Giles McNeill

Local Conservatives Welcome Rupert Matthews

2012-01-28T11:30:00.000Z

Rupert Matthews, who has been part of the Roger Helmer succession sage, was welcomed yesterday to a supper club event hosted by the Gainsborough Constituency Conservative Association.

Mr. Matthews revealed the shock he had when he opened his front door to discover the senior Political Correspondent from Channel 4 News, Michael Crick, with a film crew, on his door step earlier in the week. Although one diner commented:

"It just shows what a slow news day it was; probably explains why I haven't watched Channel 4 News in three or four years."

Despite having written a number of books about the paranormal Mr. Matthews was unable to divine the future and predict if he would succeed Roger Helmer any time soon. Instead Mr. Matthews concentrated his comments, to his audience, on the European Union's history, providing a fascinating insight into the historical perspectives that are driving the European Project forward.

Mr. Matthews is an engaging public speaker who entertained those present with wit, knowledge and charm.

Further Pressure on Party Chairman to Confirm MEPs Successor

2012-01-24T00:00:00.000Z

Rupert Matthews and Giles McNeill
campaigning in Saxilby

Today's Daily Mail has further revelations about the Roger Helmer's succession, which is causing a headache for the Conservative Party, both across the East Midlands and at Conservative Party Headquarters, for the Party Chairman, Baroness Warsi.

Roger's robust statement last week, stated his clear position: Rupert Matthews has the legitimate claim to be his successor. Now, Prime Minister, David Cameron MP, Conservative (Whitney), has been dragged into the row. The paper reports that more than 20 Members of Parliament have apparently written to the Prime Minister requesting he step in and confirm Mr. Matthew' appointment.

Chris Heaton-Harris MP, Conservative (Daventry), who served as an MEP for the East Midlands up to the 2009 European elections, is reported as saying:

"Sayeda Warsi may feel she can just line somebody up, but this is going to make a lot of people very angry."

The paper reports that a senior source denied Baroness Warsi was trying to prevent Mr. Matthews becoming the East Midlands next Euro-Parliamentarian.

Mr. Matthews will address local Conservative at a Supper Club event in the Gainsborough Constituency on Friday evening.

UPDATE:

Mr. Michael Crick presented a package on Channel 4 News about this issue. You can watch it here. Whilst somewhat overplaying the more colourful parts of Mr. Matthews' background, he successfully points out the damage that could be done to the relationship between the Conservative Party across the East Midlands and the Party Chairman. The most interesting quote is attributed to a Minister familiar with Mr. Matthews:

"I don't think you can change the rules mid-match."

Are Local Liberal Democrats Suffering From Schizophrenia?

2012-01-23T09:00:00.000Z

It was not all that long ago that Cllr. Ray Sellars, Liberal Democrat (Nettleham & Saxilby Division) was taking credit for saving Linelands from closure. 'Threat to home lifted by people who really care' read the headline in a Lib Dem leaflet.

"Thanks go not just to the Lib Dem Group but also to the many dedicated people who protested loudly at the threatened closure of an excellent care facility with dedicated staff and volunteers."

No one can dispute that those who work at Linelands are some very dedicated individuals, but suggesting that the Lib Dems can take credit was ridiculous. Even as the leaflet landed on doormats in Nettleham, the Council had been clear that the reprieve was only temporary until suitable alternative provision was available.

The leaflet continued:

"Liberal Democrats are concerned, not only about Government cut-backs, but also charges on our national debt...giving us a bleak financial outlook."

This would presumably be the same Government that has five Liberal Democrats within the Cabinet, including the Chief Secretary to the Treasury? The article by Cllr. Sellars concludes:

"...remember that Lib Dem common sense brough vital balance to the spending review: Personal tax allowance is up by £1,000 while banks must pay a new levy."

So the Liberal Democrats are in government after all.

'West Lindsey Focus' delivered
prior to the 2010 General Election

Let us not forget that it was of course Cllr. Reg Shore, Liberal Democrat (Stow Ward), the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on West Lindsey District Council, who surprised many, shortly before local elections last year, with comments made to the Lincolnshire Echo. Cllr. Shore was quoted as saying:

"I don't agree with Nick. I never have and that's based on the issue of student fees."

