ANNUAL REPORT 2009 HEATH VILLAGES

“WHAT DOES MY COUNCILLOR DO FOR ME?”

ANNUAL REPORT 2009 HEATH VILLAGES
Report from your local, Independent Councillor,

MARIANNE OVERTON

Thank You!

Thank you very much for your support on our successful campaigns this year:
Your response in support of more government funding for Lincolnshire police, was excellent and fairly successful, enabling a lower tax increase of 4.99% this year. Thanks also for the support on the Leadenham Amenity site, successfully kept open at weekends and on the library and heritage services, where we have made some progress, but more to go.
Our campaigning has enabled us to keep the Access Point for Council services at Branston Library and although the library hours were reduced, we do have more than other similar villages and it is very well used.

Improved facilities

Youth Activities
The Branston Youth Groups are thriving and now receiving good support from the County Council. I also help run the Wildlife Watch Group that I started 18 years ago. Our calendar of monthly fun activities engages children in learning about their environment and hopefully they will want to help conserve it in the future. New members are welcome. The Institute of Biology East Midlands, where I am Vice Chairman continue to fund “learning science through theatre days” at Wellingore and at the Terry O Toole theatre, enjoyed by 50 of our children each day. The Christ’s Hospital Fund at Potterhanworth, on which I sit, continues to support local children in their educational activities.

Potterhanworth Play Area has been a magnificent effort adding to the excellent facilities developed on site, thanks to hard working local residents and grant aid from our Councils. The current big project is Dolly’s Paddock in Dunston. Any support on this would be appreciated.

NEW: Rural Transport
People told me that rural transport was a key issue and I have called for improvements in all quarters. We now have a new service Call Connect (LCC) and we have kept Dial-a-ride. I also fought successfully at LCC and NKDC for all day concessionary fares including people with disabilities, rather than the government minimum, vital in our rural communities.

Wheely Rally: Highways
Thanks to all who have added their voice to support road safety and access for all who rely on wheeled vehicles, chairs or baby buggies. We have made people take notice of our needs and put them into a five-year programme which is bringing improvements steadily. Safety outside the junior school and speeding on the High Street continue to be key issues, highlighted in our latest Wheely Rally.

Wheels to Work : Moped available
The cluster of villages including Dunston, Nocton and Potterhanworth purchased 2 mopeds. These are available for 6 months at £47/month from NKDC. Young people with no other means of getting to their jobs or further education should apply.

Highways
Following our introduction of the lights at Branston, our next project is to improve safety outside Schools, reduce speeding, and improve more of the cycle/footpath from Branston towards Lincoln. To directly report highway problems, ring 01522 782070. To report litter, ring 01529 414155.

This month I took the Highways engineer to highlight key needs in each village. Maintenance work continues and some improvements in Branston and Dunston Bridge.

Not giving up: In response to a complaint from a partially-sighted person in Potter, I persisted for 3 years and together we finally obtained the improvements at the crossing by the railway in Lincoln High Street!

Health
Free Swimming under16 & over 60
A grant has enabled free swimming to improve health in the younger and older generations, at Sleaford and North Hykeham from April 1st. Register with proof of eligibility in advance.

Good Branston GP’s and Pharmacy
As a non-executive Director on NHS Lincolnshire, which buys all health care for Lincolnshire, I am supporting better GP access and more services being provided locally. We have a brand new GP surgery in Navenby and a new Pharmacy in Navenby High Street.

Grant Success!
Our area has done exceptionally well in getting much-needed grants over the past few years, thanks to excellent team efforts - more in the pipeline. Welbourn is our fourth village hall project to succeed in obtaining a hefty grant (£300,000). The fund-raising programme of activities is on my County Council website. Welcome!

Small Businesses
As business champion with the East Midlands Development Agency, I receive information and training which I am using to better support our small businesses. Business Link will visit and offer free advice. We have a business network forming in Branston. Interested? Please let me know.

Budget
Our County Council had a good grant from central government, over 15% over 2 years, moving towards getting our fair share. As leader of the Independents, I proposed zero increase in tax, whilst improving services. This uses the government grant, efficiency savings and does not put any more into the already burgeoning reserves. (£43m) Conservatives went for a 1.75% increase, which does add a fresh £5.7m from our money into reserves. Improvements I have worked on this year include efficiency savings, better highways, health and adult care, supporting carers, the community strategy, transport and waste management. I proposed support for culture and heritage including Branston Library.

Newsletter Wanted?
I send out monthly newsletters to let people know what is going on. Also to be easily accessible for you to let me know what you think, so that I can better represent your views. If you know anyone else who should be included, please let me know.

And for humour!
I have a joke page on my County Council website and would be grateful for any clean ones! It also has news, local events, photos and letters.
http://councillors.lincolnshire.gov.uk/cllrm.overton or www.independentvoice.org.uk

Very best wishes to you all for a healthy and happy Easter,

Your County Councillor,
Marianne Overton