News is emerging about the earthquakes of Turkey and Syria. You may want to help the British Red Cross, among the organisations here.
Voting in April and May 4th 2023
Both District and Parish Council Elections May 4th
Voter ID: Despite widespread objections from the Electoral Commission and Councillors, the Government has decided to require photo identification at the polling stations. I have argued against this at all levels, and continue meetings with the ministers this week to try and improve how it is implemented. Fraud in person is very rare, whereas significant fraud has been found in the postal votes, so this new requirement is more of a barrier than a help. Nevertheless, we need to either get a postal vote or bring photo ID on the day. A bus pass, photo driving licence or a passport will be OK.
Postal Vote: If voter ID is required in May, it will be worth getting onto a postal vote. You can still take your postal vote to the polling station on the day. The simple forms are here for return to elections@n-kesteven.gov.uk. More advice is here. Please make sure you are registered to vote. If you want a hand with getting the forms, please contact the District Council 01529 414155 or let me know.
New ward boundaries: Despite our combined efforts, Harmston and Coleby leave the Cliff Villages and vote with Waddington. Most of my current ward, the Cliff Villages from Boothby Graffoe to Leadenham, Brant Broughton and Beckingham, is called “Navenby and Brant Broughton”. The new map is here and notes here.
Can you give me a hand?
I am looking for someone who enjoys organising meetings and events, fund-raising on line, keeping in touch with people and generally making good things happen locally. Interested? Please give me a call. 07920 235 364
Supporting our Neighbourhood Policing
PCSO’s to reduce from 91-50
We wanted PCSO’s because they are neighbourhood based, with the purpose of heading off incidents and avoiding criminal actions. PCSO’s build trust and relationships and give community reassurance. They deal with victims of anti-social behaviour, help guide and keep young people in schools and clubs on the straight and narrow, despite pressures. As we know, if smaller crimes are not dealt with, they develop into bigger crimes. The PCSO’s also attend road traffic accidents to manage the traffic, and support vulnerable people to help avoid scams, and in cases of mental health concern.
Much of this preventative work does not register as incidents, but is nevertheless vital to our communities. Some were recruited last October, have just completed their training and are now facing redundancy.
More police are being recruited,but they do not replace the PCSO’s. PCSO’s are committed to our local areas. Lack of PCSO’s and their neighbourhood policing leads to a disconnect with communities, making any police response much less effective.
I was instrumental in the introduction of an additional £3m County-funded extra 59 PCSO’s in Lincolnshire some years ago. PCSO’s are to Policing what care is to the NHS – essential prevention of crime. PCSO Sarah Lingard was first appointed in 2003, twenty years ago and does a great job. https://thelincolnite.co.uk/2023/01/celebrating-20-years-of-pcsos-in-lincolnshire/
This cut would come on top of previous losses from 149 PCSO’s a few years ago. Seems to me that the move away from PCSO’s neighbourhood policing is a short-sighted sticking plaster to accommodate the costs of more police from a budget that is simply too small. The Chief Constable should be clear that the Lincolnshire force is at the bottom and can cut no further. Protection of our citizens must be properly funded in Lincolnshire.
Keeping you safe from Scams
Scammers are getting pretty canny and I almost got caught recently, by a very presentable-sounding person on the phone, warning me against a scam in action and to go on line to check my bank account immediately!
To Avoid Fraud
- Take time to check
- Pay by credit card
- Avoid unknown links
- Do not give your passwords to anyone
- Use passwords
The Police are warning that if it’s unexpected, not requested or you are simply unsure, don’t engage with it. Sometimes we are sent links to make payment for something minor such as a parcel delivery fee which will require input of your bank details……and they then empty your account. More information about fraud & scams can be found at www.lincs.police.uk
To report fraud or attempts, call 0300 123 2040, the Action Fraud Line. Police are using “Next Door”, to publicise warnings, so you may want to join that online.
