Lincolnshire Sausages

Lincolnshire Independents called for North Kesteven District Council to add their full support to the campaign to protect the identity of the Lincolnshire Sausage.

At North Kesteven District Council the following motion from Independent Councillors Marianne Overton, Leader of the Lincolnshire Independents and David Suiter was passed unanimously.

“To support the economy in North Kesteven in the current economic climate, this Council gives its full support for the campaign to grant Lincolnshire Sausages protected geographical status from the Department of the Environment Food and Rural Affairs. Protected geographical status for Lincolnshire Sausages would mean that they could only be manufactured in the historic county of Lincolnshire according to specified criteria. This would provide support for numerous small producers that are in the county and prevent inferior products from reaching the market.
This campaign is considered to be important to protect jobs in North Kesteven and in the whole county.”

Councillor Marianne Overton adds,
"As we have traditional Lincolnshire Sausages with our Christmas lunch, it is a good time to add weight to the campaign. In 2004 Lincolnshire butchers started the campaign which is about to enter the next stage of public consultation.

We need to put Lincolnshire first and support our local producers, particularly in the current economic climate. Lincolnshire sausages are distinctive and should be called that, only if they are genuinely made in Lincolnshire. That allows county producers to maximize quality and thrive by supplying good, local produce.

Cllr Marion Brighton, leader of North Kesteven was quite right when she added that the pork should also be produced in Lincolnshire."

Councillor David Suiter adds "Many jobs are involved in sausage production and related processes, Lincolnshire Sausages should be made only in Lincolnshire, these Lincolnshire jobs should be protected in the same way as Melton Mowbray Pork Pies and Stilton cheese.”

Use the box below to add your voice to the campaign.

Good News: Congratulations to...

Relate Lincolnshire
Relate Lincolnshire has won a special family support grant from national government of £225,000 to support family counselling, healing the damage of family conflict. It is a joint bid with the County Council for a total of £475,000 brought into Lincolnshire. The significant effect of family conflict on children and their futures and the cost to our society is well researched, and indicates that this work is critical to changing people’s futures for the better.

Mrs Smith’s Cottage
Ever more popular Mrs Smith’s Cottage Museum continues to thrive after ten years, with yet more visitors than ever this year. The 30,000th visitor was welcomed with gifts.

Branston Community College
Four students won the Lincolnshire Interschool Electronics Competition with their electronics for pub quizzes. Jade Toulson, Molly Brien, James Croft and Seb Elliott

Lives: A volunteer group who save lives
The newly formed Cliff Village service with two brilliant volunteers has begun responding to emergencies. Three volunteers are in training. A huge thank you to the volunteers and to you for generous support and donations, including at the WI Christmas event (£30) and the Methodist Christmas Coffee Morning.

Congratulations to Mike & Karin Willgoose, this week celebrating 40 years at the George Hotel, Leadenham. Great birthday party!

Planning on Line is now working
Register www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/planningonline View current and past applications since 1974.

December News

Council Tax
National government grants are being honoured as promised for this year. NKDC is proposing 1.76% tax increase which will require some “savings”. LCC is also proposing a very low increase and looking for savings in the region of £90m out of about half a billion which is not allocated to schools

Employment
You can now look for and apply for job on line at the LCC website. On average, about 18% of British households now depend on housing benefit. Two-thirds of the claims are made by people of working age.

Job Vacancy
P/T Administrator required by the Young Farmers Clubs based at Riseholme. Dec 4th.
01522 568989 abruntlett@lincoln.ac.uk
Closing date 4th December 09

Help set a Guinness Record: Plant a tree
Saturday 5th December 11am to noon. Join up with BBC TV Breathings Spaces to plant a million trees in an hour. Register your pledge: http://www.bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces/treeoclock/

Joint planning the future
A new Central Lincolnshire Joint Planning Committee has been created to deal with forward planning for West Lindsey, North Kesteven and Lincoln. Sadly, the new Conservative Chairman is now in trouble over a planning application of his own.

Housing
Checks are taking place on houses registered as single occupancy revealing that 5% should actually be paying full council tax. LCC is expecting £1m from corrections.
Council tenants can report repairs directly to the contractor; Jeakins Wier 01529 416399 or Aaron Services for heating 01205 591979.

New Wildlife Watch Spotting & Verges
Wildlife Watch has an excellent new website aimed at young people. A really good part is keeping a picture record of your finds and there are good competitions. Look under “Explore Wildlife”.www.wildlifewatch.org.uk Our local group for children is still going strong, details available. The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust is inviting people to survey a roadside verge to identify which verges are special and need protection. http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/

Garden someone else’s garden?
A new scheme has been launched to give keen gardeners a chance to get out on the green grass of someone else’s home. Under the new NKDC project, people seeking allotments are linked with council tenants who can no longer take care of their gardens.

Free Swim and keeping fit
Over 18,000 under 16’s and over 60’s have registered to swim free of charge. Over the summer, more than 18,000 swims were taken by over 60’s and almost 60,000 under 16’s. I am working with Branston Community College to try and bring summer swimming.

New Bus Sunday Service: Boston to Lincoln along the B1188: Interconnect 5 route
As requested by residents, I sought support for a Sunday bus service for the heath Villages. For a County Council has now funded a new Boston to Lincoln bus service on Sundays,for a trial period of 6 months from Nov 1st. Five return journeys go via Metheringham and connect to Spalding & Skegness at Boston. Welcome! Use it or lose it!

Village Halls
Building works at Welbourn are progressing well, ready to reopen next year. Plans and support for Navenby Community Centre have continued successfully, thanks to the Parish Council, to you all for your support and to Malcolm Smith for brilliantly project-managing to date. If you haven’t yet sent in a short note of support, please do on www.navenby.net

Your opinion wanted

The new strategy on quarries and waste disposal is out for consultation now. This will set the policy against which any future applications are decided. Contact Jo Wilkins, planning policy officer 01522 554849
www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/corestrategy

Help set NKDC Priorities
www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/priorities

Events from the December Diary

1st World Aids Day www.worldaidsday
4th/5th Welbourn Primary School Arts Festival
Thurs 4.30-7.30pm and Friday 2-4pm
5th 11am to noon Plant a tree in the garden as part of the huge BBC Breathing Spaces world record breaking attempt.
5th Christmas Grotto at Mrs Smith’s Cottage.
Visit Santa 10-noon and 1.30-3.30pm
5th Welbourn Christmas Coffee Morning

3rd-6th Lincoln Christmas Market

6th Medieval Christmas Cogglesford Mill
East Road, Sleaford.Sunday to 4pm
9th Nocton Coffee morning 10am-noon
11th Independent Lunch at Hilltop Farm 12.30-3pm

12th Wildlife Watch and RSPB Explorer’s Party 10.30am
12th Wellingore Christmas Tea 3-5pm
12th Branston Village Hall Celebration buffet and band.Tickets £6 incl. buffet. 7.30pm
12th Christmas Crafts at the Hub in Sleaford 10am-4pm
19th Lincoln Choral Society at Nocton
19/20th Wellingore Nativity Festival All Saints' Church, 10:00 am to 15:00 pm. Local Groups, churches and schools are taking part. Home made refreshments and raffle. Entry is by donation.

Very best wishes for Christmas and the New year!

Kind Regards,

Marianne Overton
http://councillors.lincolnshire.gov.uk/cllrmoverton/
www.Independentvoice.org.uk(Contact me directly as usual or my secretary at Lincolnshire County Council, Gemma Hawkes 01522 552066.)