The disclosure that Cllr. Shore does not and has not ever supported Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrat Leader is somewhat at odds with the facts. Cllr. Shore having appeared in election literature IN 2010 with Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for the Gainsborough Constituency, Cllr. Pat O'Conner, and the Deputy Prime Minister.

But the local Liberal Democrats are in such trouble that on their website (here) they are pleased to declare that their 'Best Headline of 2011' was 'Liberals in Poll Shock' from the Gainsborough Standard in the 12th May 2011 edition following the local elections. Taking some comfort in the fact they lost three seats on West Lindsey District Council but took twelve seats on Gainsborough Town Council, meaning they could form an administration. Considering that people often dislike the increasing professionalisation of politics, this is not something to be proud of. It seems unlikely that anyone would think that loosing three seats on the district council (two in Gainsborough) and gaining the town council was really a success in the light that the Liberal Democrats were the only people to organise - squeezing out more independent candidates. It would be like David Cameron declaring at the next General Election. 'I'm glad I've lost 20 MPs, but I can take solice that we now have six councillors on Hull City Council.'

Perhaps the local Conservatives take pleasure in the fact that there best headline of 2011 was: Government Minister Eric Pickles in Visit to West Lindsey from the Lincolnshire Echo. A real coup that a Secretary of State would visit an otherwise perfectly safe Conservative seat.

Edward Leigh MP Believes Euthanasia Is An 'Encouraged Exit'

2012-01-18T19:00:00.000Z

Local Parliamentarian, Edward Leigh MP, has said he believes any moves to introduce euthanasia would result in an 'encouraged exit.'

The Conservative MP has rejected calls for assisted dying, or euthanasia, to be introduced for the sick and elderly during a debate on care for the dying. Mr. Leigh said:

"There is no doubt in my mind that, if we allow assisted dying, it will eventually become encouraged exit.

"One of the witnesses to the Falconer inquiry said: 'I think we can only go for terminal illness at the moment, so this doesn't actually apply to the people who are probably about to go into care homes. But, you know, baby steps'. That is a chilling statement.

"To us, this is a moral issue. We believe that the body is simply the mirror of the soul, and however old, crippled or useless someone might seem to society – our society seems to be dominated by the worship of youth and beauty – they are of immense value to society and should be sustained by society to the very end of their lives."

Roger Helmer MEP Speaks Out On Attempted Resignation

2012-01-18T10:11:00.001Z

Roger Helmer MEP for the East Midlands Regin writes: In October, I announced my intention to resign from the European Parliament on December 31. I was asked by our delegation leader Martin Callanan to postpone that date to January 20 to cover some key votes in Strasbourg in January, which I agreed to do. However, I have not yet signed the Parliament’s formal deed of resignation. I made it clear at the time that a key reason for my decision was my disillusionment with a wide range of Conservative policies - a view which has been strongly reinforced by David Cameron’s vocal backing for further fiscal integration in the EU.

I announced my resignation in the confident expectation (shared by just about everyone) that I would be replaced by the next-in-line on the 2009 Conservative East Midlands list, Rupert Matthews. Since the introduction of the regional list system of voting, there have been nine mid-term vacancies for UK MEPs, and on every occasion the seat has gone to the next available name on the list. It has now emerged, however, that the Party has reservations over the succession.

After the 2010 General Election, a large number of very good people, including Rupert, were taken off the Westminster candidates list. Because he is not currently on that list, the Party has referred his case to the Candidates’ Committee, which will require him to undergo a candidate panel. This is entirely wrong-headed. The Candidates’ Committee exists to pre-qualify names for future elections. It cannot retrospectively disqualify names from previous elections. Rupert was on the list at the relevant time, 2008. He was duly selected under party rules, in a postal ballot by around three and a half thousand East Midlands Conservative Party members, as second on the list (subsequently moved to third under the positive discrimination process). He was then confirmed as next-in-line in the national euro elections of 2009. He has earned his place, he has a democratic mandate. It is outrageous that the Party should be minded to set aside the result of a national election, and many East Midlands Conservatives are very angry indeed.

