Welcome to our new Lincolnshire Independent Councillor, Bob Oldershaw (left)
Elected last month and representing Sleaford, Bob will do an excellent job, bringing skills from his career in the RAF and a commitment and connection to our communities through his voluntary work. Huge thanks for your support. Bob has done all his training and started work right away.
Lincolnshire Independents, thank you event. Also Pictured, Wendy and Cllr Bob Oldershaw.
Keeping GP services in step with development
Our Cliff Cluster of nine Parish Councils had a good look at the funding promised for infrastructure to match the increasing housing.
Across the country, the number of GP’s has been diminishing and more are moving to part time. Yet the number of appointments is as high as ever, most still in person. In 2020, the Government promised to invest to recover the problem with an additional 6,000 GP’s but none have yet materialised. Instead the number of GP’s and GP practices has reduced. GP’s have an average of 300 more patients each than five years ago.
GP’s in Sleaford and in the Cliff Villages seem to be especially hard-hit, with difficulty in recruiting to rural areas with heavy workloads. The rapid increase in new houses makes this more difficult.
The Cliff Cluster of Parish Councils asked for a list of money set aside from developments for local “infrastructure” over the past five years. For seven villages of the Cliff Cluster, 138 new houses brought just £7,000 for the villages. Even that was hard to spend as it had significant strings attached. It resulted in one slide for one village.
There was some welcome funding towards a building at the school and a roadside path. However, nothing for health since they do not need buildings; they need more staff.
It was agreed that the villages would work more closely together to ensure the best results. I am also working on the issue through the Councils
Battle Ends for Grantham A and E
Huge thanks to so many people who joined this campaign and spoke up for Lincolnshire residents. As our population increases steadily, Grantham A and E has finally closed, adding further pressure on Lincoln. The decision to permanently close Grantham’s A and E and replace it with a 24-hour treatment centre, has not been called in by the County Health scrutiny committee, so it will now close. The A and E at Grantham currently operates daytime services between 8am and 6.30pm, with restricted hours having been in place since 2016. Health figures say that it hasn’t been operating as a “full-blown” A and E, since the intensive care unit closed. Instead Grantham will have a 24/7 urgent treatment centre, some planned orthopaedics and beds. Stroke services will be on the Lincoln County Hospital site, supported by a community stroke rehabilitation service.
Working for Better Planning
The smaller planning committee of 15 members has begun, including me. Local members can have 5 minutes.
The Bell Inn, Coleby 22/0510/PMA
The Proposal for change of use of the Bell Inn from a restaurant in Commercial, Business and Service (Use Class E) to single dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) has been refused. This is on the basis that it is evidenced as a pub, not a restaurant and thus protected in law for community use.
The Traveller Site at Beckingham Refused by NKDC
Appeal awaited.
New broiler Chicken Units 21/1550/FUL Passed
Housing 300,000 chickens every 48 days. 15,859sq.m I considered it to be too big, but the impact of the building, smell, ammonia and highways was deemed acceptable by the planning committee as a whole.
Lorry Traffic through Villages
The increase in development in our area means more traffic and more lorries. Our small roads were clearly not built for the current size, weight nor number of lorries, damaging the road surface faster they we can keep them repaired. In places, the road is below the statutory width, so that lorries cannot pass oncoming traffic and scrape or knock chips out of the walls of the buildings as they wind through our villages and go on to break away the road edges. Lorry Watch is a new app that helps lorries find the shortest route – through our villages.
The speed indicator device in Aubourn has recorded up to 700 vehicles an hour, winding through the village. Traffic in Lincolnshire has increased more than 20% in the past 7 years. We need to address the use of short cuts by lorries.
Residents are planning our own “Lorrywatch”. Volunteers record the lorry companies, then contact the company to see if an alternative route is possible.
Leadenham and Aubourn Parish Councils are setting up a Community Speed Watch. Could you help?
BBC Radio Lincolnshire interviewed us, raising this issue I put to Full Council on behalf of residents.
Lincolnshire Independents response is on the website. www.lincolnshireindependents.org The report is online, with the figures in the “transport monitoring report”. www.letstalk.lincolnshire.gov.uk/local-transport-plan
Supporting Business and Communities
European funds to UK stopped on leaving the EU. The funds we no longer send have stayed with the Government. The new distribution of these funds is called the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It is £2.6bn and Lincolnshire has been allocated £3.1m to be drawn down if they approve the business plan we submit. 12 Aims include; Boost living standards and health, employment opportunity and skills, transport, community wellbeing and pride of place. It is very broad. What do you think we should be focussing on?
How is your maths?
Your business, school or College could offer maths in more innovative and attractive setting. The County Council has £4m from the Government for people with less than GCSE grade 4, in a project called “Multiply”. Want to apply?
“Multiply will be a launchpad for people to progress into better paid jobs that will help our economy grow.We will give this money to local areas based on need so they can find the right solutions for their communities.”
There is already help available for adults to improve maths and numeracy skills including fully funded maths courses up to GCSE to enable people to get the maths skills they need. In Lincolnshire you can visit www.2aspire.org.uk for courses.
Small Business Saturday
One business a day gets the limelight for 100 days leading up to Small Business Saturday on 3rd December Apply to be one of the 100. #SmallBusinessSaturday
Totally Local Fiver Fest 2nd-16th July 2022
Are you taking part? Have you got a special offer for a fiver? Join in the campaign to encourage people to shop local wherever possible.
Pubs with the More to offer
Business Lincolnshire is supporting pubs to take on additional services such as accommodation, retail, cyclist and motorhome hookups in their Diversification Programme. Contact admin@bizlincolnshire.com and apply before 30.6.22
Free Business Support
NKDC provides an advisor, Phil Means who will talk through your position and your ideas. 07920 472671
This website is very good https://www.businesslincolnshire.com/start-and-grow-my-business/grant-and-support-finder
NK Champion Awards
You can be a business sponsor or nominate a champion by September 9th www.NKAwards.org
Sculpture Trail at Doddington Hall
Sculpture at Doddington 2022 will take place from Saturday, July 16 until Sunday, September 11, and will be open daily from 10am to 4pm
Supporting Local Businesses
It’s always good to buy local if you can! A friend just reminded me what a useful range of hardware and petshop goodies can be bought locally in Navenby.
Soapbox Downhill Challenge, Coleby
Hugely popular, ingenious and brilliantly organised event, managed jointly by Coleby Village Hall committee and the Hykeham Lions Club.
Open Gardens at Bassingham, Brant Broughton and Caythorpe
Huge thanks to all for their work on the Open Gardens that followed the Jubilee events.
Scented herbal path between colourful borders.