Thursday, February 29, 2024
Welcome to February’s Town and Parish News from East Lindsey District Council. If you have any enquiries about any of the articles, please feel free to contact the communications team at communications@e-lindsey.gov.uk
East Lindsey District Council sets priority areas for investment for the district and continuation of council tax support scheme
East Lindsey District Council has committed to prioritising investment for market towns and parishes as part of the Council’s budget setting for the coming year.
The investment will follow consultation with communities to best support the district’s economy for regeneration, installing civic pride as well as supporting culture, heritage and businesses.
The priority investment for the coming year are:
• Market towns and rural areas,
• Driving and supporting economic growth
• Supporting the delivery of affordable housing
• Supporting the vulnerable
• Supporting healthy living
• Decarbonisation and continued investment in green initiatives
• Invest to Save initiatives.
The approved budget for the year includes a council tax increase of 3.06 per cent. This means a band D property will pay £166.59 to East Lindsey District Council, an increase of £4.95 per year or 9.5p per week. The council’s share of the council tax goes towards district services as well as supporting the cost of Internal Drainage Boards. The council collects the council tax set by Lincolnshire County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire and parish councils.
The budget also includes:
• To continue with the generation of additional efficiencies, shared services and income from commercial activities guided by our Delivery Plans.
• Increased capital investment in council assets to help generate new income streams, reduce running costs and help deliver services more efficiently.
• Significant additional capital and revenue spending supported by grant funding.
• Setting aside funds to support de-carbonisation activities and support for the most vulnerable in our community.
Cllr Richard Fry, Portfolio Holder for Finance at East Lindsey District Council said: “The Council has achieved a balanced budget despite it being one of the most challenging due to unprecedented inflationary pressures, and significant changes in resident, customer and business needs.
“The council continues to work hard to develop new opportunities, efficiencies and income streams to support the Council’s revenue budget.
“A significant element of the Council’s budget which impacts the amount of money we have available for services is the Internal Drainage Board levy. The budget includes substantial increases in the levy due to the extensive use of power, fuel and other factors to pump water away to reduce the flooding risk to us all.
“Next year’s IDB costs for the drainage boards which operate in East Lindsey are £5.3m – an increase of £277,000 from last year. The total increase since 2021/22 from the IDB levy is £1.45m – a huge 38 per cent increase.
“The council is part of a Local Government Association Special Interest Group of 30 councils, actively lobbying this issue with Government over this issue unfair and unsustainable funding mechanism. An assurance has been given that a long-term solution is to be implemented by Government for the 2025/26 financial settlement and conversations with DEFRA and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities continue. Representation will continue to be made to press the urgency of this matter due to the unaffordable levies and the substantial loss of income to the council.”
As well as approving the budget for 2024/2025, members voted to continue a scheme to support residents on low or no income to pay their annual council tax bill.
The maximum support available to working age applicants is 75 per cent, meaning that all working age households have to pay at least 25 per cent towards their council tax. The scheme protects War disablement pensioners, war widows and war widowers.
The council agreed to increase the scheme in in line with the allowances and premiums set by the Department for Work and Pensions as well as increasing the age limit from 21 years to 25 years for Care Leavers.
Read more here: www.e-lindsey.gov.uk/article/25776/Council-sets-priority-areas-for-investment-for-the-district-and-continuation-of-council-tax-support-scheme
Home Energy Advice and Retrofit Team available throughout March
Our HEART team will be coming to a town near you to offer residents support and advice on home energy and retrofitting.
The team can offer energy-saving guidance, advice on reducing your energy bills, or inform you of any grants you may be eligible for.
