NewsNK Summer 2014

newsnk

NK Community

Champion Awards

2014

Thursday 12th September

Champion a champion of your community

See page 6

The newspaper for all North Kesteven residents

Show events Showyour yoursupport supportfor forour ourArmed ArmedForces Forcesatatpublic town events

Summer 2014 An expanded programme of free events will be held in Sleaford in June, in recognition of the contributions our Armed Forces make to society.

With two concerts, a parade, presentation of veterans’ badges and exhibition of veterans’ experiences – plus a children’s tea towel design competition and discounts in selected shops – there’s plenty of scope to cheer our military personnel: past, present and future.

This is all arranged by NKDC in association with Sleaford Town Council and RAF College Cranwell. > See page 4 for everything that’s happening locally between June 23 and 29.

Leisure investment continues

Council embarks on another £2.6m investment in District sports centres as praise and prizes roll in for Sleaford pool As the District Council continues to reap rewards for its successful refurbishment of the Sleaford Leisure Centre, a further £2.6m is poised to be invested in sports facilities in North Hykeham and Sleaford.

Seven months on from re-opening after a year-long £2.85m investment, Sleaford Leisure Centre has received an eighth award for excellence in design, construction, environmental sustainability and functionality.

The programme delivered enhanced and enlarged facilities, a brighter, cleaner, more attractive space for exercise and revitalised the riverside in Sleaford.

It also lead to a 300%-plus increase in leisure use at the centre.

A similar project is getting underway this month at North Hykeham’s NK Centre at a cost of £2.5m, with another £112,000 to be spent upgrading Sleaford’s Northgate Sports Hall.

Cllr Lindsey Cawrey, Executive Member for NKDC’s leisure services, said: “It is to the credit of Council

members and officers – as well as the public who contributed so enthusiastically in shaping the centre’s design and delivery – that Sleaford Leisure Centre has been so richly rewarded.

“The team worked tirelessly and professionally on that project, laying the foundations for continued success. for the coming year’s projects.”

“If there is any doubt that good design matters – and makes a difference – since refurbishment, membership at Sleaford is up, school swimming is up, fitness membership is up and

Pitch perfect at NK The first phase of the £2.5m NK Centre refurbishment will see a new artificial sports pitch being laid from the middle of June.

Planned to be completed by August, the 5-6 week process will see a new 3G surface for football, hockey and multi-sports use.

The full scheme will bring the 40-yearold facility up to modern standards.

Our Communities

– page 6

satisfaction among users is up. That’s the best award we could hope for.”

By making a fresh investment at the Nothgate Sports Hall in Sleaford, NKDC hopes to boost participation and use there too.

The Council’s Executive Board agreed to transfer operations at Northgate from its leisure contractor to Carres Grammar School, which has specialist sports college status.

In readiness, there is £112,000 of work to be done this summer to completely refurbish the changing areas and toilets, change the lighting to be more energy efficient and improve cricket training provision.

Councillors fully supported the proposals which, they said, would deliver savings for the Council, enable to school to expand its sporting outreach and improve the councilowned asset over the long-term.

The results of recent consultation with users of the NK Centre is currently being reviewed to shape the broader refurbishment scheme there.

Above: Councillors, officers and contractors with some of the refurbishment awards.

Right: Cllr Lindsey Cawrey and leisure manager Mike Lock receive the Civic Society Award from Eddy Double.

Praise for ‘a splendid addition to town’ More awards may follow for Sleaford Leisure Centre as more nominations are considered. It already has: > The Sleaford Civic Society Award, for ‘a bold, striking design, pleasant and stimulating environment for users and splendid addition to the town’ > North Kesteven Building Control Award for best public building > Considerate Constructors Silver

Our Homes

– pages 10 & 11

 01529 414155 / 01522 699699  info@n-kesteven.gov.uk

Award for a well-managed site > Royal Chartered Institute of Building’s regional sustainability award > Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors’ regional commendation for leisure > Greenbuild Awards ‘very worthy’ winner for non-domestic retro-fit > Green Apple Award for built environment and heritage > Green World Ambassador Award.

Our Economy

– page 12

www.n-kesteven.gov.uk

inside

newsnk is your newspaper The newspaper is edited by the Communications Team at North Kesteven District Council.

Each issue costs 6.3 pence to produce and print and 9.75 pence to deliver direct to your door.

Editorial Phone: 01529 308116 Email: communications@n-kesteven.gov.uk Address: North Kesteven District Council District Council Offices, Kesteven Street, Sleaford, Lincolnshire NG34 7EF Council Enquiries Phone: 01529 414155 or 01522 699699 if calling from a Lincoln number Minicom: 01529 308088 Emergency: 01529 308308 or 01522 699650 Website: www.n-kesteven.gov.uk Email: customer_services@n-kesteven.gov.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/northkestevendc Twitter: @northkestevendc INFO-LINKS North Hykeham North Kesteven Centre, Moor Lane, North Hykeham, Lincoln LN6 9AX INFO-LINKS Metheringham 15a High Street, Metheringham, Lincoln, LN4 3DZ Billinghay Cottage & Parish Office The Old Vicarage Cottage, Church Street, Billinghay, Lincoln, LN4 4HN Branston Connect Branston Community Library, Station Road, Branston, LN4 1LH Heckington Parish Office St Andrew’s Street, Heckington, NG34 9RE Navenby Village Office The Venue, Grantham Road, Navenby, LN5 0JJ Skellingthorpe Village Office Lincoln Road, Skellingthorpe Community Centre, Lincoln, LN6 5UT The Witham Office The Hammond Hall, Lincoln Road, Bassingham, Lincoln, LN5 9HQ Waddington Parish Council High Street, Waddington, Lincoln, LN5 9RF Washingborough Civic Office Fen Road, Washingborough, Lincoln, LN4 1AB

This document is available in large print, Braille, audio, electronic formats such as CD, or in a different language.

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2 newsnk Summer 2014

Championing the troops Everything you need to know about taking part in Armed Forces Week events in the District 4

Whisby turns 25 It’s only natural you’d want to spend time at Whisby Natural World Centre and park this summer 8-9

Capital investment Council pledges a record £21 million in the year ahead to improve and enhance District homes and facilities 5

Housing Service is ‘all right’ Find out what TV’s Matt Allwright has been up to in the District 11

Champion nominations No time to waste in sending off suggestions for worthy recipients for Council award for show of community spirit 6

Listen out Do you know someone who would value the Sleaford Talking Newspaper? 13 Summer guide Getting out and about 14-15

Flight trainer takes hotseat as chairman

North Kesteven District Council’s new chairman Cllr Lance Pennell has enjoyed links with the area stretching over 40 years.

He moved to the District – at Canwick – in 1987 but developed his fondness through RAF service at Cranwell and Waddington from 1974.

He trained at Cranwell, flew Vulcans from Waddington with 101 Squadron, operating across Europe, Canada and the US and with the Squadron display team and was then posted back to Cranwell as a flying instructor.

He retired in 2011 but remains connected with flying at Cranwell as a volunteer pilot who delivers cadets’ air experience.

Elected to NKDC for Waddington West in May 2011, he also chairs Canwick Parish Council and the local parish cluster, is a governor at Waddington Redwood Primary School and was Sheriff of Lincoln in 2009.

“From that I know there are a great many people who do much unsung work in our communities, often being the essential glue that holds our society together. I greatly look forward to meeting people from across the whole District who work hard and achieve such a great deal for their communities.

Make sure you maintain your vote

“It is with great pride that I take up my appointment and l assure you that Sue and I will represent the Council and its residents to the best of our abilities,” said Cllr Pennell.

During his civic year he will be supported by his wife Sue and Cllr Gill Ogden as vicechairman. His charity will be the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance.

Outgoing chairman Cllr Terry Boston, from Ruskington, (pictured above, handing over the chairman’s chain) raised £3,000 for the Lincolnshire Emergency Blood Bikes Service.

He said he had been humbled and deeply honoured to represent the Council, the District and its residents and had greatly enjoyed discovering more about the District, its ‘hardworking, dedicated residents’ and businesses.

New councillor pledges to honour namesake The new councillor for NKDC’s Osbournby Ward, Cllr Kate Cook, has pledged to do her best ‘to live up to the wonderful example’ set by her predecessor.

She won a by-election in late April with 50% of the votes cast, after the late Cllr Jim Cook’s death left a vacancy on the Council.

She polled 312 of the 628 votes cast on a turnout of 33.8%.

A working mother who co-owns a business in Sleaford, she is particularly keen to support the town’s aspirations for regeneration and growth and respond to local issues across her ward, “It is an honour and a privilege to have been elected District Councillor for Osbournby Ward. My predecessor was deeply respected and set some very high standards. He is sorely missed and I will do my very best to live up to the wonderful example he set,” said

Cllr Cook, pictured right.

“I have really enjoyed getting to know more residents in the ward and I look forward to representing them, fighting for the best services and facilities and working to make sure they continue to get excellent value-for-money from the district council and the economic development vital to deliver jobs and prosperity,” said Cllr Cook.

She assures residents of ‘a listening ear, an open mind, positive action and honest feedback’. Full results were: Kate Cook (Conservative) – 312 votes; Fay Cooper (Lincolnshire Independent) – 269; Robert Greetham (Labour) – 38; George Richardson (Liberal Democrat) – 9.

Double by-election for Sleaford wards in June A further by-election will be held on June 12 to fill two vacancies on NKDC for Sleaford.

With both Brian Watson and Ian Dolby resigning their council seats, there will be two polls on the same day to select new representatives for the District Council.

Cllr Watson had served the Westholme Ward of Sleaford continuously since 1996, becoming leader of the Sleaford Independent

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group. He stood down on health grounds.

Cllr Dolby was elected in 2011 as one of three members for Sleaford Quarrington & Mareham.

He said increased workload was restricting his ability to be an effective councillor.

In both cases there are three candidates contesting the seats. Polling will be restricted to those wards only, between 7am and 10pm.

See www.n-kesteven.gov.uk for the results.

The biggest change in electoral registration in 100 years is on the way, making everyone responsible for registering themselves.

To be able to vote at any election every person needs to be registered as an elector and with both national and local elections to come in 2015, the District Council wants everyone to be aware of Individual Electoral Registration (IER).

Previously the head of every household could register everyone who lived at that address and was eligible, but now everyone is responsible for registering themselves.

The change encourages people to take individual responsibility for their own vote and allows for more convenient methods of registration online, by phone or in person.

Because the new system requires your National Insurance number and date of birth for new registrations, it will be more secure and resistant to electoral fraud.

Most people who are currently registered to vote will be registered automatically under the new system; they need not do anything.

Letters will be sent in July advising these people they are registered under IER. But if you move home in the future you will need to register under the new system.

Anyone wanting to vote by post or proxy at the 2015 General Election will also need to be registered under IER. There will be a few people on the current electoral register who cannot be automatically registered under the new system. They will be contacted and will need to complete the new forms or register online.

Failure to register not only prevents you voting in elections but can affect your chances of obtaining credit and a mortgage.

Anyone can register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

European elections Voting trends in North Kesteven followed regional and national trends for the European elections on May 22.

Locally the UK Independence Party topped the poll with 10,189 votes against the Conservatives’ 8,627, Labour’s 3,313, the Liberal Democrats’ 1,440 and Green Party’s 1,411. There were four other parties.

Turnout in the District was 31.2% and 33.3% in the East Midlands. Nationally it was 36% and 43.11% across the whole European Union.

The five MEPs for the East Midlands are now UKIP’s Roger Helmer and Margot Parker, Conservatives Emma McClarkin and Andrew Lewer and Labour’s Glenis Willmott.

News Focus

Ongoing support for valued CAB The much-valued work of the area’s Citizens Advice Bureaux is continuing to be supported by NKDC to the tune of £75,800.

As well as its own money advice services, the Council makes annual contributions to the Sleaford & District and Lincoln & District CAB branches.

