SKtoday Winter 2023

SKtoday for residents of South Kesteven Winter 2023

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Grantham lights up for Christmas Page 9

Woolsthorpe Manor

Contents

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Welcome

The SK Community Awards 2023 highlighted the tremendous contribution that some truly inspiring people make to their communities.

Here is the latest issue of SKtoday, packed full of news and updates from South Kesteven District Council. Remember, you can read SKToday online by visiting https://www.southkesteven.gov.uk/sktoday-digitalnewsletter If you have any feedback about the magazine or any content you would like to see in future issues please get in touch.

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For even faster news and updates why not follow us on social media? We’re on all the popular platforms, including X and Facebook.

Major improvements to SKDC’s social housing services have resulted in the lifting of a Regulatory Notice that has been in place for 30 months.

SKtoday editorial communications@southkesteven.gov.uk

The Council has given a commitment that there will be no complacency and that work to provide high quality housing will continue.

General enquiries 01476 40 60 80

Council Offices

Grantham (head office) The Picture House, St Catherine’s Road, Grantham, NG31 6TT Bourne South Kesteven Community Point Abbey Road, Bourne PE10 9EF

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You can apply, pay, report and contact us on our website for a range of services and find the latest NHS and Government guidance.

Lots of information about waste services, from district-wide delivery of purple-lidded bins that will help increase recycling rates, to a calendar showing bin collection dates and how to dispose of festive waste.

 www.southkesteven.gov.uk Nice to know • •

Alternative formats are available: audio tape, CD, large print and Braille The South Lincolnshire Blind Society distributes SKtoday to all of its members Front cover: A snowy image of Woolsthorpe Manor, birthplace of Sir Isaac Newton.

2 SKtoday Winter 2023 www.southkesteven.gov.uk

Find your Councillor — page 15

Go to: www. southkesteven.gov. uk/your-counciland-democracy/ councillors or scan the QR code:

Cllr Cleaver (far right) and Cllr Rhea Rayside (third right) with some of the winners at the SK Community Awards 2023 presentation evening

Cllr Richard Cleaver

Housing improvements are just the start of our journey

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ard work from South Kesteven District Council staff, tenants and contractors has prompted the Regulator of Social Housing to lift the regulatory notice we have been working under for almost three years.

This is very welcome news indeed – but we are under no illusion that our duty and responsibility to those who need and use our social housing does not end here.

I would like to place on the record that we will do all we can to ensure that SKDC continues to meet the Homes Standard. This is a set of specific standards that social housing landlords, including South Kesteven, must comply with. It covers both quality of accommodation and repairs and maintenance.

And, as a responsible social housing landlord, we will

By Cllr Richard Cleaver, Leader of South Kesteven District Council

continue to work closely with the Regulator in accordance with their regulatory standards, procedures, and guidance.

Our focus, quite rightly, is on delivering a first-class housing service for our tenants and we recognise that in the past, this has fallen short of the high standard they deserve.

We will continue to update and reassure all those who use our housing services as we continue our comprehensive programme to drive up standards.

There is more information on this important topic on Pages 6 and 7.

Staying with Housing, I am pleased to report that the Council voted in favour of a proposal to set aside an extra £1m to purchase new social housing, already built, to give us the option of acting quickly when property

becomes available.

Where suitable accommodation becomes available at the right price, this will allow us to increase our housing stock to benefit those who need it the most (page 8).

It was a privilege to attend this year’s SK Community Awards event at the Corn Exchange in Bourne, where I joined the Chairman, Cllr Gloria Johnson, alongside other councillors and SKDC officers for the celebration.

We all know there are lots of incredibly generous and selfless people in our District and these awards shine a light on some of them.

Full details of all the winners and nominees follow on the next two pages: Congratulations to them all – and to all the finalists.

Finally, I would like to welcome the newest member of SKDC, Cllr Matt Bailey, who won the recent by-election to represent St Wulfram’s Ward (page 16).

SKtoday Winter 2023 www.southkesteven.gov.uk

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Awards presentation night highlights community spirit

And the winners are....

Community champions across South Kesteven have been celebrated at a special evening to recognise individuals who go above and beyond to help others.

Neil Smith Beyond the Call of Duty Award Jack Bon Holly

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special awards night at Bourne Corn Exchange shone a light on winners and shortlisted nominees in South Kesteven District Council’s seven SK Community Awards.

An ex-soldier volunteering in a warzone, a business angel, village volunteers and a young boy with a heart of gold were all rewarded in South Kesteven’s SK Community Awards.

Also recognised were a woman whose work with Riding for the Disabled has touched hundreds of people’s lives, a man who keeps cycle wheels turning in Bourne and the creators of the town’s Dimensions Skatepark New awards were presented to recognise the

4 SKtoday Winter 2023 www.southkesteven.gov.uk

We are incredibly proud of how our awards play a vitally important role in highlighting people and organisations deserving of recognition.

None seek public thanks, yet they make an immense contribution and once again the depth and variety of nominations has been absolutely amazing. Hearing their stories, which otherwise often go unnoticed, has been quite simply inspirational and it is a privilege to say a very public thank-you.

Cllr Rhea Rayside, SKDC Cabinet Member for People and Communities.

District’s best Community in Bloom and Urban Space.

Elected members and public representatives decided which nominations should go forward to the presentation event, with winners announced on the night.

