NewsNK Winter 2012

newsnk

Welfare changes explained on page 5

The newspaper for all North Kesteven residents

THE

Winter 2012

Bomber Command Memorial appeal A memorial is planned for the top of Canwick Hill to mark the contribution of Bomber Command during the Second World War. The chosen site at the north of the District overlooks Lincoln Cathedral, which was a major landmark for crews leaving Lincolnshire and a navigation point for those lucky enough to return.

It will commemmorate the sacrifice of more than 25,000 aircrew who flew from Lincolnshire but never returned. A staggering 46% of Bomber Command casualties were based in the county.

The project is led by Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire Tony Worth, with support from the Bomber Command Association, local councils including

North Kesteven, the Lincolnshire Lancaster Association, Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire, active RAF stations in the county and elsewhere, Lincoln Cathedral and the University of Lincoln.

Individuals and organisations have also pledged support and you can too.

The Bomber Comand Memorial team also hopes to collect a wide range of stories about the Command whether as a member of the crew, supporting personnel, family member or county resident. These may be used at the appeal launch next May and as part of the eventual memorial.

Send any contributions and photos to memories@ lincsbombercommandmemorial.com

Details of the Lincolnshire Bomber Command Memorial, how you can donate towards the appeal and contribute memories and material can be found online at www.lincsbombercommandmemorial.com

Council reinforces its priority focus The District Council shows fresh commitment to the economy, communities and homes of North Kesteven as it sharpens its focus on making a difference In order to meet residents’ needs and support growth as it strives towards its vision of 100 Flourishing Communities, NKDC has consolidated priorities which are increasingly focused on the effective and efficient delivery of services.

These reflect the main challenges facing the District over the next five years relating to homes, communities and the economy.

During the autumn the Council has been refining its priorities through consultation with partners, the public, staff and elected Members, from which it is clear that the four priorities established over the past three years remain valid – but with fresh emphasis: Our Economy– to promote the economic and employment growth of North Kesteven Our Homes – to promote housing growth that meets the current and emerging needs of North Kesteven

Our Communities – the promote the sustainability, wellbeing, safety and health of North Kesteven’s growing communities Our Council – to be a highperforming and value-for-money Council that is prepared for the future.

Within these priorities the Council is committed to delivering a series of actions in the coming year by building on previous success, reviewing past initiatives and setting out forwardthinking policies for a vibrant future within North Kesteven.

To achieve this it has a number of objectives which include: > Facilitating new jobs, homes and infrastructure to support long term growth > Working in partnership to improve the quality of life, economic

performance and environmental sustainability of North Kesteven > Inspiring community participation to deliver local aspirations and community-based services > Transforming services to meet the changing needs of North Kesteven.

Further public input will be encouraged as part of January’s budget consultation to ensure the Council is reflecting community pressures - see page 4.

Council Leader Marion Brighton OBE said the NK Plan was informed by a number of local factors as well as national influences, reflecting the economic outlook for the country, the emerging growth agenda for North Kesteven, policy changes which local government have to respond to and the financial outlook for

Environmental Health Officers go behind the scenes of District food premises to give you greater confidence in your eating-out choices - See pages 7-10 to discover what they found.

Our Communities – page 6

local authorities - all set against the economic, social and environmental challenges facing the District.

“It is important that we remain committed to delivering local priorities and making a difference for local people. To this end, we retain our focus on high performance at low cost; delivering excellent value for money, whilst still driving out savings; and retaining the capacity for continual improvement,” she said.

“Having clarity on the major influences of the Council, a full understanding of the priorities and a five year delivery plan will enable the Council to understand where best to deploy its time, effort and resources,” said Cllr Mrs Brighton.

In addition to achieving more than £2m of savings in the last two years, the Council has made a number of achievements against these priority areas which are highlighted throughout this edition on pages 2, 6, 11 and 12.

Our Economy – page 11

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

The Council is way-ahead with the delivery of services in most areas where they matter most.

Fifty five of the 59 targets it has to monitor performance at the halfway stage of the year are on track or ahead.

This includes high public satisfaction with the Council and the handling of anti-social behaviour complaints; more visitors and users of sports facilities and attractions; high occupancy of business units, tenant satisfaction and Council Tax collection; and strong efficiency in processing housing applications, handling planning applications and making services available online.

The amount of household waste sent for reuse, recycling and composting is more than 5% above target at 58.2% and the amount of residual waste generated per household is half of the 230kg target.

The 87 affordable homes delivered or enabled by the Council exceed expectations for the full year and the 12 long-term empty homes brought back to use is more than double the target.

Public engagement and consultation has also increased to almost double the target level expected at this stage.

Our Homes – page 12

www.n-kesteven.gov.uk

inside District disaster zone Discover what draws fire crew from across the globe to Waddington to hone life-saving skills 7 Welfare Reform A quick guide to all you need to know as the clock ticks down to Welfare reform in the spring 5

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 Osbournby Village Hall London Road, Osbournby, Sleaford, NG34 0DG Skellingthorpe Village Office Lincoln Road, Skellingthorpe Community Centre, Lincoln, LN6 5UT The Witham Office 16 Torgate Lane, Bassingham, Lincoln, LN5 9HF 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.

Printed on Recycled Paper

2 newsnk Winter 2012

and child safety courses starting soon 6 Consumer confidence Reading behind the ratings given for hygiene standards at food premises right across North Kesteven 8-9 Skills training Opportunities to seek out apprenticeships and develop skills, making it easier for young people to secure work 11

Something for nothing Sign up for free fitness

Swift approach to new Police Crime Commissioner to secure assurance on community safety North Kesteven’s Community Safety Partnership is seeking to work closely with Lincolnshire’s new Police and Crime Commissioner to maintain the District’s status as one of the country’s safest.

Within hours of former TV newsreader Alan Hardwick (pictured) being elected to the post, the partnership had written seeking an early meeting.

Mr Hardwick received 39,221 votes, from a county-wide turnout of just over 15%, beating nearest rival David Bowles by just over 4,000 votes.

Having stood as an independent, Mr Hardwick has pledged to operate free of politics, to put pressure on Government to reinstate a rural policing grant worth £1.8m - equivalent to 42 police officers - and to allow ‘nothing to get in the way of the welfare, safety and security of the people of Lincolnshire’.

Chairman of NK’s Community Safety Partnership, Cllr Mike Gallagher wants to secure an early commitment from Mr Hardwick on continued support for local initiatives to support community safety and reduced incidence of anti-social behaviour.

“We look forward to working with him as a partnership and hope to establish ourselves in his mind as leaders and pioneers so that he can be confident in allocating his budgets to

the advantage of safer communities in North Kesteven,” said Cllr Gallagher.

“We hope that he will see the successes we have achieved in maintaining North Kesteven as one of the country’s safer areas, and reward that with continued funding for our programmes such as football mentoring, diversionary initiatives, ASB work and education projects.”

As well as steering the direction, priorities and budget of the county force, the Commissioner‘s role is to be the champion for victims and witnesses in the Criminal Justice System and work closely with community safety partnerships.

Electors’ clear preference in North Kesteven was for independent candidate Mr Hardwick who polled 4,477 of first preference votes cast.

This was 50 more than rival David Bowles from a turnout of just 15.84% of the potential electorate.

The final result in NK was 6,203 for Mr Hardwick and 5,379 for Mr Bowles, after second preferences made in their favour by people who had initially supported the two defeated candidates were added.

The North Kesteven result was added to those from across the county to determine Mr Hardwick as the ultimate victor.

Funding stream to improve sports participation Funding opportunities are open for sports clubs, organisations and leisure centres targeting young people.

During the first two years of Sportivate funding in Lincolnshire, more than 200 projects have received funding, allowing clubs and organisations to offer sports sessions for 14 to 25 year olds across the county.

The fund is administered by the Lincolnshire Sports Partnership to target ‘semi-sporty’ teenagers and young adults to take part in sport, providing a huge financial incentive for sports

clubs, schools, leisure facilities and others to deliver more sport across locally.

Sports clubs, schools, community groups, youth clubs, colleges, leisure facilities and workplaces targeting 14 – 25 year-olds can all apply for funding for up to eight weeks of sport sessions. Applicants are encouraged especially where their project focuses on disability, post16s and those not in training, education or employment.

The deadline is Friday, January 25. Details at www.lincolnshiresports.com/sportivate

Our Council - Our achievements in 2011/12 The Council is highly regarded by residents as well as external agencies for its high performance at low cost and a strong track record backed by continuous improvement.

Achievements made, facilitated and supported under NKDC’s commitment to the priority theme area called Our Council, include: > A further £1m of savings in 2011/12 to achieve a total of £2m accrued over two years, secured through efficiency measures and service reviews across the Council. > Smarter procurement and development of new shared service partnerships, principally in revenues and benefits with the City of Lincoln Council; joint forward planning with Lincoln, West Lindsey district and Lincolnshire county councils; evironmental services with South Kesteven and IT with West Lindsey. > Continued reduction of the Council’s carbon footprint, achieving a 19% drop over three years. > Improved transparency and access to Council information by promoting proposals for openness. > Reducing rent areas from tenants with poor payment history by 31%, worth an extra £41,000.

Such measures all illustrate the responsibility the Council takes in ensuring it operates effectively and efficiently for the benefit of all residents.

48 Boundary change plan is consistent No amendments were made during the past year to the changes proposed for North Kesteven’s parliamentary constituency as a response of public feedback.

Despite extensive suggestions being made locally to the Boundary Commission for England’s recommendations, no further revisions have been by the agency for any part of Lincolnshire.

This means that the plan going forward as part of a plan to ensure every English constituency has between 72,810 and 80,4773 electors remains the same as the initial proposal.

That is to remove the five North Hykeham wards and Waddington West into the Lincoln constituency; Rename the constituency from Sleaford and North Hykeham CC to Sleaford CC; Switch the Bracebridge Heath and Waddington East wards from Lincoln into Sleaford; This would give an electorate of 79,559 for the Sleaford Constituency and 78,664 for Lincoln.

Skellingthorpe will remain within Lincoln and the South Kesteven wards of Barrowby, Ermine, Heath, Loveden, Peascliffe, Saxonwell and Witham Valley will remain in the Sleaford constituency.

The changes should come into effect for the 2015 General Election.

Council opening over holidays Given the way the bank holidays fall this year, the Council will also be closed to callers on both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. The Sleaford office, call centre and Info-Links at North Hykeham will be open from 9am to 4.30pm on Friday, December 21, Thursday 27 and Friday 28. In Metheringham opening will be 9am -1pm on December 21, 27 and 28.

They all resume usual opening hours from 9am on Wednesday, January 2.

For any enquires inbetween times, the website is available round the clock at www.n-kesteven.gov.uk Changes to bin collection dates are detailed on the back page of this edition and at www.n-kesteven.gov.uk

News Focus

Absent voters need to sign up Some people who prefer or need to use postal voting instead of voting at a polling station are being asked to sign up for another period.

People who want to vote by post or proxy have to submit a signature as part of their personal identification.

Where this is over five years old, they are being asked for it to be refreshed in order to remain an absent voter.

This is one of the measures to ensure against fraud and picks up changes in handwriting.

It is particularly important for anyone voting by post, as the postal ballot pack they receive during an election contains a statement which requires them to give their signature and date of birth.

If the signature in the personal identifier does not match the one on record, it cannot be counted.

If you know the Council has a signature that’s five or more years old, look out for the letter being sent to around 2,000 affected people by January 31 and return it promptly.

New-look leisure centre is carved out Sleaford pool’s £2.85m refurbishment sees swift progress The structure of Sleaford’s new-look leisure centre is being shaped over the winter months as work continues on the £2.85m refurbishment project.

Local contractors RG Carters are currently focussing on carving out the spaces for new facilities and improvements which include installing a new pool base, opening up walls for the changing facilities and gym extension plus the new splashzone created for younger users.

They have made good progress during the first phase of work since the centre’s closure in October, safely preparing the site for installation of the scaffolding, removal of extensive tiling and stripping out of all fittings.

During the work, the pool is being transformed with a re-graded floor and deck-level drainage.

The building is being remodelled to improve energy efficiency, use of space, access and acoustics.

The gym will be expanded for 23 extra fitness stations, the multi-use studio extended, health suite relocated and unisex changing provided.

Cllr Susan Waring, Executive Board Member with responsibility for leisure, said: “We are extremely pleased with the progress made so far and opening of the facility is still on track for September 2013.”

“The consultation we undertook earlier in the year was extremely important in getting the refurbishment right. Residents of the District spoke and we listened; working hard with architects to ensure we deliver a leisure facility which meets everyone’s needs,” she said.

A splashzone is among the new additions, designs for which are still underway to include various interactive water features including a slide and water sprays in a shallow area of water specifically for use by the under fives. It will replace what

is currently under-used space and extend the pool area.

“There has been a pool in this location for the past 140 years providing generations of local people with active fun and exercise and we are very pleased to show our continued commitment to the area’s leisure options in this way.”

Faster broadband will spread across the District next year Rollout of superfast broadband across the District will begin in 2013 following European Union approval for a network improvement using public funds.

This allows a partnership involving NKDC to be led by Lincolnshire County Council in extending faster broadband connections to reach 90% of county residents by 2015. The rest will get at least standard broadband.

The £57m programme is made up of both public and private sector funds including £10m from the county council, £4m pooled by the district authorities – including £600,000 from NKDC – and £300,000 of European Regional Development funding There are many areas in the District where internet coverage is slow, patchy or non-existent, but this initiative will ensure everyone is able

to access the internet more effectively – for improved economic and social wellbeing.

NKDC Executive Board Member Cllr Geoff Hazelwood said: “There are so many reasons why it’s not only handy, but essential now to have fast reliable broadband access, which is why this Council has made it a high priority.

