April-June 2017
www.n-kesteven.gov.uk
news nk
The newspaper for all North Kesteven residents
@NorthKestevenDC
Thousands of snowdrops create quiet place for reflection – Page 5
/NorthKestevenDC
Estate’s future starts to emerge as regeneration works continue – Page 12
For different ways to read your News NK see page 2
Two more pop up shops are open for business in Sleaford – Page 14
Spring is sprung in this beautiful photo of Scopwick by Carole Smith. Did you know you can explore the village in a Stepping Out Walk? Download a map from www.heartoflincs.com
Plans for growth and investment for NK are given the go-ahead A budget that futureproofs high-quality services and an ambitious three-year plan for growth and investment within North Kesteven have been approved by the District Council. The authority’s financial plans for the forthcoming year include a record capital programme of £27m and a net General Fund budget of £11m – both fully-funded through careful financial management. NKDC’s share of Council Tax looks set to remain one of the lowest in the county after the Council backed a £4.95 (3.3%) rise at Band D for the year ahead – equivalent to an increase of less than 10p per week. As three-quarters of households are in Bands A to C this equates to a rise of between six and eight pence per week for most. The Council’s share of the overall bill will be just over £150
across the year at Band D – £100 to £138 for the lower banded homes where most people live. This allows for the Council to continue investing in local communities and delivering highquality services at low cost. These include refuse and recycling, planning control, economic development and tourism initiatives, public protection, food hygiene inspections, leisure, sports, arts and more. Although the District Council collects Council Tax it ultimately takes only nine per cent of the overall sum, with Lincolnshire County Council responsible for around three quarters and the Lincolnshire Police & Crime Commissioner and parish and town councils sharing the remainder. Going forward, the NK Plan is focused on four distinct priorities
– Our Economy, Our Homes, Our Communities and Our Council – for the targeted delivery of services, embracing new opportunities and responding to emerging challenges. In the coming year these include the construction of at least 60 new Council homes, working with partners to drive forward regeneration projects in Sleaford and North Hykeham and progressing the authority’s new refuse depot and increased business workshop provision in Metheringham. Additionally there is an ongoing commitment to encourage business and job expansion, influence the re-use of empty homes, support communities through Neighbourhood Planning and implement strategies in support of older people and healthy residents.
Find out more about the year ahead and the NK Plan in the centre of your NewsNK