For the Neil Smith Beyond the Call of Duty award, Neil's widow Candice helped decide the shortlist for an award that carries the former SKDC employee's name in recognition of how he saved his infant son Tommy's life using CPR. Award winners took home engraved crystal trophies or commemorative plaques and runners-up received congratulatory certificates.

Neil Smith ‘Beyond the Call of Duty Award’

Business and the Community Award

Stamford military veteran Jack Bon Holly is a volunteer driver for Project Konstantin, working near the frontline in Ukraine to rescue wounded soldiers and deliver aid.

Grantham man Andy Harrison’s Andy Man and Van business has supported local community groups, charities and individuals since he won the van in a raffle.

Inspirational Young Person Award

Health and Wellbeing Award

Swayfield seven-year-old William Butler’s brilliant attitude to life made him a stand-out winner for impressive fund-raising efforts that started at the tender age of five.

Cycling enthusiast Stuart Wills from Bourne works voluntarily to recycle and mend unwanted bikes, making them available to anyone in need of a free bike.

Urban Space Award

Lifetime Community Dimensions Skatepark in Bourne was rewarded for Champion its creators’ 20-year campaign taking the concept from consultation through to its eventual delivery this summer.

Community in Bloom

Karen Thompson has helped countless people since she created Kesteven Rideability’s Riding for the Disabled Centre 35 years ago at Hough on the Hill.

Volunteers in Barrowby were rewarded for their floral efforts, with hard-working volunteers recruited to donate plants and time to help Barrowby bloom again.

Inspirational Young Person Award William Butler with Cllr Rhea Rayside

Urban Space Award Dimensions Skatepark - Phil Galpin and Nelly Jacobs

Business and the Community Award Andy Harrison's Andy Man and Van with Cllr Philip Knowles

Health and Wellbeing Award Stuart Wills

Community in Bloom Barrowby volunteers

Lifetime Community Champion Karen Thompson with Chairman Cllr Gloria Johnson

SKtoday Winter 2023 www.southkesteven.gov.uk

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Housing service given the all-clear by Regulator

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new approach and improved ways of working have resulted in South Kesteven District Council’s social housing service being judged as compliant with standards set by the Regulator for Social Housing.

In 2020 the Council commissioned an audit that identified key areas of work required to meet the Regulator’s Home Standard.

Based on the findings the Chief Executive self-referred the Council to the Regulator.

To support the improvement process, the Council implemented a comprehensive action plan to tackle areas of concern, which related mainly to inspection and certification processes and awareness of the overall condition of its housing stock.

The Council also strengthened its senior housing team

and reformed the process for compliancy with the Home Standard to ensure important safety checks are carried out.

Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, Cllr Phil Dilks, said: “We are pleased that the Housing Regulator has confirmed we are now better-run and providing services that meet the needs and expectations of those who rely on help and support from the Council.

“Our work towards delivering a much-improved housing service continues and this news is a big step towards achieving that. We now look to a future of progress in all areas and must thank our tenants for their patience and co-operation during this process.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to publicly thank our staff for pulling together to do everything they could to turn things around so effectively.

“Recognition must also go

6 SKtoday Winter 2023 www.southkesteven.gov.uk

to our contractors for their contribution to this work.

“The result of this is that everyone’s input to make sure our tenants, their homes and our estates, are looked after properly now has official recognition from the Regulator.”

The Chief Executive of SKDC, Karen Bradford, said: “The wellbeing and safety of our tenants is one of our fundamental priorities and this development is welcome news.

“It is clear that we have come a long way but, while the decision to remove the Regulatory Notice issued in February 2021 shows we are in a stronger position, I am under no illusions that there are still improvements to be made.

“We are determined to maintain this upward trajectory in order to meet our ambition to provide safe, secure, and affordable homes to the people who really need them.”

Our work towards delivering a muchimproved housing service continues and this news is a big step towards achieving that. We now look to a future of progress in all areas and must thank our tenants for their patience and co-operation during this process.

Cllr Phil Dilks Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning

The Regulatory Notice was applied following a self-referral to the Regulator made by the Chief Executive in February 2021. A lack of trust in the Housing function across all senior managers and elected members of the Council was identified, which resulted in a complete refresh of the Senior Housing Management Team.

The auditor outlined key areas where the Council needed to improve processes and record keeping to meet the necessary standards: SKDC developed a detailed action plan to address these findings.

Areas for improvement included: • Inspection processes for gas and electrical certificates • Record keeping, servicing, and processes on fire safety • Record keeping and tracking of water inspections • Management of the recording of asbestos • Data collection to show how targets set by the Regulator were being met

The Chief Executive and senior housing officers met monthly with officers of the Regulator of Social Housing to provide performance statistics and updated improvement plans to achieve results in the key compliance areas.

SKtoday Winter 2023 www.southkesteven.gov.uk

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New-look website will improve user experience

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£1m boost to help Council move quickly in property market

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n extra £1m has been made available to help South Kesteven District Council buy more homes for those in most need of somewhere to

live.

It will pave the way for SKDC to act quickly when opportunities to buy affordable housing arise – offering a ready-made solution instead of building from scratch to help the supply of new houses in the District.

Progress on new-build developments of 20 homes at Swinegate in Grantham and four in Elizabeth Road, Stamford, means the money needs to be moved from a budget reserve into the Capital Programme for Housing Development Investment.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, Cllr Phil Dilks, said: “The Council is now receiving approaches from some larger development schemes to acquire the affordable units when some registered housing providers are unable to secure funding.

