Paying for Energy-what others are doing
I have just been in Brussels talking with Councils across Europe and to the commissioners, about their emergency measures that they aim to bring in fast. Our Independent group at NK called for a windfall tax on the windfall profits of the fossil fuel energy-producing companies to assist insulation and to aid residents. In the EU, they are planning exactly that, called a “solidarity contribution”. Like us, they will also have a cap on the unit cost. In addition, they plan to decentralise energy sources more locally. They do not have new grants available until the next round in 2027. A finance report is coming out shortly. I have been working on an “expert group” with European colleagues from across the whole of Europe on a new study of what Councils can do on climate and energy, out soon. Looking at reducing energy use (20-30%) should be possible and speeding up renewables (to 40-45%). Reducing peak use is also important so that less infrastructure is needed.
There is much concern about changes in politics across Europe, Sweden, Germany, UK and Italy most recently. They raise concern about public finance, tackling the climate crisis and nationalism leading to a lack of a partnership approach across countries when we have such big international problems to solve.
Tackling the Cost of Living Price Hike –
Help with Money
Lincolnshire has some good help for residents here. Search “North Kesteven help with money” And “cost of living support”. The Citizen’s advice also has good volunteers who do a great job with advice.
Grants to keep your home comfortable!
Please apply if you can, to the Home Energy Upgrade Scheme! Get your home better insulated, alongside other energy-saving and green improvements, for free.
Anyone whose home has an EPC rating of E or lower and is on a low income (household income after tax of £30k) is eligible to apply. This is help that will make a real difference to energy bills. Even if you are paying, it will be worthwhile. Tenants can ask for a visit to discuss bills and what else can be done. Contact the District Council NKDC at 01529 414155 or online.
No price cap on heating oil or bottled gas
Homes not on piped gas, but on LPG or heating oil are not protected by a price cap. We have have raised the issue of “off grid” properties with the minister previously, as so many of ours are not on mains gas. Speaking to residents in Welbourn who are part of the local `buying syndicate’ they have managed to get topped up before the price rise and have a guarantee in place for a period. There is still the risk that a low charging company closes and another steps in, but definitely worth it. Fuel & amp; Heating Oil Suppliers In Lincolnshire | Fuel Fighter
This is a good article on price comparisons and may offer a better deal up to 30% less they claim. Energy Cost Comparison – Nottingham Energy Partnership (nottenergy.com)
When there is no cap, there is still an advantage in occasionally shopping round to get a better deal. Personally, I have the same issue with LPG, also being “off grid”, like you.
What if my home uses heating oil?
Homes that use heating oil or are “off-grid” will receive support through a fund. On September 21, the Government confirmed this would take the form of a £100 payment, in addition to the £400 rebate.
The first instalment of the rebate should be arriving this month £66/month.
Although the cap is promised to be held until next year’s elections in May, it can rise and fall with wholesale prices, so not a great guarantee. The government is expecting to borrow £1000/household per year to pay to the energy-producing companies their inflated prices. Then it will need paying back, of course.
Even with the cap, people have seen a huge increase in their gas and electricity costs, from a cap at £1,277 last October to £2,500 this October, so actually paying an extra £1,200, so not covered by the £400 hand-out.
Those with disabilities get a one off of £150, pensioners get an extra £300, those on benefits £650.
I hope that is helpful information. In the meantime, I will be lobbying for a cap on other heating fuels.
Help against Drugs
The County Council pays for services supporting young people in trouble, which can be accessed 01522 305518. Crimestoppers explain a lifestyle is often sold to victims, before loyalty is tested by asking for favours and offering a sense of protection. This can lead to those exploited being trapped through debt bondage, isolation from family and friends, physical, psychological and sexual abuse.
Anyone with information or suspicions about organised drug gangs – and victims who need safeguarding – to contact Crimestoppers 100% anonymously by calling freephone 0800 555 111 or via a secure online form here.
Young people are also being encouraged to visit Crimestoppers’ youth service Fearless.org, which offers non-judgemental advice so they can make informed decisions about lifestyle choices and realise that they have an alternative option when reporting crimes to stay anonymous.