In appreciation of the CAB’s work in resolving many residents’ issues, including legal and financial ones, NKDC is continuing its longestablished grant support at the same level as last year – despite having to scale back in many other areas.

Both branches saw an increase in caseload, especially for debt and benefits advice. Eighty two per cent of Sleaford CAB’s clients were District residents and 20% of Lincoln’s.

At both branches welfare benefit issues accounted for around 40% of cases and debt problems 24%.

NK residents raise fewer housing and council tax benefits enquiries, which reflects the high level of service they receive directly from the Council.

Cllr Geoff Hazelwood said that given their essential advice work, the Council’s contributions was ‘money well-spent.on a professional and independent service residents would otherwise struggle to access’.

Improved footbridge design for safer rail crossing Steaming ahead for straw power

A new, enhanced and more attractive footbridge design for crossing the railway at Sleaford’s Southgate with increased safety and ease has been revealed by partners committed to improving the town.

As part of the regeneration package approved for Sleaford, and to fulfil Network Rail’s requirement to close the level crossing to traffic, a footbridge is planned to maintain easy pedestrian, wheelchair, pushchair and cycle access over the tracks.

In response to significant concern expressed against the County Council’s previous footbridge designs three years ago, NKDC lead the commissioning of a new design that satisfies issues of appearance and ease of access.

This design fulfils all engineering needs, exceeds disability access requirements, is better located and has a more contemporary, attractive, sweeping design as an asset to the townscape.

It includes a 4.5m headroom clearance for trains to pass beneath, a 1:24 slope gradient with rest platforms for easy access, broad steps, integral lighting, open visibility for better personal safety and an enclosed canopy over the tracks.

Its new position would keep it within the station’s

footprint, take it further from the road, open up scope for increased station parking and allow more people from the Grantham Road direction to access it with greater ease.

Council Leader Cllr Marion Brighton OBE said: “In our desire to secure improved, easy and safe access for people to get across the rail tracks at all times – rather than be hindered by closures every time a train passes through – we think that this design presents a more attractive, accessible and attractive solution.

“Significantly, English Heritage is happy with it and it fulfils all safety and access requirements.

“When it comes to be considered as a planning application, I hope that the wider community will see the many benefits this footbridge presents in uniting the two sides of Sleaford currently split by the tracks and closed barriers; allowing for free movement at all times; removing the risk of people jumping on to the rails; and introducing a striking feature to the streetscene,” said Cllr Brighton.

It is anticipated that the plans will be presented to a planning committee in early summer. Network Rail would also need to take it through its own approvals process.

Success at these stages could see it in place by mid 2016.

Next step along regeneration road

Maltings approval as road is resolved

Store’s committment opens prospect for £100m regeneration

Temporary use of parts of the Sleaford Maltings complex has been agreed for short-term storage while broader issues surrounding the town’s wholescale regeneration move forward.

The permission for the Maltings’ full multi-million pound regeneration for housing, retail, restaurant, healthcare and leisure is reliant on the delivery of the link road, which is itself reliant on the Council pursuing the CPO. The approval by NKDC’s planning committee to allow temporary use of part of the Maltings complex and surrounding land for storage for up to two years, allows the owners to begin income generation, enhance security and support maintenance.

The storage would cease once the link road is complete and the full plan is able to be implemented.

Council Leader Cllr Marion Brighton OBE, who has Executive oversight for economic development, said: “The future of the Maltings is of key concern to the Council and while we await delivery of the full programme with eager anticipation, and are striving to enable this at the earliest opportunity, it is good to progress this temporary solution in support of the ultimate regeneration aims for the site.”

Councillors at NKDC will meet this summer to consider a bold move to achieving long-held regeneration hopes for Sleaford.

With Tesco having confirmed it is now ready to fulfil the requirements of its planning permission by paying for a road to be built and delivered including all legal and land acquisition costs - the Council will now consider making a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) to acquire the necessary land.

This £9m road is essential not only to serve the new Tesco on the old Advanta Seeds site behind Southgate, but also to unlock the full potential for regeneration of the adjacent Maltings and free up traffic flow in the town.

Together the Maltings and Tesco represents a £100m-plus investment into Sleaford, bringing 1,000 new jobs, giving an enormous boost to existing businesses and increasing would-be investor confidence that North Kesteven is ‘open for business’.

Last August NKDC agreed to the principle of using its CPO powers in order to achieve economic growth and restore the town’s vitality as a shopping destination and place to do business.

That decision was aimed at focussing the minds of the various landowners to reach agreement with Tesco, but with

Sleaford Town Council still refusing to sell a necessary strip of the Boston Road Recreation Ground a bold move is required to break the stalemate.

Since August other partners behind the regeneration, including Lincolnshire County Council and Network Rail have taken action which would support the Council if it votes to use its CPO powers.

Final sign-off on the compulsory purchase would rest with a Government Minister in around a year’s time.

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We are pleased to be continuing to work with North Kesteven District Council to bring an exciting new store to Sleaford. “The new store will allow us to give our customers in Sleaford a much improved shopping experience and forms part of the Council’s wider regeneration plans.”

Tesco spokesman

Tesco’s assurance that it is committed and ready to go ahead with its store and all that is entailed in its delivery is very welcome news and enables us to move forward in progressing the Council’s broader regeneration plans for the town.

“As I have said before, and will no doubt do so many times more, delivery of this link road is fundamental to the future of Sleaford town centre.

“Without it the regeneration of the Maltings, development of a new Tesco store, creation of new shops on the old Tesco site and general uplift of the town centre to attract more incoming retailers, cannot take place.

“Without it we would lose all of this and miss an opportunity to fully address the town’s wider growth potential.

“I know people speak ill of Tesco, but the realities speak for themselves.

The store is so popular currently that it cannot keep sufficient stock on its shelves to meet local demand. It has committed to invest heavily in wider community and transport benefits, brings an additional 600 free parking spaces to the town centre and even if it wasn’t Tesco coming to that site, it is 25 acres of central brownfield land, ripe for development by one supermarket brand or another.”

Council Leader Cllr Marion Brighton OBE

The Sleaford Renewable Energy Plant is due to become fully operational in July.

With construction, fitting out and landscaping drawing to a close, the schedule is in keeping with the original timescale.

The straw burning biomass plant off Boston Road will generate 40MW of electrical power, enough to power 65,000 homes – which is every house in the district and half as many again – using around 240,000 tonnes of biomass a year, mainly baled straw.

A steam-raising boiler will produce high pressure steam to drive a high efficiency steam turbine and surplus heat given for free to the William Alvey School, local football and bowls clubs, NKDC and Sleaford Leisure Centre via a hot water pipe loop. > The two straw storage barns awill keep the plant going for 3.5 days > At the height of construction there were nearly 300 people employed on site > Once operational, the Plant will support around 80 jobs including fuel logistics > The Plant will generate enough power to supply 65,000 homes > It will save up to 150,000 tonnes of CO2 per annum > It will be supplied by farmers and suppliers, most with 30-40 miles, three-quarters of them having long-term contracts to support investment in machinery and land.

Speedy street A North Hykeham street has emerged as one of the best in the country for fast broadband speeds.

Internet users in Mill Lane receive an average download speed of 38.88 megabytes per second, making it the fifth in the county for speed.

North Hykeham was one of the first communities to have broadband capacity upgraded as part of the ongoing £48m investment – which includes a £600,000 contribution from NKDC – to have at least 90% of homes able to access download speeds of at least 24 Mbps.

The current UK average speed is 17.98 Mbps, with four out of ten people experiencing speeds of below five Mbps. Swineshead in Boston has one of the UK’s slowest speeds of 0.65 Mbps, 30 times slower than the UK average.

The research by uswitch.com was based on almost two million speed test results run by broadband users over a six-month period all over the country.

Check when superfast broadband is coming to your area > Online at www.Onlincolnshire.org > Twitter @onlincolnshire

Summer 2014 newsnk 3

News Focus

Celebrating our Armed Forces’ contribution to society - past, present and future

Events to champion our Armed Forces Proud to be associated with Armed Forces Day, NKDC has developed a fuller programme of activities and events than ever before for all of the family to show their support of our soldiers, sailors and airmen.

A week of events in Sleaford at the end of June marks the military’s

considerable contribution to our communities and broader society.

From June 23 to 29, the week includes a flag-raising ceremony, the presentation of badges to veterans and two concerts – one of which is a free outdoors day-time family-friendly musical celebration.

The programme includes the Freedom of Sleaford Parade to celebrate the award by Sleaford Town Council to RAF College Cranwell of the Freedom of the Town and shops are encouraged to dress their windows and offer discounts to serving Forces personnel.

Flag-raising ceremony

Freedom Parade

Family Concert

Monday, June 23, 10.30am NKDC Courtyard, Eastgate, Sleaford District Council Chairman Cllr Lance Pennell, civic dignitaries and representatives of all services will raise the official Armed Forces Day flag to fly throughout the week.

This event has been expanded into a school’s educational event into the roles of Forces personnel and an exhibition will be launched celebrating the lives of some local veterans.

Sunday, June 29, 10.50am Southgate & Market Place, Sleaford RAF personnel, cadets and veterans will parade through the town, led by the band of RAF College Cranwell in formal recognition of being given The Freedom of Sleaford.

The parade route is unchanged from previous years’ Armed Forces Day parades; leaving Station Road, at around 10.50am and marching up Southgate to the Market Place.

Once assembled in the Market Place there will be a flypast at around 11am, prayer and words of thanks.

The Parade will continue along Eastgate and be dismissed in the car park, from where gathered crowds can join the free concert.

Sunday, June 29, 11.15am – 4pm Eastgate Green, Sleaford The Freedom of Sleaford parade will be followed by a free open-air concert for the whole family on the riverside green outside The National Centre for Craft & Design.

Featuring live music from across Lincolnshire to suit all tastes, entertainment, food and drink stalls, a licenced bar and children’s entertainment, this is an opportunity for all the family – and even wellbehaved dogs – to sit back in the sunshine, soak up the atmosphere and meet Forces personnel.

There will be music from The Ruffs, Sleaford Concert Band, Timber Wolf, District Motion and a range of emerging talent, hosted by Lincs FM’s John Marshall. Fun activities include the NK climbing wall, football and arts and crafts.

The concert is presented by NKDC in association with Lincs FM, The Sleaford Standard and with kind thanks to Sleaford Town Council.

At this event the winners of the children’s tea towel design competition will be announced and the printed cloths available to buy in support of Armed Forces charities. > Details at www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/ ArmedForcesDay

Veterans’ Concert Friday, June 27, 7pm – 10pm Civic Suite, NKDC Offices, Sleaford Live 1940s-style performance from Miss Sarah Jane and Miller Magic, copmered by BBC’s Rod Whitting.

Tickets, priced £5 in support of the NKDC Chairman’s Charity, can be bought to enjoy the concert, the guest speakers and join those veterans who are receiving special badges.

Badges will be presented to any veteran of HM Armed Forces, volunteer or regular reserves, who has not yet received one and applied before the end of May. To buy tickets call Pauline Collett on 01529 308220 or email: pauline_collett@n-kesteven.gov.uk

Road closures and parking restrictions Due to security for the parade and concert residents, businesses and visitors are advised of parking restrictions and temporary road closures in Sleaford on June 29 Limited availability is offered in the NKDC car park at Lafford Terrace. > Road closures on June 29 to allow passage of the parade:

Boston Road; Southgate and side roads; Kesteven Street; Eastgate and associated road junctions; Station Road; Jermyn Street; Handley Street; Watergate; and West Banks. > Car park closures on June 29: Eastgate and Market Place car parks will be closed on June 29, with access strictly limited to passholders.

See local signage on the day and www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/ArmedForcesDay for any updates.

Freedom Flame to tour the District

The Last Post

Bomber Command Memorial plan

A commemoration in September of the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem will involve the passage of a Freedom Flame around all 27 Bomber Command stations.