The Party needs to issue a certificate in respect of such an appointment, and believes it can withhold the certificate in this case. But the Party’s right to withhold the certificate must be exercised fairly, proportionately and transparently. The certificate is intended to enable the Party to refuse someone who has (for example) been convicted of a serious offence, or who has left the Party. But where no such impediment exists, withholding the certificate would be arbitrary and perverse. I have made it clear that I will not sign the formal resignation papers until the position is clarified and Rupert is confirmed. I was happy to resign in favour of the next-in-line in the normal way, but I am not prepared to stand aside for some A-List Cameron protégée from St. John’s Wood.

However the Party says it will not call the panel and make the decision until I do resign. So we have a Mexican stand-off. I think that both I and Rupert (and our respective families) are entitled to some certainty and resolution on the issue. Accordingly I have indicated to the Party Chairman that if the situation is not resolved within a few weeks, I shall withdraw my offer to resign. I am quite prepared, if necessary, to stay in place for the remaining two and a half years of my mandate until 2014.

I have always argued that when a Conservative MEP is out of sympathy with Party policy, and unable to defend it, he should resign to make way for another Conservative. I believe that that is the decent and honourable thing to do, and I have sought to do it, but my intention has been frustrated by the Party’s reprehensible prevarication. I have also made it clear to the Party Chairman that I believe that my obligations on this point have been fully and finally discharged by my offer, made in good faith, to resign. Accordingly, if I am obliged to stay in place until 2014, I shall feel no further sense of obligation or responsibility to the Party.

Local MP Wants State Schools to Replicate Private Schools

2012-01-17T19:00:00.000Z

Advice to improve schools by 'replicating what goes on in the independent sector', including selection, is 'entirely in line' with the Government's intentions, a minister has said.

Speaking at Education Questions in the Commons, Edward Leigh, MP, Conservative (Gainsborough Constituency), said independent schools had many things to teach about boosting standards. Mr. Leigh asked:

"Will you agree with me the real way to improve standards in the state sector is to replicate what goes on in the independent sector?

"Mainly to allow headteachers to hire and fire teachers, to select their own curriculum and to select and de-select pupils."

John Hayes MP, Conservative (South Holland & the Deepings), Minister of State for Further Educations, Skills and Life Long Learning, who attended a dinner in the Gainsborough Constituency in the summer of 2011, replied:

"What we seek is a system driven by demand, the choices of pupils, helped to make informed judgments by the information they are given, businesses driving the skills system and headteachers and college principals free to respond to local needs.

"That is precisely our mantra, entirely in line with your intentions and ambitions."

Councillor Seeks to Reassure Over Linelands Closure

2012-01-12T19:00:00.000Z

People using three county care homes are being reassured that a range of other high-quality, local options are now available - with potential new care facilities also announced today.

The Lincolnshire County Council pledge comes as it has now decided on the closure timescales for its homes in Nettleham, Sleaford and Grantham. As it works towards modernising and personalising care provision in Lincolnshire, the authority’s Executive decided last July that the homes would close, but only when it was satisfied that suitable alternative provision was available.

In addition, the council has also revealed today that it is in the early stages of work towards new housing for the over 55’s in Nettleham and a potential dementia centre in Grantham.

Councillor Graham Marsh, Conservative (Alford & Sutton Division), Executive Member for Adult Social Care, said:

"With a rapidly growing elderly population, providing the best possible care for our residents is an absolute priority for the council. By closing three outdated and expensive homes and replacing them with access to an improved menu of care options, we hope residents can see how we’re meeting this priority.

"We promised to only close the remaining three homes when we were confident that alternatives were available; we’ve worked very hard to identify and create those alternatives by stimulating the market and high-quality choice, with sufficient vacancies and specialisms, now exists in each area.

"What’s more, we’re striving to add to this further through the creation of new, extra care housing and dementia centres, whilst £9.1m of ‘reablement’ funding with the NHS will also be invested in support services and technologies."