“It’s great to know that as early as next summer residents and

businesses operating from home can enjoy an improved service that brings better productivity, better access for online banking, government services, pensions, education and medical resources, and even better house prices which are affected by the quality of broadband connections.”

Contracts should be signed by March for improvements to begin by early summer, said Cllr Hazelwood.

Awards celebrate sporting contributions made in the District

Awards and certificates were given to, from left: ArtsNK Dance, Lee Cupit, Thelma Smith from Laffletics, Courtnery Limb, Peter Sumpton, Kieran Tscherniawsky, Georgie Twigg, Sophie Wells and Gerry Wilson. Photos courtesy of Lincolnshire Sports Partnership/Lincs Photos Capping-off a phenomenal year for sports participation and promotion, seven individuals and two organisations from the District have been recognised for their involvement in sport and physical activity locally.

This has been the year of the Olympics, which featured four District competitors, the Paralympics which drew a further two athletes with local links, huge public support for the Olympic Torch relay’s passage through Sleaford and Bracebridge Heath, commencement of a £2.85m refurbishment of Sleaford leisure centre and extensive participation and

excellence by hundreds of sporting residents.

This year of sporting success was celebrated at the 2012 Lincolnshire Sports Awards where: > Gerry Wilson from North Hykeham was given a Lifetime Achievement award after 50 years of volunteering with Bracebridge Heath Cricket Club. > Doddington’s Olympic Bronze Medalist Georgie Twigg became Lincolnshire Sportswoman of the year for continued success in hockey. > ArtsNK Dance operated as part of NKDC’s cultural outreach was

runner-up in the Contribution to Physical Activity award. > Paralympic seated discus athlete Kieran Tscherniawsky from Heckington was a runner-up as Disabled Sportsperson of the Year. > Sophie Wells, from Harby, who was schooled in North Hykeham took Sports Personality of the Year and Disabled Sportsperson awards. She won Gold and Silver in Paralympic equestrian events too. > Lee Cupit from Scopwick was runnerup as Young Disabled Sportsperson > Courtney Limb from South Hykeham was runner-up as Young Sportswoman. > Sleaford’s Laffletics Club was a

runner-up as Sports Club of the year, having won three previous awards this year including NKDC’s Community Champion Award for sports contribution. > Peter Sumpton, from Sleaford, a member of the Vitality dance programme was runner-up in the Active 4 Health award.

The Lincolnshire Sports Partnership is supported by NKDC. Its annual awards celebrate and recognise some of the county’s top sportsmen and women as well as volunteers, coaches, clubs and individuals whose lives have been impacted by sport and physical activity.

Officer patrols enforce parking Twenty enforcement officers have taken to the streets to enforce parking restrictions, yellow lines and time-limited waiting bays.

They will be distinctive in blue and green uniform, as pictured below.

This new era of parking enforcement came into effect on December 3 after transfer of responsibility from the police to the county council.

This will include more frequent patrols and ticketing than motorists have been used to lately.

The motivation is to keep people moving around the county, reduce congestion from inconsiderate parking and support shops by limiting the length of time people can park in bays.

North Kesteven remains responsible for the management of off-street car parking, but all on-street parking is now under the county council’s control – single and double yellow lines, residents’ zones, time-limited restrictions and loading areas.

Drivers are advised that if they stick to the lines and signs they will have nothing to worry about. An online parking manual with advice on parking considerately, restrictions and fines can be found at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/ parkingenforcement If you have any queries, email parkingservices@lincolnshire.gov.uk

Youth Council A quicker, slicker, more positive presentation of young people in the District and promotion of employment opportunities are the focus for YouthNK. Under its new branding, the NK Youth Council will concentrate its efforts in 2013 and 2014 on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the group as a representative voice for those aged 13 to 24 in relation to the District Council, its partners and services.

Promoting a positive image of young people and employment opportunities, leisure options and competitions are important, as well as seeking out funding.

Social Media will become the main way for young people to find out information on YouthNK’s latest campaigns. Articles, information and posts on the Facebook page will be written and managed by the group.

The page www.facebook.com/youthnk will also act as a portal for wider youth issues and other people’s contributions are also welcomed.

Winter 2012 newsnk 3

News Focus

Higher praise for ASB response Almost 90% of people who have sought help in tackling local anti-social behaviour from NKDC are satisfied with the service they received.

The 87.6% satisfaction rating given for the way problems were resolved by the Council and its partners during the three months up to October shows a continued improvement on the 82% rating for the previous three months.

NKDC has a responsibility, along with the police to manage and deal with complaints of anti-social behaviour, with a commitment to residents in how it deals with issues through the Respect Charter.

Because it appreciates the impact of anti-social behaviour on people’s lives, NKDC is committed to continuous improvement of its service to residents.

There has been a series of major improvements in the way the Council, police and broader ASB Team work in this area, which includes the introduction of a system used jointly by the police, local authorities and housing associations for the thorough recording of all ASB cases.

It is clear that this, coupled with the approach NKDC takes in dealing with cases, is starting to make a difference to people’s lives, with significant improvements being recorded in the satisfaction levels for ASB. In 2009/10, the level of recorded satisfaction on the outcome of cases was 57%.

Cllr Mike Gallagher, Executive Board Member with responsibility for Community Safety said: “This improvement is really positive for our residents; it demonstrates the commitment and hard work of this Council and our partner agencies in promoting the services available and dealing with complaints in a timely, robust manner to ensure matters are resolved at the earliest opportunity in a professional way.

“Knowing they can rely on us reassures people that they do not have to endure the consequences of anti-social behaviour, and that their problems will be resolved effectively, efficiently and to their satisfaction.”

If you are experiencing ASB, contact your local police team or call NKDC on 01529 414155.

Global life-saving skills honed at train crash site and earthquake disaster zone here in the District A unique world-class training facility which has proved vital in earthquake, disaster and emergency situations globally is exporting life-saving techniques from North Kesteven Travelling south from Bracebridge Heath we’re all familiar with RAF Waddington’s perimeter fence on the right but where would you expect to find a train crash, burning ship, collapsed school, exploded house, crumbling building site, and fire-ravaged Spar shop?

Just off the A15, right opposite the airbase, beneath, behind and within a series of grassy mounds, on the Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service training ground.

These are all scenarios and settings for real-life training situations Beyond training-up the sharp end of the county brigade’s 770 staff in situations ranging from large animal rescue, flooding and chemical leaks to the usual domestic, commercial and industrial blazes, the unit is used by rescue professionals from across the world to develop specialist skills and techniques.

During a three-hour visit by North Kesteven councillors, there were

Canadians, Hungarians and rescue personnel from other UK brigades onsite. American, German, French, Scottish and London crew are commonplace and rescue services from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire do all their training there.

This is where they learn not only the day-to-day skills of safely tackling fires, controlling wide-ranging incidents and carrying out rescues, evacuations and extrications, but also the knowledge and wherewithal for making a difference in disaster zones like the recent Japanese, Haitian and New Zealand earthquakes.

Since being established eight years ago to replicate the exact conditions faced on the ground in emergency situations, the Waddington operation has become universally regarded as word-class, offering experience in any foreseeable scenario and attracting a continual stream of professionals from across the globe – contributing to the District economy in the process

and often returning for a family visit.

The training facility is essential in driving up standards within the Lincolnshire Urban Search and Rescue team who contribute to a national network and volunteer as part of the rapid response International Search and Rescue unit.

Dog handler and trainer Neil Woodmansey said the secret of the Waddington facility’s success was that it had been designed and built by fire fighters, for fire fighters, and while other counties may have the available land, they were held back by a lack of the foresight and understanding in the planning process, as had been shown in North Kesteven.

All but six of Lincolnshire’s 38 fire stations are operated through retained or part-time crew, equipped with 48 fire appliances, seven specialist vehicles, 10 rescue boats, high volume pump and a masscontamination unit as part of a national resilience.

Seventy per cent of the operational force are retained crew and hold down day jobs too.

Together they respond to around 10,000 of the 16,500 calls which come in each year, a third of them as a co-responder to a car accident or cardiac failure for example, bringing a fast, efficient and life-saving medical intervention In its commitment to make Lincolnshire a safer place to live, work and visit, the service has a three-way emphasis, on promoting fire safety, protecting the public and responding to emergency situations.

It is a key contributor to the community safety agenda through the Arson Task Force, reduced anti-social behaviour and driver training, home fire safety checks, fire alarm installation and as a partner in driving up better safety standards in social housing – especially houses in multiple occupation or above takeaways.

On-call firefighters are needed to serve their communities right across the District If you are aged over 18, live or work within five minutes of a community fire station and have a passion to serve as a part-time firefighter, consider making an application today.

The county Fire & Rescue Service is currently looking for retained crew at Billingborough, Billinghay, Brant Broughton, Metheringham, North Hykeham, Sleaford and Waddington

Council Chairman Cllr Ray Cucksey, Executive Board and local ward members with fire service community protection manager Sean Taylor

Call on 0800 3580 204 Or visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/lfr

Diamond alder

Have your say on the Council’s budget Free football coaching skills course

An alder tree has been planted at Lollycock’s Fields in Sleaford as a commemoration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

The Sleaford Civic Trust sought the Council’s permission to plant the tree within the local nature reserve, which is an important habitat for species of plants and animals under threat.

The planting was carried out by Civic Trust chairman Eddy Double.

Have your say on aspects of the Council’s budget for the coming year.

Appreciating residents’ input, the Council consults over its proposals each year, explaining how the budget is formed and seeking feedback on how it is spent.

You don’t need to have a head for figures and there will be chance to question the Executive Board and senior managers at the Council.

Join us on: > January 14, 7pm - District Council Offices, Sleaford

> January 15, 2pm - Leadenham Village Hall, Leadenham

> January 28, 7pm - Terry O’Toole Theatre, North Hykeham Your time and opinions will be appreciated. Apply for a place on 01529 308016 or email research@n-kesteven.gov.uk Travel arrangements can be made and expenses paid; refreshments available.

4 newsnk Winter 2012

There is still time for would-be football coaches to come off the benches to support teams in four District villages.

Play will kick off in April in Metheringham, Heckington, Billinghay and Washingborough after a dozen people stepped forward to develop their coaching skills under a free programme run in partnership with Carres Grammar School.

There is still scope to sign up as a coach, especially in Billinghay and Washingborough as the teams need at least four coaches to function. It’s open to both males and females aged 16 and above to receive Level 1 FA Coaching Skills training and then lead teams of teenagers locally in evening kick-abouts.

For details and dates contact Jade Warren on 01529 308268 or email jade_warren@n-kesteven.gov.uk

News Focus

The Clock is ticking on Welfare reform Major changes are ahead in the way payments are calculated

The Pod returns to the road Repaired and re-equipped, The Pod mobile playbus is back on the road bringing active play closer to home.

Two years after starting to rollout its unique offering of fun activities for children of all ages, NKDC’s mobile play facility was struck by criminal damage.

It was taken off the road after a break-in caused substantial damage and loss of equipment such as laptops, play equipment, Nintendo Wii and games, but everything is now replaced – partly thanks to local generosity.

After reading about the damage, Sleaford man Mark Brackenbury decided to donate the Wii he had at home which he no longer used, and colleagues at the Sleaford and District

Furniture Recycling Project where he volunteers also gifted a stereo and collection of music CDs. “It struck me that The Pod was a really great thing to have in an area like North Kesteven where the kids might not have their own equipment and can’t easily reach the activities in towns and bigger villages. I just wanted to do my bit to get it back on the road again,” he said.

The Pod’s locations can be found as detailed below.

Although Big Lottery funding for The Pod has now ended, the Council has committed its delivery to North Kesteven’s rural communities until at least March 2014.

The POD playbus will be out and about at various locations all across the District this winter.

To find out if the POD will be near you look it up on www.facebook.com/thepodnk call 01522 870252 or email nkyouthoutreach@leisureconnection.co.uk

A series of changes are on the way which will affect the sums paid in benefits to support hundreds of welfare claimants in the District.

The changes are all part of a Government initiative to reduce the complexity and cost of benefits, make work pay and respond faster to changes in eligibility and circumstance.

They will only affect households with working-age occupants, not pensioners.

North Kesteven District Council has no say on the changes, but wants to raise awareness of them before they take effect from April.

They include: A cap on the total amount of welfare a household can receive. This will be £500 per week for couples and families and £350 for single adults the maximum that can be paid. The cap will not apply if there is a member of the household who is receiving:

Disability Living Allowance; Attendance Allowance; Working Tax Credit; War Widows’ or Widower’s Pension; Support Component of Employment and Support Allowance. This may affect up to 20 NK households.

A Bedroom Tax. Where people are living in homes that are bigger than they need their Housing Benefit will be reduced. See the panel below or a clearer explanation of underoccupancy. This may affect 1,000 NK households - but not pensioners.

Universal credit. This is a new working-age benefit to be introduced from October 2013, bringing all means-tested benefits and tax credits – including Housing Benefit – into one benefit. It will be paid monthly direct to claimants.

Non-dependent deductions.

These are reductions to the level of Housing Benefit paid to a claimant due to them having an adult living

The Bedroom Tax explained The criteria allows one bedroom for each adult or couple in a household and makes expectations on children sharing. Over 16s are classed as adults.

A child of nine or under will be expected to share with a child of the same age group, regardless of gender.

A child of 15 or under is expected to share with one child, but only where they are the same gender.

An additional bedroom is allowed for a non-resident carer providing overnight care for the claimant or their partner.

Where there is one bedroom too many Housing Benefit will be reduced by 14% of the rental amount (around £10 a week); and 25% where there are two or more bedrooms

with them other than their partner. The amount deducted is affected by the non-dependant’s income and the rate at which it reduces is increasing.