Over a series of days, starting at Woodhall Spa on September 6, the aim is for the team behind the Lincolnshire Bomber Command Memorial plans to transport the flame across the county – most probably in a World War Two motorbike and sidecar.

Many of the 27 stations are now in private ownership – others are active and some are museums –, with some sort of memorial on site. The aim is to have local primary school children welcome the flame to each.

Once a route is agreed it will be promoted further by the Council as part of its support for Aviation

A fascinating insight into the way local families dealt with the changing circumstances of WW1 will be staged this November.

The Lincoln Mystery Plays Trust has commissioned local writers to craft a script from the real-life dramas of Lincoln’s Beechey family whose experience was typical of many who saw loved ones drawn into the war.

Their particular situation was extraordinary as of the eight brothers all called to fight, five were killed and another crippled. Their mother was famously presented to the king in recognition of her ‘great sacrifice’.

Their story is told through the letters exchanged between the Home Front and battle fronts across the world.

District actors will be involved in seven performances at Lincoln Drill Hall from November 11 to 16.

Two planning applications to deliver a memorial and education centre, to raise awareness of the sacrifices made by Bomber Command aircrew, will be considered this summer.

If approved by two separate NKDC planning committees, the centre at Canwick above Lincoln’s South Common, would function as an interpretation centre, with a tribute to the 55,573 aircrew who died flying for Bomber Command and dedicated educational resources to boost understanding of the effect of this significant campaign on the outcomes of World War Two. It would be allied to the proposed spire and walls of names which is subject to a separate application likely to be submitted sometime in June.

The centre’s design is based on

4 newsnk Summer 2014

Heritage and local visitor attractions.

The Freedom Flame initiative is linked closely to Hull and its legacy of liberation through William Wilberforce.

It reflects the 1948 torch of liberation carried from Portsmouth to Eindhoven in Holland in September 1948.

Eindhoven was the first Dutch town liberated as a result of the Arnhem action and a flame burns permanently there in commemoration. This will be the first time the flame has left the Netherlands.

After a series of commemorations in Hull in May, ‘daughter flames’ were lit to be ‘sent to do good wherever it is wanted’ including the Bomber Command tribute.

The Battle of Arnhem was fought September 17 – 26, relying heavily on paratroopers to secure river bridges, and involved heavy losses.

a Lancaster bomber, following the elegant lines of the wingspan and crouching beauty of its form. It is named after Roy Chadwick one of the aeronautical industry’s most influential and prolific designers who designed the iconic Lancaster.

The ammended design for the spire takes account of concerns that not all of the names could be read from the ground as originally envisaged. The idea is now for the spire to take its 32m by 5m scale from the dimensions of a Lancaster’s wingspan.

Both aspects are proposed by The Lincolnshire Bomber Command Memorial Appeal which continues to raise funds to fulfil its aims.

The Chadwick Centre’s planning application can be viewed at www.nkesteven.gov.uk/planningonline reference 14/0399/FUL

News Focus

RAF Waddington runway renewal

New recycling site makes life easier

Following July’s RAF Waddington International Airshow the base’s runway will fall silent to aircraft during a major £35.4m operation to rebuild the runway and improve airfield facilities.

The current 9,000 feet runway has not been upgraded since the 1960s.

The re-build will be the first in Europe to be constructed from recycled waste materials, extending the perimeter track to improve airfield safety and the whole runway’s operational life by a further 25 years.

As part of new greener construction practices, 100,000 tonnes of materials will be excavated and recycled on site.

Work will begin in July, with an aim for completion by summer 2015 – with potential to affect the 2015 airshow.

During the renovation period, aircraft will be relocated to other bases across the county.

RAF Waddington’s station commander, Group Captain Rich Barrow, said: ”The existing runway has reached the end of its lifespan.

For RAF Waddington to continue to deliver on its mission to generate world class expeditionary surveillance and intelligence capabilities, the runway infrastructure must be modified to support our aircraft, and our highly qualified pilots and ground staff.” > Read more from Group Captain Barrow on page 13.

A new household recycling centre has been set up in Sleaford, on the other side of the town with easy access to the A17 bypass.

The £600,000 facility is designed to make life easier for people to dispose of their household waste.

It boasts a number of improvements over the previous Mareham Lane site which had become too small with no room for expansion.

The new facility is more than three times bigger, which will make it much quicker to offload waste and a one-way system and convenient layout make it easier to move around without queues building up.

Operator Lincolnshire County Council has installed several large compactors so that more material can be compressed and stored onsite, reducing haulage costs and carbon emissions and allowing more material to be recycled than disposed of.

The new facility opens at the same times as the old one: 9am to 4pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday including bank holidays.

Aviation interest This year’s Behind the Scenes programme of delving deeper into the District’s aviation heritage begins with a lecture on July 2.

Aviation historian Andy Johnson will deliver his talk Just Passing Through at Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre from 7pm.

Tickets £5 each, booking advisable.

Further details to be confirmed for the broader programme, but to register your interest, please contact Cranwell Aviation Heritage Centre on 01529 488490 or email cranwellaviation@n-kesteven.gov.uk

Winners and finalists of the 2013 NK Community Champion Awards

Applauding and awarding community-minded people Do you know someone who does good deeds or has made great strides in support of the environment, arts, sports or community?

North Kesteven District Council knows there are hundreds of unsung

heroes working quietly, tirelessly and voluntarily all across the District.

And we want to celebrate their endeavours through the 2014 NK Community Champion Awards.

See the nomination form on page 6,

fill it in and post it off or download a form at www.n-kesteven.gov.uk Deadline for nominations is Monday August 11 and if your suggested winner is shortlisted you too will be invited to the event on September 11.

Crime-cutting partnership plan Clear actions against crime boost District’s high safety status Shoplifting, speeding and environmental crimes such as dog-fouling, noise, littering and fly-tipping are all being targeted under a renewed community safety clampdown.

The priorities for prevention, protection and enforcement in the coming year also include wider antisocial behaviour and business crimes such as burglary.

These are the aims for action of the Kestevens Community Safety Partnership, in a bid to maintain North Kesteven’s leading status as a lowcrime area with high quality of life.

The District is currently ranked the seventh safest in the country, with expectations of being rated higher when the most recent crime figures are released in July.

The NK community safety action points build on those set for countywide attention, which are: > Alcohol, drugs and legal high misuse > Domestic abuse > Anti-social behaviour > Road safety, and > Reducing re-offending.

All of these factors are identified as being of local concern, with scope for targeted local action by a local joint agency group – including various officers at NKDC, the police, fire and rescue service, probation and the Council’s leisure contractor – responsive to local circumstances.

Measures include promotion of business, pub and neighbourhood watch programmes, crime prevention advice, schools education programmes, clarity for dog owners and wardens over their responsibilities, use of mobile phone apps for investigating noise nuisance and stronger fines.

NKDC’s Executive Board heard that noise nuisance was an increasing concern, giving rise to a sharp increase in complaints to the police.

In general – and partly because of the co-ordinated engagement of all partners – North Kesteven remains a low crime area.

Community Safety Partnership Chairman Cllr Mike Gallagher said that by being committed to reductions in crime and anti-social behaviour, the Council and all partners were making

a tangible difference to people’s lives and the safety and vibrancy of communities.

“Through prevention, protection and enforcement and in line with a pledge of ‘one contact counts’, our aim is to support people in feeling safer in their homes and communities and to see fewer victims of crime,” he said.

In the last year two of NKDC’s pioneering initiatives have been picked up by police and county council and rolled out across Lincolnshire: > The schools project It’s That Easy which helps children make positive choices to avoid following a criminal path, and > A support initiative to help victims of anti-social behaviour back onto their feet after incidents and problems are resolved.

The District’s ongoing success as a lowcrime area reflects on work across all of the Council’s corporate priorities for safer communities, better more secure homes and more vibrant economy.

It is a consequence of dinstict action across all parts of the Council to reduce crime and disorder.

Surface scheme

Dozens of roads in the District will be closed for one day each through a phased resurfacing programme over the summer.

The county council will put signs out locally ahead of the work, carried out in this order through to September. > Bassingham – Eastgate, Lincoln Road, Fen Lane > Heighington – Park Lane > North Hykeham – Broadway, Newark Road, Rowan Road, Middle Street > Washingborough – Harrow Close > Metheringham – Highfield Rise, Dane Close, Norman Crescent, Viking Way > Waddington – Sycamore Drive, Walnut Close > Branston – Park View Avenue > Bracebridge Heath – Renault Drive, Lagonda Close, Vauxhall Road, Chichester Road.

Details at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk

Record £21m investment boosts Council facilities and homes in year ahead District delights The Council is embarking on its largest ever investment in improvements to its facilities and housing stock.

As it marks its 40th anniversary, the Council’s record capital programme outlines a spend of £21m for 2014/15, which includes the beginning phase of a £2.5m refurbishment of North Kesteven Sports Centre, £4.6m to upgrade council house heating and £5m to progress more new council house building.

The £2.7m general – non-housing – growth plans also include:

> £300,000 for new workshops to support business growth > £300,000 as a half-payment of the Council’s contribution towards superfast broadband rollout > £391,000 to a fund for disability facilities grants > £400,000 for a regeneration fund to support economic growth, and > £428,600 for new refuse vehicles.

This is financed chiefly through reserves, contribution from Council Tax and prudential borrowing.

Further capital plans for investing in the Council’s housing stock include:

> £234,600 for off-street parking at housing schemes > £363,700 for disabled adaptations > £771,700 for replacing kitchens, and > £14,300 for bathrooms In total, the housing capital plans add up to almost £18m, which is self-contained within an account paid for by tenants’ rent rather than general Council Tax income.

2015’s capital spend is programmed to be £10.4m, with 8.3m in 2016/17; again mainly focussed on increasing and improving housing stock.

Council Leader Cllr Marion Brighton

OBE said: “As we look for savings and efficiencies across the board to meet the increasing financial challenges, we remain committed to looking forward and investing in our District, especially in increased and improved housing where more financial freedom allows us the scope to invest.

“It may seem peculiar that while finding efficiencies of almost £300,000 for this year, we are able to invest more than £20m in capital projects; but we have to continue to look ahead at the maintenance of our assets and plan for future growth.”

Two of the District’s most popular attractions have been mentioned as part of the package which makes Lincoln one of the UK’s best places to live.

While the Sunday Times’ spring list has no rankings it hails the wider Lincoln area as a high point.

As well as its historic core and leafy outskirts, further explanation as to why ithe city is so good included reference to good schools, easy reach of London and affordable housing plus Doddington Hall and Whisby Nature Park as top attractions.

Summer 2014 newsnk 5

Hubs lend communities a hand Options approved for maintaining local library services All of the communities which face losing their current library will see a community-based solution take it forward, with others potentially gaining new facilities.

Although the County Council awaits the outcome of a judicial review into its handling of the closure consultation, it has announced that in every area where it suggests transferring its service to volunteers to run, community group have been approved to turn them into ‘community hub’ libraries.

This includes all of those listed alongside – with Sleaford remaining in council control.

There may also be new provision in Heckington and Navenby based on fresh expressions of interest.

In North Hykeham, both NKDC and the town council put forward a

proposal to save the library. Both have been successful at this stage and the County Council will have to choose the winning bid.

NK’s aim is to include it with the refurbished NK Centre.

Each group is now working with an individually assigned library advisor to assist the transition in readiness for a July shift in service.

This shake-up has all come about to achieve a £1.7m annual saving for the County, which says there will be local benefits as local groups will run their libraries how they wish in response to local demand.

Meanwhile, in the interim, library opening hours have been cut. > See alongside > www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/libraries > phone 01522 782010 > or ask at your local library.

