Our full submission is on the website of the LGA.
The current Leader of LCC has also now met the minister, I understand, but sadly is reported as saying he thought we could manage for a couple of years as we are, with some further “savings”.
In contrast, I am pushing for better funding now and the budget is due on 22nd November.
This government has cut our core government funding and reneged on letting us keep all the business rates, leaving us seriously short. We must continue to battle for our fair share. www.lincolnshireindependents.org
MAKE VOTES MATTER
The current “winner takes all” system of voting in England, has all members elected on “first past the post”. This means the elected body, such as a Council or Parliament, is usually not representative of the way people voted. This system gives all the power to just a few people, who have little incentive to listen to anyone other than their own voters. In the Welsh and Scottish assemblies and many European countries, they have first past the post, but also a portion of members who win on “top-up” places to make sure the final assembly represents the votes cast. Thus Independents get their fair share.
Nationally our Independent Group have investigated the issue thoroughly, including expert witnesses and produced a document which was supported at our AGM. This week, working with others, we got 103,000 votes for our petition to change to a fairer system, triggering a debate in parliament. There were some excellent speakers and it seemed to me that the petitioners clearly won the debate, if not the battle!

Campaigning for a better democracy: Make Votes Matter
NEW SCHOOL GOVERNANCE
From February 2018, both Sir William Robertson Academy and Bassingham Primary School will be run by the newly formed Aspire Learning Trust. Both academies will have representation on the main Trust Board and each will have its own separate Local Governing Body. The intention is to bring added strength of a bigger organisation and a closer link between Primary and Secondary Schools.
It was very good to see our local schools pupils do so well in “Democracy Day” at North Kesteven last month.

Make Votes Matter Campaign: In Parliament ready for the debate
UNIVERSAL CREDIT
The idea of combining people’s benefits into one seems fine, but it is used as a vehicle to make life extremely difficult for people looking for work. Nationally, colleagues and I have been urging a “pause” in its introduction. The debate was overwhelmingly in favour of the Pause and the vote would have followed, but incredibly, the Conservatives did not vote and so no vote was recognized. You couldn’t make it up. Colleagues and I are urging that the six-week wait after registering and the two weeks payment omitted is scrapped. I am also very concerned about the charities who get people back into work, but rely on the housing benefit. Universal Credit requires people to spend 35 hours a week on a computer site, or suffer deductions in their money. One partially blind person told me he was now only getting £6.25 per month. People with chaotic lifestyles struggle with debt and then become homeless. In areas where it has been trialled, the use of food banks is much increased and there is concern about crime. South Kesteven has already started and others are now due to follow.
FIGHTING FOR LOCAL SERVICES
More Call Connect
Call Connect is the charity supported by County Council to get you where the buses do not go. We are starting a six month pilot this week to extend hours of service in our area to Sleaford Mon-Fri 6.30am-7.30pm & 7.30-6.30 Sat
Ring up to a week ahead 0345 234 33 44 or 01522 553143
Register for Call Connect Plus if you need collection from home. www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/callconnect/35955.article
SUPPORTING LOCAL PLANNING
Coleby Neighbourhood Plan 14 Dec
Want control over local planning? Coleby is the latest community to “write its own rules”, within limits. Together we have created a neighbourhood plan with a huge amount of work, involving pretty much everyone. To make it legal, it must be voted through, with a referendum, held like an election. The more people to vote, the better! Please come along to support Coleby on December 14th.
Congratulations to Bassingham for getting their neighbourhood plan voted through in the referendum. Available on the NKDC website. Simply search on “Bassingham Neighbourhood Plan”
The Neighbourhood Plan for Nocton and Potterhanworth were confirmed by NKDC in July, following a 73% turnout and 85% support. Dunston was made in 2016, Welbourn in 2015. Well done all.
COLLAPSE