Council Tax Benefit. This has helped some people on low incomes to meet their Council Tax charge. A local scheme has been devised and consulted on through the autumn, with all current recipients notified of the proposals. A decision will be taken in January to take effect in April.

Pensioners, carers, the disabled and those receiving war pensions will not be affected, but working-age claimants might see their assistance reduced.

Further information and a calculator to assess the impact can be found at www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/residents

too many (between £15 and £25 a week).

If you are affected by this there are four suggested options. > Move to a house appropriate to your needs. You can register at www.homeswapper.co.uk or speak to the Council’s housing needs team. > Seek employment to increase your income. Jobcentre Plus can help you get work. > Take in a lodger to occupy the spare room, but check with the Council’s Benefits Unit in case it affects your claim. > Pay the charge. For help with budgeting, try the Council’s Money Advice Service or local Citizen’s Advice Bureau. > NKDC tenants can discuss options with their duty housing officer on 01529 414155.

Nocton Hall’s future to be mapped out Spires & Steeples volunteers rise to the challenge The future of the derelict, fire-ravaged historic Nocton Hall is to be mapped out through a development brief drawn up between the owners, local community and District Council.

Heritage agencies will also be engaged in setting out a vision for the hall steered towards an option that secures the main house as a publicallyaccessible ruin whilst fully restoring a wing for use as a house, community facility or heritage centre, with scope for some new-build housing in the grounds.

This fits in with the recommendations of NKDC’s Executive Board which considered the findings of a series of reports appraising options to resolve a lengthy impasse on progress.

The Board suggests the owners draw up a development brief through close community liaison to explore all technical constraints and opportunities to achieve the goal.

Council Leader Cllr Mrs Marion Brighton OBE, said: “With potential for public access, environmental improvement and contribution to the District economy, in addition to the

main aim of securing the future of the hall, we think there is great potential in pursuing this option as the best possible outcome.

“The Council has invested a significant amount of time in securing a lasting solution for the Hall’s future.

If the owners take up our suggestion by commissioning a new development brief for the site, they will be showing their commitment for progressing its future too, which would be most welcome,” she said.

Built in 1841 in Elizabethan Revival style for Prime Minister the 1st Earl of Ripon, the hall is nationally significant and among of the Victorian Society’s ten most endangered buildings.

It was used as an RAF hospital through the two world wars and beyond, then by the US Armed Forces in the first Iraq War, before last being used as a residential care home in the mid 1990s.

It then stood empty for years before being substantially damaged in a fire in October 2004.

Ongoing deterioration has been exacerbated by thefts and vandalism.

First 13-mile walker, Mike Watson from Harmston

As with the Olympic Games, it was the volunteers who made this autumn’s Spires and Steeples Challenge such a success.

This fifth event drew more than 350 participants from all over the country to run or walk from Lincoln Castle or Metheringham through to Sleaford on the 26-mile Spires & Steeples arts and heritage trail.

Once more it showcased the District’s community spirit as much as its beautiful villages, accessible countryside and varied public art commissions.

Event organiser Donna Lill from the Council’s leisure arm, said: “Volunteers, sponsors and participants alike thoroughly enjoyed the event. The volunteers who gave up their time helping before, during and after the event were all amazing, and the day could not have been such a success without them.

“Thanks also go to the tremendous work of St John Ambulance, without whom the event couldn’t take place, and to our sponsors – Lincolnshire Co-Op, Tesco, Ringrose Law, Ray Butler Ltd and The Blakemore Foundation for all of the help on the day.”

Young people in North Kesteven wanting to express themselves can Speak Up, Speak Out If you want to build up a positive picture of teenagers in the area, find out more about matters affecting you and what you can get involved in, the YouthNK Facebook is the place to be.

Speak up, speak out

Go to www.facebook.com/youthnk Winter 2012 newsnk 5

Our Community

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

Our Communities Our priorities The strength of community cohesion is a significant factor in what makes North Kesteven such a pleasant place to live.

Alongside thriving neighbourhoods, the District boasts an enviable degree of neighbourhood safety and co-operation as people look out for one another in a clear display of community spirit Achievements made, facilitated and supported under NKDC’s commitment to Our Communities include: > NK remains the eighth safest place to live in the country in terms of reported crime. > It is identified as the fourth best place to live outside the south east – the 36th best of all 405 local authority areas and 13th of 119 rural districts in a Halifax survey. > Collected 45,397 tonnes of household waste, 53% of which was recycled. > Council played a major role promoting sustainability to businesses and residents within the District. > Significant increase in physical activity levels. > Refurbishment of Sleaford Leisure Centre underway. > Signing up to the Armed Forces Community Covenant. > Active and ongoing dialogue with young people and broader population groups. > Engaged with 2,210 parents through the cooking cart initiative. > Delivered safer cycling route between Sleaford & Leasingham. > Inspected over 600 food businesses.

Such measures all illustrate the care the Council takes in supporting its 100 Flourishing Communities.

Generation gap bridged over lunch and activity Computer chips were served up with the fish and chips for a group of seniors when they went back to school for lunch A year on from being served up as a response to the challenge of an increasingly aging – but still very active – population, Hot Meals in Schools have become so popular that there is now a waiting list where it operates in North Hykeham.

There will now be six sessions run throughout the academic year at the North Kesteven and Robert Pattinson academy schools, bringing together small groups of elderly people to interact with students over a meal and challenge – the latest of which was mentoring computer skills.

For most it was their first ever encounter with computers but they wasted no time in navigating the information superhighway via email and websites, with Google Maps providing an excellent way to take them back down memory lane to see where they used to live, or discover new places.

At 94, Alf Hunter was the oldest participant and was soon zooming around the world with student Alex

6 newsnk Winter 2012

Hykeham Lions Club members Malcolm Biddulph, Ken Burton and Mike Pearson help Kay Laskey master computer skills at the NK School Club, the project is now sustainable and able to reach ever more people.

“There are key benefits for all involved including the opportunity for the elderly to get out more often, meet and chat with younger people and break down any perceptions and barriers.”

The project has been championed as a local solution to the Excellent Ageing challenge to inspire older

people and promote interaction with neighbours and is branching out through another initiative with Hill Holt Wood being piloted over the winter.

At Hill Holt, young people learning catering skills have been branching out by hosting local people aged 70 and above from surrounding villages.

For further information or to promote a similar project in your area, call Sharon Bark on 01529 414155.

Evergreen scheme builds friendships for those who live in lonely isolation Responding to the high proportion of over 55s within the population, a new befriending initiative helps to foster friendships among those living alone and in isolation.

Latest census figures show that 41.1% of North Kesteven’s population is aged 50 or above, with a projection that this will top 50% within two decades.

In anticipation of this, the foundations of the service were set two years ago.

Fit for Life classes Homework time Two more Fit For Life courses will start in the New Year, offering you chance to shape up for the season.

The 10-week courses are free for anyone aged over 18 and those with children under five are particularly encouraged, with each one having a free crèche for participants’ children.

They will operate at Heckington Sports & Social Club on Wednesdays from January 9, and Walcott Village Hall on Fridays from January 11, 10am to noon.

They build on the success of five previous courses run by the NK Health Trainers, looking at weight loss, physical activity, healthy food options, exercise and lifestyle change.

The classes are each intended for 12 people only, so book now with Debbie on 07733 368676 or email Deborah_chessum@n-kesteven.gov.uk to avoid disappointment.

Lendon, looking at Red Square, Moscow, European capitals, New York and Australia. “I’m the wrong age to really understand it but I have been amazed by what you can see and do,” said Alf. Joyce Smith, 81, whose husband Len soon discovered internet racing tips, said, “I don’t think you’re ever too old to learn. When I was at school we still had slate and pencil and used encyclopaedias; I guess this is just the latest version of those and they’re obviously a wonderful way to do things and learn if you know how to use them.”

Cllr Susan Waring, who has oversight of initiatives for both young and older people, said it was an excellent way of promoting mutual understanding by linking the generations.

‘Hot Meals in School brings nourishment of body, mind and spirit to some of our more vulnerable older people and with the support of the schools, AgeUK and Hykeham Lions

The lessons learned from a homework club running in Billinghay will be shared with other primary schools to support pupils and parents across the District.

Helped by funds from PartnershipNK, Billinghay Primary School operates the club for one hour a week after school for parents to join their children in the classroom for focused attention on homework away from distractions.

The Billinghay pilot is intended to demonstrate the benefits and importance of such clubs for concentrating the mind on studies, with teacher support close at hand.

Fitting in with its agenda to support children, the Council can also help other schools to set up clubs based on Billinghay’s positive experience.

Billinghay parents or other schools wanting to know more can contact the headteacher.

Operating within a 10 mile radius of Sleaford, it offers vulnerable people aged over 55 one to one friendship from one of the 30 or so carefully identified volunteer befrienders.

Having been inspired by staff at NKDC, Evergreen Sleaford, is similar to a scheme in Stamford and Bourne.

It is run by the Sleaford Caring Trust, set up for the purpose, and supported

by Churches Together in Sleaford.

Trust chairman Dave Jeal said: “Having recognised the need and the benefits to lonely older people who may not get a visit from anyone regularly, we know our friendship service is making a big difference.”

Volunteer befrienders commit to visit the person with whom they are paired for at least one hour a week.

NKDC Chief Executive Ian Fytche said that with the proportion of elderly

people in North Kesteven increasing ahead of county and national trends, it was important that services meet need.

Volunteering opportunities are available to anyone who is able.

For details on being a befriender or a client, call Evergreen Sleaford on 01529 413063, email info@evergreensleaford.org.uk, write to Evergreen Sleaford C/O NKDC or look at www.evergreensleaford.org.uk

Tree planting roots community spirit Child Play advert Neighbourly spirit has been deeply-rooted in a new community with the planting of new trees as part of an orchard regeneration project.

More than 150 residents at David Wilson Homes’ DeVessey Village development at Greylees near Sleaford spent a weekend rejuvenating the derelict orchard which was once part of the former Rauceby Hospital.

Forty five new fruit trees and a thousand wild flower plants have been rooted in the newly-renamed Greylees Community Orchard, which is part of the environmental improvements secured by North Kesteven District Council as part of the planning approval.

The names of everyone who helped out will be added to a special information board at the orchard entrance to thank them for their efforts.

As part of the homebuilder’s commitment to the community, the day was topped off with a fireworks display and locally sourced hot food.

To ensure wildlife thrives at the new orchard, a selection of old orchard trees have been retained and more berry-bearing shrubs will be added later in the season, with the orchard floor managed as a wildflower meadow with hedgehog and bee-friendly habitat – all under the NKDC-informed scheme.

Residents will be welcome to make use of the fruit and enjoy the enrinched flora and fauna.

Free safety-awareness workshops are available for parents and carers of children aged up to five.

With sessions across the District next spring and a free crèche available, it’s the perfect way to learn more about preventable accidents.

Key advice will cover fire and water safety, knives, cuts and poison, trips and falls and the dangers of suffocation, strangulation and choking.

The 2.5 hour friendly interactive sessions run at 9.15am and 12.15pm at: > Sleaford on February 5 > Metheringham on February 12 > Heckington on March 7 Contact Community Initiatives Officer Karen Broddle on 01529 308257 or email karen_broddle@n-kesteven.gov.uk for details and booking.

How to dine out or buy-in food with confidence How do you know if the place you intend to hold your Christmas party, pick-up a late night takeaway or dine out is up to scratch? Through the inspection work of the Council’s Environmental Health Officers and a national ratings scheme you can assess – with confidence – what you can’t see as a customer What goes on behind the kitchen door, under the counter or ‘out the back’ in a restaurant, take-away, shop, care home or cafe is often of no concern to the customer; so long as the food that comes out doesn’t make you ill.

But that is exactly why you should take at least a passing interest and make an informed choice on the hygiene standards behind the scenes.

Other than looking at the state of a chef’s apron, inspecting a waitress’ fingernails, and checking the sell-by date of packed foods, how can you tell? And what does that tell you anyway, about the safety or wisdom of eating or buying food there?

One very easy and fail-safe way of taking the hard work out of it is to place your confidence in the Food Hygiene Ratings Scheme. This scores all food premises along the same lines, giving a clear, concise and consistent value against which you can make an informed choice.

These are compiled locally by NKDC’s Environmental Health Unit in accordance with the Food Standards Agency’s national criteria which score premises according to their compliance with food hygiene laws.

The ratings assess the hygiene standards of business operators and staff – such as stock control, cleanliness and avoidance of cross-contamination, storage, temperature management, documentation and procedures. They are not a guide to actual food quality.

The ratings show how closely the business is meeting the requirements of food hygiene laws at the time of the inspection.

By being posted up for all to see in the premises and online, customers can make informed choices about the places they eat at or shop in for food and encourages businesses to improve their hygiene standards – all with the aim of reducing the incidence of food-borne illness.

They cover all establishments

supplying food direct to consumers, including restaurants, cafes, takeaways, sandwich shops, bakeries, delis and other places where people eat food prepared outside the home as well as retailers from corner shops through to supermarkets.

Schools, pubs, hotels, B&Bs, care homes, mobile traders, caterers, nurseries and hospitals are also covered.

As a national scheme, the same scoring system applies across England and Wales which means that where they each have a rating of 5, the standards behind the scenes of a cafe in Cornwall can be assessed in your mind alongside your favourite restaurant in Ruskington, a shop in Skellingthorpe, take-away in Tyneside or boozer in Bassingham.

These are the signs which you should seek to be certain of the standards

The food safety officer inspecting a business checks how well it is meeting the law by looking at: > how hygienically the food is handled – how it is prepared, cooked, reheated, cooled and stored. > the condition of the structure of the buildings – the cleanliness, layout, lighting, ventilation and other facilities. > how the business manages and records what it does to make sure food is safe.

At the end of the inspection, the business is given one of the six ratings. The top rating of 5 means that the business was found to have ‘very good’ hygiene standards. All business should be able to reach this top rating.