Below is a list of locations you can meet them for a chat:
• Alford Hub - Friday 1st March - (10am-2pm)
• Wragby Town Hall - Tuesday 5th March - (10am-12pm)
• Louth Library - Friday 8th March - (10am-1pm)
• Skegness Storehouse - Monday 11th March - (9am-3pm)
• Mablethorpe Library - Wednesday 20th March - (10am-1pm)
• Skegness Storehouse - Wednesday 27th March - (10am - 2pm)
• Horncastle Community Centre - Thursday 28th March - (10am-12.30pm)
Partnership Leaders issue joint statement on National Grid pylon proposal
Leaders from the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership, comprised of Boston Borough Council, East Lindsey District Council and South Holland District Council, have issued a joint response to plans to run a series of pylons and overhead lines through the sub-region.
The plans have been announced as part of National Grid's Great Grid Upgrade, an overhaul of the electricity grid involving new infrastructure projects across the country.
The grid proposes installing new overhead cabling through Lincolnshire between Grimsby and Walpole near Wisbech in Cambridgeshire, along with new electricity substations.
In a joint statement, Cllr Nick Worth, Leader of South Holland District Council, Cllr Anne Dorrian, Leader of Boston Borough Council, and Cllr Craig Leyland, Leader of East Lindsey District Council, said: "We recognise the national importance of major energy projects like this to help improve our infrastructure and tackle the energy crisis we are currently seeing, as well as to create greater grid capacity and investment opportunities in our own sub-region.
"However, the major impact these plans could have on our communities and environment cannot be ignored, and we are pleased to see consultation taking place in these early stages to receive feedback before any further steps are taken.
"We hope that we can continue to be actively involved in any future plans, and that all possible alternative options and views are considered, including the possibility of underground installation. The greater cost of this compared to overhead pylons must be weighed by National Grid against the need to protect our environment, the amenity of our residents and communities, and the devastating impact the proposals threaten to have on a £500 million local tourism industry.
"It is important that all available steps are taken to help minimise the impact on our residents and businesses and protect the unique character of South and East Lincolnshire. Most importantly, we would encourage everyone with an interest or an opinion to get involved, make sure they attend the online or in-person events, and provide their thoughts to ensure that our voice is heard on this significant project."
You can find out more about the proposals, and how to attend an in-person or virtual consultation event, at www.nationalgrid.com/electricity-transmission/network-and-infrastructure/infrastructure-projects/grimsby-to-walpole
A fair deal for funding of Internal Drainage Boards presented to MPs and Ministers
Members of the Local Government Association Special Interest Group for Internal Drainage Board levies – which includes East Lindsey District Council - have stressed the urgent need for funding reform to Government Ministers and MPs at a Parliamentary event.
The House of Commons event was jointly hosted by the Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP and the Rt Hon Sir John Hayes MP. Both echoed their previously voiced support urging the Government to revise the current funding approach to IDBs which is crippling a small number of councils' budgets.
Cllr Paul Redgate, chairman of the SIG, praised the work of IDBs, presented the huge impact the levy increases are having and how this is leaving several small councils in a financially precarious position. He warned if no long-term solution is secured, councils will have no choice but to cut services residents rely on.
The event came following last month's announcement by the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities that a long-term solution to IDB funding will be implemented. The Government is also awarding £3m for the next financial year to the most affected authorities.
The SIG is grateful to the Government for listening and conversations are progressing with civil servants in DEFRA and DLUCH to seek a funding solution before the 25/26 financial settlement.
Cllr Paul Redgate said: "The issue of Internal Drainage Board levies is hugely significant to the budgets of the Special Interest Group Councils and the reception was an important part of our raising the matter with Government and MPs.
"I was delighted the SIG was able to present this significant issue direct to MPs and I thank the hosts, the speakers and all those who were able to join us. Everyone in the room was united with one voice - we need Government to implement a solution with pace.
"The urgency for this to be resolved cannot be stressed enough. The levy will keep consuming the money Councils have available for services it raises by Council tax every year until a fair deal is secured.
"We need to continue to support the critical work of the IDBs, managing water and reducing flood risk. Their operations are vital for the communities the SIG councils represent. The demand on pumping stations is not going away and will become even greater in time.
"We need Government to review policy and we need this to progress at the pace the Government has set out - in advance of the 25/26 financial settlement.