> Bracebridge Heath: Tuesday & Saturday, 10am - 1pm > Branston: Monday & Wednesday, 10am - 2pm; Friday 1pm - 6pm; Saturday, 10am - 1pm > Metheringham: Monday, 2pm - 5pm; Wednesday 2pm - 6pm; Saturday 10am - 1pm. > North Hykeham: Monday, 10am 2pm; Tuesday & Friday, 1pm - 6pm; Saturday 10am - 1pm. > Ruskington: Thursday, 2pm - 5pm; Saturday 10am -1pm. > Skellingthorpe: Wednesday, 2pm 5pm; Saturday 10am - 1pm. > Sleaford: Monday, Tuesday & Friday, 9am - 5pm; Wednesday, 9am - 2pm; Saturday 9am - 4pm. > Waddington: Daily, 9am -1pm & 2pm - 6pm; Saturday, 9am - 12.30pm. > Washingborough: Wednesday, 3pm - 6pm; Saturday, 10am - 1pm.

Roadshows roll out green advice

Arts for hearts

Interested in saving water, energy, food and money? And looking for easy hints and advice to make an environmental difference?

Look out for the Council’s sustainability team, SustainNK, at one of a number of summer events.

They will be offering free advice and information on saving resources, which has a positive impact on the planet as well as purses and pockets.

As our demand for energy and food grows so does our demand for water and vice versa. But by saving one we can also help to save the others.

Initiatives include making better use of food leftovers, recycling more, reducing the amount of packaged

An arts project is poised to begin making a mark in residential homes across the District this summer.

Following an appeal through the last newsnk so far seven volunteers have been trained to deliver the Guidelines to Art watercolour system through one-to-one and two-to-one art sessions, initially in six homes.

Where similar programmes have been used in 420 care settings nationally, positive results include reduced need for anti-depressants, sleeping tablets and incontinence pads.

The project is co-ordinated by PartnershipNK and needs more volunteers. Call on 01529 414155 or email partnershipnk@n-kesteven.gov.uk

foods we buy, fixing dripping taps, saving and re-using water more smartly and switching to solar power.

Look for the team at: > Helpringham Primary School market – Friday, June 13, 3.30pm – 5pm. > Metheringham Primary School Summer Garden Party – Friday, June 20, 2.30pm - 4pm. > Eagle Primary School – Saturday, June 28, 11am - 3.30pm. > Armed Forces Community Day, Sleaford, East Green – Sunday, June 29, 11am - 4pm. > Sleaford Carnival – Sunday, July 13, 9am - 5pm. > Heckington Show – Saturday & Sunday, July 26 & 27, 9am - 5pm.

Making the most of summer holidays where you live Teenagers will again team up this summer to deliver social action projects across the District.

As part of the National Citizen Service, 16 and 17-year-olds will be engaged for four weeks, two of which will be a chance to give back to their local community.

The other weeks involve adventure and team-building activities and skillsbuilding workshops. These include archery, raft building and residential get-aways - all for £35 per participant.

Overall NCS is a great way to discover new friends, challenges, skills and aptitudes and help locally

during the summer holidays.

Applications are currently being taken and will be accepted up to a week before the programmes start on June 30, July 7 and July 28.

Signing up takes just two minutes at www.ncsem1.org.uk/youngpeople Cllr Lindsey Cawrey, who has Executive oversight for young people’s activities in the District, said NCS was a great way to make friends and full use of the summer holidays instead of being bored at home.

“With competition for jobs and university places higher than ever, NCS offers a way for young people

to prepare themselves for the future by developing important life skills and getting a step ahead of the competition,” she said.

Research shows that having completed a course young people who go on to graduate have increased confidence, less anxiety and are more ready for adulthood and work.

NCS is a government-backed programme to promote a more cohesive, responsible and engaged society by bringing young people together and giving them chance to build their confidence, communication and teamwork abilities.

This builds on the success of last year’s programme, which saw teams at: > Metheringham -- Improving churchyard, painting railings and generally tidying > Sleaford -- Clearing, cleaning and painting rooms at the Riverside Church, giving a full makeover to improve a popular community hub > Brant Broughton -- Giving a facelift to play equipment and park tidying > Sleaford — Grounds maintenance at Ashdene & Oakdene Care Homes > Sleaford -- Raised awarness for positive mental health with Young Minds

6 newsnk Summer 2014

To promote the sustainability, wellbeing, safety and health of North Kesteven’s growing communities

Planning ahead on turbine scheme The Council will be working to ensure a high degree of community engagement as plans emerge for a potential windfarm application at Nocton Fen. Although there is no application yet made and Vattenfall, the firm proposing 23 turbines on 9 sq km of land between Metheringham and Bardney, is still investigating its technical feasibility, it has to engage and consult widely at an early stage.

If it does become a formal proposal, as a nationally significant infrastructure project, NKDC could only comment – not determine it.

The Council’s part in the process is key however. It has a number of roles and responsibilities under the requirements placed on it as a so-called host authority to the probable project.

As part of its pre-application process Vattenfall has begun its initial consultation locally and started to talk to key stakeholders including giving a briefing to all NKDC Members.

This stage is likely to last until late 2015, during which time NKDC has to work closely with Vattenfall to ensure communities are properly and fully engaged and their views properly addressed; to agree methodology for technical surveys; agree a consultation report; produce local impact report; and agree grounds of consent and disagreement.

Vattenfall has already stated that it expects to submit a project with 150m high turbines – the country’s largest – to generate enough electricity to power 47,000 homes; equivalent to every home in North Kesteven.

Cllr Mike Gallagher, Executive Board member with responsibility for planning, said: “There will be a long and varied programme of consultations on this scheme before it even reaches the stage of being an application. If it does become a formal application for development consent that would be submitted to the planning inspectorate and brought to our planning committee to comment on only.”

Our Community

NK’s Wellbeing Service makes a difference Support service is already making life-changing improvements to people’s lives Early feedback on the District Council’s new Wellbeing Service to help people with a change in their circumstances shows it is already making a significant difference.

Anyone aged 18 or over and living within North Kesteven can make use of the free NK Wellbeing scheme, subject to meeting simple eligibility criteria.

The service is open to anyone in need of a little extra advice, support or signposting to services to help them to continue living independently at home, identify areas of need and assist with installation of small aids, minor adaptations and alarms.

It’s all about integrating available services from a range of services including district and county councils, healthcare provider, voluntary agencies and charitable sources – and offering them at an early stage to ensure people have the best possible chance of remaining safe and independent in their own home.

Often it’s just information on options or signposting to services which are not obvious but which will make a positive and lasting difference impact to long-term physical and mental health.

The NK Wellbeing Service is a locally tailored and locally delivered version of a county-wide programme

workers, the service has the capacity to help more than 1,700 service users in this initial year.

Eligibility criteria includes: > Hospitalisation within the past six months > Bereavement of partner within the past year > A fall in the past three months > Use of three or more prescription medicines > Depression or anxiety > Significant change in household income, earnings and entitlements > Risk of losing current home > Inability to move safely athome Service requests can be made in person or on behalf of family or friends > on 01522 782140, > on 01529 414155 > or via a GP

Peter’s story

Olive’s story

Wellbeing’s intervention helped Peter Bradshore of Sleaford secure: > A new flat, better suited for his mobility issues > Funding for a cooker and household goods > Appropriate health benefits > Improved mental health to sustain voluntary work and social contact > A happier outlook, reduced anxiety > The correct care for his pain He now feels settled and able to cope living in suitable accommodation.

Olive Dilling of Heighington only wanted a toilet seat raiser, but her assessment identified a wide range of potential support areas.

She wanted - and received - a shower seat, transport to hospital and for shopping, a befriending service and was considering a lifeline. She also had a smoke alarm installed.

All-in-all Mrs Dilling was so happy with her positive experience of the Wellbeing Service she wanted to encourage others to use it.

Wellbeing support advisers, managers and administrators with Councillors Stewart Ogden and Marion Brighton OBE designed specifically for people in North Kesteven, in partnership with Lincolnshire County Council.

It was devised by NKDC to ensure the continuation locally – and enhancement – of a support programme which respects an individual’s dignity and supports the enjoyment of the most fulfilling and independent life possible.

Aims include reduced dependency on institutional care; reduced referral to specialist care; reduced feelings of anxiety, loneliness and isolation; reduced accidents and injuries in the home; stronger community and social bonds; improved financial wellbeing; and increased voluntary sector input.

Delivered by a team of 18 support

Critical support for young job seekers and businesses Cookery courses A hassle-free, cost-effective way of helping young people into longterm employment is working for small businesses and job-seekers.

The new project provides a guarantee for 18-24 year-olds for at least six months work at 30 hours a week and for businesses it involves little more than investing time in a young person’s skills development.

All salary costs are paid by the Young Person’s Scheme project, which is based on the principles of the Future Job’s Fund initiative and jointly-funded by Partnership NK and

the Department for Work & Pension’s Wage Incentive Scheme as part of the Youth Contract.

A total of eight positions are available, with three appointments having been made so far – one already going on to find permanent employment. These were in woodland and countryside management, a furniture recycling initiative an IT. The project is being coordinated by our partners at Job Centre Plus.

The Partnership NK team is especially keen to hear from small businesses who may like to take

someone on as part of the scheme.

Cllr Lindsey Cawrey, who has Executive Board oversight for young people at NKDC, said that with 20% of 18-24 year olds unemployed for six months or more it was critical to support both job seekers and businesses wanting to encourage, enthuse and enable the next generation of employees.

“There’s everything to gain for everyone involved,” said Cllr Cawrey.

Details from the Partnership NK team on 01529 414155 or email partnership_nk@n-kesteven.gov.uk

Free introductory cooking courses are being run to promote healthier eating, balanced diets and more sustainable lifestyles.

Open to anyone, they involve two hour sessions over six weeks.

Part of the Partnership NK Sow Grow Cook initiative, they cover basic cookery skills and general advice on nutrition, food safety and food labelling to promote home cooking.

Details on 01529 414155 or partnership_nk@n-kesteven.gov.uk or course leader Jack Wright on 07779 713479 or jack@cook-connect.com

Summer 2014 newsnk 7

8 newsnk Summer 2014

Summer 2014 newsnk 9

Our Homes

To promote housing growth that meets the current and emerging needs of North Kesteven

Plug into cheaper energy deals

Homes growth brings broad benefits

More extra care flats for Sleaford

District residents are again weighing up their options for switching on to cheaper energy costs.

Building on the success of a collective energy switch promotion in March – through which 600 North Kesteven households stood to save an average of £167 on their gas and electricity bills – NKDC joined with other Lincolnshire councils to support a second collective switch campaign.

Registration for this closes on June 9, after which everyone who expressed an interest will be notified of new tariffs that could save £300 or more on annual bills.

There is no obligation to switch so there is nothing to lose for anyone registering in any round of the Lincolnshire Energy Switch Scheme.

It is open to anyone who pays for gas or electricity – regardless of whether they own or rent their home and the way they pay their bills.

Energy companies are invited to bid for the combined business of everyone who has registered and after successful bidders are selected, they promote their lowest tariffs directly to potential customers.

Residents then have four weeks to decide whether to switch supplier.

From the first switching round 1,000 households across Lincolnshire switched to better energy deals.

Cllr Richard Wright, who holds the Executive brief for energy efficiency in North Kesteven, said: “We are always keen to identify ways to help our residents and local businesses reduce their monthly outgoings and this is one of those, helping families and individuals to find cheaper rates and avoid fuel poverty.

Call 01529 301990 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday for details. > If you missed this latest switching campaign, all is not lost. Keep an eye out for future promotional material when the next one is announced, most likely this autumn.

A new care home, primary school, pub, shops and health centre are all set to be delivered in a new urban extension of 1,450 houses on the south side of Sleaford.

The scheme, which also includes scope for sports pitches, allotments, community centre and open space, was approved in principle by the Council’s planning committee in April.

Known as Handley Chase, this development contributes to an aim under the emerging Central Lincolnshire Local Plan for 75% of Sleaford’s housing growth up to 2036 to be in two sustainable urban extensions – both here and to the west of Sleaford between the railway and bypass.

At this stage the approved plan for fields off London Road is in outline.