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme is designed to make sure that the ratings given to businesses are fair.

They show how well the business does overall by taking account of strengths and weaknesses. The food

safety officer explains to the owner what improvements are needed to achieve the top rating and continues to inspect and monitor to check that these improvements are made.

A new rating is given each time the business is inspected, with the frequency of inspections determined by the risk to people’s health. If improvements have been made to hygiene standards, the business owner can ask for another visit to be

made ahead of the next scheduled inspection, which may result in a new rating.

Instead of automatically closing down a business rated 1 or 0, the Council’s team will work closely to help raise standards through advice and enforcement options, but where there is an imminent risk to health – and food is not safe to eat – the officer must take action to protect consumers which could include partial or complete closure.

Businesses are encouraged to display their ratings where you can easily see them when you visit. If you don’t see it, ask a member of staff what rating was given at the last inspection, or you can find it online, via an app or here on these pages.

You will have to make your own judgment if the rating isn’t displayed but of course a good rating is a good advertisement, and that’s good for business.

Use this four-page guide to learn:

> more about the national Food Hygiene Rating Scheme. > how local premises are rated. > how it can help you to make an informed choice on where you eat, drink, stay and shop. > how you can get information on the move. > more about how the Council works to protect public health and wellbeing.

“

It is essential that the public has confidence in the quality of all food premises across the District, which is why the Food Hygiene Ratings are so useful.

By keeping these pages, checking the website before heading out or downloading the app for quick reference when out and about, even where they can’t see a rating in the window, diners and consumers can still gauge an impression on a businesses’ hygiene standards.

That way they can make informed decisions about where to buy and where to eat.

We are very proud that 397 - more than half - of our 778 assessed premises score a rating of 5 and a further 194 are rated 4.

But I think it’s worth remembering that there is no reason why every business shouldn’t be up there with them as all they need to do to score a 5 is comply with food hygiene laws; it’s as simple as that.

We give our traders continuous support and encouragement to help them improve their businesses and standards, but our duty is primarily towards the public; that is why our inspections are rigorous and we never hesitate to take enforcement action where circumstances warrant it.”

Cllr Richard Wright , Executive Board Member with responsibility for Environmental Heath

Third term for NK food cart helping with hygiene at home With most cases of food poisoning originating in the home, NKDC’s Environmental Health Team also gets its message across to parents at the school gate.

As well as being a vehicle for the delivery of healthy eating messages, the NK Food Cart which makes its way around District schools helps to spread the message on hygiene

standards, safe food storage and cross contamination in the kitchen.

The cart will start circulating around more schools in the spring, bringing ideas for quick, easy, affordable and nutritious meals to parents waiting to collect their children after class, distributing free recipe booklets and dispensing useful advice.

Cllr Richard Wright, said: “The food

cart has so far inspired more than 1,500 people in the District to cook tasty, healthy, quick and easy meals.

Supporting families in the District is extremely important to the Council, and it’s really fulfilling to do this in a fun and exciting way for everyone to enjoy.”

The recipes are uploaded regularly on the Council’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/northkestevendc

Winter 2012 newsnk 7

Dining out and eating in with confidence hygiene ratings to help you take your pick The menu whets your appetite, the price is right and the decor does it for you, but when it comes to choosing a restaurant, takeaway, shop or cafe, how can you be certain of the standards behind the scenes?

The Council inspects kitchens, assesses cleanliness and awards hygiene ratings to almost 800 food outlets in North Kesteven, many of which are listed here.

While the scores are not a guide to food quality, they are an indication of food hygiene standards.

As well as being printed here, the latest ratings are available online at www.food.gov.uk/ratings and via the new Smartphone app and they should be posted up at the premises to inform your dining out choices this Christmas and into 2013 – but do always check for any updates incase the ratings have been reassessed.

Scan this code to download the new handy phone app for use whenever you want to check hygiene ratings on the move.

Or go to www.food.gov.uk/ ratings and follow the links from there.

Takeaways

5

Akash Indian, High St, Navenby Angel’s Pizza, High St, Heckington Appetites, Southgate, Sleaford China China, Grantham Rd, Bracebridge Heath Chip Off The Old Block, High St, Billinghay Dragon House, Redwood Drive, Waddington Dragon House, High St, Heckington Food4Thought, Evans Business Park, South Hykeham Golden Phoenix, High St, Ruskington Great Barrier Reef, Princess Margaret Ave, Metheringham Kedgeree Two, Moor Lane, North Hykeham Kelly’s Catch, High St, Metheringham Mark’s Plaice, Station Rd, Branston Maya Indian, Station Rd, Heckington Navenby Chinese, High St, Navenby New Ko Sing, Lincoln Rd, North Hykeham Olde Reindeer Fish & Chip, High St, Navenby Option 3 Pizza, Lincoln Rd, North Hykeham Pizza Box, Bar Lane, Waddington Pizza Place, Main Rd, Washingborough Queen St Fish & Chip Shop, Queen St, Sleaford Swallow Chinese, Queen St, Sleaford The Taj, Muntjac Way, Witham St Hughs Top Wok, High St, Metheringham Welbournes Fish and Chips, High St, Ruskington

4 Best Pizza & Kebab House, Market Place, Sleaford Chutney Indian Takeaway, Grantham Rd, Bracebridge Heath Fine Foods Exchange, Exchange Rd, North Hykeham Heath Fish Bar, Grantham Rd, Bracebridge Heath Kyme Rd Chippy, Kyme Rd, Heckington

On A Roll, Station Rd, North Hykeham Peking Chef, 82 Westgate,Sleaford Quackers in the Park, The Rec, Boston Rd, Sleaford Subway, Southgate, Sleaford Elite Fish & Chips, Grantham Rd, Sleaford

Restaurants & cafes

3

Hykeham Tandoori, Newark Rd, North Hykeham Kites, Bar Lane, Waddington Mario’s Pizza and Grill, Southgate, Sleaford Mowgli, High St, Metheringham Palki, Bar Lane, Waddington Pizza Plus, High St, Metheringham Pizza Roma, Church St, Ruskington Scoffers, Lincoln Rd, Sleaford Sunny Plaice, Jermyn St, Sleaford USA Chicken Express, Southgate, Sleaford Waddington Fish Bar, Bar Lane, Waddington

2 Chilli Hut, Station Rd, Sleaford Licensed To Grill, Robins Crescent, Witham St Hughs Open Kitchen, Sycamore Drive, Sleaford Spring Chinese, The Precinct, Park Lane, Washingborough The Supreme, Linden Avenue, Branston

1

Branston Chinese, Station Rd, Branston Chip Stop, Newark Rd, North Hykeham Forum Chinese Takeaway, The Forum, North Hykeham Green Elachi, Pinfold Lane, Ruskington Jade Garden, Newark Rd, North Hykeham Kamble House, Eastgate, Sleaford Sarga, Main Rd, Washingborough Top Wok, Church St, Ruskington Valentino’s, Redwood Drive, Waddington

0

Lasan, Redwood Drive, Waddington

So what do these scores on the doors actually mean to the man in the street looking in?

There are six food hygiene ratings from 0-5 5 shows ‘very good’ compliance with legal requirements and all businesses should be able to achieve this irrespective of their size as it needs no more than full compliance with food hygiene laws.

4 means ‘good’ 3 is ‘generally satisfactory’ 2 means that ‘some improvement is needed’ 1 suggests that ‘major improvement is necessary’ 0 shows that ‘urgent improvement is necessary’ All ratings are published online at www.food.gov.uk/ratings and through the Council website www.n-kesteven.gov.uk Businesses are encouraged to display their certificates and stickers showing their ratings, but are not required to.

They can appeal and seek a re-inspection in advance of the next programmed inspection, and as such the ratings published here cannot be relied upon longterm, but they were valid as of Tuesday, November 27, 2012.

8 newsnk Winter 2012

5

Beckside Tea Room, High St, Heighington Black Swan Restaurant, Hillside, Beckingham Blanchards, Boston Rd, Sleaford Cafe Latte, Weaver Rd, North Hykeham Coffee Pot, Cross O Cliff, Bracebridge Heath Coffee, Temptations & Cakes Galore, Bar Lane, Waddington Crazee Bongos Ltd, Sellwood Court, Sleaford Industrial Estate Doddington Hall, Doddington Elite Fish Bar, High St, Ruskington Enigma, RAF Digby, Lincoln Fenlake Cafe, Fen Lane, Metheringham Four Seasons Garden Centre, London Rd, Silk Willoughby Fillets Fish & Chip restuarant, Lincoln Rd, Sleaford Fun Farm, Stephenson Rd, North Hykeham Garwick Cafe, Boston Rd, Heckington Italian Connection 2, Market Place ,Sleaford Jocasta’s, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill Kaffee2Go, High St, Ruskington, Sleaford McDonalds, Lincoln Rd, Holdingham Mrs H’s Cafe, Hykeham Green, Lincoln Rd National Centre for Craft & Design, Carre St, Sleaford No 20, Southgate, Sleaford North Kesteven Sports Centre, Moor Lane, North Hykeham Old Coach House Motel, Church Lane, North Kyme Pennells Garden Centre, Newark Rd, South Hykeham Rose Orchard, Newark Rd, Aubourn Ruskington Garden Centre, Newton Lane, Ruskington Second Chance, Boston Rd, Sleaford Sweet Vienna, Riverside Shopping Centre, Southgate, Sleaford Thai Sabai, Millstream Square, Sleaford The Barns Tea Shop, Heckington Fen The Cottage Tea Rooms, High St ,Navenby The Curio Cafe, Money’s Yard, Sleaford The Fish King Restaurant, The Forum, North Hykeham The Garden Tea Rooms, Moor Lane, North Hykeham The Green Tea Room, High St, Heckington The Natural World Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill The Ocean Restaurant, Newark Rd, North Hykeham The Pantry Cafe, Grantham Rd, Bracebridge Heath The Pottery Painting Cafe, West Banks, Sleaford The Source Multi-use Centre, Southgate, Sleaford Y of Sleaford, Market Place, Sleaford

4

Branston Cafe, Rectory Lane, Branston Brewsters, Newark Rd, South Hykeham Caffe 19, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill Carter Plot Picnic Site Cafe, Carter Plot, Boston Rd, A17 Coffee Culture, The Forum, North Hykeham Costa Coffee, The Riverside, Sleaford Frankie & Benny’s, Lincolnfields, South Hykeham India Garden, Market Place, Sleaford Kingfisher, White Hart Mews, Sleaford Lakeside Cafe, Whisby Rd, Whisby Moor Lina’s Cafe & Restaurant, Lincoln Rd, Sleaford Lincoln Golf Centre, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill Little Chef/Burger King, Holdingham McDonalds, Newark Rd, South Hykeham Millers Lounge & Restaurant, Carre St, Sleaford North End Farm Cafe, Swaton Quackers, East Banks, Sleaford Sleaford Kitchen, Boston Rd, Sleaford Sylv’s Coffee Shop and Cafe, Church St, Heckington The Griddle, East Rd, Sleaford The Homestead, Canwick Avenue, Bracebridge Heath The Little Italy Pizza Co, Carre St, Sleaford The Sentry Post, Waddington Aircraft Viewing Enclosure, A15 Thomas 2, Witham St Hughs Tiamo Pizza, The Forum, North Hykeham Time2Eat, Main Rd, Anwick Total Fitness, Kingsley Rd, off Whisby Rd, North Hykeham

3

Cogglesford Mill Cottage, East Rd, Sleaford Daisy Made Cafe, Lincoln Rd, Skellingthorpe Hailies Cafe, Bar Lane, Waddington Jade Dragon House, Station Rd, Sleaford Little Chef, Middle Lane, Thorpe on the Hill Macy’s Brasserie, High St Navenby The Agra, Pride Park Way, Enterprise Park, Sleaford

Nana’s Tea Room, Millstream Square, Sleaford Sea Queen Fish Bar, Market Place, Sleaford The Boathouse Cafe, Whisby Rd, Whisby Moor

2

1 Abbey Parks Farm Shop, East Heckington Cheerio Cafe, Newark Rd, North Rauceby Jade Palace, Church St, Ruskington La Royale, Newark Rd, N Rauceby Mia Italian, Market Place, Sleaford Mill House Tearooms, Hale Rd, Heckington

Sarga Indian, Newark Rd, North Hykeham The Coffee Pot, High St, Ruskington

0 Speedway Cafe - Mum’s Diner, Anwick Lane End, Ruskington The Lincolnshire Kitchen, Sleaford Rd, Nocton Heath

Pubs & Clubs

5

Blankney Catering Services Ltd, Lincoln Rd, Blankney Branston Home Guard Social Club, High St, Branston Canwick Park Golf Club, Washingborough Rd, Lincoln Centurion, Newark Rd, N Hykeham Coach & Horses, Tattershall Rd, Billinghay Crown Lodge, Chapel Hill Electra Club, Electric Station Rd, Sleaford Harrows Inn, Lincoln Rd, North Hykeham Hunters Leap, Oak Hill, Washingborough Kings Head, High St, Navenby Legionnaires Club, Southgate, Sleaford Marquis of Granby, Northgate, Sleaford Metheringham Squash Club, Fen Rd, Metheringham Musicians Arms, Main St, Dorrington Parva House, Main Rd, Little Hale Pottergate Golf Club, Moor Lane, Branston Pride of Lincoln, Whisby Rd, Lincoln Royal Oak Inn, Royal Oak Lane, Aubourn Royal Oak, Main Rd, Washingborough Scout Group, Princes St, Metheringham Sleaford Indoor Bowling Club, Eastbanks, Sleaford Sleaford Masonic Buildings, Watergate, Sleaford Sleaford Sports Association, Boston Rd, Sleaford Solo Club, Market St, Sleaford South Kyme Golf Club, Skinners Lane, South Kyme The Barge and Bottle, Carre St, Sleaford The Bell Inn, Far Lane, Coleby The Bull, London Rd, Bracebridge Heath The Butcher and Beast, High St, Heighington The Chequers, Cross St, Potterhanworth The Gamekeeper, Newark Rd, South Hykeham The Generous Briton, High St, Brant Broughton The Penny Farthing Inn, Station Rd, Timberland The Queens Head, Church Lane, Kirkby-la-Thorpe The Red Lion, High St, Ruskington The Royal Oak, Brookside, Scopwick The Scarf & Goggles, High St, Metheringham The Stones Arms, High St, Skellingthorpe