Ring 101 or if an emergency or crime in progress, ring 999.
Local Police Support
Focussing on anti-social behaviour the local team is working in the community and ask us to ring 101 if we can help. They have started an elected “mini-police”. Secondly, there is much concern about an increasing pressure from online and phone scams, apparently from people you know asking for help. Phone the person they claim to be or ask a question only the genuine person would know.
Staff Changes: PC Sarah Kennedy will be the Community Beat Manager to replace PC Mark Wood, from the start of next year and PC Jordan Bathie-Drexler starts the first week of October 2022. PCSO Sarah Linguard, Julie Clark and Joanne Mackie continue in North Hykeham Town and Rural Area.
Supporting local Businesses – Please shop Local to keep our lovely local shops alive
Odlings closes after a hundred Years
In a shock move, the award-winning family business suddenly closed its doors “due to the current financial climate”. It is more vital than ever that we support our local businesses, struggling to cope with a rising cost of living, including soaring energy bills and growing inflation rates. The Government has agreed support for businesses for six months.
Welcome to Nicky and Tina who have taken on the Marquis of Granby in Wellingore, serving food, arriving from Anton’s Gowt near Boston. The Red Lion is open with a friendly welcome, so we are well served. The full list of local pubs is in “Useful Information” of this newsletter. All of them great for warmth and good company.
Mental Health
In January, this year there were an estimated 11,800 people in Lincolnshire living with dementia – with 7,200 officially diagnosed.
If you are a carer or relative of someone who is living with dementia, you can ask for a wristband, which shows a person’s contact details when a phone is placed next to it. dementiasafeguarding@lincs.police.uk Include their date of birth and home address along with your contact number and someone will be in touch. #DementiaSafeguarding
Working for better Planning
Central Lincolnshire Local Plan
Hearing runs 15 Nov – 9th Dec at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, Brayford Wharf North, Lincoln LN1 1YW.
New Reservoir proposed south of Sleaford
A new reservoir is proposed to provide more water for areas further South where they want to build more houses. There is a lot of pressure to use thousands of acres of good farmland to support “growth.” Thousands of acres are being targeted for solar panels and now water storage. Perhaps if we reduced our water consumption, less infrastructure would be needed. It is useful to see a lot of rooves now have water butts to collect the rainwater and solar panels to collect the sun’s energy. Views sought. info@lincsreservoir.co.uk
North Hykeham Relief Road
This £212m road could start two years earlier, by end of 2023, finishing three years later, according to the Government. They are aiming to relax regulations to make it easier for developers, and less easy for residents. Since this road already has planning permission, that would be little help to us.
Events
We shared in the sadness and tributes paid to her Majesty the Queen for her unstinting service over more than seventy years. I paid respects at her lying in state in Westminster. As Vice Chairman of Local Government Association, I laid a floral tribute on your behalf. Thank you for the special services in our villages and Lincoln Cathedral.
Paying Tribute to Queen Elizabeth II
Places to Visit
Mrs Smith’s Cottage continues to have an excellent programme of events and is always worth a visit. I popped into the Lincolnshire Life Museum this week for an almost Lincolnshire Day. It is free and great to see the agricultural history as well as the Lincolnshire invention, the tank! Both museums rely on wonderful volunteers, thank you.
Lincolnshire Life Events 10am-4pm include arriving in costume for Halloween event on Oct 25th and meet Lincolnshire Victorians on the 29th.
Family hunt for Fungi
Celebrate National Biology Week, with a walk on the wild side! With local experts, Jane Ostler and David Feld, we are finding and identifying fungi as part of an annual Autumn survey in these well-established woods. We have organised for the Royal Socirty of Biology and Wildlife Watch.
Sunday 16th October 2022, 10am-12.30pm Twyford Woods, near Colsterworth
Putting your issues forward
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I have met and spoken with all the leading members, and two Baronesses of the Green Party, whose 558 elected councillors come under my Leadership at the Local Government Association. Also next is the Plaid Cymru councillors at their Conference in Llandudno and the Independent Conference in London. I shall be speaking to MP’s, Ministers and member of the House of Lords on what they can do on issues that matter to us locally; cost of living, planning and the environment.