Sleaford Property Developments Ltd propose to build in four phases over 15-20 years. Across the 61 hectare site just over 10 hectares will be classed as public open space, with housing built at a density of 36 homes per hectare.

The Council’s economic development unit welcomed it in support of broader

Three more flats are being created at a Sleaford sheltered housing scheme to suit residents in need of extra personal care.

The £48,000 investment paid for through NKDC’s housing revenue account, will make a small – but much-needed – contribution towards meeting an enormous county-wide deficit for ‘extra care’ accommodation.

Eslaforde Gardens is one of the few facilities in Lincolnshire set up to support residents who are in need of additional personal support but not yet ready for full-time residential care.

The 12 existing units enable independent living, with a private front door and home set-up, and ready access to round-the-clock assistance.

That will be increased by three more with conversion of an onsite care team flat and guest room to onebed flats for single occupants. The care team will take a smaller ground floor flat, which gives a net increase of two units.

Approval was given by NKDC’s Executive Board which heard there was a need for around 200 such units in North Kesteven alone.

“We are delighted to have found an opportunity to create more extra care accommodation. Although it makes only a modest inroad against the need, it is a positive move in helping a few more individuals and that in itself is a good reason to do this,” said Cllr Stewart Ogden, Executive member for housing.

The aim is to have the work done

by September. Tenant suitability is decided by the county council.

District gardeners can buy compost bins and water butts at a reduced price to help their gardens grow Through a deal between Getcomposting.com and Lincolnshire County Council, compost bins and water butts continue to be available at subsidised prices.

For £19.98 or £22.98 you can get compost bins with a 220 or 330 litre capacity Water butt kits to hold 100 or 190 litres for £29.98 or £39.98 For every one bought you can get another half price.

Delivery from £1.99 to £5.99

To order call 0844 571 4444 or visit www.lincscc.getcomposting.com

10 newsnk Summer 2014

Community package adds up to millions of pounds and hundreds of jobs

economic growth and asks for apprentices among the 400 annual construction workers, with school, shops and care home creating a further 200-300 permanent positions.

To complement the wildlife corridors, hedgerow retention and tree planting, there will be artificial bat roosts, bird nests and green roofs on some buildings.

There are significant traffic-free cycle and pedestrian routes on-site and good links through to the town centre, with the developers also obliged to pay towards the costs of the railway footbridge.

Local Ward member Cllr Geoff Hazelwood said it was clear that planning officers and teams across the Council had worked tirelessly through close liaison with parish and town

councils, residents, community groups and other consultees to ensure all concerns were met in achieving the best possible outcomes for Sleaford, whilst promoting the town’s growth and vitality.

Cllr Mike Gallagher, Executive Board member for planning, said the approved plan would be a welcome addition to Sleaford, bringing enhanced services to support both existing and new homes.

“The scheme promotes a high quality of urban design, which has been commended and responds positively to the neighbouring landscapes – bridging the urban and rural,” he said.

“We all recognise that towns need to grow and develop if they are to remain vibrant and competitive, with attractive shops, quality schools and community facilities. This calls for new housing and where it is as well conceived and considered as this, planned to complement the wider town, that is to be welcomed,” said Cllr Gallagher.

“It is clear that ths development, in this location, will help to deliver economic, social and environmental improvements in a sustainable way.

Wishlist delivery is shaped by community’s needs and concerns Councillors authorised senior officers to issue the consent for Handley Chase subject to completion of an agreement which compels the developer to fulfil a series of pledges in support of the wider community.

These include: > Delivery of on-site affordable housing at between 10% and 17.5% across the four phases of development, a total of 191 affordable units. > A two-form-entry 420-place primary

school, plus almost £3.5m and scope for community use at the school > £1.65m towards sustainable transport, off-site highways, footpath and cycle improvements and bus subsidies > Payment of £100,000 to support secondary and sixth form places. > £430,000 towards additional healthcare services in Sleaford. > Provision of onsite public open space, sport and recreation facilities

including allotments, plus a further £330,000 for similar on or off-site. >Provision of a care home and a local centre to include at least five shops, offices, healthcare, nursery, community centre and pub. > £10,000 towards public access at Mareham Pastures nature reserve. > A commitment to use local people, firms and materials where possible.

They have been shaped in response to local need and community concern.

Directing growth to where it’s most needed in Central Lincolnshire There can’t be anyone among us who doesn’t want to see their families and their communities thrive; increasing in health, wealth, vitality and opportunity.

And if the places where we live, work and shop are to continue meeting our needs – and the needs of future generations – they need to grow.

Growth builds: > New homes for young people just starting out > Larger houses to save growing families having to move away > Smaller houses for downsizers to stay close to family and friends > Housing tailored to the needs of the disabled and elderly > Opportunities for the people needed to keep our shops, industries, schools and healthcare running to move here.

Growth also: > Brings more customers to existing

shops and attracts new business > Keeps the jobs market buoyant > Attracts new workers and investors > Keeps schools open and secures useful services > Provides for the infrastructure we all need to keep our communities flourishing and functioning well – the roads, sewerage systems, public transport, doctors and dentists.

Growth has built what we enjoy about where we live today – it built your house, keeps your corner shop, pub and post office open, brings in new shops, supports the survival of leisure centres, hospitals and businesses and broadens our educational, professional and recreational outlook.

We are all part of that growth – simply by getting older, choosing to live alone or independently for longer, having children, welcoming grandchildren into the world and moving around from place to place.

Growth is inevitable; it’s happening

now and needs to be responded to.

That is why the four councils making up the Central Lincolnshire planning partnership – North Kesteven, City of Lincoln, West Lindsey and the County Council are seeking to respond to the needs of an expanding population by setting out a new Local Plan to direct growth to where it’s needed most through to 2036 and beyond.

Because growth needs to be well-managed and planned for, the co-ordinated approach for Central Lincolnshire aims to take account of many factors By not responding to the need for growth we risk: > Limiting opportunities for our

children, grandchildren and others to live, study and work here > Stagnating the economy, stifling scope for new jobs, denying future prosperity > Threatening the very futures of the communities and facilities we currently enjoy.

Growth is needed just to stand still.

But do we want to stand still or should we look to flourish and prosper by growing for the future?

Get engaged in that discussion now by participating in, and following the emergence of the Local Plan for Central Lincolnshire at www.central-lincs.org.uk

To promote housing growth that meets the current and emerging needs of North Kesteven

head Ground-breaking homes scheme

Executive Board Member Cllr Stewart Ogden, ward member Cllr Kate Cook and Westleigh Homes’ Head of Partnerships Gary Turner turn soil in readiness for the Wilsford development

Council helps pioneering solution meet village’s housing need A village’s desire to increase availability of affordable housing to meet local need is being met through a pioneering partnership.

Work will start this summer on ten new houses in School Lane, Wilsford after the village set up Lincolnshire’s first Community Land Trust in order to deliver much-needed housing to accommodate growing families and satisfy local need, overcoming barriers of limited supply and high prices.

The creation of similar trusts is promoted as an effective way of delivering affordable housing for local families and involving the community closely in their allocation, control and rent levels.

As part of its role in enabling the broader delivery of social housing over and above that which it builds

itself, NKDC supported Wilsford’s bid with a £100,000 grant.

This was the final key to unlocking additional funds from the Government’s Homes & Communities Agency and Lincolnshire Rural Housing Association.

The seven two-bed and three threebed houses will be built by Westleigh Partnership Homes, with completion anticipated by December.

A local connection to Wilsford will be the main factor in their allocation.

Councillor Stewart Ogden, who has Executive oversight for housing initiatives, said: “We were delighted to support such an innovative community-led scheme to secure more affordable housing which is so much needed in our rural villages.

“As the first such programme in

North Kesteven, it dovetails neatly with our own commitment and drive to enable increased housing supply where it is needed most.

“Our grant of £100,000 made all the difference in this partnership and I pay particular tribute to the late Jim Cook, the long-serving district councillor for Wilsford who was so passionate in his support of these homes, their unique delivery mechanism and the enhanced involvement of the local community it represents.”

John Howes, secretary of Lincolnshire Rural, hoped others villages would ‘follow the path blazed

by Wilsford’ in forming a CLT to develop housing for their residents, maintain thriving communities and sustain quality affordable homes in perpetuity.

Our Homes

Empty homes reap rich rewards for both owners and occupiers Empty homes are proving their worth for both owners and people in need of quality affordable accommodation through a pioneering programme of repair for rent.

As one of its measures to bring back into use the 423 houses which have been empty in the District for six months or more, the Council is promoting a scheme where – with an owner’s consent – it takes responsibility for a property, arranges its repair and then rents it out as part of its housing stock for seven years.

During that time the Council recoups its expenses and passes rental income on to the owners. After seven years it reverts back to the owner to continue renting privately, occupy or sell.

The policy brings ‘big wins’ for all concerned: > For property owners who get their homes renovated for habitation and guarantee a hassle-free rental. > For the Council which secures homes for someone on its housing needs register for up to seven years and a New Homes Bonus. > For the community which secures success on an otherwise unsightly property and welcomes another family in to support its shops, pubs and facilities. > For people in need of decent homes let at affordable rents, an increase in available stock.

There are currently nine properties at different stages within the repair for rent process across the District – including one let in Sleaford and another undergoing repairs in Waddington – and the Council is

looking to take on one more.

It is supported through a grant from the Homes & Communities Agency which means owners get £8,000 worth of renovations for free. Any extra work needed to bring it up to standard is initially paid for by the Council – and then recovered from the rent.

Cllr Stewart Ogden said: “I urge anyone who has a house that’s been empty for six months or more to contact the Empty Homes Project Officer for advice and support on a range of measures which can help them in restoring the property to its for useful, profitable purpose.

“If it has stood vacant for two years or more and is in an area of high residential demand it is of particular priority and relevance for the repair and rent process.”

In the last year, the Council worked directly on bringing 26 homes back into use, which had been empty for a collective 182 years – one of these was through repair and rent.

This fulfils every aspect of the Council’s priorities by supporting stronger, safer communities, bolstering the local economy and increasing the supply of quality affordable homes – as well as generating income for the Council through increased Council Tax payments and almost £110,000 in New Homes Bonus.

If you own an empty property and want to discuss options for bringing it back to use, or if you live near one and have concerns about it, call Empty Homes Officer Luke Taylor on 01529 308297 or email luke_taylor@n-kesteven.gov.uk

New principles guide Council’s house building plan TV’s Matt gets the inside track As it seeks to deliver around 500 new homes for social housing in the next decade, the Council has drawn up guidance to help focus its anticipated £50m investment.

While most will be new-build construction projects, there is also an aim to increase availability through acquisition, as well as restoration of empty properties which, in some cases, can be counted within the available stock.

NKDC pioneered the newbuilding of council homes towards the end of the last decade and in the last four years has built 51 in 13 locations, with a further 43 set to be completed by the end of this year in Metheringham. Sleaford and Ruskington plus six more close to commencement in Helpringham.

While there is strong demand for social housing right across the District, demand is very high in North Hykeham, Bracebridge Heath and

Waddington, followed by high demand in Sleaford, Ruskington, Heckington, Helpringham, Lincoln fringe villages, Coleby, Harmston and Navenby.

Lowest demand is in Rowston, Tattershall Bridge, Billinghay and Chapel Hill, with the rest of the District having medium demand.

This principles will help to develop these programme going forward, with

current schemes in Sleaford set to meet current demand.

Cllr Stewart Ogden, Executive Board Member for housing, said: “By having these principles in place, we have a process for considering all options and never miss any opportunity that could deliver a cost-effective solution for increasing housing availability and expanding the stock.”

More homes in high-demand area A new development of 12 bungalows dedicated to the over 55s has been approved for North Hykeham.

One of NKDC’s planning sub-committees supported the project to deliver much-needed extra council housing in a high-demand area, feeling it would make a ‘significant contribution towards a particular affordable housing need’.

As an extension to Kesteven Court, the design has been drawn up to complement the existing development, with adequate parking and low ridge heights to ensure the surrounding neighbours’ views are not affected.