The Thorold Arms, High St, Harmston The Whichcote Arms, London Rd, Osbournby Three Kings Inn, Saltersway, Threekingham White Hart, Church St, Carlton-Le-Moorland

4 Bracebridge Heath Cricket Club, Cross O’Cliff Court, Bracebridge Heath Brant Rd Social Club, Brant Rd, Waddington Coronation Hall, High St, South Kyme Golden Cross, Church St, Billinghay Heckington Squash Club, High St, Heckington Joiners Arms, High St, Welbourn Leadenham Polo Club, Church End, Leadenham Lion & Royal, High St, Navenby Mill Lodge, Canwick Rd, Canwick Nags Head, High St, Heckington Nocton Social Club, Main St, Nocton Orchard Caravan Park Pub, Witham Bank, Chapel Hill Plough Inn, Church Lane, North Kyme Red Lion, Church St, Digby Sleaford Cricket Club, London Rd, Sleaford Sleaford Golf Club, Willoughby Rd, Greylees Sleaford Rugby Club Ltd, Ruskington Rd, Sleaford Sleaford Town Bowls Club, Mareham Lane, Sleaford The Black Bull, Rectory Rd, Ruskington The Bull & Dog, Southgate, Sleaford The Bustard Inn, Main St, South Rauceby The Courthouse Club, Market Place, Sleaford The Five Bells, High St, Bassingham The George Hotel, High St, Leadenham The Green Man, Main St, Norton Disney The Hume Arms, High St, South Kyme The Londesborough Arms, Middle St, Metheringham The Nags Head, The Green, Helpringham The Oak, High St, Martin The Pack Horse, Sleaford Rd, Beckingham The Plough Inn, High St, Swinderby The Red Lion, Middle St, Dunston The Royal Oak, Tattershall Bridge Rd, Tattershall Bridge The Shoulder of Mutton, Church St, Ruskington The Tally Ho Inn, Aswarby, Sleaford The Turks Head, High St, Heighington The Venue, Market Place, Sleaford The White Horse Inn, Dunston Fen, Metheringham The White Horse, Boston Rd, Sleaford The Willoughby Arms Inn, High St, Leadenham Waggon and Horses, High St, Branston Wheatsheaf Inn, Grantham Rd, Waddington White Hart, High St, North Scarle

3 Bracebridge Heath Sports & Social Club, Grantham Rd, Bracebridge Heath Canwick Park Catering, Washingborough Rd, Canwick Ferry Boat, High St, Washingborough Finch Hatton Arms, Main St, Ewerby, Sleaford Fox and Hounds, Newark Rd, North Hykeham Heckington Playing Field & Sports Club, Howell Rd, Heckington Hykeham PFA Sports & Social, Newark Rd, North Hykeham Hykeham Sailing Club, Newark Rd, North Hykeham Hykeham Social Club, Moor Lane, North Hykeham Kings Arms, Church Rd, Martin Dales Lincoln Green, Lincoln Rd, North Hykeham Marquis of Granby, High St, Wellingore Marquis of Granby, Westgate, Sleaford Nags Head, Southgate, Sleaford Red Lion, High St, Wellingore Red Lion, Newton, Sleaford Rose & Crown, Watergate, Sleaford Ship Inn, High St, Billinghay Sports Pavilion, Pottergate Rd, Navenby The Bugle Horn, Lincoln Rd, Bassingham The Duke of Wellington, Lincoln Rd, Leasingham The Jolly Scotchman, Holdingham The Plough Inn, Main St, Wilsford The Plough Inn, High St, Skellingthorpe The Plough, High St, Walcott The Plough, Lincoln Rd, North Hykeham The Star & Garter, Princes St, Metheringham The Strugglers Inn, High St, Eagle The Tempest Arms, High St, Coleby Three Horseshoes, High St, Waddington Waddington Royal British Legion Club, Maltkiln Lane, Waddington Waddington Youth Centre, High St, Waddington

2

Martin Moor Golf Club, Martin Rd, Blankney

1

Horse & Jockey, High St, Waddington The Dovecote, Newark Rd, Swinderby The Oak, Boston Rd, Heckington The Railway Inn, Station Rd, Thorpe-On-The-Hill The White Hart, High St, Metheringham

778 premises inspected 731 ratings issued 397 are rated 5 194 are rated 4 94 are rated 3

Manufacturers

5

Curtis of Lincoln Ltd, Southgate, Sleaford F C Phipps (Butchers), Doddington Farm Shop, Doddington Greggs, Southgate, Sleaford Hicksons Quality Foods, High St, Bassingham K Anderson – Butchers, High St, Heighington K Anderson Butchers, Whisby Rd, Whisby Moor Millstream Butchers, Millstream Square, Sleaford North End Butchers, Moor Lane, Leasingham Odling Brothers, High St, Navenby Picks Butchers Ltd, Main St, Dorrington Southern & Thorpe, High St, Ruskington

4 G Simpson Butchers Ltd, London Rd, Silk Willoughby G Simpson, Cameron St, Heckington Hicksons Fresh Foods, Newark Rd, North Hykeham Wetherills Butchers, Southgate, Sleaford

3 Bellamy’s Butchers, Jaguar Drive, North Hykeham J A Andrews & Sons Ltd, High St, Metheringham J H Brown, Bristol Arcade, Sleaford

1 Curtis of Lincoln Ltd, The Forum, North Hykeham

Because of limited space, here we bring you only selected ratings.

We have chosen the categories of business we believe are the most critical when choosing somewhere to dine out and shop - where good hygiene standards are the most critical to wide-scale public health.

Other categories cover retailers, supermarkets, caterers, mobile caterers, care premises, schools, colleges, canteens, food packers and hotel & guest houses.

All ratings - and any updates to the scores printed here - can be found online at

www.n-kesteven.gov.uk www.food.gov.uk/ratings Updates are uploaded every fortnight

14 are rated 2 29 are rated 1 3 are rated 0 47 are exempt Winter 2012 newsnk 9

Secondary school students get a taste for life at the sharp end as an Environmental Health Officer

Local Democracy Week challenge shows life as it really is in Council’s key department Scores of school pupils undertook their own forensic examinations of a ‘dodgy’ food premises as part of an exercise looking at the dayto-day working of the Council’s Environmental Health Team.

For their task during this year’s Local Democracy Week, 91 pipils, mainly in Year 9 pupils pulled on virtual white hat, white coat, hair net and rubber gloves to get under the surface of one of the most vital of all public services offered by North Kesteven District Council.

They looked into the circumstances

surrounding the inspection of food premises and the testing, investigating, advising, closing and prosecuting which takes place where there are hygiene failures – all in order to protect the public from food poisoning, harm and possibly death.

Throughout a day-long desktop exercise, teams relived a scenario faced every day by the NK Food Team as it ensures continued high standards among 1,090 restaurants, take-aways, food preparation and processing firms and shops in the District.

As reports came in of first one poorly diner, one more and then another and ultimately more than 300 cases of illness, they found themselves piecing together the information like a giant game of Cluedo – but were under no doubt that in reality this is the frontline of a potentially life or death situation.

For the Environmental Health Team, such investigations are just one part of their wide-ranging work which includes premises licensing, routine

inspections, noise, air and water pollution, safety advice and morerecently education on home hygiene and healthy eating standards.

During the course of the day, the students learned about a range of bacteria that can cause food poisoning, including salmonella, listeria, campylobacter and most significantly Ecoli 0157; how they’re spread, controlled and their potentially fatal effects. They also gained greater understanding of the unit’s ability to intervene to protect public health.

This was this year’s way of illustrating the importance of local councils like North Kesteven and raising awareness of the part councils and councillors play in our broader lives.

Council Leader Cllr Marion Brighton OBE said, “Councils do so many things that it can be hard to fully understand the full breadth of that.

Local Democracy Week events such as this open the eyes of young people to how the council affects them in

their daily lives as ways they can engage in local democracy.”

All eight secondary schools in the District sent pupils to the two events in the Council Chamber and at Branston Community Academy.

Chief Executive Ian Fytche asked the students: “When you think of the Council, what do you think about; council tax, planning, waste collection, housing? Yes, all of those but it touches so many aspects of people’s lives and I hope that this exercise gave a flavour of that in this particular area around environmental health.”

Branston’s vice-principal Janet Campbell said to the students, “You are the residents of North Kesteven of the future and some of you may be the council representatives of the future, either working for, or elected to, councils across the country, making decisions that affect your peers, your families and your futures.

“It’s always worth remembering that participation is what makes successful communities.”

Principal Environmental Health Officer John Gibson (top) lead the activities, scenarios and challenges faced by the Local Democracy Week teams when they joined Executive Board Members and other Environmental Health Officers to gain greater understanding of the unit’s public protection work.

Although voting is still a few years away for most of the pupils, they learned about the importance of being able to vote, how to register when they do reach 18 and understood and embraced the importance of being able to vote.

The outcome of their participation in a mini election threw up some interesting findings. When asked ‘would you prefer to vote using text message’ the young people in the south of the District said no, while those in the north said that they would.

Views on whether voting should be made compulsory also differed, with a yes vote in the north but an overwhelming no vote in the south.

Surprisingly, the young people in the north were not in favour of the voting age being lowered to 16, saying that they felt at 16 they would not fully understand the issues at stake and would not be mature enough to make a balanced decision.

The group in the south however were very much in favour of lowering the voting age.

Perhaps the most encouraging results were that in both areas a massive majority said that they would take part in the District Council elections once they were eligible.

Schools attending in the north were Robert Pattinson, NK School and Branston Academy and in the south Sir William Robertson Academy, Carres Grammar, Kesteven & Sleaford High School and St Georges Academy in Sleaford and Ruskington.

Roadside cafe fined £3,000 for food hygiene failures Die-back disease reporting advice A roadside cafe owner has been ordered to pay almost £3,000 after admitting 19 breaches of food hygiene regulations and three failures to comply with Hygiene Improvement Notices.

Dirty conditions and poor practices were found by Environmental Health Inspectors when they visited the Cheerio Cafe on the A17 at North Rauceby in March, and on subsequent occasions – culminating in a prosecution heard at Lincoln Magistrates Court in early November.

The Council prosecuted business operator Mrs Lina De Sousa as part of its ongoing clampdown on businesses that fail to reach acceptable standards of food hygiene.

Because of an early guilty plea and her limited ability to pay, the penalties were reduced from £3,500 to £2,500, with £250 towards legal expenses and a £15 surcharge – totalling £2,765.

10 newsnk Winter 2012

The admitted charges included: > Failure to implement and review documented procedures for ensuring food safety and inadequate staff training on the documented food safety management procedures; > Not having hot water for hand washing in the kitchen; > Staff not wearing suitable, clean over-clothing; > Placing a pan of cooked steak pie filling directly on the floor of a walkin fridge; > Not cleaning the dirty kitchen floor; > Ill-fitting doors which were not pestproof; > Dirty meat slicer presenting a risk of contamination; > Dirty can opener encrusted with old food debris; > Dirty kitchen extraction fan with large build up of grease; > Four freezer and fridge units with

broken seals preventing proper closure and temperature control; > Damaged wall tiles; > Electronic insect killer badly sited above a food preparation area; > Poor pest-proofing to a rear food storage shed, where the roof was caving in; and > Three incidents of non-compliance with Notices requiring some of the failures found in March to be put right ahead of a follow-up visit in July.

Cllr Richard Wright, said: “It is essential that the public has confidence in the quality of all food premises across the District.

“We give our traders continuous support and encouragement to help them improve their businesses and maintain standards, but at the same time our inspections are rigorous and we do not hesitate to take enforcement action where circumstances warrant it.

Trees also fall within the broader environmental and public protection department of the Council.

But while tree officers deal with many aspects of tree health, preservation and planting, the current crisis of ash die-back disease is being dealt with by the Forestry Commission directly.

The Chalara fraxinea fungus is now infecting UK ash trees, especially young

ones which can be killed within a year of symptoms becoming visible.

If you think you have spotted the disease – symptoms of which can be seen at www.forestry.gov.uk report it on the Chalara helpline 08459 335577 or email plant.health@forestry.gsi.gov.uk Early action is essential in eradicating the disease, but contacting the Council will be of no use in this instance.

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.

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For just £16 or £19 you can buy compost bins with a 220 or 330 litre capacity and water butt kits to hold 100 or 190 litres can be bought for a reduced price of just £28.95 and £38.95. For every one bought you can get another half price.

To order either, call 0844 571 4444 and Quote LCC06A or order online at www.lincscc.getcomposting.com Prices will be revised in March, 2013.

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To promote the economic and employment growth of North Kesteven

Celebrating completion at Siemens are, from left, Richard Carter, Steve Prosser, Neil Corner, Steve Middlebrough and Clive Cox

Siemens’ District move secures skills Engineering firm anchors itself and jobs scope at Teal Park More than 500 highly skilled jobs have been retained and potential to attract a further £500m of business and 4,000 more jobs unlocked in the District with the relocation of Siemens to Teal Park, North Hykeham.

The engineering giant is now moving in to its 135,000 sq ft facility ready to consolidate its gas turbine servicing operations there in the spring.