The county council is working with interested parties including Longhurst Group and West Lindsey District Council to develop proposals for a new-build housing-with-care facility to meet community needs in the Linelands area. The authority is also working with The Orders of St. John Care Trust towards their proposed new care home at Springfield Road, Grantham, which is expected to receive planning consent shortly with construction likely to commence during 2012.

Linelands in Nettleham, Bonner House in Sleaford and Grantham’s Harrison House are now working towards closure by the end of May. All staff are being supported and the county council is assisting those who are looking to enter the market as private providers themselves.

Cllr Marsh added:

"There will very understandably be concerns among carers and people who use the homes about the disruption and change, but we’ll help them every step of the way to make it as smooth a transition as possible. Once these have happened, we’re confident that the future for both current and future users of care services in Lincolnshire will be much improved."

Carers and the people currently using the three homes will now be invited to a series of marketplace events to help them find the best solutions for them, including respite and intermediate care and other needs. Information packs will also be sent to the service users and each of the homes, with local providers also visiting the homes to present the range of services they offer and the county council will offer all support possible.

Linelands Expected to Close in May

2012-01-12T07:00:00.000Z

Linelands Care Home in Nettleham is set to close by the end of May, with alternative care found for the forty people currently using the centre.

Lincolnshire County Council estimates savings of £2.5 million by the end of 2013 from the closure of eight care homes run by the authority across the county. Linelands, along with Bonner House in Sleaford and Harrison House in Grantham, is part of the second wave of care home closures by the council.

Linelands has twelve respite beds, fifteen intermediate care beds and forty-six day care places, catering for people with dementia and with high dependancy needs.

The move to close the centre is in line with previous Labour government's scheme to transfer care service users onto personal budgets. The County Council says it expects to be able to implement personal budget with Linelands service users by the end of May.

The first wave of care home closures included Park View in Lincoln, The Cedars in Gainsborough, Ingelow Manor in Boston, Halmer Grange in Spalding and Crowtree House in Louth.

Interim Assistant Director of Adult Social Care Commissioning, Mr. Terry Hawkins, explained that if sufficient replacement care is not found for residents, Linelands would stay open later than May.

"After closing the five homes last year ahead of schedule, we feel we can safely provide the residents with independent care and care brokerage support within three months, but Linelands will not close before."

Executive Member for Adult Social Care, Cllr. Graham Marsh, Conservative (Alford & Sutton Division), assured sufficient alternative choices for care are in place.

"We’ve worked hard to identify and create those alternatives by stimulating the market and high-quality choice, with sufficient vacancies and specialism, now exists in each area."

The council is also exploring alternative uses for the Linelands site, such as a dementia hub alongside adjacent supported living accommodation, Church View.

The latest closures will bring the total adult social care job losses to three hundred and fifteen countywide, including at the two Lincoln sites, Swallow Lodge and Linelands. Staff has been offered training to find other care jobs, as well as support to set up their own businesses to offer services to those using personal allowances.

New Year's Message 2011

2012-01-01T09:00:00.000Z

Nettleham Parish Councillor, Giles McNeill, writes:

"Firstly let me begin with wishing you a Happy New Year.

"Recent years have been tough; tough on all of us. It is my hope that 2012 will be the year we turn the corner and get back to something like ‘business-as-usual’; even if it is somewhat anaemic.

"There is plenty to look forward to: I’m sure our community will rally together for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, already events are being planned, and I suspect in my own street we will be having a street party. The Olympic touch will pass through West Lindsey at Saxilby on its way to London 2012 games. I feel there is a lot to be optimistic about.

"In 2011 I began a four-year term as a Governor of Nettleham Infants School, already I have had a hand in making changes for the better, new provision of hot meals in the school should greatly improve the quality and dining experience of local children – gone are the plastic trays and real crockery and cutlery will be the order of the day. I expect there to be big changes in the school in 2012 and beyond.