Seven of the bungalows will each have one bedroom and the other five twobeds and to make way through to the new extension number 8 Kesteven Court will be demolished, along with a canopy at number 9.

Nineteen new parking spaces will be provided.

A TV series to be aired this summer gives the inside track on the inside job behind aspects of the Council’s housing responsibilities and functions.

North Kesteven is one of the councils to feature in the BBC show Inside Job which looks behind the scenes at what councils do to improve the lives of their resident population.

It is presented by Matt Allwright from Watchdog and Rogue Traders.

In our case Enforcement Officer Chris Gallimore showcases aspects of his work which primarily involves working to improve the condition of private sector rented housing and enforcing on tenants rights and landlord responsibilities.

Scenarios likely to be featured from across the District include houses without fire escape or kitchen, without a valid gas safety certificate, with crumbling asbestos, damp and other defects and one which is being renovated through the Empty Homes Project to become a much-needed temporary addition to the Council’s housing stock.

You can rely on a little bird to keep you informed Follow us on Twitter @northkestevendc @slcrefurb @talkplanning

Summer 2014 newsnk 11

Our Economy

Business booms in workshop units Every one of the District Council’s business start-up units is working to its full potential at present.

The 100% occupancy rate of the 77 units illustrates the strength of the local economy and appetite for new firms to set up in North Kesteven – which has the highest rate of business births and ongoing successes within Lincolnshire.

There are established units in Aubourn, Billinghay, Metheringham, Sleaford and Bracebridge Heath, with plans for more in the North Hykeham LN6 business growth area.

With businesses always outgrowing their space as they develop, there is always demand from emerging firms.

The Council provides nearly 67,000 sq ft of much–needed, high-demand space as workshops, offices and craft units for start-ups and grow-on expansions.

Even during the recession the competitive rents and flexible tenancies on NKDC’s units ensured that they had a 90% occupancy.

Council Leader Cllr Marion Brighton OBE said: “To have our newest units fully occupied within a year and during hard times for business, shows how keen new and growing businesses are to do business in North Kesteven.

“And to now have every unit occupied is a splendid endorsement of everything we strive to achieve.

“We believe that by creating the right conditions for businesses to grow and by nurturing them, we all bear the fruits of their success through increased employment and greater economic strength, diversity and vitality.”

The units are managed by Hodgson Elkington, who said: “Full occupancy is a reflection of a genuine desire to trade in North Kesteven at a time when other areas of the country are still struggling post-recession. These units and their flexible tenancies make them ideal for businesses starting out or expanding.“

To promote the prosperity of North Kesteven

LN6 growth plan gathers pace

Hotel

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Need id

Room for a new hotel

Boom town Sleaford needs more accommodation, study shows

The site of the former Lincolnshire Oak Hotel is one being marketed as business opportunity Hotel operators are being alerted to the potential for expansion in accommodation provision in a more vibrant Sleaford.

With latest tourism figures showing more than two million visitors make day trips to North Kesteven each year, delivering an economic boost worth £100m, it is clear that increased hotel accommodation would be good for all business sectors.

Despite this 2% growth in visitor numbers, there was a 1% fall in those staying in serviced accommodation.

National indicators show strong recovery in the hotel market, with considerable development in the sector – which presents a rich opportunity for Sleaford to tap into.

With this in mind, building on a recent survey into local hotel capacity and the popularity of attractions such as the National Centre for Craft & Design, the Council is looking to market the town to potential operators.

This would be lead in partnership with site owners and potential developers.

It is seen that there is scope at The Maltings, the Sleaford West urban extension and the former Lincolnshire Oak site on East Road whose owners

are keen to reintroduce hotel use.

There are already three hotels in the town which complement each other well, each with a different offer attracting different clientele. > The Carre Arms attracts business people and executives midweek, and is busy with weekend weddings > Mallards Hotel, full with long-term contractor bookings midweek and weekend weddings and family visits > Travelodge at Holdingham, the same as Mallards.

Overall, occupancy levels are higher compared to UK figures, with rooms being affordable at £25 to £87.

Sleaford’s anticipated growth over the next 20 years – including around 3,000 homes, redevelopment of the Maltings, enhanced town centre shopping and visitor appeal and jobs creation at Tesco, the biomass power plant and local factories – is expected to increase demand for overnight accommodation during construction.

Just the anticipated population growth of around 10,800 people drives a growth in the hotel market as people visit friends and family.

On top of this there will be continued demand from passing-

out parades at RAF Cranwell, the growing reputation of the NCCD and broader attractions such as Heckington Windmill’s revamp.

Apart from a current permission for expansion at the Carre Arms, the study shows limited capacity for the existing hotels to increase their space – but significant potential for growth.

It is on this basis that NKDC has committed to actively promote Sleaford to potential operators in order to meet the potential latent demand and potential new business generated through Sleaford’s economic growth.

Council leader Cllr Marion Brighton OBE, who holds the Executive brief for economic growth, said: “Sleaford is a town of both growth and untapped potential.

“The challenge for the Council and development partners is to harness this and present it to hotel operators.

“It is essential we make it clear to prospective developers and operators, that Sleaford is open for business and that the Council is looking to support expansion in hotel provision in the town, in order to support our businesses and satisfy unmet demand,” said Cllr Brighton.

Council’s wider Shopping hotspots survey supports town Flushed with cash insight into how people how, when, where and why people Supporters of a new town museum work boosts jobs Detailed go about their business in Sleaford are coming and going. for Sleaford are aiming to have it On a broader level the Council’s Economic Development unit has supported 90 businesses with direct, tailored and targeted advice and business support, 20 more than its annual aim.

In addition a further 51 businesses have been reached through a relationship management programme and 108 jobs safeguarded – plus 110 created – in 2013/14 as a result of targeted support, assistance and direct facilitation with companies.

The Council has also achieved well against its aim to increase in the amount it spends with local suppliers by 2%. Although that figure is not yet finalised there is a high degree of confidence of an increase.

12 newsnk Summer 2014

town centre is being gathered through footfall monitoring.

Three counting devices are being fitted to buildings and lampposts along Southgate, with broadranging scope to record pedestrian and vehicle traffic movements continuously, round the clock, over the next two to three years.

They do not pick out individuals like a CCTV system can, but monitor flows as people pass by along the street and move from one place to another.

The information would be collated over different time periods, by day, week, month and year for instance, and reported to the Council’s economic development team regularly to give them current intelligence on

This will assist the team in identifying hotspots of retail and other leisure use activity, popular walking routes, peak times of activity and other data, as well as benchmarking against other small rural market towns, With this information they can detect new trends and early warning signs of behaviour change, take objective measurements on local attractiveness rather than anecdotal views, tailor solutions to support individual business development and broader economic growth.

The system is accurate to between 95% and 98% and will also be a useful way of assessing the impact of capital improvements carried out in Sleaford and any effect of shop opening and closure.

open before the end of the year.

Carre Heritage builders will be carrying out the £105,000 project on the Sleaford Museum Trust’s behalf, to transform the 1930s Art Deco public toilets at Monument Gardens.

It secured a grant of £94,200 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, with support funding of £1,000 from NKDC’s FundNK and £1,500 from the Eco2 local Community Fund administered by the District Council. The town council, Sleaford Town Fund, Rotary Club of Sleaford Kesteven and a rural communities fund also offered cash.

Sleaford’s first museum opened for 10 years up to 1982. The trust was formed 20 years ago and in the short term set up a virtual museum online.

Work on developing the LN6 area has started to gather pace.

It encompasses a number of initiatives operating in the area all designed to enhance and develop the area in such a way that residents and businesses can thrive.

The LN6 action area corresponds broadly to the LN6 postcode, with partner organisations all contributing in different ways. It comprises mainly North Hykeham, South Hykeham and small parts of Lincoln city along the Doddington Road corridor.

LN6 includes some of the biggest employers locally and is the area’s largest single business zone.

Grow LN6 is driving economic development on key sites within a tightly drawn boundary that includes areas within the city as well as North Kesteven. The group brings together representatives from the local town and parish councils, City of Lincoln, NKDC and County councils as well as from the LN6 Business Group.

Following on from its spring launch, Grow LN6 is shaping an initial action plan to include developing an offer on which to market the area, promoting it and phasing the supply of land. www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/growLN6

Planning premium A new scheme for checking planning applications prior to submission will make the planning process a much swifter and smoother experience for people.

Operating like a passport check, the Council’s new premium planning application validation service will help applicants get it right for when they formally submit their plans.

This is a new concept locally with applicants having freedom of choice whether to use it or not.

With 50% of planning application submissions in North Kesteven found to be invalid on first receipt, chiefly because of missing plans or documentation, this slows up the process and can incur unnecessary costs for applicants.

In exchange for a fee of between £20 and £75 an officer will check the submission and ensure it meets all statutory requirements for validation.

Some applications will be exempt from charging.

Cllr Mike Gallagher, Executive Member for planning, said: “People have a choice of whether they use the premium validation checking service or not, but I do think it is a step forward and good for anyone who wants to get their application sorted early.

“By having fewer applications failing at the validation stage it will facilitate early consideration of pending applications,” he said.

News Focus

mynk Long standing readers of Sleaford Talking Newspaper were thanked for their long support. These were: Greta Lee, 21 years; Brian Summers and Howard Sanders, 22; Sylvia Lawes and Di Holt, 23; Lois Fenn, 26; Bethan Lloyd-Hughes, 28; Di and Dick Fairhead, a full 30 years.

Listen out for Talking Newspaper For 30 years Sleaford and District Talking Newspaper has ensured the area’s blind and partially sighted have full access to local news.

As well as reading the Sleaford newspapers for weekly delivery to people to listen to at home, the organisation has for four years read the Council’s newsnk to ensure all residents have easy access to Council information and services.

At the group’s annual meeting it was clear that listeners value the Talking Newspaper enormously and want to share the secret with others who have yet to discover the joys, convenience and excellence of having a free weekly delivery of news, stories and current affairs.

Five teams of volunteer readers take turns to read newspaper articles, which are then copied onto USB sticks and sent out weekly for playing through a computer or special digital player – all at no cost to the listener.

Having received it for the past 18 months George Wing said: “I look forward to the Talking Newspaper coming every week and really enjoy having it. I’m totally blind and can’t see anything but to have the stick I feel connected to what’s going on.”

Ken Bull also enjoys having the Talking Newspaper every week. “I listen to it two or three times to make sure I’ve got everything,” he said.

Set up by the Rotary Club of Sleaford’s community service committee in 1984, the Sleaford and District Talking Newspaper is maintained by annual grants and donations, which this year included £1,500 from the operators of the new power plant at Boston Road and £1,000 from the Sleaford Town Fund.

Selected old tapes from the early days are being saved as archive material for the new Sleaford Museum.

For details and registration call Barbara Roberts on 01529 488488.

Where do you live?

Grantham

How did you come to live there?

After 16 years flying Tornado F3s from RAF Leuchars in Fife, RAF Coningsby and RAF Leeming, I bought a property in Grantham from where I could commute to the Ministry of Defence in Central London.

I knew I was unlikely to return to the Tornado F3 as the aircraft was due to finish its service life and I wanted a new challenge.

RAF Waddington and the ISTAR Force offered the challenge I was looking for. The schools in Lincolnshire are excellent and my wife was able to secure a job coordinating engineering apprentices for Grantham College.

What do you like most about where you live?

Whether it be Grantham, the wider South Kesteven, or indeed North Kesteven, the area is characterised by good transport links, fantastic schools, beautiful countryside and plenty of very pleasant watering holes!

There is a strong association with the Royal Air Force and Bomber Command locally, including St Vincent’s in Grantham, the World War Two Headquarters of No 5 Group Bomber Command and Belton House where the RAF Regiment was formed, is a 10 minute walk from my door.

