Independent’s Day at the Local Government Association (LGA)

A well attended gathering brought a “buzzing” as Independent Councillors from across the country tackled some key issues;

• Streamlining the LGA to make a more cohesive and effective whole


• The work of the LGA comparing value for money in local government compared with certain quangoes, including the Environment Agency.


• Financing Services in a time of economic stress


• New council housing; demand, funding and house sizes.


• The effect of projected changes in National Government next June


• Being effective in a leadership role and in shadow

The evening “Smith’s Square debate” was this month on “Independents’ day?” was for all councillors and looked at the likely impact of Independents at the General Elections.

I took notes and if you would like an e-mailed copy, please let me know. It was a really good day with lots of lively discussion. We had some particularly excellent speakers including Colin Copus and the inspirational Martin Bell, writer, broadcaster and successful Independent MP who is offering his support and encouragement to others.

We have had a number of people coming forward to be Independent MP’s and others to assist. If you or anyone you know wants our help, please encourage them to get in touch. We have also had offers of financial and physical help offered. This May could be our best opportunity to get free-thinking, Independent voices heard.

Forthcoming Events for Independents

Friday 11^th December 2010
Independents’ Lunch Party at Hilltop Farm, Welbourn
12.30pm-3pm
RSVP and bring guests at £5/person

Thursday 7^th January 2010
Day Trip to Billy Elliot, London
Lincoln 11.30am-9pm
£36.50 transport and excellent seats
Book by December 15^th

February Friday 26^th 2010
Independents’ LGA Regional Event
10.30am to lunch and 1-3pm, similar format to last time

Good News: Congratulations to…

Navenby Archaeology Group has hosted its first school visit, where children could see the dig at first hand and meet a “Roman gladiator”. Let me know if your school is interested.

Ingham school as gladiators in Navenby and a Roman coin found on the dig in September. More Council housing in Wellingore NKDC is to receive £1m to build 19 new council houses by March 2011, five in Wellingore (Grayson Green, 2 and Cumberland Ave, 3), but it has to borrow a matching sum, the interest to be paid from Council rents. 47 authorities have been grant-aided, but NKDC is the only one in Lincolnshire.

Councillors’ Award
North Kesteven is the first Council in the East Midlands to be awarded reaccreditation for training and development of its councillors.

Businesses coping with the recession
I visited some of our local bigger businesses and was impressed to find them coping well with the economic downturn. They concentrate on providing what the customer wants and keeping flexible. Also they have increased productivity, reduced staff but invested in staff training and capital buildings that will bring a longer-term return.

North Kesteven is less hard hit than other areas. Nationally, market towns are hardest hit with unemployment rates significantly higher and 60% of shops empty over the past six months. Professional administrative jobs are reduced. Nationally, a fifth of young people ages 16-24 are unemployed, including a third of school leavers; unemployment is the highest in 15 years. University applications are up, though competition is increasing as numbers are now limited.

Council salaries nationally set low
Most staff have settled for an increase of 1%, but the same request from senior officers has been refused.

Your ideas & opinions are wanted
Navenby Community Centre

Now that Navenby sports activities are growing, a new avenue of funding opens. Your renewed support is needed, this time including improved sports facilities, playgroup, village office and the hall itself. The John Cutforth playing field is still the best site. It has not been an easy process, of course, we are asking for a lot of money, but we will get there!

Please add your voice.

www.navenby.net

or use the letter attached.

Lincolnshire Limerick Competition

Have a go at writing a limerick containing a reference to Lincolnshire. The best entry from my area wins a bottle of wine and pride of place in my newsletter and web-site.

National car-share

By using the Lincoln BIG Car-share scheme, you can both save money and help the environment.

https://www.liftshare.com/business/home.asp

Navenby Community Centre and PCSO’s (Police Community Support Officers)

Navenby Community Centre

Now that the Navenby sports activities are growing, a new avenue of funding opens. Your renewed support is needed, this time including improved sports facilities, playgroup, village office and the hall itself. The John Cutforth playing field is still the best site. It has not been an easy process, of course, we are asking for a lot of money, but we will get there! Please add your voice. www.navenby.net

PCSO’s (Police Community Support Officers)

At LCC I am on a panel looking at the effectiveness of our PCSO’s. The contract agreed with the District Councils has run out and is being reviewed for the next budget. Our panel will be making a report to all the Councils in Lincolnshire. If you have any comments, or examples, please let me know. For example, youth crime is dramatically down in Lincolnshire. Is that the good work of our PCSO’s?