"Serving on Nettleham Parish Council, I continue with my calls to keep local taxes low. It is my understanding that the Parish Council will be taking an extra £3.05 in tax from the average Band D property in 2012; pushing the Parish Council’s component up to £88.21 for the average household, I am also saddened that the lowest paying band, Band A, will this year pass the level the average Band D were paying when I joined the Parish Council in 2006. The increase in the tax households are pay to the Parish Council represents a massive 52.4% since 2006. I am convinced that once again Nettleham Parish Council will be out of step with other local authorities – the district & county councils – who will keep their portions of the Council Tax frozen. There are of course reasons why they can do this, support form the Conservative-led coalition government means that an increase of 2.5% or less is absorbed by the Department of Communities and Local Government. Nettleham Parish Council can not qualify for this funding; nevertheless the increase is greater than 2.5%. In a poll conducted on this blog, 58% of respondents said that raising the Parish Council’s portion of the council tax was the wrong decision.

"As Chairman of the Mulsanne Park Users Committee I have watched with interest, over the boundary hedge, in recent months, the earthworks being undertaken at the new Lodge Lane home of Lincoln Rugby Club. The earthworks appear complete and seed will no doubt be planted in the spring.

"Politically, with the change at West Lindsey District Council to elections every four years, I was expecting 2012 to be a quieter year. However, across the county, we will all be back to polling stations on Thursday, 15th November to elect Lincolnshire’s first Police and Crime Commissioner. Coming from a family of Policemen – father, grandfather, great-grandfather – I was surprised by this in the Conservative Party’s 2010 manifesto. I think there are potentially great benefits to having a directly elected person responsible for policing locally – Ken Livingston and Boris Johnson (the Mayors of London) have to some extent proved this, but the supporting role of interrogative committees, consisting solely of councillors from local authorities, seems a regressive step, back to the post-war era of the 1950s.
"I wish each and all health, prosperity and happiness for the coming year."

Strike Boosts Lincolnshire Businesses

2011-12-22T09:00:00.000Z

Business leaders say the strike over public sector pensions brought an unexpected and welcome boost to trade in the county, reports the Lincolnshire Echo.

Two million public sector workers walked out on strike across Britain.

More than one hundred of the three hundred and sixty-seven schools in the county were closed and three hundred county council workers (10% of the workforce) – downed tools.

Protesters took part in a small march through Lincoln city centre, culminating at the Lincoln Drill Hall.

Prime Minister David Cameron rightly branded the industrial action 'a damp squib' that failed to cripple Britain.

It turns out that the strikes had one unintended outcome; any traders here saw an upturn in business.

Mr. Simon Beardsley, Chief Executive of Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, said:

"An indirect result seems to be that last Wednesday was a better day for retailers as it has given some parents who have children off school the opportunity to go Christmas shopping, therefore a potential benefit to the economy.

"This may just be timing, in that they will buy now rather than closer to Christmas, but this is likely to be a comfort to cash flow at this time."

Mr. Beardsley said the main impact was the knock-on effects from school closures with parents taking the day off the look after children.

"It is difficult in such circumstances to place a value on the disruption as this cover may have been accommodated from existing holiday allocation and as such the impact is felt more directly by employees losing holiday allocation.

"Our major concern is if the frequency of the dispute increases and accommodation becomes more difficult, as this is when businesses are also likely to see direct impacts in terms of operating costs and lost revenue."

Mr. Barry Reeves, Chairman of Sincil Street Traders, in Lincoln, who runs the Central Snacks cafe on the market, said:

"Can we have another strike soon? By going on strike, they turned last Wednesday into a bumper day of trade. It couldn't have come at a better time."

It is likely that the boost in trade will be reflected the quarterly figures for the last three months of the year and will give the government a boost as well in January.

New Bus Service Between Cherry Willingham and Nettleham

2011-12-17T08:47:00.000Z

Villagers in Cherry Willingham, Fiskerton, Nettleham and Reepham are welcoming moves by PC Coaches of Lincoln to introduce a new bus service between the villages, providing a direct link between the Doctors' Surgeries.

PC Coaches has agreed to operate the '4b Nettleham to Cherry Willingham' route from Monday, 12th December 2011 following consultation during the summer by the company, which called on people to tell them where they wanted new services.

Cherry Willingham Parish Council made representations to the firm for a service connecting residents to Nettleham, where the main doctors' surgery for residents is located.