As the anchor tenant of Teal Park, the largest new business park in the region, it is also leading the way in environmentally friendly building technology as one of few UK buildings – and the first in Lincolnshire - given an outstanding rating for its sustainable design.

NKDC granted planning permission for the development, and associated

road improvements at the A46 two years ago, welcoming the scope for economic growth and business investment over the next ten to fifteen years.

Council Leader, Cllr Mrs Marion Brighton OBE, said: “As the anchor tenant for Teal Park, Siemens provides the site not only with a global name to promote its credibility as a business location, but by also showing such strong ‘green’ credentials, it will also illustrate the importance we must all place on sustainability.

“Through its planning conditions, the Council worked tirelessly to ensure sustainable eco-measures such as low water use and water recycling, solar panels and more efficient transport initiatives were incorporated into the design. To this

Jobs generation

Skills training boost to secure work

Twenty five jobs will be generated by the £110m project to turn most of the county’s landfill rubbish into valuable energy.

The workforce is being recruited locally over coming months to operate the Energy from Waste facility being built at Whisby Road, North Hykeham.

The plant is anticipated to handle 150,000 tonnes of waste each year which is 90% of the black-bin rubbish thrown out across Lincolnshire.

This will save it from going to landfill, and convert it into enough energy to power 15,000 homes every year plus 11MW for supply to the National Grid and 10MW of thermal energy which could benefit local homes and businesses if the infrastructure can be installed.

The plant will be operated by FCC Environment (Lincolnshire) which already has similar operations in Kent and Nottingham and plans three more.

Have you suffered some knock backs and are struggling to secure work?

Brushing up your CV, application skills and interview technique will boost your chances of getting a job.

This is especially true when you are trying to get your foot into the door for the first time.

To help 16 to 19 year olds enhance their employability, NKDC, the Rotary Club of Sleaford and Jobcentre Plus are joining forces to promote

end, we were delighted to work with Siemens and their development partner, St Modwen, who are both so positively engaged in contributing to a better environment, both in the workplace and more broadly.

“Siemens move to North Kesteven shows great confidence in the local economy at a time of recovery and highlights the District’s status as a positive place to do business. We look forward to them making North Kesteven part of their long-term home,” said Mrs Brighton.

St Modwen delivered the highquality sustainable facility for Siemens on budget and ahead of schedule.

Regional director Stephen Prosser said: “It is testament to the way that all parties have worked closely together and the dedication each has given to this project.”

application and interview skills.

The free project will run in Sleaford over a series of weeks next February, with advice on filling out an application form, writing a CV and personal statement, making sure your skills match a job description, presenting yourself at interview and good interview techniques.

If you think you would benefit call Karen Broddle 01529 414155 or email karen_broddle@n-kesteven.gov.uk

What do you love most about North Kesteven?

As someone who enjoys living in the District, you’re the best person to tell others where the best places are to eat, drink, visit, cycle, walk and enjoy leisure time.

As it prepares its 2013 Visitor Guide for people looking out for accommodation, eating-out options, things to do and places to be, the Council wants to share your suggestions with others who live locally or are new to the area.

Email your suggestions and any photos of the area you think will help to inspire visitors to communications@n-kesteven.gov.uk by January 14.

Our Economy

North Kesteven is Our Economy open for business Our achievements The District’s newest workshop units created to support fledgling businesses have really taken off.

The Seven-O-Seven industrial units in Bracebridge Heath were named after the Avro 707 Series of delta-winged aircraft assembled on this site, when it was the former RAF Bracebridge Heath, before its first flight in 1953 from RAF Waddington.

With nine of the 14 units already let, the scheme has taken off smoothly.

The high quality industrial units, offering space between 750 and 1,250 square feet on flexible leases are managed on behalf of the Council

by Hodgson Elkington. The bring the total number of units operated by NKDC to 77 at seven sites.

Council Leader Cllr Marion Brighton OBE said: “North Kesteven District Council is dedicated to economic regeneration and wherever businesses need help we provide it.

Based on the success of our other units and the demand from new enterprises wanting to do business here at the north of the District, we have developed these units as the perfect way to help provide employment in the area.”

Developers Taylor Lindsey praised the Council’s commitment to the project which had made good use of a brownfield site for the broader economic benefit of the area.

Details of the remaining units, prices and spec can be found at www.hodelk.com/commercial or call the Council’s economic development unit on 01529 308117.

Cllr Marion Brighton OBE opened the Seven-0-Seven units with Chief Executive Ian Fytche

A strong, vibrant economy continues to provide the power house to the District’s fortunes.

Every job and job creation opportunity is important to the Council as it represents not only personal prosperity but reflects well on North Kesteven as a positive place to live, work, visit and do business.

Achievements made, facilitated and supported under NKDC’s commitment to Our Economy include: > Adoption of Sleaford Masterplan to promote economic growth for the town and make the most of an anticipated £300m of inward private investment over the next 25 years. > Completion of the North Hykeham Scoping Study and funding secured for an economic action plan for the LN6 area of North Kesteven and Lincoln – including bids to secure £4.9m for sustainable transport locally. > Promotion of enterprise by delivering 14 new start-up workshop units at Bracebridge Heath, bringing the number of units up to 75, with an occupancy of 92%. > Commitment to fund upto £600,000 within a £57m countywide rollout of faster Broadband by 2015. > Enabling the development of Teal Park at North Hykeham as the region’s largest industrial park, where Siemens is consolidating its gas turbine operations and at least 4,000 jobs will be created or safeguarded. > Facilitating the £150m Eco2 renewable energy plant at Sleaford which is under-construction, with the promise of free heat supplies, apprenticeships and broad community wellbeing benefits. > Commitment of £2.85m in the redevelopment of Sleaford Leisure Centre. > Facilitated 21 different investments to attract new businesses to the area. > Worked with local retailers on an assessment of shopping in Sleaford. > Free attractions survived the economic downturn with 190,000 visitors at Whisby and 80,000 at the NCCD. Such measures all serve to build the District’s reputation as being ‘open for business’.

Apprentice opportunities at the pool The Council’s £2.85m refurbishment of Sleaford Leisure Centre is giving a leg-up for a career in the construction industry.

Council contractors RG Carters Ltd are looking to start two apprenticeships for up to three years, opening up prospects for significant career progression.

The posts are being funded jointly by NKDC, RG Carters Ltd and Eco2 Lincs Ltd, the firm constructing the biomass renewable energy plant in Sleaford.

They will start in the New Year, resulting in qualifications in key skills, BTEC National Certificate in Construction/Civil Engineering and possibly permanent work.

Details of the opportunities, applicant requirements and application process can be found at www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/slcr or email mail@lincoln.rgcarter-building.co.uk . The closing date is December 14.

Winter 2012 newsnk 11

Our Communities Homes

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

Our Homes Our achievements North Kesteven remains one of the country’s fastest-growing districts as people choose to re-locate or stay-put to enjoy the area’s many lifestyle benefits.

This brings pressures and opportunities, especially in meeting the demand for quality, affordable, comfortable homes, which the Council responds to positively by pioneering a renaissance in building council houses and working closely with housing associations, private landlords and partners.

Achievements made, facilitated and supported under NKDC’s Commitment to Our Homes include: > Provision of 46 new council houses in 11 projects across the District at a total cost of £6.2m, with construction of five more underway at a cost of £500,000 to the Council. > Commitment to invest a further £10m in new council housing over the next five years with more to follow under an approved 30-year plan. > Nineteen empty homes brought back to use and a policy developed for tackling long-term empty homes. > Completion of 13 new homes for older people in Sleaford, Ruskington and North Hykeham. > Refurbishment of 440 council homes as part of a prioritised work plan. > Active participation in the 20-year vision for Central Lincolnshire to enable economic growth, housing and infrastructure delivery, which includes the development of plans for sustainable urban extensions in Sleaford and close to Lincoln.

Such measures all illustrate the responsibility the Council takes in ensuring a plentiful supply of quality homes for all.

NKDC’s Building Control Unit is now able to offer a new, comprehensive service to customers As well as carrying out your Building Regulations, we can now offer competitive prices to: > do your SAP calculations > issue the EPC > carry out Domestic Air Pressure Tests SAP for extensions - from £120* Full new dwelling SAP - from £80* Issue EPC - from £40* Carry out Air Test - from £250* Access Audits - price on application. *All prices include VAT

Contact the Building Control Unit on 01529 308158 or email building_control@n-kesteven.gov.uk

12 newsnk Winter 2012

Penny Lane proves to be a big hit The last of the 46 new houses built by the Council in a pioneering response to meet local need are now homes.

The occupation of 11 homes at Penny Lane, Martin, marks the completion of a £6.2m programme, which saw NKDC lead the way among local authorities in building a new generation of council houses.

Two flats and nine houses, offering two and three bedroom options, have been built on a former piece of unused rough ground, with access gained by removing two older houses.

This gives a net gain of nine homes in a £1.1m project jointly funded by the Council and the Government’s Homes & Communities Agency.

Council leader Cllr Marion Brighton OBE said the design and quality of local contractor Langwith’s work was ‘absolutely first class’.

As with all of the Council’s new homes they meet Level 4 of the sustainable homes code which makes them cheaper and easier for tenants to heat. As well as solar water heating, air source heat pumps and extra insulation, these feature water butts, composters and a series of measures to boost local wildlife including bricks and boxes to support nesting swifts, bats and owls and landscaping using only species found within a 20 mile radius of the site.

“Given the quality of the building, the spacious accommodation and

Cllr Marion Brighton OBE opens the Martin homes, with Executive Board Member Cllr Stewart Odgen and ward member Cllr Mike Powell opportunity to save energy and money, I am sure that the families fortunate enough to live here consider themselves very lucky indeed. We are certainly very proud of them,” she said.

The £550,000 awarded to half-fund this scheme was the very last amount the Council was able to secure from the Government. Since then it has started to finance new-build entirely by itself. “We remain committed to continuing to improve and expand our stock of quality, affordable and comfortable homes for those in need,” saidCllr Mrs Brighton.

Kelly Howesman and her daughters Ellie-May and Sara-Anne were among the first new tenants to move in.

They could not be happier, especially as it allows them to stay in Martin and move closer to their school, the shops and family “We were over the moon to get one of these new houses. They’re really nice and I think we’ll be really happy here,” said Kelly.

Cllr Stewart Ogden, Executive Board Member for housing, said: “We’re very pleased with what we’ve achieved by pioneering a new era of building council houses, using matchfunding from Government.

“Now we’re delivering more quality, affordable homes, wholly through our own resources, we are even more proud,” he said.

Two new homes projects follow on The building firm which won acclaim for its neighbourhood involvement when building for the Council in Ruskington is cracking ahead with two further projects for NKDC, at Billinghay and Rowston.

Robert Woodhead Ltd is again working in partnership with the Council and the local communities to ensure minimal disruption for neighbours of the sites.

The three bungalows at The Whyche, Billinghay and two semidetached homes at St Clements Close, Rowston, provide further affordable accommodation in rural areas to meet local demand. They come on top of the 46 homes already built by NKDC over the past three years and fit in with current community housing.

The Rowston homes are designed to sit alongside existing ones, filling a gap left by demolition of a pair destroyed by fire some years ago.

The £530,000 project to build the five properties is scheduled for completion and letting next March.

Woodhead’s Project co-ordinator Alistair Taylor is pictured with Council Design Manager Russ Shortland.

Raising standards in private rentals Property scandal Jubilee homes Improved housing standards for tenants of private landlords will be one of the many outcomes of a new programme of engagement with North Kesteven District Council.

A new strategy details a series of actions to ensure proper housing conditions for all and promote access to the private-rented sector for those in housing need.

Private sector housing in North Kesteven is generally good but there are specific issues relating to energy efficiency, which the strategy suggests as a priority for focussed work with landlords.

Through closer co-operation with the District Council, private sector housing landlords will be supported in raising the standards of private rented accommodation.

This would be through a range of initiatives, forums, website and letting agency operating across the county.

Landlords in North Kesteven should be clear that when they fail to engage and put right defects in the homes they let, the Council will take a tough stance on enforcing housing standards.

One landlord has recently been

prosecuted by the Council for failing to comply fully with the requirements of an Improvement Notice served on him, leaving the tenant with no heating, damp and disrepair. He was given a £695 penalty after pleading guilty to the charge.

The Council is considering further action to improve the accommodation for the tenant and working on several prosecutions against more landlords.

Cllr Stewart Ogden, Executive Board Member for housing said: “We recognise the importance of private rented homes to accommodate a growing population. This is why we help landlords to understand their legal responsibilities and ensure their homes meet minimum standards.

“With the District Council offering a range of services to support landlords, it is not acceptable to put tenants at risk of poor health from living in substandard housing conditions’” he said.

Tenants can report defects their landlord has failed to deal with at www.n-kesteven.gov.uk or call the Housing Renewal Team on 01529 414155.

Landlords can engage with the Council the same way too.

Building on the national TV showcase given to the problem of long-term empty homes, NKDC is highlighting its own version of the Great British Property Scandal.

Within the District there are more than 700 houses which have been vacant for more than six years, around 200 of which have been empty for more than two years.

The Council has a series of measures to draw on which can support owners to bring them back into use to let and realise income.

If you know of an empty house which could be brought back into use go to www.lincsemptyhomes.org.uk

A further 24 affordable houses have been brought to the District, helping local families in need.

The £2.65m development by Longhurst and Havelock Homes at Jubilee Way in Navenby offers 18 homes for rent and a further six in shared ownership giving families an affordable option for buying their own homes.

Working with the developers, the District Council has been involved in nominating people from its waiting list to the houses and ensuring they benefit from solar water heating to reduce bills as well as a high standard of finish and specification.

Responders to Warmth Living in Lincolnshire, suffering from ill health and requiring assistance to keep warm?