Stopping work as pavement collapses
District Councillors Catherine Mills and I were called to the site in Wellingore where cellars had opened up under the new foundations on a cramped site. A huge thank you to the Parish Council for raising it with us and to Highways, Heritage and Planning Officers who all supported us on site within an hour or two. A rethink is underway.
SHARING INFORMATION
Community Grants
At LCC, we have Wendy Moore on 01522 552223 wendy.moore@lincolnshire.gov.uk Paul.Drury@lincolnshire.gov.uk
At NKDC, we have Anne-Marie on 01529 308267 Anne-Marie_Shepherd@n-kesteven.gov.uk
http://www.idoxopen4community.co.uk/lincolnshire/
European Funding for rural projects is still unspent;
European funding for improving rural economies. www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/funding
SUPPORTING CHILDREN AND WILDLIFE
Wildlife Watch, Junior part of the Wildlife Trusts
Our Wildlife Watch Group (WKWW) meets monthly for children to meet the natural world at first hand. Any children interested, please let me know or Jean Martin 01636 612176 or jcmartin0448@gmail.com
NOVEMBER EVENTS
17th Howden-Jones Song, stories and light refreshments, Carlton Le Moorland Village Hall, £12 789993 7.30pm
18th Snr Guides Coffee Morning at Bassingham 10.30-1pm
18th Navenby Christmas Bazaar Meth’ Church Ha. 2pm
18th Norton Disney Christmas Fayre, Village Ha. from 2pm
18th Lincolnshire Evening with the Rye sisters, Coleby Vill Ha. £10 incl. food Tickets from Carol 811988 7.30pm
19th Craft Fayre Wellingore Mem’ Ha. 10am-3.30pm
19th Wildlife Watch and RSPB Explorers discover the impact of farming on wildlife over the years, Lincolnshire Life Museum 10am-noon
20th Carlton Le Moorland Lunch Club £3.50 788303 1pm
21st Navenby Archaeology Group AGM. Andy Gaunt on “Sherwood Forest and King John’s Palace” Navenby Methodist Church Hall 7.30pm
24th Harmony Lincs 40 Male Voices in St Peter’s Church, Navenby £12 incl. wine and refreshments from Tony Sharpe 01522 811549 7.30pm
24th Ladies Christmas Extravaganza Bassingham School Ha. £5 incl. fizz, a homemade treat and a draw 7-10pm
25th Christmas Bazaar, Navenby Methodist Church 2-4pm
25th Christmas Market Hammond Hall, Bassingham 12-2
26th Hand crafted Fair Harmston Memorial Ha 11am-3pm
26th Tea-time Church incl. activities and Bring and share Sunday tea, Bassingham Church 4pm
27th Parish cluster at Beckingham
30th Carer’s Support Group at Wellingore Hall, Stables 2-4
30th Turning on the lights at Navenby School 3pm
DECEMBER
3rd Wildlife Watch and RSPB Christmas Party with food and fun activities, Welbourn Village Ha. 10-12.
USEFUL REFERENCES
Access to Wellbeing Services and care
The Carers service 01522 782224
carers_team@lincolnshire.gov.uk
Support for Adult care is available 01522 782155
Roadworks
roadworks@lincolnshire.gov.uk
To receive info’ on twitter #lincscc_roads
Help save lives and keep countryside clean
Report Potholes 01522 782070
www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/faultreporting
Or use www.FixMyStreet.com
Report Litter 01529 414155
customer_services@n-kesteven.gov.uk
Report illegal parking 01522 511142 or
ParkingServices@lincolnshire.gov.uk
The Wellbeing service will help set up and people in a vulnerable position with finance, transport, support groups etc. 01522 782140
Lincs 2 Advice are on 0300 303 8789
Non urgent health 111, Police 101, fraud 0300 123 2040
Grants community_lincs@n-kesteven.gov.uk
Transport and Travel
Call Connect 8.30am – 7pm Weekdays and to 5pm Saturdays 0345 234 33 44 or 01522 553143 www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/callconnect/35955.article
Dial a ride 01522 544983 Disabled door to door
Car-sharing www.lincshare.co.uk
Trains www.thetrainline.com
Local Plan www.central-lincs.org.uk 01529 308084
Planning on line
See and comment on applications to get your voice heard. Search “planning on line north Kesteven”
Village websites
Withamstaple.com; nocton.blogspot.co.uk
www.facebook.com/groups/WhatOnInNocton
https://dunstondossier.org.uk
Branston http://www .tucann.co.uk/the-sheepwash-times Branston Library 01522 880426
www.parishes.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Potterhanworth
www.facebook.com/groups/455116074527966/ Navenby and Wellingore business
http://parishes.lincolnshire.gov.uk/NavenbyincSkinnand/
www.harmston.info
Welbourn, Leadenham and Coleby have sites on LCC.
AND FROM ME…
Locally, I have been working on highways, grants for local facilities, planning and housing.
It has also been a big month for national and regional conferences, lobbying MP’s and ministers for funding and for powers as set out in our Budget submission. (Available on our Local Government Association website.) I have presented at nine conferences this month, and managed to be in Canaerfon, Lincolnshire and Cornwall all in one day! (Love the trains!)
You may have heard me on the radio campaigning for reduced maximum bets and more controls on advertising to protect children from gambling addiction. I have also been calling for funding for Councils to keep our local leisure facilities attractive and help reduce our NHS costs.
I look forward to seeing you out and about. Let me know if you would like help, or like to help, with anything!
Marianne
Marianne Overton MBE

Walking with a friend
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