An agreement has been reached and the route will see buses leave North Greetwell from 9.15am and run via Cherry Willingham, Fiskerton and Reepham.

PC Coaches' Operations Manager, Mr. Phil Shirley, said:

"Currently there is no direct service. This is something the council came to us with to see if we would look at it. It's viable so we have done it for them. There's a use it or lose it element.

"There's no set period but it will be reviewed after three months and we will keep monitoring its progress and work with the parish council.

"We thought if people told us what they wanted then we are halfway there to providing a service as there are people that want it."

Mr. Shirley added that discussions were continuing with a couple more parish and town councils about establishing new services.

Cherry Willingham resident Mr. Dave Holmes said:

"I think this will be a welcome service.

"Opening hours for the Cherry Willingham surgery are limited at best and extending that would have been better.

"But people have to rely on the Nettleham branch and as many residents are elderly, the distance is a pain.

"This bus service should help greatly."

Edward Leigh MP Urges Government to Protect Religious Freedom

2011-12-16T08:55:00.001Z

Local Parliamentarian Leads Backbenchers in Move to Block Civil Partnership Change

Gainsborough's Edward Leigh MP has led a group of backbenchers in an attempt to block legislation allowing same-sex couples to hold civil partnership ceremonies in places of worship. The group are concerned that the legislation in question fails to ensure churches are not forced to host civil partnership ceremonies even if it goes against their beliefs. Controversially, the government is attempting to pass the relevant law without subjecting it to a proper debate in the House of Commons. Mr. Leigh told a newspaper:

“These regulations don’t do what the Government promised, which is to protect churches that do not want to register civil partnerships.”

“It is an issue of the utmost seriousness. Yet the Commons isn’t even being given a chance to debate them.”

“We’ve seen all this before. The Sexual Orientation Regulations went through Parliament without proper scrutiny and they closed down our adoption agencies as a result. If the Government cares anything about the churches, it will withdraw these regulations.”

Ministers insist religious groups will not be forced to host civil partnership registrations, but expert legal advice has suggested activists will be able to take legal action on human rights and equality grounds.

Police Report Nine Zombies in Lincolnshire

2011-12-12T20:52:00.000Z

As previously reported on this blog (here) Lincolnshire County Council has no specific plans in place to repel a Zombie Attack. However, as noted paranormal expert and author, Rupert Matthews, prepares to take over as a Member of the European Parliament for the East Midlands, from retiring incumbent, Roger Helmer MEP, should the idea of paranormal activity in the county - like zombie attacks - be dismissed? The answer would seem to be 'no'.

Lincolnshire, it turns out, can readily be regarded as a paranormal hotspot in the United Kingom and even has its own team of 'ghostbusters'. But more chillingly, recently uncovered police statistics, point to considerable paranormal activity.

Every year Lincolnshire Police have to deal with a number of reports of incidents dealing with a wide range of topics. Some are clearly of critical importance, whereas as others can be best described as 'non-emergencies.' But if you are convinced there is a vampire living across the street or a hoard of zombies coming through your door, surely that deserves a 999 call?

Surely, you think, there can not be that many people who have contacted the emergency services to complain that the neighbours are actually witches or that that strange light in the sky is definitely an Unidentified Flying Object? You would be wrong.

Using the Freedom of Information Act of 2000, where public authorities must respond to questions from the public, Lincolnshire Police have reported the statistics for past five years.

The figures showed that in the past five years there has been a total of:

171 reports of witches
2 reports of werewolves
5 reports of vampires
10 UFO sightings
152 reports of ghosts
9 reports of zombies
627 reports of demons
20 reports of wizards

These figures show that there has been nearly 1,000 'paranormal' activities reported to Lincolnshire Police over the past five years, with nearly two-thirds of these cases listed reports of 'demons.'

Chancellor Announces Funding for Lincoln Eastern Bypass

2011-12-01T09:00:00.000Z

The Chancellor George Osbourne MP has announced, as part of his autumn statement, that the Lincoln Eastern Bypass is one of thirty-five infrastructure projects around the country set to receive funding.