Group Captain Richard Barrow, aged 44

Station Commander at RAF Waddington The RAF Waddington International Air Show is on July 5 & 6 Typhoons fly air combat missions over my house and in the summer the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight regularly passes over on its way to and from display venues. What’s not to like!

What does NK mean to you?

My association with the RAF began in Lincolnshire, at the RAF Binbrook Airshow in 1982. Watching the vertical twin jet engines of nine Lightning aircraft disappear straight above me and feeling the rumble of their afterburners in my chest, I had no notion that 27 years later I would command the very Squadron that was sparking my desire to fly.

I still clearly remember my sense of excitement as I drove into RAF Cranwell, past College Hall’s iconic parade square and clock tower as I arrived for my first day at Officer Training. Today I regularly drive the same route, but now to drop my daughter off for Air Cadet Sqn camp weekends and other activities.

My son flew his first ever sortie in a Tutor aircraft from RAF Cranwell earlier in the year and I sense he has been bitten by the same bug that got me all those years ago.

Over the years I have served several tours at RAF Coningsby and RAF Waddington. My son was born in Lincoln Hospital and my children have grown up and received an excellent education in Lincolnshire.

Where would you advise people to visit in the District?

The annual RAF Waddington International Air Show – this year on July 5 and 6, commemorating WWI, the 65th Anniversary of NATO, 70th of D-Day and 50th display season for the Red Arrows. It’s a great family day out representing superb value for money.

The WAVE viewing enclosure at Waddington is a great place for plane spotting and, stone’s throw from the District, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at RAF Coningsby is also an excellent place to visit.

What NKDC service do you appreciate most?

NKDC’s commitment to aviation heritage of course.

Rating safe summer food outlets

Smoking in cars Gas safety scare Scrap checks

Staying close to home for days out over the summer holidays?

You can forget about passports and currency, but don’t forget to check out the food hygiene ratings of everywhere you intend to eat.

The Great British Staycation is good for the environment and local economy and whether it’s a family camping trip, city break or days out, good food is a key ingredient to having a good time.

Whether you’re grabbing a sandwich on the go, sitting down to fish and chips, buying the makings of a picnic, scooping an ice cream or indulging in a local delight, be sure to check out the retailer’s food hygiene rating.

In North Kesteven 94% of the 750 inspected premises making, handling or selling food are rated 3 or above, with 85% in the top two bands, 4 and 5.

With the window stickers and certificates every business should display being distinctive and universal in design, wherever you are across the UK, you can have confidence that the ‘scores on the doors’ are consistent and reliable as an indicator of what goes on behind the counter or kitchen door.

Businesses are advised of the costs and consequences – in both health and cash – for not taking measures to stub out smoking in company vehicles.

NKDC is taking a proactive stance on enforcing the laws which have been in place for seven years now.

It has been illegal to smoke in shared vehicles used for work since July 2007 and there is growing public support to ban smoking in cars altogether.

There are health risks and potential for harm to passengers breathing in second-hand smoke as well as dangers from temporary loss of control when lighting or extinguishing a cigarette on the move.

In stationary cars the build up of smoke can be 11 times that experienced in a bar and seven times when the car is moving.

Workers can be fined up to £200 for smoking in the workplace – which can include a car – while the business can be fined up to £2,500 if they don’t stop the practice and £1,000 for not displaying no-smoking signs in cars used for work purposes.

The Food Hygeine Ratings are based on inspections carried out by local authorities – locally by NKDC. Ratings range from 0 (urgent improvement needed to 5 (very good).

Wherever you are this summer, look out for the green and black food hygiene rating stickers displayed on windows and doors.

If you can’t see a sticker, ask staff inside for the rating or check online at www.food.gov.uk/ratings Cllr Richard Wright, Executive Member with oversight of food safety in North Kesteven, said: “The holiday season is a busy time for restaurants, cafes, pubs and takeaways.

“With two million visitors a year making trips to the District it’s important that they have confidence in making good choices which reward the best food businesses.

“It’s also important that businesses show how seriously they take food hygiene and to take advantage of this great opportunity as people come to enjoy our countryside and visitor attractions, or simply choose to discover more of their own District.”

A gas oven without a safety certificate could have caused serious harm had it not been for NK officers stepping in to help.

Landlords Saranjit Singh Atwal and Harjinderjit Kaur Atwal failed to get appliances in their rental property on Millview Road, Ruskington tested, despite being asked to by their tenant and housing enforcement officers.

Mr and Mrs Atwal failed to comply with a legal requirement to produce energy and gas certificates in December 2013.

NKDC prosecuted Mr and Mrs Atwal in March. They were both individually fined £640, have to pay costs of £250 and a victim surcharge of £64, totalling £1,908.

Cllr Richard Wright, Executive Member with oversight for enforcement said: “We have a responsibility to all residents for ensuring these checks are carried out. It doesn’t bear to think what may have happened had the appliances not been checked.”

Certificates have now been produced and Council officers continue to work with the tenant.

Householders are reminded of the need to make their own checks when dealing with scrap metal and waste dealers.

And traders in North Kesteven need to be aware that they face spotchecks from NKDC on the validity of their paperwork after a trader was fined £1,550 for failing to comply with operational requirements.

Stephen Peacock of Ollerton was found guilty in April of failing to produce a licence for transporting waste and failing to comply with an investigation.

The NKDC licensing team followed up a red flatbed truck ihey saw carrying scrap metal and tyres.

Cllr Richard Wright said it was essential that everyone involved in the transfer, handling and transit of scrap and waste knew their responsibilities to stop illegal and irresponsible trading.

All collectors of waste should have with them a carrier’s licence – not a copy – and be ready to show this.

If collecting metal they should also have a scrap metal dealer’s licence issued by NKDC.

Summer 2014 newsnk 13

What’s On

Setting the scene for craft & creative arts

Soap carving, sock creatures, paper making and dance all stack up for plenty of family fun this summer TheNational NationalCentre Centrefor forCraft Craft&&Design Design The

Clubs First Tuesday: Hub Writers & Unplugged July 1, August 5, September 2, 6.30-9pm A potent mix of local musicians and writers. Free, all welcome.

First Saturday: Young Designers July 5 - Wire Manipulation; August 2 – Sculpture; Sept 6 Soap Carving. All 10am-1pm.

For 12-15 years, £5 a session.

Tuesdays: Dinky Designers June 17, July 22, August 19, September 23, 10.30am-12pm.

Messy and creative crafting for under 5s, £4 per child, adults free. Book.

Listen, Make and Create July 26, 10am-12am; Aug 13 and September 1, 1-3pm. Storytelling, music and craft for 4-10 years, £5 per child, adults free. Book.

Sewing and printing clubs Monthly, details from info@ nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk

Design Factory Brunch Second Mondays: June 9, July 14, August 11, September 8, 11am-1pm Join the Design Factory team and local artists and makers for coffee, cake, and chatter about all things business and creative. Free drop-in for adult designers, artists & makers.

Same days, 1pm – 5pm free critical review sessions to review creative development.

Workshops and Events Saturday, June 14, 10am – 3pm Life drawing For beginners and the more practised. Some materials and easels available. Also on July 5, August 2 & September 6.

For adults, £18 a session/ £65 for all. Booking required.

Saturday, June 21, 10am – 4pm Screen printing for textiles Textile specialist Emma Ronald on the basics of screen printing for textiles. For adults, £45. Book.

Terry O’Toole Theatre Thursday, June 5 – Saturday, June 7, 7.30pm Neighborhood Watch Reprising their successful run of Alan Ayckbourn’s new comedy Neighbourhood Watch, the Pheonix Players bring it to a wider audience! Hilariously funny and provocative, this comedy will have you laughing weeks later!

Tickets: £9.50 & £7.50 Saturday, June 14, 7.30pm The Spitfires RAF Voluntary Choir A lively mixture of music,

Saturday, August 8, 10am-1pm Mono-screen printing Print a riot of painterly colours onto cloth and paper with an exciting, simple and colourful technique. Wear old clothes.

For adults and over 12s, £12.

Book.

Meekyoung Shin July 26 to November 2 Bridging the gap between craft and conceptual art, Meekyoung Shin’s exquisite work is created in soap, an inexpensive material which wears down easily, illustrating the ravages of time.

By interpreting classical sculpture and porcelain from the 16th century through the medium of soap, she questions

value and permanence and the relocation of objects across time and cultures. Unusually, visitors are encouraged to handle the works on display, shown in the Main Gallery.

A giant outdoor soap sculpture at Belton House staged in conjunction with this show, can be walked trough. > Linked event: Family ceramics workshop on Monday, July 28.

Main Gallery until July 13 Real to Reel: Film in making Crafts Council’s touring show presenting the best examples of makers and designers whose output is both three dimensional – in materials such as clay, textiles, glass, metal and paper – and film-based.

Each film is an artwork in its own right, concerned with craft and design.

Saturday, June 28, 10am – 4pm Stitch drawing with romeo Textile artist Naseem Darbey gives a master class in stitch drawing and shaping work into 3D. Fabrics and threads provided, but take own sewing machine with drop feed and embroidery foot. Adults, £45.

Book.

equipment provided. Adult, £58 plus £15-£18 for silver. Book.

elaborate table settings and handcrafted ceramics. Free.

Saturday, Sept 6, 1pm - 4pm Demonstration: Janine Nelson Meet Janine Nelson who reassembles broken, patterned crockery to form decorative objects. Free for all.

Monday, July 21. Time tbc Contemporary jewellery Free symposium exploring latest ideas and techniques in contemporary jewellery. For adults, booking advised.

Monday, August 4, 10am-1pm 3D Papermaking Join Anna Krystyna Casey for a creative afternoon using materials and equipment easily available and affordable. For adults & over 8s, £8. Book.

Saturday, Sept 20, 10am-4pm Felted scarves Learn various techniques of making felt from wool and silk and create a unique felted scarf to take home. For adults and over 12s, £25. Book.

Roof Gallery Continues to Sunday, July 27 Icons: Jewellery for the famous A sumptuous exhibition of jewellery created for cultural icons like David Bowie and Vivienne Westwood, inspired by iconic objects like the anglepoise lamp and the Shard.

small sculptural scenes using found materials and objects, to explore excess in ornamentation and colour.

Friday, July 18, 10am – 4pm The art of the paper bead Transform old, unloved books into something incredible and unique to wear with paper artist Phiona Richards. Take a selection of books, some illustrated, papers and an apron. Adults, £25. Book.

Saturday, July 19, 10.30am-4pm Silver pendants and earrings Experienced silversmith Kate Bajic guides the making of stud, drop or hoop earrings and a pendant using different skills and techniques. For beginners and improvers, with all necessary tools and

Monday, July 28, 1pm-4pm Family Ceramics Explore simple clay building techniques with Paula Briggs to create your own ceramics.

For adults & over 5s, £8.

Wednesday, July 30,1pm-4pm Sock Creatures Make your own crazy creature using socks and recycled buttons and embroidery stitches to give it character.

For adults & over 8s, £12.

Saturday August 2, 1pm - 4pm Demonstration: Katie Almond Meet popular designer Katie Almond who is inspired by nostalgia and high tea with its

ExChange Space Continues to Sunday, July 27 Anna Steiner Anna Steiner uses her own methods to create 3D shapes on silk scarves.

August 2 to October 5 Mandy Bray Mandy Bray creates

Window Space A revelatory insight into artists’ creative world and inspiration.

Up to July 13 Ruth Singer showcases museum objects, historical textiles, personal heritage, memory and stories which have influenced her.

July 26 to November 2 Ceramic artist Amberlea McNaught displays her favourite influences and ancient eastern ceramics from her extensive travels.

North Kesteven Centre, North Hykeham. Booking on 01522 883311 or www.terryotooletheatre.org.uk

stories and readings from the RAF Voluntary Choir with the Digby Military Wives Choir.

Tickets: £9.50, £8.50 & £30 for a family of four.

Friday, July 4, 7.30pm Solidarity Secondary school dance students around the county have each worked with a professional artist over 10 weeks to create a dance piece.