Responders to Warmth may be able to assist with insulation, heating emergency fuel and a handy-person.

Contact us for details on the services available on 0845 606 4566 admin@responderstowarmth.co.uk www.responderstowarmth.co.uk Income, savings and health eligibility criteria apply.

Details on application.

News Focus

Building future prosperity into the plan for Sleaford Two areas in Sleaford and two more at the north of the District are mapped out to take the lead in carrying forward essential growth for ensuring the area’s continued prosperity.

Under a joint vision being prepared for the co-ordinated development of North Kesteven, Lincoln and West Lindsey – collectively making up an area called Central Lincolnshire – the initial focus for growth will be on Sleaford, Gainsborough, and an area known as Greater Lincoln.

In total, eight locations have emerged to absorb around a third of the 42,500 homes and 210 hectares of employment land needed in Central Lincolnshire up to 2031 to accommodate an anticipated population growth of 86,000.

Two of these Sustainable Urban Extensions are in Sleaford, where land to the south and west of the town will be identified and policies put in place to deliver around 3,300 more homes and at least three hectares of employment land, plus new schools.

In addition to this two of Lincoln’s three Sustainable Urban Extensions will also help the delivery of growth opportunities within North Kesteven near Skellingthorpe and around Bracebridge Heath and Canwick; accounting for a further 9,000 homes and 60 hectares of employment growth.

This is a unique opportunity to build thriving new neighbourhoods with homes and jobs developed alongside physical and social infrastructure which will, in turn, support and attract stronger economic activity, shopping and flourishing communities.

It puts the town and the wider district at the forefront of the growth needed within Central Lincolnshire to ensure the right homes are built in the right places to fit with jobs, infrastructure, roads, shops and schools to maximise opportunities.

With growth initially concentrated on these first phase schemes, broader allocations will then be made for 1,200 more homes in the town and a share of the 9,500 homes and 25 hectares of jobs needed across the rural areas of Central Lincolnshire to ensure all communities benefit from regeneration aspirations.

Promotion of such growth is part of a package of planning policies being drawn up to support vibrant, attractive, flourishing, prosperous and sustainable communities within Central Lincolnshire – shaping the places where we live, work, learn and shop.

The ongoing work on Central Lincolnshire’s growth can be followed at www.central-lincs.org.uk Call: 01522 699013 / 01529 308084 Email: Talkplanning@central-lincs.org.uk View: www.central-lincs.org.uk Follow: www.twitter.com/talkplanning Like: www.facebook.com/centrallincolnshire

mynk

Name: Ashley Rose, aged 30 Job title: Forward Air Controller, 3rd Royal Horse Artillery, British Army

Where do you live?

When I am home in the UK I live with my wife and son in Cranwell, which has been our first home together for three years. Since the age of four I lived in Heckington, going to school in the village at St Andrews primary.

What do you like most about where you live?

Cranwell’s a getaway for me. I can walk out of the front door onto fields where I can walk or run for miles. I exercise when I can and as a family we often enjoy the District’s many mapped Stepping Out walks.

We like eating out in the District; there is a great choice and when I’m home from Germany it’s the simple things I love most.

The location’s also great for getting home as quickly as I can and for training in the UK. Spending time away, I really cherish it when I’m home.

Compared to life in Afghanistan, I really enjoy the peace and safety of Lincolnshire.

We love living here and wouldn’t change it for the world.

Where would you advise people visit in the District?

Heckington - great shops, history, the annual show and a strong community. It reminds me of my childhood and I look forward to taking my boys to the mill when they’re a bit older.

North Kesteven’s great for family; With a 10-month and 6-year old, there’s always something to do. We spend a lot of time at Whisby Nature Park, walking the dog and playing on the Little Darters play area.

What NKDC service do you appreciate most?

Garden waste collections. Every time I’m home I somehow get roped into doing the garden and the fact the bins are collected every other week really helps.

What does North Kesteven mean to you?

It means home. Because of my job I spend a lot of time abroad, but as soon as I get back into the District I know I am home.

Talking Newspaper reaches visually-impaired ‘readers’ Going into the new year, the Sleaford and District Talking Newspaper will be approaching its 30th anniversary of bringing news, advice and essential information to the parts other newspapers struggle to reach.

Every week since April 1984 hundreds of people with a visual impairment have enjoyed free weekly editions of local newspapers, pamphlets and books in a format for

them, thanks to the charity’s help.

And for the past two years technicians at the Talking Newspaper have helped the District Council with the delivery of an audio version of newsnk too, for those who are unable to read newsprint. It is also available on the Council’s website as a downloadable MP3.

The weekly Sleaford & District Newspaper recordings of local news are now distributed on digital USB

memory sticks via the Royal Mail.

They operate through a computer or a digital listening box which can be loaned.

The entire service operates for free and is supported by five reading teams plus a network of copying and admin support.

If you know someone who would be interested in receiving the Talking Newspaper, contact group chairman Barbara Roberts on 01529 488488.

How Council spending in 2011/12 helped meet its priorities The main aspect of the Council’s budget management as it affects the delivery of day-to-day services, relates to what is known as the General Fund. This does not include the Housing Revenue Account which is a self-contained pot covering the Council’s role as a landlord, or the Capital Account for the upgrade and acquisition of facilities.

By March 31, 2012, the total amount spent through the General Fund on services such as waste collection and recycling, planning control and enforcement, environmental health, management of elections, provision of cultural, leisure and sporting activities, visitor attractions and business support, was £12,106,000.

Where the money came from

Where the money went

The Council focuses its services into four priority areas, detailed on pages 2, 6, 11 and 12 of this edition of newsnk and in the corporate plan, the NK Plan, which can be found online at www.n-kesteven.gov.uk As well as focusing on its priorities for the District, the Council spends on areas essential to the smooth running of life in North Kesteven, such as registration of electors, Council Tax collection, benefits administration and environmental health.

In broad terms the General Fund expenditure was as follows: Our Communities Our Economy Our Homes Our Council Drainage rates Shortfall on savings plan Total service expenditure Capital charges, interest & debt management fees Transfer to/from reserves & balances Total Council expenditure Precept payments to parish councils Footway Lighting Total spending requirement Income Council Tax Revenue Support & Business Rates Council Tax Freeze Grant Total NKDC Finance (Surplus)/ deficit for the year

Budget, £000s 7,144 396 767 3,052 338 (36) 11,661

Actual, £000s 8,005 622 (593) 3,736 336 0 12,106

Variance, £000s 861 226 (1,360) 684 (2) 36 445

(10)

(428)

(418)

395 12,046 2,195 159 14,400

265 11, 943 2,195 159 14,297

(130) (103) 0 0 103

7,298 6,974 128 14,400 0

7,298 7,015 128 14,441 (144)

0 (41) 0 41 (144)

Although it collects the full Council Tax charge, NKDC keeps less than a tenth of it. When combined with other income, this gives the budget for delivering services directly to residents and ensuring the smooth running of the Council.

From every £1 paid in Council Tax in 2011/12, NKDC took just 9.4p, Lincolnshire County Council almost 74p, Lincolnshire Police Authority12.4p and parish and town councils an average of 4.2p.

At Band A the NKDC take was £90.06 and £135.09 at Band D.

Capital Account The total spent on Capital – acquisition or upgrade of assets like buildings, housing stock and vehicles – in 2011/12 was £6.75m, an increase of almost £250,000 on the previous year.

It had been anticipated to spend £8.73m, but delays in completing the new housing projects led to a net underspend of £1.98m. Evenso 18 new council houses were completed during the year.

Housing capital programme Non-housing capital programme Total capital expenditure Financed by Capital grants Council reserves Revenue contributions to capital Capital receipts Prudential borrowing Total finance

Budget, £000s 6,244 2,484 8,728

Actual, £000s 61,622 1,997 63,619

Variance, £000s 55,378 (487) 54,891

1,617 5,115 1,200 19 778 8,728

1,858 2,968 949 0 57,844 63,619

241 (2,146) (251) (19) 57,066 54,891

During the year the Council borrowed almost £58m in order to pay the Government £56.9m to free itself from an obligation to pay a housing subsidy which in 2011/12 alone cost £4m. Doing this increased the Council’s level of total debt outstanding at March 31, 2012 by £51.9m.

Housing Revenue Account The Council’s role as landlord of almost 3,850 properties does not impact on the Council Taxpayer because taxes cannot be used to fund council houses.

The budget for providing council housing in 2011/12 was £13,124, 000, of which £12,958,000 was spent. After income – of which 92% was rental income – the account showed a surplus of £86,200 over a budgeted deficit of £115,000.

Repairs and maintenance Supervision & management Rents, rates, taxes & other charges Housing subsidy payable Bad debts provision Interest repayments Debt management expenses Total expenditure Income Rental income Other income Total income Net operating (surplus)/ deficit

Budget, £000s 2,623 2,151 23 6,236 43 834 1,200 13,124

Actual, £000s 2,602 2,253 45 6,225 35 814 949 12,958

Variance, £000s (21) 102 22 (11) (8) (20) (251) (166)

(12,951) (58) (13,009) 115

(12,963) (81) (13,044) (86)

(12) (23) (35) (201)

Winter 2012 newsnk 13

Our Communities What’s On

Bright ideas for the darker days of winter

Sparkling chandeliers, creative crafts, cool Nordic folk and warming walks to welcome a New Year National Centre for Craft & Design

Navigation Wharf, Sleaford. Further details on 01529 or www.nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk

Main Gallery February 2 – April 14, 2013 Luke Jerram Revealing the Invisible Viruses are transformed into visually captivating works as Luke Jerram brings together work from three of his major series.

The Main Gallery will be dedicated to selections from his collections of Glass Microbiology, Radiometer Chandeliers (pictured left) and Rotated Data Sculptures as pieces which are epic in scale explore viruses and bacteria at the root of the most dangerous diseases such as HIV, H1N1 and SARS. Statistics are translated into three dimensional objects, microscopic viruses magnified in glass and chandeliers created that reveal the invisible power and beauty of light.

Main Gallery Continuing to January 13 Gordon Baldwin: Objects for a Landscape The Gallery is dedicated to 140 ceramic pieces charting the remarkable 60-year career of Lincoln-born ceramicist Gordon Baldwin.

Regarded as one of the most distinguished living potters in the UK and internationally, Baldwin is known for breaking new ground with his sculptural forms and abstract influences, the course of which can be seen on display here.

Roof Gallery Continuing to January 6 Class of 2012 The NCCD’s annual celebration of design graduates emerging from British universities brings an exciting and diverse range of work to Sleaford.

Handpicked by exhibition curator Laura Mabbutt the varied collection of talent fits within the theme ‘sustaining and preserving’ in a global sense.

Among the quality, striking products created by the 12 selected graduates will be a wax lamp which recreates itself

over time for re-use; a system for shaping wood by harnessing the energy of lightening strikes; a life-saving cardboard water carrying device, ‘up-cycled’ vintage clothing and something which unravels knitting for reuse as yarn.

Other activities at the NCCD

An opportunity for young people to get involved and explore design, to devise and work on collaborative creative projects, take part in workshops and be a voice for young people within the centre.

Every Thursday, 4pm – 6pm.

On Facebook at www.facebook. com/NCCD-Youth-Forum Email: learning@ nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk

Youth Forum…

If you are aged 14 – 25 and interested in craft and design, with lots of energy and ideas, you’d be an asset to the NCCD Youth Forum.

January 12 – February 10 National Centre Presents…

Stevie Davies & Bethany Walker Stevie Davies and Bethany Walker have been selected for the annual showcase of emerging artists.

The National Centre Presents The National Centre welcomes enquiries from local designers,

Both exhibit an unusual take on textile techniques; Stevie using wire to control her glass in the kiln and Bethany incorporating it into concrete.

Both create a complete and unique environment for visitors to experience and help us to take a fresh view on our surroundings.

Embroidery During the spring, the Roof Gallery will exhibit work by the Sleaford Embroiderers as well as a show of collaborative work

by Design Factory members.

ExChange Space Continuing to January 6 Sleaford & District Photo Group An eclectic display of work ranging from nature photography to the more abstract.

First Tuesday of each month Hub Writers at NCCD: 7.30pm – 9.30pm and Unplugged: 8pm – 10pm, offer an evening of creativity, music, performance, poetry and drama. All welcome.

Workshops Saturday, December 8, 1pm – 3pm Story telling with Kirsty Mead from Rhubarb Theatre, using music, movement and making within her fun to create something for every child to take home. For children 4-10 and families. £5 per person.

Every Friday and Saturday, 12pm Thirty minute gallery tours with a friendly and knowledgeable gallery assistant detailing the main gallery exhibition.

Meet at the Main Gallery reception. All welcome.

Window Space Continuing to January 13 Pina Lavelli Italian ceramicist Pina Lavelli showcases sculptural ceramics inspired by organic shapes and living processes but using abstract forms to convey imaginative ideas.

This series explores the many aspects of a plant’s life; particularly the fascinating ways of seed dispersal and how they simultaneously represent strength and fragility. through their delcate forms.

Wednesdays December 19 & January 23, 10.30am – 12pm Messy and creative fun for children and their carers. £3.50 per child, ideal for 2–5 years.

makers and artist groups interested in exhibiting for four weeks at the start of each year to support their professional development in exhibiting in a professional gallery. Email: exhibitions@ nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk

Explorer Packs Explorer Backpacks have been created to help you and your little ones explore and investigate the gallery as a family. Just pick one up from reception and discover what you can See, Experience, Learn.

Events Saturday, December 15, 11am – 7pm A festive day of shopping, food and entertainment, contemporary crafts and perfect presents made by local and national designermakers. There are also craft workshops and demonstrations with variable charges.

