Feb 2010 Good News: Congratulations to…

Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne came to open the new hospital that NHS Lincolnshire, on which I am a non-executive Director, has built at Spalding. The chairman introduced me, and HRH said how busy I must be and how did I fit all that in? I said that coming from her, that was very funny!

Police Community Support Officers
A huge thank you for your support in this campaign. We have been successful. LCC has agreed to fund the whole amount of £1.5m for three years. The District Councils are free to separately add further support for particular community safety projects. The new funding brings all PCSOs (about 157 in Lincolnshire) under the same contract, working closely with councillors and the local communities to improve community safety in a wide range of ways. Well done all!

Your opinion wanted


Filming at Bonner House

Harrison House & Bonner House to close?
Eight homes owned by the County council are proposed for closure. Channel Lincolnshire and the Independents have been making a video to enable the voices of the residents to be properly heard. There is room for private providers, but not everyone can afford them and more will be needed in future. There seems little point in closing what is clearly working well to get people back on their feet and home. Add your voice to the consultation by 16th February 01522 782155. www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/shapingcare

Additional Needs
County Council proposals for children in need levels band 1-5 out of 8 are to be encouraged to attend mainstream schools and for the funding to no longer be attached to the child’s needs, but instead given to the schools in disadvantaged areas who are overall poorer performers. I seek improvements because if the needs of these vulnerable children are not met, then the longer term costs may be huge.

Harmston Quarry has applied to extend their three planning permissions from 2012 to 2034. Respond by 25th February to me or to http://eplanning.lincolnshire.gov.uk/eplanning loadfulldetails.do?aplld=27996 Ref. 252/09.

Feedback
Budget
Thank you very much indeed for the excellent feedback you gave which is informing my Council budget negotiations. The overarching responses are attached, but most clear was the desire to do away with some of the PR machine, using internet if necessary. Also popular was efficiencies in internet procurement and charging for fast planning. Reducing staff was popular, but definitely not the PCSOs. Whilst people felt a small tax increase was probably inevitable, there was no stomach for any large increases. Reduced main street lighting got a mixed reaction, as did reducing the capital programme.