“This money will allow us to respond swiftly to opportunities on the open market where appropriate and where they offer good value for money.

“The Council has a clear commitment in its Corporate Plan to provide housing that meets the needs of all residents.

“This transfer from our reserves will reduce the risk of us not being able to secure property quickly to bolster the housing stock.

“Real progress is being made towards our ambition of creating a flow of new housing so that we can provide more housing for those people who need it most.”

8 SKtoday Winter 2023 www.southkesteven.gov.uk

new-look website has been launched to make it easier to interact with South Kesteven District Council.

The site has been modernised to improve the experience for residents, businesses and visitors who need to contact the Council, access services, pay bills or find the information they’re looking for.

It has been designed with input from partner company, BigBlueDoor, with all users in mind and it adapts to whatever device is being used – PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone.

It comes complete with updated accessibility standards for people with visual, hearing or screen reading impairments.

As well as a fresh look and feel, other features include: n More streamlined content with fast access to all services n Better site structure with simplified and clear navigation n Most-used services featured first n Best web practice with accessible designs n Accessibility and translation tools Council Leader Cllr Richard Cleaver said: “We know that many people want access to Council services online – there have been more than 4.5 million visits to our website in the past 12 months.

“The new website is designed so that our customers have the best experience finding and using our services online.”

“It is the go-to place for information about all of the Council’s core services including, waste and recycling, housing, planning and Council Tax and benefits.”



To access web services, go to: www.southkesteven.gov.uk

Walkabout entertainment from Winter Princesses

Hundreds in town for big switch-on

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he town centre came alive on Sunday for the much-anticipated Grantham Christmas Lights event and Festive Fayre.

Hundreds of visitors kept stalls busy all day ahead of the big switch-on.

Stallholders reported brisk business before crowds packed the Market Place for a visit from Santa,

The day featured face painting, a snowdome and a free Rogue Reindeer Trail.

SK Community Award winner Karen Thompson, who runs Kesteven Rideability, threw the switch to light up the town.

Chairman of SKDC, Cllr Gloria Johnson welcomed visitors and thanked everyone for their support.

a musical finale and lighting of the town’s new and improved illuminations.

Cllr Paul Stokes, the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, said: “This event shows what can be achieved when the town works together for everybody's benefit.

“It was the ideal start to the Christmas countdown."

Following the Rogue Reindeer Trail

St Peter's Hill

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he Deepings Christmas Market provided lots of fun for the whole family with a range of entertainment including a visit from The Grinch (pictured left).

Stamford's Christmas lights switch-on featured performances from

the town's Youth Poet Laureates, school choirs and the Wansford Ukelele Folk.

The Bourne Christmas Sparkle Fayre and Lights Switch-On included live music and dance, fair rides and refreshments for all.

SKtoday Winter 2023 www.southkesteven.gov.uk

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Bus station parking tackled in response to public concern

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new regulation covering bus stations across the district is allowing South Kesteven District Council to clamp down on illegal parking.

So far 10 tickets have been issued by wardens to restrict car parking in the wrong areas and allow bus drivers to do their job more easily.

Illegally parked cars are now given a penalty notice for parking in areas designated for buses at Grantham, Stamford and Bourne bus stations – and comes from a review of Off-

Street Parking Orders. The same powers restrict parking in electric vehicle charging bays.

Council Leader Cllr Richard Cleaver said: “This action is a direct result of feedback from bus drivers, the bus companies and the public and shows that we listen and respond in areas where there are issues.

“The Council previously lacked the powers to effectively deal with it and so we moved to put this right by only allowing authorised vehicles in the bus stations.”

A four-hour maximum parking period at Stamford Leisure Pool is to ensure space for pool users after all-day parking by nonleisure centre users impacted on availability.

There is also a clampdown on non-electric vehicles parking in electric vehicle parking bays across the District.

Addressing anti-social behaviour across the District

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uisance drivers and irresponsible dog owners face action under new orders agreed by SKDC. Public concern has resulted in positive action to put a stop to revving engines, racing and vehicle stunts at Cattlemarket, The Meadows and Bath Row car parks in Stamford.

The new Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) will ensure that law-abiding residents can enjoy their local public spaces and remain safe from anti-social behaviour.

The change follows a series of warnings by Lincolnshire Police and SKDC, monitoring of noise, and a court prosecution for dangerous driving in the area.

Anyone breaching the order could be issued with a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice.

Cabinet Member for People and Communities, Cllr Rhea Rayside, said: “More than 71% of those who responded to our consultation supported this positive action.

“Anyone affected by antisocial behaviour of any kind can call the Council during working hours on 01476 406080 to report it, or Lincolnshire Police on their 101 non-emergency line, out of hours.”

Other updates to PSPOs include: n Extension of the PSPO excluding dogs from enclosed children’s play areas within

10 SKtoday Winter 2023 www.southkesteven.gov.uk

South Kesteven, which now includes the additional areas at the Recreation Ground Stamford (bowling green, tennis court and skatepark).

Extension of existing PSPOs as follows: n Alcohol control areas in Grantham, Stamford, Bourne and The Deepings n An SK-wide order relating to dog fouling n An SK wider order relating to the requirement for dogs to be placed on leads by order of an officer n An existing order requiring dogs to be kept on leads of no more than 1 metre in length in The Spinney, Market Deeping Cemetery.