A 'best and final' bid for £50m, towards the expected £98m cost of the Bypass, was submitted by Lincolnshire County Council to the Department for Transport in September.

Executive Member for Highways and Transportation, Cllr. William Webb, said:

"We are absolutely delighted to hear this news from the Chancellor. Our hopes and aspirations have finally been confirmed and so much hard work has been carried out with our partner authorities to try and bring the bypass to fruition. We have been working towards this for almost 20 years and it’s wonderful that we can start taking the final steps needed to make the bypass a reality.

"The announcement means that we have the additional £50m that is needed and that we have 'conditional approval' for the bypass. We look forward to seeing the full details, so we can start carrying out the additional work required to fulfil these conditions and understand the government’s funding timescale. It is possible that construction could start as soon as 2014."

The Lincoln Eastern Bypass was identified as the best solution to improve traffic flow in the city and it will have tremendous positive economic benefits for the county and East Midlands as a whole.

A bid for funding successfully made it through an initial ‘expression of interest’ stage in February. Lincolnshire County Council is making a contribution of £14m and, following an Executive meeting on Monday, 15th August, is acting as 'guarantor' to underwrite the £34m third party funded element. This meant that if the bid was successful, construction could start far sooner, without the authority needing to wait for details of the developer contributions. Cllr.Webb added:

"The county council had already agreed this summer to guarantee the outstanding balance in the short term, so we could move forward more quickly. Today’s announcement by government confirms we are now in an excellent position to do this.

"We are of course still working towards solutions to improve the highways in other parts of Lincolnshire as well."

Prince of Wales Arrives In County at Nettleham

2011-11-30T09:00:00.000Z

The Prince meets local school children
Photograph by Dominic Clark for

The Lincolnite

HRH Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, together with HRH the Duchess of Cornwall arrived yesterday in the county by helicopter, landing in the Police Field, Nettleham.

The prince met participants on the Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment who have spent time in the Cathedral works department during a tour of Lincoln Cathedral at which the prince accepted the Cathedral’s invitation to become Patron of the Cathedral Fabric Fund.

Charles and Camilla with Dilys Simpson
Photograph by The Lincolnshire Echo

Cathedral officials also showed the heir to the throne some recent acquisitions, including a new set of Chapter copes made by the needlework guild. He was shown a full size image of the proposed statue of St Mary by sculptor Aidan Hart which is being considered for the re-ordered east end of the Cathedral.

The Prince turned his hand to stonemasonary watched by the Duchess, Charles wore plastic safety goggles as he used a chisel and mallet to chip away at a piece of stone in Lincoln Cathedral's stonemasonry workshop. He laughed when he was told the limestone was a softer version than that used by stonemasons working on the restoration and preservation of the cathedral and joked:

"That's very considerate of you."

Mr. Paul Atkin, team leader of stonemasons, said it was not the Prince's first attempt at the technique:

"He did some the last time he was here. We want to improve his skills from the last time. We need a few more weeks to get him up to scratch."

Mr. Atkin said the royal visit would help to keep the spotlight on the work needed on the cathedral, which costs more than £3,000,000 a year to run. Half of that is spent on the conservation of the building, and is dependant mainly on funds from supporters and donations.

Photograph by The Lincolnshire Echo

Lincoln is one of only three cathedrals which preserve traditional skills through a team of thirty craftsmen and women consisting of stonemasons, glaziers, plumbers, carpenters, conservators and archivists. The team have honed their skills over decades but some new apprentices have also been drafted in to prevent the techniques from dying out.

The Prince attended a lunch with Young Farmers whilst the Duchess attended lunch with the Women's Institute. The final part of the tour of the county ended in a pub in the village of Burton-le-Coggles, south of Grantham. The Prince spent around an hour in the village, visiting the popular country pub, The Cholmeley Arms and its farm shop.

After meeting villages, schoolchildren and dignitaries, Prince Charles met the tenants of the Cholmeley Arms, John and Lesley Berry who have re-opened the pub, owned by the Easton Estate and built the village farm shop.