Best Wishes and thank you for all you continue to do in our communities and your kind support of our communities.
Marianne
Marianne Overton MBE
Working together to support people and planet
October Events
8th Coffee Morning in Carlton Le Moorland Villahe Hall 10am -12.30
8th Harmston WI Autumn Fair 10am-3pm
12th Coleby Library and Coffee Morning10.30am
12th U3A Wellingore 10.30am
15th Queen’s Jubilee Bulb-planting in Wellingore memorial Hall Field Bring a trowel! 10am-noon
15th St Peter’s Church Coffee Morning, Navenby 10.30am
15th Halloween Coffee Shop with special invitation to families; prizes for costumes, Welbourn Vill. Hall 10am
15th Last Night at the Proms St Michaels, Bassingham £12 incl. refreshment, in advance only 7.30pm
15th Harmston Wine tasting Harmston Vill hall German music and dancing and souvenir glass £20 7.30pm
16th Family Fungal Foray Twyford Woods, 10am West Kesteven Wildlife Watch Book with Marianne or jcmartin0448@btinternet.com
21st Mrs Smith’s Cottage talk History of Pennels £5 7-8pm
25th Shep’s Quiz at harmston Memorial Hall 7.30pm
EU transition
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27th Withamside Waste not, Want not. Food and essential items; Donations 9,30am to 11.30am, Collections from 1-3.30pm St Michael’s, Bassingham Last Thurs monthly
29th Navenby Friendship Coffee Morning Methodist Church Hall 10am
30th Welbourn music appreciation group, just listening to Melismata singers of 15th cent music St Chad’s 3-4pm
30th Children’s Halloween Party, Wellingore Memorial Hall £3 10am to noon
Useful Information
Local shops for healthy eating
East Midlands Dairy 01636 614760
Oldlings meat etc. 01522 810228
Nick Streeter’s fish etc. 01400 272547
The Old Forge, Brant Broughton 01400 273796
Greens, Bassingham 01522 788200
Welbourn Post Office and Stores 01400 272242
Leadenham Farm Shop 01400 273988
Our local pubs – for wamth and good company
Royal Oak, Aubourn 01522 788 291
The Tempest, Coleby 01522 810258
Thorold Arms, Harmston 07971 029 534
The Bugle Horn, Bassingham 01522 789773
The Five Bells, Bassingham 01522 788269
The Red Lion, Wellingore 01522 810071
The Marquis of Granby, Wellingore 01522 811100
The Joiners Arms, Welbourn 01400 279356
Generous Briton Brant Broughton Tues-Sat 01400 272119
Black Swan, Beckingham 01636 626474
Kings Head, Navenby 01522 810367
Akash Indian Takeaway 01522 811126 Navenby
Navenby Chinese Takeaway 01522 810773
Pre-cooked meals
Hot lunches for senior citizens 01522 404025 Bassingham, £5 for two courses. Book by Sunday 5pm
Primary hot lunches Thurs and Sat 01522 788488
Age UK will deliver 21 small single person meals for £20, plus £7 delivery 03455 564 144
Hollynelstropcatering@gmail.com – weekly meal boxes
Business Advice is free from NKDC Phil Means on 07920 472671 www.businessnk.co.uk @BusinessNK www.businesslincolnshire.com
Monthly webinars are on www.teamlincolnshire.com
First Aid Course online
St John Ambulance stjohnambulance@email.sja.org.uk
Parish Offices for local support and information
Navenby Venue Tuesday to Friday 10-noon
Witham Office at Bassingham in the Hammond Hall,
LN5 9HQ 01522 789758 Open Mon, Wed, Thurs 9-1pm
Local Police Statistics https://www.police.uk/
Access to Wellbeing Services and Care
Covid Helpline continues 01522 782189
The Carers service 01522 782224
carers_team@lincolnshire.gov.uk
Support for Adult care is available 01522 782155
Supporting People www.wellbeinglincs.org
Umbrellas events supporting all ages with additional needs and their families umbrellaslincoln@outlook.com
#EveryMindMatters advise on coping with anxiety and improving your mental health: https://qoo.ly/35q2xs
Mental health www.connecttosupport.org
Bereavement Helpline St Barnabus 0300 303 1897
tracy.tuffs@stbarnabashospice.co.uk
Befriending Service Lincolnshire YMCA 01529 301965
www.citizensadvice.org.uk 0800 1448444 free 8am-6pm
Church Services
Www.graffoechurches.co.uk with Michelle Godbold
Christine Goldsmith rectorleadenham@gmail.com
Navenby Methodist Church 01522 685226 http://lincolnmethodist.org.uk/circuit-services-weekly-live-stream/ David.lawton@methodist.org.uk
Bassingham Church Facebook page
Venue Finder
420 Lincolnshire Village halls are registered here. www.lincscommunitybuildings.org.uk
Useful Advice for Charities
https://www.charityhowto.com/blog/
To protect a house or business against flooding
http://www.marydhonau.co.uk/information/how-do-i-protect-my-home-from-flooding/
Roadworks www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/transport-and-
roadworks@lincolnshire.gov.uk Twitter #lincscc roads
Register to vote or get a postal vote
Search “Postal vote .Gov” or link here.