Paper and card recycling paves way for greener future

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elivery of our distinctive new purple-lidded paper and card bins has been taking place across the District, as we prepare for an improved system to ensure more household waste is recycled.

It is all part of a push to reduce domestic waste and send as much as we can for recycling instead of simply throwing it away.

Residents can continue putting paper and card into their grey recycling bin until the purplelidded bin collections begin in February.

Experience across other parts of Lincolnshire shows that separating our recycling has the benefit of reducing contamination.

This means that more paper and card waste can be diverted from the county's Energy From Waste facility if it reaches us in a clean and dry state.

SKDC Joint Cabinet Members for Environment and Waste, Cllr Patsy Ellis and Cllr Rhys Baker, said: “We always ask people to reduce, reuse or recycle their waste to improve the amount and

quality of recycling in the district.

“It is vital for residents engage with us as we modernise our waste management for a greener and more sustainable future.

“Our friendly staff – including the crews out on the road – are here to help and advise, and together we can make this development a huge success in South Kesteven and make a real improvement to our recycling rates.

“The new collection means that the silver recycling bin will be collected monthly from February, rather than fortnightly as we do now. The purple-lidded bin for paper and card would be collected in the alternate fortnight.

“We are making every effort to listen to enquiries from residents and have answered as many of these as possible in a set of ‘frequently asked questions’ which can be found on our website at www.southkesteven. gov.uk/PCFAQ.” Cllr Daniel McNally, Executive Member for Waste at Lincolnshire County Council, said: "We’re

Resident engagement at Bourne market

working closely together with the county's seven district councils as the Lincolnshire Waste Partnership to reduce waste, and to promote re-use and recycling.

“As part of that, it’s important we recycle efficiently and correctly, which has prompted this roll-out of the ‘twin-stream recycling system’ – introducing the purple-lidded bins for paper and cardboard – across the county.

“After successfully introducing the new bin to four of Lincolnshire’s districts already, South Kesteven will be the latest to adopt this separate waste collection.

“I’m sure we will see residents get on board here in much the same way they have in Boston, North Kesteven, and East and West Lindsey.”

Contact us:

 01476 406544 recycling@southkesteven. gov.uk

Cllr Patsy Ellis, Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste

SKtoday Winter 2023 www.southkesteven.gov.uk

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Follow your simple guide about what to do with your waste and recycling at home

www.southkesteven.gov.uk

Go online to find out more about your collection dates and what items you can put in your bin.

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For any enquiries, please call 01476 406544.

Please put your bins out on the edge of your property by 7.30am on the morning of your collection, and help our waste and recycling teams by putting the bin handles facing the road.

Silver bin collections originally scheduled for 25th December will now take place two days earlier, on 23rd December.

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www.southkesteven.gov.uk/bincollectionday

To check your bin collection day, visit:

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Don't forget that you can put your real Christmas tree out for recycling with your green bin on the day this service operates on your street.

Recycle your tree

25 26

19

Mon

28

Green bin recycling collections 2023/24

Hedge trimmings /cuttings

Leaves and bark

No thanks • Soil • Food waste • Plastic bags • Large planks/pieces of wood • Rubble/stones • Fallen fruit

SKDC’s Garden Waste collection service is an easy way to save time, money and hassle: last year more than 30,000 joined.

There’s just one annual fee and no limit to the number of garden bins you can buy: visit southkesteven.gov.uk/ greenbin

Changes to your bin collections during the festive period

C

hristmas is a time when we all create more waste and recycling. There are also three bank holidays – so there will be changes to when our busy crews empty your bins.

The first change will be for those due a silver bin collection on Monday, 25th December – Christmas Day. This will be moved to the Saturday before, which is 23rd December, so please have your bins out at the edge of your property by 7.30am for collection.

There will be no bin collections on Christmas Day (Monday 25th) or Boxing Day (Tuesday 26th).

Recycling collections due on 26th, 27th, 28th and 29th December will be carried out one day later, which means a Saturday collection for those

T

he Christmas break is also a time when we need to be extra careful about what goes in the silver recycling bin. The following items cannot be recycled in Lincolnshire and must go in the black general waste bin: n Glittery wrapping paper, glittery/foil cards n Plastic bags, including carrier bags n Dirty used foil n Takeaway containers n Crisp tubes and packets

expecting theirs on the Friday.

Then for New Year we won’t make a collection on Monday, 1st January – New Year’s Day. Instead, all black bin collections that week will be one day later than usual, up to and including Saturday 6th January.

If you have been issued with a purple-lidded paper and card recycling bin, please note this will not be operational until the new year, so do not place your recycling waste in it just yet.

Bin collections will be as normal from the week beginning Monday, 8th February, when it is silver recycling week again.

SKDC Joint Cabinet Members for Environment and Waste, Cllr Patsy Ellis and Cllr Rhys Baker said: “Our bin crews do a fantastic

SKDC will also collect real Christmas trees for recycling. You do not have to be part of our garden bin service; simply leave your real Christmas tree out on the day green bins are collected in your street.

As always, please leave your bins at the edge of your property by 7.30am on collection day.

Full details at www.southkesteven.gov. uk/bincollectionday

14 SKtoday Winter 2023 www.southkesteven.gov.uk

job week in, week out, in all weathers and they deserve a break as much as anyone else.