"The SIG will not stop until a long-term approach is secured. We now look forward to progressing conversations with DEFRA and DLUCH even further following the Parliamentary reception."
Read more on this here: www.e-lindsey.gov.uk/article/25569/A-fair-deal-for-funding-of-Internal-Drainage-Boards-presented-to-MPs-and-Ministers-at-Parliamentary-event
Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner elections – May 2
An election to appoint Lincolnshire’s Police & Crime Commissioner for the next four years will take place on Thursday, 2nd May 2024.
This year, there have been some new elections laws introduced. Here’s a guide to everything you need to know:
Voter Authority Certificate application deadline - 5pm Wednesday 24 April 2024
To vote at the polling station voters are required to show an accepted form of photographic ID before being issued with a ballot paper.
The most common forms of photo ID are passports, photo driving licences, bus passes and Student PASS cards.
Anyone who does not have an acceptable form of photo ID can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate. For more information about Voter Authority Certificates and acceptable forms of photo ID, please visit the Electoral Commission website - Voter ID information page
Voter Authority Certificate application deadline - 5pm Wednesday 24 April 2024
Photo ID is required to be shown when voting at the polling station and your proxy will need to bring their own photo ID to the polling station when voting on your behalf (unless they apply to vote by post on your behalf)
Register to vote deadline - Midnight, Tuesday 16 April 2024
To register to vote, please go to https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote (you will need your national insurance number)
If you are unsure if you are registered to vote, contact our Elections team on 01507 601111 or email elections@e-lindsey.gov.uk
Postal vote application deadline - 5pm, Wednesday 17 April 2024
To apply for a postal vote either:
• Apply online https://www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote (you will need your national insurance number)
• Download an application and send it by email to elections@e-lindsey.gov.uk or by post to Electoral Registration Officer, East Lindsey District Council, Council Offices, The Hub, Mareham Road, Horncastle, LN9 6PH.
Completed applications must be received by 5pm on Wednesday 17 April 2024.
The first mailing of postal vote packs (for residents whose application has been processed before 8 April 2024) will be sent around Friday 19 April 2024 and the second batch around 20 April 2024.
Proxy vote application deadline - 5pm, Wednesday 24 April 2024
To apply for a proxy vote either:
• Apply online https://www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote (you will need your national insurance number)
• Download an application and send it by email to elections@e-lindsey.gov.uk or by post to Electoral Registration Officer, East Lindsey District Council, Council Offices, The Hub, Mareham Road, Horncastle, LN9 6PH
Completed applications must be received by 5pm on Wednesday 24 April 2024.
Handing in of Postal Votes at Council Offices or at a Polling Station
There will be a limit on the number of postal votes a person can hand in at the Council Offices or at a polling station - they will not be allowed to hand in more than five postal ballot packs for other electors plus their own.
• Anyone handing in postal votes will need to complete a 'return of postal voting documents' form.
• The person handing in the postal vote(s) will need to complete the form with their name, address and the reason for handing in other people's postal votes (where appropriate).
• They will also need to complete a declaration that they are not handing in more than the permitted number, and that they are not a political campaigner.
Reasons your Postal Votes might be Rejected:
• If a person hands in more than five postal votes for other electors, all the postal votes (other than their own) will be rejected.
• If there is reason to suspect that a person has already handed in the maximum number of postal votes on any previous occasion at the election, any subsequent postal votes handed in will be rejected
• If the return of postal voting documents form is not completed with all the required information, or to the authorised officer's satisfaction, the postal vote(s) will be rejected.
Please note the Council Offices at the Hub, Mareham Road, Horncastle, LN9 6PH will only accept handing in of postal votes during normal office hours of 9am-5pm. Rejected postal votes will not be included in the count.After the election, the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) will write to electors who have had their postal votes rejected, telling them why.
Roles available to work at elections
The Council has paid work opportunities for people aged 18 or over to assist with the election of Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner on May 2.