Community Larders
Sleaford Community Larder at the Newlife Centre
http://www.communitylarder.co.uk/
Bassingham Church last Thurs monthly, donate before 11.30am Parishioners can collect a box 1.30pm-3.30pm.
Help save lives and keep countryside clean
Report Potholes 01522 782070
http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/potholes
Or use “Fix my street” on line – works well.
Report Litter 01529 414155
customer_services@n-kesteven.gov.uk
Report illegal parking 01522 511142 or
ParkingServices@lincolnshire.gov.uk
Adult Concern 01522 782151
Police: Sgt Ken Whyte, plus PCSO’s 101 or www.police.uk
07973 846537/235/5827
Floodline 24/7 on 01522 782082
Highways, Transport and Travel
Good newsletter from lincscountycouncil@gmail.com
Roadworks www.one.network lincolnshire roadworks.org
Transport www.accesslincoln.co.uk shows all the options, or ask accesslincoln@lincolnbig.co.uk 01522 581906
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
Facebook Hykeham town rural NPT T @hykeham NPT
Buses www.lincsbus.info or Traveline 0871 200 22 33
Ready for a free buspass? 0345 456 4474
Mobile Library 01522 782010 or www.lincolnshire.gov.uk
Planning on line
See and comment on applications to get your voice heard. Search “planning on line north Kesteven”
Local Plan www.central-lincs.org.uk 01529 308084
Village websites
Withamstaple.com; yourbassingham.co.uk
www.carltonlemoorland.org.uk www.facebook.com/groups/WhatOnInNocton
www.facebook.com/groups/455116074527966/ Navenby and Wellingore business parishes.lincolnshire.gov.uk
www.harmston.info www.navenby.net dunstondossier.org.uk nocton.blogspot.co.uk
Welbourn, Leadenham and Coleby are on the LCC site E.g. https://leadenham.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk
Branston www .tucann.co.uk/the-sheepwash-times Branston Library 01522 880426
County Events- Good web page here
www.lincolnshire.gov.uk search on “county news”
Wheelchair loan: No Name Lodge Geoff Nelson 788213
Young People Grants Carlton Le Moorland 07943760155
Ukraine Refugee Support
- Information homesforukraine.campaign.gov.uk and in Lincolnshire www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/ukraine
- Matching Service https://resetuk.org/
- The Wellbeing Lincs service can be accessed by Ukrainian arrivals or their host families to get further advice and support. Wellbeing@e-lindsey.gov.ukor calling 01507 613044 office hours.
- Local facebook network for Ukraine m4ukraine
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hurlnet
- Donate: Support for refugees already here, I suggest the Lincolnshire Community Foundation
www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/LincolnshireCF-Ukraine
- British Red Cross https://donate.redcross.org.uk
Grants for Energy Efficiency
www.citizensadvice.org.uk 0808 278 7942. Veterans www.turn2us.org.uk Also ask your Parish Council