“We hope residents will be understanding and work with us at what is one of the busiest times of year, when because of the way the bank holidays fall, we need to change some collection days.”

LED upgrade lights the way towards energy saving target

A

project to replace South Kesteven District Council-operated street lighting will be accelerated thanks to a £1 million commitment.

The Council has agreed to allocate the money to complete the transition to LED lamps as part of a drive to meet a declared carbon reduction target of at least 30% by 2030.

Deputy Leader of the Council, Cllr Ashley Baxter, said upgrading street lights to more energyefficient LED lamps was a nobrainer.

SKDC is responsible for around 3,800 street lights, mostly in rural parts of the District, and it is estimated that converting them all to LED would offer a 70% saving on each bulb.

“A £1 million investment

sounds like a big number but the return on the investment is better than you would receive from any bank,” said Cllr Baxter.

“I am delighted that the Council is getting serious about carbon reduction and, as a result, financial expenditure will also fall.

Street lighting is the single largest area of electricity consumption for SKDC and accounts for nearly 5% of the Council's total carbon emissions.”

Joint Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste, Cllr Rhys Baker, said: “This is a long overdue change for the Council, but one that we have all made in our own homes by using LED light bulbs.

“It is proof that green policies make both economic and environmental sense.”

I am delighted that the Council is getting serious about carbon reduction Cllr Ashley Baxter Deputy Leader

SKtoday Winter 2023 www.southkesteven.gov.uk

15

Find your Councillor

C

onservative Matt Bailey was elected to South LOVEDEN HEATH Kesteven District Council at a by-election in GRANTHAM ST WULFRAM’S November. He will represent St Wulfram’s Ward VIKING GRANTHAM in Grantham.

ARNOLDFIELD PEASCLIFFE The result was a hold for the Conservative Party.

AND RIDGEWAY It means that SKDC’s composition is unchanged at: GRANTHAM GRANTHAM BARROWBY GATE HARROWBY n Conservative (part of the South Kesteven BELMONT Coalition Group) - 23 GRANTHAM ST VINCENT’S n Democratic Independent Group - 7 BELVOIR n Grantham Independent – 7 TOLLER LINCREST n Independent – 5 n Green Party – 4 GRANTHAM EARLESFIELD n Liberal Democrat – 4 AVELAND ISAAC n South Kesteven Independent Group (part of the NEWTON South Kesteven Coalition Group) – 3 GRANTHAM CASTLE n Labour & Co-operative – 2 SPRINGFIELD MORTON n Independent (unaligned) - 1 BOURNE EAST SKDCs Cllr Paul Martin (Conservative), who represents BOURNE Grantham Arnoldfield, was elected to Lincolnshire County AUSTERBY DOLE Council for the Grantham North Division, also a hold for the BOURNE WEST GLEN WOOD Party.

More information about elections and how you can cast your STAMFORD ALL SAINTS CASEWICK STAMFORD vote is available online at www.southkesteven.gov.uk/yourST GEORGE’S council-and-democracy/elections-and-voting STAMFORD ST JOHN’S STAMFORD ST MARY’S

Cabinet Members Stamford St John’s

MARKET AND WEST DEEPING

Market and West Deeping

Grantham Arnoldfield

Deeping St James

DEEPING ST JAMES

Key: Conservative Independent

Cllr Richard Cleaver E: richard.cleaver@ southkesteven.gov.uk n Leader

Cllr Ashley Baxter E: ashley baxter@ southkesteven.gov.uk Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Economic Development

Bourne East

Cllr Paul Stokes E: paul.stokes@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture

Cllr Phil Dilks E: phil.dilks@ southkesteven.gov.uk

Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning

Green Party Liberal Democrats Labour and Co-operative

Bourne Austerby

Stamford St George’s

Grantham St Vincent’s

n South Kesteven Coalition Group n Democratic Independent Group

Cllr Philip Knowles E: phillip.knowles@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Cabinet Member for Corporate Goverance and Licensing

Cllr Rhea Rayside E: rhea.rayside@ southkesteven.gov.uk

Cabinet Member for People and Communities

Cllr Rhys Baker E: rhys.baker@ southkesteven.gov.uk

Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste

16 SKtoday Winter 2023 www.southkesteven.gov.uk

Cllr Patsy Ellis E: patsy.ellis@ southkesteven.gov.uk

Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste

n Grantham Independent n Independent (unaligned)

Aveland

Belmont

Belvoir

Belvoir

Cllr Elvis Stooke E: elvis.stooke@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Cllr Pam Bosworth E: pam.bosworth@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Cllr Robert Leadenham E: robert.leadenham@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Bourne Austerby

Bourne East

Bourne West

Bourne West

Cllr Paul Fellows E: paul.fellows@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Cllr Zoe Lane E: zoe.lane@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Cllr Helen Crawford E: helen.crawford@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Cllr Anna Kelly E: anna.kelly@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Belmont

Cllr Richard Dixon-Warren Cllr Phil Gadd E: richard.dixon-warren@ E: phil.gadd@ southkesteven.gov.uk n southkesteven.gov.uk n Bourne Austerby