There are awards to be won and talent to be celebrated!

Tickets: £3 & £2.

14 newsnk Summer 2014

Navigation Wharf, Sleaford, 01529 308710 or www.nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk

Friday, July 11, Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 Lyndsey Ellis School of Dance Now a firm favourite, students from Lyndsey Ellis School of Dance return with Dance Fever 8, a high energy, variety dance show featuring ballet, tap, jazz, breakdance/hip hop and musical theatre. This is always a popular, sell-out show, so be sure to book early.

Shows at 7pm on Friday, 3pm & 7pm on Saturday and 6pm Sunday. Tickets: £8, £7.50 & £7.

Monday, July 28 – Friday, August 1 MADD Summer School The NK School and artsnK presents a week long performance school, running daily 9.30am to 3pm, with

music, dance and drama workshops for children and young people, ages 8-14.

Cost: £60 per child. Details on 01529 410595 for further information.

The Theatre closes for August, reopening in September with an autumn programme. See www.terryotooletheatre.org.uk Every Tuesday, 7pm & Sunday, 3pm ACTion@TOTT Community Theatre Company Vibrant, friendly resident amateur theatre company rehearses every week to stage three shows a year: a pantomime in January, a family

theatre piece each spring and a drama in the autumn – the next being Alan Ayckbourn’s Table Manners in October.

For ages 11-plus. New members most welcome.

Annual Membership: £25 & £10, plus a small production fee for each show.

Various times and days artsNK Youth Dance Informal, energetic and fun classes in hip hop and creative contemporary dance, for ages 5-18 depending on class specifics.Contact Amy or Holly for details of this season’s classes on 01529 411197 / 6 or go to www.artsnk.org Cost varies by class.

Every Tuesday, 7pm Djembe Drum Workshops with Njega African drumming workshops with Gambian master drummer Njega Sohna.For ages 14+, drums provided but some experience is necessary.

Cost: £6.50 or £3 per session, with termly season ticket. available.

What’s On

New walking festival branches out Spires & Steeples

> Monday, July 14, 9.30am – Washingborough Family Walk, 1-3 miles > Monday, July 14, 10am – Billinghay Health Walk, 3+ miles > Tuesday, July 15, 10am – Billinghay Waddle Toddle Family Walk, 1-3 miles > Tuesday, July 15, 10.30am – Heckington Health Walk, 1-3 miles > Tuesday, July 15, 11am – Leasingham Health Walk, 1-3 miles > Tuesday, July 15, 1.10pm – Sleaford Health Walk, 2-3 miles > Tuesday, July 15, 6.30pm – Aubourn Country Walk, 4.5 miles > Wednesday, July 16, 11.30am – Whisby Health Walk, 2-3 miles > Wednesday, July 16, 1.30pm – Ruskington Health Walk, 2-3 miles > Wednesday, July 16, evening TBC – Spires & Steeples Taster Walk, 3+ miles > Thursday, July 17, 10am – Waddington Health Walk, 2-3 miles > Thursday, July 17, 11am – Skellingthorpe Health Walk, 2-3 miles > Friday, July 18, 10am – Metheringham Health Walk, 3+ miles > Saturday, July 19, 10am – Macmillan Sponsored Walk, Whisby Nature Park, 5km > Sunday, July 20, 10.30am – Rauceby Stepping Out Walk, 9 miles with Watch NK Rangers.

The Spires & Steeples Heritage Trail is free and open for walking all year round – not just for the autumn challenge.

Its full 26 mile route is signposted from Lincoln Cathedral through to Sleaford and also detailed in a pocketsized guide which can be picked up for £1.50.

Covering the rich history, heritage, wildlife and local stories along the way, it gives insightful information about the beautiful churches, artworks, landscapes and villages along the way.

With clear maps and directions, the booklet can be bought at the NCCD and Navigation House, Whisby Natural World Centre and Sleaford Library and Leisure Centre. Call the tourism team on 01529 308207 or email discovernk@n-kesteven.gov.uk The Spires & Steeples Challenge takes place on Sunday, October 12.

Entries are being taken now, costing £15 in advance or £18 on the day. Participants must be aged 16 or over to take part in the 26 mile run but accompanied 14-16s can join the 13 or 26 mile walks and 13 mile run.

Contact Donna on 01522 870273 or eventsofficer@1life.co.uk

Dates to detect bats and build a shelter

Riverside discovery

NK’s Countryside events are based on the network of Stepping Out walks.

All children must be accompanied by an adult. Suitable outdoor clothing and footwear is recommended.

For details and booking call 01522 688868 or visit www.countrysidenk.co.uk Friday, July 4, 8.45pm Bat Detectors!

Hill Holt Wood, Norton Disney. Moonlit walk with WatchNK rangers using electronic detectors to identify and learn more about different bat species.

14 – 20 July Walking in North Kesteven

Discover more about the fascinating Sleaford riverside with a new self-guided Discovery Trail suitable for all the family.

Throughout the summer leaflets will be available at Navigation House and Cogglesford Mill, to highlight features, wildlife and natural discoveries to be found along the riverside path running between them, and in Lollycocks Field.

The £1.50 cost includes everything a child needs to note down and draw what they find.

Ask for the Riverside Discovery Trail at the venues or call 01529 308102.

A week-long walking festival will celebrate what North Kesteven has to be proud of.

Walks designed for all ages and abilities are well-established in the District, as part of the Council’s commitment to enhanced health and community wellbeing.

Between July 14 and 20 many of these will be wrapped up into a programme of 15 walks as tasters to entice more people onto the Stepping Out Walks network of 18 routes, the Spires & Steeples long

distance arts and heritage trail, the 15 Social Strollers health walks or the new Waddle Toddle walks suited to parents and pushchairs.

Each walk is free to join in with, and will be led by a walks leader.

Booking is advised.

The July 19 walk aims to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Care.

For more information on the festival or any of NK’s walking initiatives: See www.countrysidenk.co.uk Call Donna Sutton on 01522 870273 Email eventsofficer@1life.co.uk

A week-long series of guided walks throughout the district, see above.

Friday, August 22. Time tbc Shelter Building Join WatchNK’s bushcraft expert Alan Eley to make a shelter in Skellingthorpe Old Wood. Gloves and insect repellent advised.

Sunday, October 5, 10.30am – 12.30pm An Autumn Walk Join a WatchNK countryside ranger for a walk around the Blankney Stepping Out route, over 3.8 miles, discovering which fruits from the berry-filled hedgerows are good to eat!

Whisby Nature Park & Natural World Centre Natural World Centre Workshops Monday, August 4, 2.30pm – 3.30pm Use paints and papers to create a canvas to hang in your room Tuesday, August 5, 2pm – 4pm Drop in to design a take-home badge Wednesday, August 6, 2pm – 4pm Badge making: As August 5 Thursday, August 7 11am – 12pm: Make a bug or beast using clay, twigs, googly eyes and imagination 2.30pm – 3.30pm: Explore and recreate in clay the prints of animals wandering through Whisby Friday, August 8, 2.30pm – 3.30pm Make an animal from a wooden spoon, pipe cleaners and googly eyes Wednesday, August 13, 11am – 12pm Create a leaping frog using recycled materials and your imagination Thursday, August 14, 11am – 12pm Cut and stick to create your own mini

Cogglesford Mill Sunday, June 8, 11am - 4pm Milling Day. See the mill in action producing its own organic flour.

Sunday, July 13, 11am – 4pm Family Archaeology Day. Discover more about the area’s local archaeology and history, see the mill in action and Iron Age coin moulds.

Sunday, August 10, 11am - 4pm Milling Day as June 8 Sunday, September 14, 11am – 4pm Lincolnshire Heritage Open Day Free 500g bag of flour per family when mentioning ‘Lincolnshire Heritage’. Children’s trail.

Thursday, October 30, 6pm – 8pm Halloween Evening. Spooky goingson at the Mill. Traditional games and fun for all the family.

Cogglesford Watermill, East Road, Sleaford, NG34 7EQ 01529 413671 or 01529 308102

Navigation House Sunday, June 22, 11am Midsummer Walk & Talk Discover the fascinating history of the area with a walk and talk led by local historian Dr. Simon Pawley from Navigation House.

Sunday, September 15, 11am – 4pm Lincolnshire Heritage Open Day Discover the history of this fascinating building and of life and trade on River Slea. Free entry into prize draw to win a local produce hamper and free pen/ pencil for each child.

Navigation Wharf, Sleaford, NG34 7TW Open 11am to 4pm. 07966 400634

Cranwell Aviation Heritage Centre Saturday & Sunday, June 14 & 15, 10.30am – 3.30pm Museums on the Air An international event. Throughout the weekend, a manned amateur radio station will be operating from CAHC. Come along and see it in operation.

Sunday, August 24, 10.30am – 3.30pm CAHC Remembers World War 1 With the British Airforce Living History group, commemorating the 100th Anniversary of WW1, remembering the events and sacrifices made during the war. Last chance to see this unique private collection of uniforms and insignia in Lincolnshire.

Sunday, September 14, 10.30am – 3.30pm Lincs Heritage Open Day Discover the role of RAF Cranwell’s ‘Lighter than Air’ section in WW1. Free drink and children’s trail.

Heath Farm, North Rauceby, Sleaford, NG34 8QR 01529 488490 or 01529 308102

Welbourn Forge Saturdays, June 7, July 5, August 2, September 6 See the forge fired on the first Saturday of every month.

Sunday, June 22 Welbourn Open Gardens The Victorian forge will be fired for demonstration as part of the attractions in Welbourn as part of National Open Gardens.

The Green, High Street, Welbourn 01400 272623

Because of the time it takes to deliver newsnk to almost 50,000 properties it is regretted that some events may have passed before yours is delivered.

Thorpe on the Hill, 01522 688868, email whisby.exhibitions@litc.org.uk www.naturalworldcentre.co.uk

Whisby to take home Tuesday, August 19, 11am – 12pm Turn kitchen roll tubes into a flock of funky feathery tweety birds to hang in your room or garden Wednesday, August 20, 11am – 12pm Use string, wool, old wallpapers and sparkles to create a mobile of dragonflies, bees and butterflies to flutter in the trees or hang in a window Wednesday, August 27 11am – 12pm: Using soil, grass seed and recycled materials create your own animal and watch the grass grow 2.30pm -3.30pm: Transform an old jam jar into a cress head character with sprouting, edible hair.

See also pages 8 & 9 for a fuller picture of what’s happening at Whisby this summer

Exhibitions and events Continues to July 13 Forest 2 Furniture A selling-exhibition of handmade furniture by master craftsman Patrick Turk. See fuller story alongside.

July 21 to August 29 School’s Out An exhibition of artwork from children at Skellingthorpe’s Holt Primary School and All Saints Primary and Ling Moor Primary Schools in North Hykeham.

August 4 - 8 Whisby Summer Fun Join the Wildlife Trust education team for a week of fun - pond dipping, bug hunting, craft workshops etc. Details

on 01522 696926 or 01522 688868 September 6 - 29 Dodeka Designers: Walk in the Park Exhibition of weaving, knitting, spinning and dying, stitching, glassware, felt and painting. All work is for sale. at pricesbetween £3 and £300. Glass artist Barbara Coulam who exhibited in last year’s Transform & Evolve exhibition, will feature in this show.

October 5 - November 2 Give Nature a Home Willow, paper and found and recycled materials are included alongside botanical Illustrations multi-media, watercolour landscapes and textile work.

Solid styling Master craftsman Patrick Turk stages an exhibition of handmade traditional English furniture.

Drawing inspiration from traditional 16th and 17th century English country furniture, he also allows the actual wood he is working with to influence how the finished pieces turn out so the grain is displayed to the best advantage.

This sometimes results in the marriage of traditional styles with a more contemporary look as he reflects back on the history that unfurled during the wood’s growth and focuses on its future as a functional piece of art.

All work on display is available to buy; chance to furnish your house with a unique item that is locally sourced and ethically made.

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