Demonstrations Saturday, December 8, 1pm – 4pm Samantha Robinson works with a subtle combination of ceramics, metals and textiles to produce an exciting and creative take on commonplace objects, using slipcasting, handbuilding, soldering, piercing, stitch and embossing.

Saturday, January 12, 1pm – 4pm James Faulkner’s work explores the effects of erosion and decay on surfaces, focussing on vases, bowls, dishes, decorative pots, abstract forms and wall pieces.

Gallery Trails Gallery trails have been designed to spark your imagination, encourage ways of looking and to increase your knowledge and understanding of contemporary craft and design. Collect your trail leaflet from reception.

The National Centre is home to the very best designer/makers in craft practice today. Open from 10am to 5pm every day except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Entry is free

Terry O’Toole Theatre

North Kesteven Centre, North Hykeham. Booking on 01522 870251 or www.terryotooletheatre.org.uk

Wednesdays, 7pm Musical Theatre Dance Class £2.50 per session. 16+.

Annie, the tale of an orphan girl and her adventures in finding a new family. Tickets: £7, £5.

Tuesdays, 7pm Djembe Drum Workshops £6.50/ £3 per session. 14+.

Saturday, December 15, 7.30pm Christmas band music Seasonal music and carols with the Band of RAF Waddington, in aid of The Stroke Association.

Tickets: £8.50, £6.50.

Sunday, December 16, 3pm Sea Legs Puppet Theatre Beautifully crafted puppets, soundtrack and storytelling breathe new life into Oscar Wilde’s much loved The Selfish Giant. For ages 3+ with aftershow to meet the puppets.

Tickets: £5, £18 for family of four.

Tuesday, Dec 11 – 14, 7.30pm Annie North Kesteven School present

Friday 21 December, 7.30pm The Foss Dyke Band Festive treats galore, old and new. Requests can be made via www.fossdykeband.co.uk Tickets: £8, £6.

Wednesday, January 16 – 19, 7pm, plus Saturday, 2.30pm

14 newsnk Winter 2012

Panto - Dick Turpin Terry O’Toole’s ACTion Theatre Company presents the rumbumptious panto romp Dick Turpin for all the family, featuring resident panto band, High Toby and The Gallowsmen!

Wednesday & Thursday, £7 & £5; Friday & Saturday £9 & £7; Family ticket for four £22 & £28.

Thursday, January 24, 7.30pm Music of Black Origin Launching a new music season, 2010 MOBO Music Award winners Empirical return with their latest lineup, bringing fresh energy to American jazz legends, classic 60s jazz and their own

composition. Tickets: £12, 10 & £5; £11 & £9 for Jazzpac members.

Friday, February 1, 7.30pm Frigg A hair-raising, voice-losing, heart-burstingly beautiful gig full of traditional Finnish tunes, Norwegian detours, Nordic folk and American bluegrass developed by youthful Frigg into a style called Nordgrass.

Tickets: £12, £10 & £5.

Saturday, February 16, 3pm The Nightingale A king is enchanted by the most beautiful sound in the world and finds friendship in the most unexpected place.

A sweet, funny and beautiful piece of children’s theatre for families. For age 4+. Tickets: £5, £18 for family of four.

Friday, March 1, 7,30pm Finding Joy (pictured right) Vamos Theatre presents a new, funny, moving and heroic tale of adventure and dementia, based on life events and true stories. Accessible, engaging, funny and fearless from the UKs foremost full-mask theatre companies. Tickets: £10, £8 & £5. For ages 12+.

Saturday, March 16, 3pm Rumpelstiltskin and the Wheel of Fortune Using trademark puppets, music,

and storytelling, Widdershins creates gold on stage with this new version of the Grimm’s classic tale. Children’s theatre for families. For ages 4+. Tickets: £5, £18 for family of four.

Further listings for the Terry O’Toole Theatre through the coming months can be found at the venue or at www.terryotooletheatre.org.uk

What’s On

Social Strollers stride out further as Outreach team has Discovering the Visitor atractions something for all District’s delights receive more roses walks programme expands again Another two health walks have been added to the NK Social Strollers’ programme of easy-going, open-access walks across the District.

The scheme is free and open to all who want to get into a low level exercise or are recovering from illness or injury, offering brisk walks of between one and three miles on a regular basis.

The walks from Navenby and Waddington doctors surgeries at 10am on Wednesday and Thursday respectively means there are now ten weekly walks and two others operating fortnightly and monthly.

Monday: Billinghay, Children’s Centre at 10am Monday: Bi-weekly VIPs (visually impaired walkers) Whisby, Natural World Centre – 17 & 31 December, 14 & 28 January and 11 & 25 February Tuesday: Leasingham, Village Hall at 11am Tuesday: Sleaford, The National Centre for Craft & Design at 1.10pm Wednesday: Navenby, Doctors Surgery 10am Wednesday: Ruskington All Saints Church (beginners) at 10am Wednesday: Whisby, Natural World Centre at 11.30am Wednesday: Ruskington, All Saints Church at 1.30am Thursday: Waddington, Doctors Surgery 10am Thursday: Skellingthorpe, Heritage Room/ Community Centre at 11am Friday: Metheringham, Library at 11am Sunday: Scopwick, Village Hall at 9.30am on the first Sunday of each month You are welcome to simply turn up and go, completing a simple health questionnaire The scheme is run by volunteer leaders; if you are interested in becoming one, contact the NK Outreach team on 01522 870252.

The Natural World Centre, Whisby Christmas Craft Fair 18 November - 6 January The Centre’s annual Craft Fair supporting local crafters is an ideal place to source unique gifts.

With free entry, great food, high quality products direct from the artist makers themselves, excellent entertainment and the great outdoors, it has all the makings of a great day out.

The craft fair runs to January 6, bursting with lovely handmade gifts from some of Lincolnshire’s finest craft makers. Items on sale range from children’s toys and wood turned homewares to greeting cards, decorations, stunning art, photography and natural beauty and skin products.

Details on 01522 688868, email whisby@leisureconnection.co.uk Follow the centre on Facebook at ‘Natural World Centre’ and on Twitter at WhisbyNatureP

The NK Outreach Team delivers many activities throughout the District, including extreme sports and play events along with The Pod, walks, activity days, climbing and much more.

Extreme NK operates mobile equipment which includes a mobile climbing wall, mobile half pipe, medium skate park and parkour equipment. All equipment is available to hire at flexible rates; contact the team for details.

Even The Pod playbus that reaches out to all children and young people across North Kesteven, is available for event hire.

There’s also the Ascent indoor climbing wall at the NK Centre in North Hykeham for 5-19 year olds to take instructed sessions or private hire and parkour and slacklining at the NK Centre on Saturday afternoons for ages nine and above.

Times, charges and specifics can be found on The Pod timetable, by calling 01522 870252 or email nkyouthoutreach@leisureconnection.co.uk

Looking to get out and about to discover the District’s delights?

Easy-access, free-to-use, always-open Stepping Out walks offer a network of excellent outdoor opportunities across 130 miles of NK’s most beautiful countryside.

The walks are detailed on a series of 17 leaflets which can be picked up around the District or downloaded at the Council’s website www.n-kesteven.gov.uk They will also be featured in an exhibition in the Upper Gallery at the Whisby Natural World Centre in January, alongside the 2013 brochure of events at the centre, nature park and wider countryside.

In February and March there will be a Grow Your Own exhibition there, giving lots of information about sustainable ways of growing your own veg, keeping your own bees and much more.

Details from Theresa Hobbs Call: 01522 688868.

Like: Facebook -Natural World Centre Follow: Twitter @WhisbyNatureP

Deck the boughs in Sleaford’s field Be inspired by nature to make Christmas Decorations at Lollycocks Field, Sleaford, on Saturday, December 9.

Learn how to make use of natural resources to make tree dressings to decorate your own home and gardens for wildlife to enjoy too. Free entry.

Thorpe on the Hill, 01522 688868 www.naturalworldcentre.co.uk

Nature Park Walks with Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust As well as the attractions of the visitor centre, cafe, shop and circular walks at Whisby Nature Park, a series of special events starts up in the Spring.

If you are in search of nightingales, interested in insects or have a bug for birds, they’re a great way to engage with nature under the guidance of wildlife experts.

Every second Sunday, March to October, 10.30am > Two hours with a warden wandering Whisby Nature Park. Focusing on a topical theme such as birds, plants or insects. £2 per person.

Fourth Sunday, March to October, 10.30am > As above, but these walks are free and intended for visitors interested in listing the wildlife of selected Whisby locations. Nearly 2,800

species have been recorded so far in 20 years.

May Day Nightingale Walks, May 5 > Two walks, one at 6am and one at 8pm, to hopefully see and hear the county’s most conveniently located nightingales with a Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust warden. One and half hours. £2.50 per person.

Places must be booked in advance as numbers are limited on 01522 688868.

Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust activities at Whisby Nature Park January 2, 10am – 11am > Nature Tots: Venturing outside to see what nature holds for us today, £2 for the under 5s. Book.

January 5, 10am – 1pm > Junior Wardens: Practical hands-on tasks and activities for youngsters to get involved in nature conservation, £2, for aged 10-16.

January 12, 10am – 12.30pm > Wildlife Watch and Wildlife Explorers: monthly meeting for Junior Wildlife Trust and RSPB members, learning more about British wildlife and involvement in nature conservation, £2, ages 5 – 14. No need to book.

February 2, 10am – 1pm > Junior Wardens: as January 5.

February 6, 10am – 11am > Nature Tots: as January 2.

February 9, 10am – 12.30pm > Wildlife Watch and Wildlife Explorers: as January 12.

February 16, 10am – 4pm > Build a Bird Box: Chance to encourage birds to nest in your garden, for families, £5 per box. Book.

February 21, 11am – 2pm > Learn the Bushcraft arts of shelter building, fire lighting and much more outdoors in the woodland classroom,

£50 for five sessions through to October, ages 8-16. Book.

March 2, 10am – 1pm, > Junior Wardens: as January 5.

March 6, 10am – 11am, > Nature Tots: as January 2.

March 9, 10am – 12.30pm > Wildlife Watch and Wildlife Explorers: as January 12.

March 10, 10am – 3pm > Wildplay for Parents: A fun-filled day packed with ideas for you to explore the outdoors with your kids, developing skills and confidence. Two more sessions in May and July. £25 each or £65 for all three. Book.

For information and booking call Whisby Education Centre on 01522 696926 or email whisbyeducation@lincstrust.co.uk.

Full list of Wildlife Trust events at www.lincstrust.org.uk/events

Because of the time it takes to distribute newsnk 49,000 homes it is regrettable No to need to book. that some of these events may have taken place before your copy was delivered.

Four of NKDC’s local heritage attractions have once again achieved a rose award offering visitors an assurance for the quality of their customer experience.

Cogglesford Watermill and Navigation House in Sleaford, Mrs Smith’s Cottage in Navenby and Cranwell Aviation Heritage Centre at North Rauceby all retained the quality marque following visits from VisitEngland.

In each case the assessor was impressed not only by the quality of the venues, but particularly their cleanliness and the friendly welcome from staff and volunteers on duty.

Each one has activities to engage visitors during December, listed here.

Cogglesford Watermill Sunday, December 9, 11am to 4pm.

Discover what Christmas was like in Charles Dickens’ time, with staff in costume, tasty treats to try and the Mill decorated in the style of the time.

Free Children’s Christmas Trail and regular milling demonstrations.

Free Admission, under 14s must be accompanied.

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

Cranwell Aviation Heritage Centre Sunday, Dec 16, 10.30am to 3.30pm.

Santa will be in his grotto to distribute early presents (£1.50 per child) alongside free children’s activities, carol singing and Scottish country dancing displays.

Seasonal refreshments available.

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

Mrs Smith’s Cottage Wednesday, December 5, 6pm to 9pm See the cottage lit up and enjoy Christmas games and activities.

Adults £3, children £1.50 including refreshments. No booking required.

Friday, December 7, 7pm to 10pm Christmas Fun Evening at St Peters Church Hall, Cat Walk, Navenby with live band, supper, wine and raffle included in the £12 ticket. Book.

Saturday, December 8, 10am to noon and 1pm to 4pm Children can be photographed with Father Christmas in the Cottage and receive a gift. Adults free, £2.50 per child. No Booking required.

Mrs Smith’s Cottage, East Road, Navenby, LN5 0EP 01522 811469 or 07887 928733

Winter 2012 newsnk 15

WOULD YOU TRY TO RECYCLE A DEAD PHEASANT? Most NK residents are already doing a great job of recycling, but we have still found the odd nasty surprise in the green-lidded recycling bins NOT IN YOUR RECYCLING BIN

       

Food waste and unwashed food containers Carrier bags Crisp packets Polystyrene Nappies Wood Carpets and other floor coverings Curtains

      

Blankets, pillows, sheets and duvets Clothing and other textiles Cling film Batteries* Electrical items* Syringes and sharps* Any items you think are of use to anyone * These items should not go in any of your bins, but other means of disposal are available

If your green-lidded recycling bin contains any of these items it will not be emptied

Christmas and New Year refuse collection changes Your revised collection day

Monday 24 December

Saturday 22 December

Tuesday 25 December

Monday 24 December

Wednesday 26 December

Thursday 27 December

Thursday 27 December

Friday 28 December

Friday 28 December

Saturday 29 December

Monday 31 December

No Change

Tuesday 1 January 2013

Wednesday 2 January 2013

Wednesday 2 January 2013

Thursday 3 January 2013

Thursday 3 January 2013

Friday 4 January 2013

Friday 4 January 2013

Saturday 5 January 2013

Always ensure your bins are out by 7.30am on collection day as pick-up times can and do vary

For further information, or if you have an item you are unsure about, call the free Waste Hotline on 0800 174499 or visit www.n-kesteven.gov.uk North Kesteven District Council

Image: Mary Ann Rogers

Your normal collection day