R

Cllr Emma Baker E: emma.baker@ southkesteven.gov.uk

Casewick

Castle

Deeping St James

Deeping St James

Cllr Rosemary Trollope-Bellew E: cllrr.trollopebellew@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Cllr Nick Robins E: nick.robins@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Cllr James Denniston E: james.denniston@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Cllr Bridget Ley E: bridget.ley@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Dole Wood

Glen

Grantham Arnoldfield

Grantham Barrowby Gate

Grantham Barrowby Gate

Cllr Barry Dobson E: barry.Dobson@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Cllr Penny Robins E: penny.robins@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Cllr Paul Martin E: paul.martin@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Cllr Gareth Knight E: gareth.knight@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Cllr Mark Whittington E: mark.whittington@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Grantham Earlesfield

Grantham Earlesfield

Grantham Harrowby

Grantham Harrowby

Grantham Springfield

Cllr Chris Noon E: chris.noon@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Cllr Ian Selby E: ian.selby@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Cllr Nikki Manterfield E: nikki.manterfield@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Casewick

Cllr Vanessa Smith E: vanessa.smith@ southkesteven.gov.uk

Cllr Steven Cunnington E: steve.cunnington@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Cllr Lee Steptoe E: lee.steptoe@ southkesteven.gov.uk

SKtoday Winter 2023 www.southkesteven.gov.uk

17

Grantham Springfield

Grantham St Vincent’s

Grantham St Vincent’s

Grantham St Wulfram’s

Cllr Graham Jeal E: graham.jeal@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Cllr Charmaine Morgan E: charmaine.morgan@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Cllr Tim Harrison E: tim.harrison@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Isaac Newton

Isaac Newton

Lincrest

Loveden Heath

Cllr Ben Green E: ben.green@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Cllr David Bellamy E: david.bellamy@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Cllr Sarah Trotter E: sarah.trotter@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Cllr Penny Milnes E: penny.milnes@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Cllr Pam Byrd E: pam.byrd@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Market and West Deeping

Morton

Peascliffe & Ridgeway

Peascliffe & Ridgeway

Stamford All Saints

Cllr Virginia Moran E: virginia.moran@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Cllr Susan Woolley E: susan.woolley@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Cllr Peter Stephens E: peter.stephens@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Cllr Ian Stokes E: ian.stokes@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Stamford All Saints

Stamford St George’s

Stamford St John’s

Cllr Max Sawyer E: max.sawyer@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Cllr Gloria Johnson E: gloria.johnson@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Cllr Susan Sandall E: susan.sandall@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Toller

Viking

Viking

Cllr Rob Shorrock E: rob.shorrock@ southkesteven.gov.uk

Stamford St Mary’s

Cllr Harrish Bisnauthsing E: harrish.bisnauthsing@ southkesteven.gov.uk

Grantham St Wulfram’s

Cllr Matthew Bailey E: matt.bailey@ southkesteven.gov.uk Market and West Deeping

Cllr Habib Rahman E: habib.rahman@ southkesteven.gov.uk Stamford St Mary’s

Cllr Jane Kingman E: jane.kingman@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

For more information and councillor details please visit www. southkesteven.gov. uk/your-counciland-democracy/ councillors Cllr Murray Turner E: murray.turner@ southkesteven.gov.uk

Cllr Jane Wood E: jane.wood@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

Cllr Paul Wood E: paul.wood@ southkesteven.gov.uk n

18 SKtoday Winter 2023 www.southkesteven.gov.uk

Poppy cascades brighten Remembrance

N

ovember’s Remembrance commemorations were brightened with scarlet poppy cascades outside Grantham’s Guildhall Arts Centre.

More than 100 volunteers attended four creative workshops at Grantham Museum to make 2,000 poppies and attach them to military camouflage netting, with a session for St Anne’s Cubs and Scouts.

Grantham College students researched and decorated four silhouettes of a WW2 paratrooper, a WW1 Tommy soldier, a naval Wren and a Land Girl — with Grantham Arts commissioned by South Kesteven District Council to produce the installation.

Cllr Rhea Rayside, SKDC Cabinet Member for People and Communities, helped to make poppies.

She said: “Remembrance is very important in all our four towns.

"The impact of an art installation with these stunning scarlet poppies was monumental and filled me with joy and pride.”

Student Rebekah Tambling helped to design and decorate the WW1 figure. She said: “It was

a great project to work on as I am from a military family. It means a lot to me.”

Anne Marie Kerr of Grantham Arts said: “Civic pride is really important to a town. When you engage the local community in projects like this, people really do start to feel that pride.”

Tulips to bloom as memorial

M

aroon-coloured tulips are being planted at key wartime heritage sites as part of an international Airborne Tulip Memorials trail.

South Kesteven District Council has funded 1,000 Attilli Graffiti tulip bulbs from Holland, part of 6,000 earmarked for the UK’s first significant planting in a fast-developing floral trail.

Distinctive tulips will flower in the Spring to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the District’s unique role in the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944, and the distinctive beret colour of British 1st Airborne troops.

British airborne troops trained locally alongside allies from America and Poland for the

offensive on the bridges in the Netherlands, with thousands flying from RAF Saltby and RAF Barkston Heath.

Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Richard Dixon-Warren, said: “We are proud to join this growing floral memorial trail by planting tulips in recognition of our heritage links with British 1st Airborne forces. Seeing them bloom next year, the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem, will be a particularly poignant sight.”

In Caythorpe, children from the village school will plant 80 bulbs at St Vincent’s Church to mark the long-standing wartime bonds forged between the village and 216 Parachute Signals Squadron.