Roles include:
Polling Station staff – Presiding Officer and Poll Clerks to work at polling stations from 6.30am-10pm on election day. They will oversee the ballot and ensure the proper procedure for voting is followed. Full training is provided.
If you know someone who may be interested in working at this or any other election, they can email: electionstaff@e-lindsey.gov.uk
Support grants distributed to flood hit properties in East Lindsey
Nearly £30,000 of grants have been given to households which were flooded across the district following the storms in 2023.
In October 2023, severe flood warnings were issued following excessive rainfall, leading to groundwater and the rise of river levels in the area. Flood defence in Horncastle were breached causing damage to homes and businesses within the town and throughout villages near to the banks of the River Bain.
Lincolnshire Community Foundation (LCF) recognised the immediate need for assistance, and worked to administer grants on behalf of East Lindsey District Council and other local groups, totalling £29,085. The grants, which were directly paid by LCF to residents in flood-hit homes, consisted of donations from:
• East Lindsey District Council - £25,000
• Horncastle and District Lions - £1,085
• Horncastle Health and Wellbeing Fund (via LCF) - £1,000
• Horncastle Town Council - £2,000
The grants were towards cleaning, emergency repairs, heating, basic furniture and white goods and alternative accommodation costs, with some residents asking for help to purchase dehumidifiers, replacement carpet underlay, or towards their excess for insurance claims.
Alongside the distribution of these funds there was extensive work taken by the council to identify those flooded householders who are entitled to other grants and Government support. With approximately 243 properties internally flooded and 34 businesses, 154 Community Recovery Grants totalling £77,000 and 201 council tax discounts totalling £101,689 both funded by Department of Levelling Up Housing and Communities and 13 businesses supported totalling £32,500 funded by Department of Business and Trade.
Households and businesses significantly affected by recent flooding also qualified for one hundred per cent council tax and business rates relief for at least three months.
Any home or business owners who experienced internal flooding during Storm Henk please contact us for more information on available funding, please email Niki.Shepheard@boston.gov.uk
Station Leisure and Learning Centre update
Here's a look at the new swimming pool taking shape as part of the Towns Fund Station Leisure and Learning Centre in Mablethorpe.
Tiling is progressing and you can see the lane lines for the four-lane pool (see attached photo)
• Other works progressing include:
• Works for internal services for electric, water, heating, air handling and pool plant
• Walls are being plastered
• wall tiling to changing areas is well advanced
• Outside, paving is being set out and the facing brickwork of the building are well advanced too.
• Base layers are being levelled/compacted ahead of the playground construction.
The Town Deal funded leisure and learning facility is being delivered by East Lindsey District Council will provide Mablethorpe with a four-lane swimming pool, new fitness suite and much more! Keep checking our social media channels for the latest updates on this exciting facility for the town
Free workshops available
Cock-a-doodle-doo Marketing are holding free, interactive marketing workshops to support arts and heritage practitioners, organisations and venues.
All workshops are 10am to 1pm, and are taking place on the following dates and locations:
7 March - Meridian Leisure Centre, Louth
14 March - Fydell House, Boston
You can expect to discover the latest trends on social media, define your marketing goals, grow your audience, learn techniques to grow your social media, and receive expert advice on preparing media releases, e-mail marketing and eye-catching posters and flyers
In addition to the workshop, 2 hours of 1-to-1 mentoring is provided to all participants who successfully complete the workshop.
This opportunity comes following funding from South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership's Arts Council England NPO programme, which looks to support arts, culture, heritage and creativity across the whole of South and East Lincolnshire, providing meaningful opportunity and programming for residents, developing the sector and helping to build our arts, culture and heritage offer.
If you're interested, you can book a place by emailing samantha.phillips@e-lindsey.gov.uk
Lincs Digital delivering additional inclusivity sessions
As part of supporting the development of community drop-ins, Lincs Digital are expanding their delivery of community-based digital inclusion sessions taking them to Sutton on Sea and Mareham Le Fen.
