January 2023 News
East Lindsey residents need photo ID to vote at elections in May
For the first time, residents in East Lindsey will need to show photographic ID to vote at this year’s local elections. Residents are being urged to make sure they are ready to vote in May by checking they have an accepted form of ID.
Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport; a UK, EEA or Commonwealth drivers’ licence; and some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass or an Oyster 60+ card. Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.
Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID will be able to apply for free ID online at www.voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk/ or by completing a paper form.
The full list of accepted ID is available on the Electoral Commission’s website, along with more information about the new requirement and details of how to apply for the free ID, at electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID.
Ailsa Irvine, Director of Electoral Administration and Guidance, said: “Anyone voting at a polling station in England this May will need to show photo ID before they can be given their ballot paper. It’s important that everyone understands what types of ID they can use, and how to apply for free ID if they need it. You can find information about the new requirement and what to expect at the polling station on the Electoral Commission’s website.”
Rob Barlow, Returning Officer at East Lindsey District Council, said: “With elections taking place in East Lindsey on 4 May 2023, it is important that those who want to vote make sure they have an accepted form of ID. It may seem early but checking now means you will be ready to vote in May.
“Residents who do not have one of the accepted forms of ID can apply for free ID either online or by completing a paper application form and sending this to East Lindsey District Council’s electoral services team. If you need any help with applying for the free ID or want to request an application form, contact the electoral services team on 01507 601111”
Anyone who wants to have their say in the elections this May must also be registered to vote. It only takes five minutes to register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. Voters wishing to apply to their council for free ID should first make sure they are registered to vote.
The requirement to show photo ID at the polling station, is a new requirement, introduced by the UK Government’s Elections Act which was passed last year and comes into effect for the first time this May.
Council to install 40 new electric vehicle charging points in East Lindsey car parks
Plans for 40 new electric vehicle charging points to be installed across East Lindsey in the coming months are underway, after the District Council was awarded a £150,000 grant by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV).
The Grant, which is part of the second phase of OZEV’s Onstreet Residential Chargepoint Scheme, is designed to provide local residents who may not have access to their own off street parking facilities the opportunity to charge electric vehicles.
Initial work has begun to install new charging points at the following locations, with work expected to be completed by April 2023:
• Market Place, Tattershall – 4 x 7kW dual chargepoints
• Princes Parade, Skegness – 4 x 7kW dual chargepoints
• Lawn Car Park, Skegness – 4 x 7kW dual chargepoints
• Marine Avenue, Sutton on Sea – 4 x 7kW dual chargepoints
• The Hub, Mareham Road, Horncastle – 2 x 7kW dual chargepoint plus 2 x 22kW dual chargepoints
The installation works will cost a total of £204,000, with 75% of the costs covered by the grant funding and the remaining covered by BP Pulse, who are the district’s charging point provider procured via the ESPO Framework.
The 40 new charging points will add to the 22 council points already available in East Lindsey car parks, situated in Alford, Coningsby, Horncastle, Louth, Mablethorpe, Skegness, Spilsby and Woodhall Spa.
Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust - Mental Health Crisis Services Engagement Events
Have you or someone you care for received support from Crisis Services or do you have an interest in mental health crisis services?
Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is holding three engagement events about their crisis services.
They are:
• Tuesday 24th January, 2pm-4pm – Lincoln Showroom, Tritton Road, Lincoln, LN6 7QY
• Thursday 26th January, 10am-11.30am – Virtual via MS Teams
• Monday 30th January, 2pm to 4pm – Len Medlock Voluntary Centre, St George’s Road, Boston, PE21 8YB
If you would like to book onto one of the above sessions or would like further information please email lpft.involvement@nhs.net or call 07773 206341.
Platform Housing Grant Funding
Platform Community Chest Funding | Platform Housing Group (platformhg.com).
National Grid grants and additional funding help support East Lindsey’s Warm Spaces
East Lindsey District Council has been successful with a bid to the National Grid - Community Matters Fund in receiving a grant to allow them to support local community groups who are open as a Warm Space this Winter.
The Council are in process of making a £400 one-off contribution available to support Warm Spaces who have signed up to the districts Warm Spaces directory opening on a weekly basis. For those signed up but open less than once a week will be eligible to apply for a one-off contribution of £200.
The following groups who eligible for funding are:
• Not for Profit Company Limited by Guarantee
• Constituted Company/Voluntary Group
• Parish or Town Council
• Parochial Church Council
• Registered Charity
Those groups who we are aware of, are signed up, and eligible have been contacted and payments are being processed.
Warm spaces in East Lindsey are also being supported as part of the local Household Support Fund, funding has been made available to Age UK Lindsey to help them to continue to distribute warm packs this winter. Where older residents are need, packs with hot drinks, thermals and energy advice can be delivered.
Cllr William Gray, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Better Ageing and Cllr Sarah Devereux, Portfolio Holder for Partnerships at East Lindsey District Council, said “We are delighted our teams have been able to secure this funding to allow us to help further in our community. For some of our residents it is essential that they are able to get out of the cold and find a warm welcoming space where they can feel relaxed and at ease and our registered warm spaces do give just that.
“We believe we’ve rolled out a comprehensive plan that will enable anyone, in any part of the District, to access some kind of help in their area that will enable them to cope better this winter.”
If you would like to find out more of either of these funding support packs please contact Nichola Holderness, Empowering Healthy Communities Coordinator by calling 01205 314269 or emailing Nichola.holderness@boston.gov.uk
The Council issues a regular newsletter by email to residents. It’s free and keeps you informed on the Council work and that of its partners. If you’d like to subscribe to receive this please sign up at www.e-lindsey.gov.uk/messenger