Helping the Planet
Our three Leisure Centres are popular but heavy on energy use. The three leisure centres use 59% of the Council’s energy. We aim to get around a 60% grant from government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Fund. This is for solar panels, heat and water recovery systems, heat pumps and LED upgrades. The total cost is £1.4m.
We are also working on insulating our Council homes better, and I continue to promote faster action, to save residents money and to help the planet.
The whole strategy for NKDC is here.
Supporting People: Citizens Advice Bureau
Our District Council funds the Mid Lincolnshire Branch, based in Money’s Yard in Sleaford around £60,000 pa to subsidise 5,000 people a year at £3.30 per contact. Please get in touch for good advice 0808 278 942
#Love Our Home Area?
You can collect a tag from local businesses and attach a message with why you love Sleaford to an art installation, a “Selfie Seat” in the Riverside area in Sleaford. How about doing something similar locally?
Supporting our Local Schools
We are blessed with great local schools in our area, which help raise a super future generation. Thank you to Headteacher, Mr Sam Betts who invited me into the school last week. Bassingham Primary School is part of Aspire Academy with Sir William Robertson School. They run a forest school and six-week enrichment courses.
Thanks to all our lovely local Schools;
Coleby Church of England (controlled) Primary School
Leadenham Church of England Academy
Navenby Church of England Primary School
South Hykeham Community Primary School
Witham St Hughs Academy
Welbourn Church of England Primary School
Also a very warm welcome to the new Headteacher Mrs Liz Moore at Brant Broughton Primary School
Supporting local businesses
Creative businesses can apply for support to help your business grow. Be one of the hundred businesses in four groups over three years. Put in an expression of interest to the East Midlands Creative Consortium EMC² here. https://bit.ly/EastMidsCreateGrowth
Our Businesses tackling Climate Change
Whether you’re a sole trader, an SME or something bigger, as part of our ongoing work to better support our local enterprises we want to understand your views about tackling climate change within your business. Your responses will help us to shape the support we offer in this field. Find the survey 2022 – Business Survey – Action on Climate Change (snapsurveys.com)
Making a Difference
The closing date for this year’s BBC local radio “Make a Difference Awards” is March 5th. At 11pm. You can nominate someone or a group for eight award categories. bbc.co.uk/makeadifference
Our Local Coronation Celebrations
Saturday 6th and Monday 8th May
This is time for an event that Britain hasn’t seen since 1953! As part of a weekend of celebration, His Majesty the King invites communities to come together for a Coronation Big Lunch. This can range from a small gathering to a full-on street party. It is the perfect way to bring you and your neighbours together. Many of us have already been organising street parties and there is help to work through straight-forward steps from Neighbourhood Watch. www.ourwatch.org.uk`
Afternoon Tea Club, Welbourn
Over 75 and mostly on your own? A local group called Reengage wants to welcome you to a regular tea and chat, village transport provided. Ring Jane 07792 100712
Funding our Local Services
All Councillors have to consider the Business Plan, Audit and Budget for each Council. Council tax has to be decided against a backdrop of increasing demands: Higher wages, energy costs, inflation and more people needing more care. I have been working nationally on this and sent a cross party letter to the minister, Leigh Rowley MP with whom we are meeting this coming week.
In a cross-party team, I have worked hard on this with ministers who have responded with at least the basics. This only works if Councils put up Council tax by the maximum allowed. For Districts, that is 3% or £5/year. For County that is 5%, including 2% for vital social care. Many Councils are still short and will be making cuts in services or using reserves as far as possible. We are looking at the budgets for 2023/4.
Feel like getting out and about?
Feel like some fresh air and exercise? If you feel able to share a little time, please get in touch. There are simple indoor ways you might like to be part of the election to help. If you would like to stand as a councillor or help, let me know!
Some February Events
Huge thanks to all the many volunteers creating wonderful village events.