Sessions will be held at:
• 44 High Street, Sutton on Sea. LN12 2HB, Friday 8th March 2024, 10am to 12noon
• Mareham Le Fen Community Hall. PE22 7QL, Tuesday 12th March 2024, from 1.30pm
With free use of equipment including iPads, Android, tablets, laptops, printer and advice on mobile phones, broadband and tariffs, there are there to help.
Pop along, have a cuppa and a chat! Everyone welcome.
Capital and revenue grants available from Grants4Growth
Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and distributed by the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership, more than £2million will be awarded to help Small and Medium sized businesses (SMEs), operating across Boston, East Lindsey and South Holland, with grants to help purchase both the equipment/machinery and the services they need to grow.
So far, the Partnership has awarded more than £460,000 to businesses across the area through Grants4Growth.
Businesses supported include those in the construction, manufacturing, logistics and printing industries, along with training providers and sports coaching companies.
Visit www.grants4growth.sholland.gov.uk for more information and the eligibility criteria – or email any questions to grants4growth@sholland.gov.uk
SO Festival dates revealed
The dates for the SO Festival for this year are June 14-16.
To keep up with everything SO Festival, sign up to their newsletter at https://ow.ly/f09z50QtuIz
Community Planting Day, Tower Gardens
A community planting day, organised by Skegness Town Council, is being held at Tower Gardens bandstand, Skegness on Tuesday 26 March from 11.30am-1.30pm.
The town council invites residents u to roll up your sleeves and join us in beautifying our community! Whether you're a gardening enthusiast or just love to get your hands dirty, this is the perfect opportunity to come together and make a difference.
Residents can take part by emailing info@skegnesscouncil.org.uk or call 01754 840040 by March 12th, 2024.
First Open Doors Day announced
East Lindsey District Council is working in partnership with Platform Housing Group and the Department for Work and Pensions to introduce Open Doors, a new series of events to go 'behind the scenes' of workplaces for people in the Skegness area.
Micronclean Ltd are hosting the very first Open Doors day, at their site on Holly Road in Skegness from 10.30am to 12.30pm on Tuesday 12 March.
Everyone is welcome to come along free of charge for the opportunity to have a tour around the workplace, enjoy interactive demos and discussions, and hopefully take another a step closer to employment.
Tea and cake will be included on the day. Please email Liz King at liz.king@boston.gov.uk if you would like to know more.
80th anniversary of D-Day landing
On June 6th, 2024, it will be 80 years since the D-Day landing took place during the Second World War. This event was a turning point in the process of liberating France and more of Western Europe.
Communities are invited to light their beacons at 9.15pm on 6 June 2024.
More details of this anniversary, and how to get involved in honouring D-Day, can be found on the Royal British Legion’s website - D-Day 80 | Remembrance | Royal British Legion
Bishop of Lincoln's Social Justice Fund available
Staff and Trustees at Lincolnshire Community Foundation (LCF) are pleased to announce another opportunity to receive funding available to Churches, local volunteer and not-for-profit community groups, and charities etc to address social justice issues within their community via the Bishop of Lincoln Social Justice Fund.
Grants of up to £2,500 are available for projects across Greater Lincolnshire, which respond to human need and seek to transform unjust structures of society. Priority will be given to activities for example, which improve social cohesion of intergenerational and diverse communities; engagement to reduce lonely, isolated or vulnerable members of the community; or address the causes of poverty, crime or unemployment.
The closing date for receipt of completed applications and supporting documentation is on 1 March 2024 with decisions notified within 4-6 weeks of the closing date.
The application process is straight forward, and Helen Cater, the Grant Manager for this Fund is available throughout the application process. If you would like more information, contact helen@lincolnshirecf.co.uk Telephone (01529) 305825, Mobile 07591 916305 or download the Fund Guidelines and an Application Form from our Grants Page at https://lincolnshirecf.co.uk/available-grants/
Parish Portal
Our website contains a specific area for Town and Parish Councils to access key information and contacts within the Council and the services they are responsible for.
The Portal includes key contacts for you in our services.
www.e-lindsey.gov.uk/parishportal
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