Easton Walled Gardens, where men of the 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment were billeted, is planting tulips, as is Stoke Rochford Church, where troops worshipped, and Grimsthorpe Castle.

Other planting sites are Harlaxton Manor, Saltby Airfield, and the Heroes Commemorative Orchard in Grantham.

SKtoday Winter 2023 www.southkesteven.gov.uk

19

State of the District 2023 Find out more about the District you live in Who lives here, how much do they earn, what are the current population trends? A new public document has the answers...

S

outh Kesteven District Council has produced a State of the District Document. Focusing on the characteristics of the district, and the people who live here, the document includes demographic information on population trends, the economy, the environment and lifestyle choices.

Providing additional context on the communities SKDC serves, it will help the Council provide the right services, in the right place and at the right time in people’s lives.

With many people struggling with the impact of an increase in the cost of living, it will also provide a focus on where, and to whom, any help that is available should be targeted.

To see SKDC’s State of the District document in its entirety, please go to www.southkesteven. gov.uk/your-counciland-democracy/ decision-making/statedistrict-2023

Number of people living in SK in 2023

WHO LIVES HERE

143,400 Source: 2021 Census

7.4%

1 in 4 residents are over the age of 65

23%

are Armed Forces Veterans

WHERE THEY LIVE

Two-thirds of residents

65%

live in one of SK’s four market towns

20 SKtoday Winter 2023 www.southkesteven.gov.uk

There are

66,170 69.33% households registered for Council Tax

of households own their own home - either outright or with a mortgage

WHAT THEY DO

Around

1 in 4 30.2%

Just under

3/4

are economically inactive

of 16-64 year old residents are in employment

South Kesteven

6,265

enterprises registered for VAT & PAYE (2022)

GRANTHAM

of commuters travel less than 30km (18.6 miles) to get to work

of people aged 16 and over in employment in SK are in professional or associated technical occupations THE ECONOMY

SOUTH LINCOLNSHIRE

84%

365

Average gross fulltime weekly pay (median) for residents in 2022 was

£632.30 LIFESTYLE CHOICES

square miles

BOURN E

10%

of adults describe themselves as active

MARKET DEEPING STAMFORD

61

recorded offences per 1,000 residents (FYE Sept 2022) LINCOLNSHIRE

GRANTHAM

106.6

is the second highest in Lincolnshire

59.70%

of all adults aged 18 or over smoke

There were

A health index score of

LIVING HERE

5.3 tonnes of CO2 was

emitted per capita in 2019/20

SK residents’ personal wellbeing (on scale of 0 to 10) was

7.7 (2021/22)

COST OF LIVING

1hr

3,217 children live in lowincome households (2021)

12%

of households are considered to be in fuel poverty

Median house price in Nov 2022

£283,613 This is 8.36 times the median annual gross full-time salary of (£31,914)

SKtoday Winter 2023 www.southkesteven.gov.uk

21

what’s on Arts across South Kesteven

Enjoy live events at our fantastic Arts Centres and venues. With something for everyone, now is the perfect time to support and take part in the arts across the district.

Concessionary prices in brackets. For full listings visit www.guildhallartscentre.com or www.stamfordartscentre.com

MELVYN TAN SATURDAY 13TH JANUARY, 7:30PM Stamford Arts Centre Ballroom, CLASSICAL Melvyn Tan established his international reputation in the 1980s with pioneering performances on fortepiano and continues to cast fresh light on music conceived for the piano’s early and modern forms. His work as recitalist, chamber musician and concerto soloist has been heard at many of the world’s leading concert halls. n TICKETS: £20 (£18) AN EVENING WITH AN HOLLOWAY SATURDAY 20TH JANUARY, 8PM Guildhall Arts Centre Theatre TALK Football fans need no introduction to Ian Holloway. Arguably one of the most outspoken and amusing Managers we've had the pleasure of seeing interviewed on live TV. This exclusive show will see a live and unscripted interview, reminiscing about the football memories from his career and get a real life insight to the behind the scenes at the clubs he has played for and managed. n TICKETS: £12.50 - £35.50 JO CAULFIELD – HERE COMES TROUBLE FRIDAY 9TH FEBRUARY, 8PM Guildhall Arts Centre Theatre COMEDY Voted Comedians’ Comedian of The Year 2021/2022, Jo Caulfield is quite simply one of the most consistently funny and creative comics in the country. Here Comes Trouble will be packed with brilliant routines and fantastically embarrassing stories from her sell-out 2022 and 2023 Edinburgh Festival shows. n TICKETS: £18 (£16)

Melvyn Tan

JUAN MARTIN FRIDAY 9TH FEBRUARY, 7:30PM Stamford Arts Centre Ballroom MUSIC Voted into the top three flamenco guitarists in the world by Guitar Player USA, Juan Martín has toured the world playing concerts from Shanghai and Melbourne to New York as well as in the Montreux Jazz Festival. Critics have compared his compositional talent to that of Albéniz, Turina and Tárrega. He played for Picasso’s 90th birthday celebrations and his books and films for learning the guitar are now translated into many languages with his original book ‘El Arte Flamenco de la Guitarra’ being referred to as ‘The Bible’ of flamenco guitar. n TICKETS: £18 (£16) Jo Caulfield