8 Coleby Library and coffee morning 10.30
8 Wellingore U3A memorial Hall on Cuba: It’s time to Salsa with Steve Lovell 10.30am
14th and 28th Bassingham Lunch Club, Book Lyn 426498
11 Valentine’s Caberet Night Carlton le Moorland £ course dinner, dance and live band £20 7pm
11 Pie Night Harmston Memorial Hall 6pm
12th Praise and Pizza Witham St Hughs Village Hall 4pm
17 Paradise and Thorns: English Folk-rock concert Leadenham Vill Ha Book 01400272413 7.30pm
18 Navenby Methodist Church Coffee Morning 10.15
18 Welbourn Coffee Shop Cakes, coffee and a catch-up with your friends 10-noon
18th Carlton Le Moorland Coffee Morning with bacon butties in the Village Hall 10-noon
22 Coleby Library and Coffee Morning 10.30
22 Wednesday Club Leadenham Village Hall 2-4
All welcome for tea, cakes and a chat!
Contact Hilary on 01400 272835
23rd Withamside Waste Not Want Not at St Michael’s Church, Bassingham Bring food and essential goods 9.30am-11am, Collect 1-3.30pm Last Thurs monthly.
25th Welbourn Book Sale Village Hall 10am-noon.
28 Shep’s Quiz Harmston Memorial Hall 7.30pm
28th Brant Broughton’s Warm Welcome in the Village Hall Soup, snacks and good company! 12-4pm.
March
2nd Char and Chat, Welbourn Village Hall 2-4pm
18th Carlton Le Moorland Coffee Morning with bacon butties in the Village Hall 10-noon
11th Bassingham Hammond Hall Quiz Night 7.30pm for 8pm start £7 incl. Ploughman’s supper
Useful Information
Healthy Eating
Local shops who deliver
East Midlands Dairy 01636 614760
Oldlings meat etc. 01522 810228
Nick Streeter’s fish etc. 01400 272547
Grocery Paul Barton 07970 115351
The Old Forge, Brant Broughton 07958 189650
Greens, Bassingham 01522 788200
Welbourn Post Office and Stores 01400 272242
Leadenham Farm Shop 01400 273988
Pub and takeaway meals
The Joiner’s Arms, Welbourn 01400 279356
The Red Lion, Wellingore 01522 810071
Marquis of Granby, Wellingore 01522 811100
The Kings Head, Navenby 01522 810367
The Tempest, Coleby 01522 810258
The Bell, Coleby 01522 813778
Thorold Arms, Harmston 07971 029 534
The Bugle Horn, Bassingham 01522 789773
The Five Bells, Bassingham 01522 788269
Generous Briton Brant Broughton Tues-Sat 01400 272119
Black Swan, Beckingham 01636 626474
Akash Indian Takeaway 01522 811126 Navenby
Navenby Chinese Takeaway 01522 810773
Pre-cooked meals
Andy’s Fish and Chips Van Bassingham Tues, Skellingthorpe Wed, Caythorpe Thurs 5-8pm
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
A huge thank you to our local volunteers
Amazing work done by willing volunteers delivering food, medicines and offering neighbourly support.
Business Advice is free from NKDC Phil Means on 07920 472671 www.businessnk.co.uk @BusinessNK www.businesslincolnshire.com
Like me, you may like to become a dementia friend or champion and add support. Being confused and alone or in lockdown, dementia is a tough call. Let’s keep our communities friendly and safe for all.
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 01522 782140 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
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
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
Business Support
www.teamlincolnshire.com do monthly webinars
Community Larders
Sleaford Community Larder at the Newlife Centre
http://www.communitylarder.co.uk/
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
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
Search Lincolnshire County Council out and about or use
www.lincolnshire.gov.uk search on “county news”
Wheelchair loan: No Name Lodge Geoff Nelson 788213
Young People Grants Carlton Le Moorland 07943760155
Supporting Local Heritage and Events
Mrs Smith’s Cottage, Navenby
Open Friday to Monday noon to 4pm
EU transition
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