22 SKtoday Winter 2023 www.southkesteven.gov.uk

AS SHE LIKES IT SATURDAY 10TH FEBRUARY, 7:30PM Stamford Arts Centre Theatre DRAMA As SHE Likes It is inspired by the story of #MeToo pioneer Patricia Douglas. It’s been nearly 100 years since Patricia Douglas was lured to a studio party under the guise of a casting call, in what was perhaps the biggest, best-suppressed scandal in Hollywood history. It’s time Patricia’s story, and the stories of the many women whose voices have been silenced, are told in all their intersectional complexity and fullness. n TICKETS: £14 (£12)

WONDERDOME PLANETARIUM EXPERIENCE WEDNESDAY 14TH FEBRUARY, SESSIONS FROM 9:30AM Guildhall Arts Centre Ballroom WORKSHOP Join the Cosmic Fun! Get ready for a space-tacular adventure! be awed, inspired, and enlightened.

Hop into WonderDome and blast off into a 45-minute journey through the stars, let the magic of space envelop you. Parents don't forget to book a seat too. And make sure you're on time because once the cosmic show begins, we can't let anyone in. n TICKETS: £8 STANDARD

Disc����

SOUTH KESTEVEN

Visitor treasures open for winter Belton House High Rd, Belton, Grantham, NG32 2LW.

Me and Mr Jones

THE REAL MANHUNTER LIVE THURSDAY 29TH FEBRUARY, 7:30PM Guildhall Arts Centre Theatre TALK Colin Sutton was a police officer for 30 years, serving as the head of a Metropolitan Police Murder Squad for the last nine of them. After retirement in 2011, he wrote books about two of his major investigations; these were then adapted into the acclaimed ITV drama series ‘Manhunt’. In both seasons Colin was played by Martin Clunes. The second season ‘Manhunt: The Night Stalker’ was nominated for the Best Drama BAFTA in 2022. In the show Colin will talk you through his career, how policing has changed, what it is like to chase a serial killer and how he made the step from policing to story-telling. n TICKETS: £15 STANDARD

ME AND MR JONES FRIDAY 8TH MARCH, 8PM Stamford Arts Centre Cellar Bar MUSIC Me & Mr Jones are Rachel Foster (voice) and Paul Deats (piano). They perform beautiful original songs, made with love. Nostalgic for another time but very much for today.

The duo are accompanied by an awesomely talented rhythm section; ‘The Whole Affair' - Simon Paterson (double bass) and Steve Smith (drums). n TICKETS: £15 STANDARD

RGS: A SHORT HISTORY OF FLOWERS: THE STORIES THAT MAKE OUR GARDENS THURSDAY 29TH FEBRUARY, 7:30PM Stamford Arts Centre Ballroom TALK Advolly Richmond is a garden historian, TV and radio presenter and independent researcher in gardens, landscapes, plants and social history. A regular contributor on BBC Gardeners' World as well as on BBC Gardeners' Question Time, she is also the presenter of The Garden History Podcast, an A-Z. She lectures on a variety of subjects from the 16th through to 20th centuries.

She is passionate about promoting garden history in all its branches and encourages people to value their garden and botanical heritage. n TICKETS: £14 (£12/£10)

Stamford Arts Centre

Guildhall Arts Centre

St Peter's Hill, Grantham NG31 6PZ www.guildhallartscentre.com  01476 406158 27 St Mary's Street, Stamford PE9 2DL

www.stamfordartscentre.com

 01780 763203

Bourne Corn Exchange

3 Abbey Road, Bourne PE10 9EF www.facebook.com/ bournecornexchange  01778 423579

To plan a visit to the beautiful Belton House book online: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/ nottinghamshire-lincolnshire/ belton-house Bourne Woods Bourne, PE10 0LG. Discover the beauty of nature at Bourne Woods. To learn about events or volunteering visit: www.friendsofbournewoods. org.uk Willoughby Memorial Art Gallery Moreley’s Lane, Corby Glen, Grantham. NG33 4NL. The venue is free to visit, and you can learn about exhibition and enter competitions on their website: www.willoughbygallery.com Grantham Museum St Peter’s Hill, Grantham, NG31 6PY. This museum is free to visit, and they also host events and craft workshops, find out more at: www.granthammuseum.org.uk Explore everything your local area has to offer with Discover South Kesteven

PAY IT FORWARD SCHEME Donations given when purchasing tickets go towards the cost of providing free of charge tickets to those who wouldn't otherwise be able to attend.

Instagram: @discoversouthk Twitter: @discoversouthk Facebook: Discover South Kesteven TikTok: @discoversk

discoversouthkesteven.com

SKtoday Winter 2023 www.southkesteven.gov.uk

23

ENTERTAINMENT ON YOUR DOORSTEP

Our programmes are packed with an array of incredible events such as Hey Beatles, An Evening With Aggers and The Bubble Show. We can’t wait to welcome you for another unforgettable season of entertainment and excitement!

GUILDHALL ARTS CENTRE 01476 406158 | guildhallartscentre.com St Peter’s Hill, Grantham, NG31 6PZ BOURNE CORN EXCHANGE 01778 423579 | 3 Abbey Road, Bourne, PE10 9EF | bcebookings@southkesteven.gov.uk STAMFORD ARTS CENTRE 01780 763203 | stamfordartscentre.com 27 St Mary's Street, Stamford, PE9 2DL