No Plan to Deal with Zombie Attack in County

2011-11-23T08:00:00.000Z

Lincolnshire County Council has revealed that no official emergency plans exist to deal with a zombie attack in the county.

Council bosses have made the admission in a response to a Freedom of Information Act request from Mr. John Fernandez. However, officers from the county council told him in their reply that they do have other emergency plans which they were 'confident' could be adapted if the undead attack.

Mr. Fernandez put in the request to a number of local authorities across the country and told one authority that the request was for a paper he was writing. Lincolnshire County Council’s reply said:

"Lincolnshire County Council has not made any plans for the possible threat of a zombie pandemic.

"We can confirm that the authority has plans for other emergency situations and if the event was to occur, we are confident that could be adapted and applied to ensure public safety."

'Planning Win' for Parish Council

2011-11-17T09:30:00.001Z

Members of Nettleham Parish Council have been pleased to learn that planning permission was refused, last night, by West Lindsey District Council's planning committee, for a substantial development on Greetwell Lane.

Nettleham Parish Council objected to this proposed development; the council maintained its strong opposition to the application, which fails to address the reasons for rejections previously made (Section 3 (PP3), Section 6, Section 7 and Section 8). 'In principle the Parish Council supports the provision of Sustainable properties; however, the design, intensity and siting of this development is not in keeping with the other properties in this rural location.' The council also felt that the development did 'not respect its close proximity' to the Bishops' Palace, an scheduled ancient monument, site and ignored the open aspect to the east of the site. The parish council stated that such an extensive development of this site would not respect the Nettleham Village Design Statement. If this application were to be approved it would, in the opinion of the council, set a precedent for future intensive tandem developments in this location.

The Parish Council also noted that West Lindsey District Council's own report (PL24 10/11 dated 17th November 2010) by the Director of Strategy and Regeneration states that 'the authority has exceeded the required 5 year deliverable housing supply and that residential development in primary rural settlements should be resisted unless material considerations indicate otherwise' which removes the pressure on the Planning Authority to achieve set targets.

Cllr. John Evens made representations on behalf of the parish council at the Development Management Committee meeting whilst members of the public from Nettleham also Spoke against the scheme. Cllr. Evan praised the work done by Cllr. Malcolm Leaning, Liberal Democrat (Nettleham Ward) who spoke against the proposal, saying:

"Malcolm Leaning did an outstanding job as our ward member speaking against the proposal, clearly having done a lot of preparation on the various planning policy reasons and put such a strong case across that the vote was unanimous to reject the application. The site visit of a couple of weeks ago also had a big impact on the members appreciation of the setting."

The development in question was an amended version of a previously rejected proposal to site a number of homes on land abutting the ancient scheduled monument of the Bishops' Palace. Cllr. Evans continued:

"I was also personally very pleased to hear the Nettleham VDS referenced on many occasions by Simon Sharp and Members, it is being taken notice of and was clearly a worthwhile project which will benefit our community for years to come."

Nettleham Remembers

2011-11-13T17:30:00.000Z

Cllr. Mrs. Janice Clayton lays
the Parish Council's wreath.

This afternoon, Nettleham paused to remember. To remember those who have sacrificed themselves in conflict for the freedoms we too often take for granted.

The Scouts, Guides, Brownies, Beavers paraded from the scout hut on Vicarage Lane to the war memorial on the Village Green. A number of the community had gathered by the war memorial. Proceedings and prayers were led by Rev. Jenny Rowley and Rev. Mark Lawrence, the Methodist Minister.

Representatives of a number of village organisations, including Nettleham Parish Council, Nettleham & District Probus, Royal British Legion and the RAF laid wreaths at the war memorial. The children placed 'In Remembrance' poppy crosses in the earth around the memorial.

United in Condolence for Red Arrows Pilot

2011-11-10T09:00:00.000Z

Edward Leigh MP offered his condolences to the family and relatives of the RAF pilot killed in the Red Arrows during Prime Minister’s Questions today. Mr. Leigh, whose constituency includes RAF Scampton, asked

"In joining me in giving our condolences to the relatives of the Red Arrows pilot killed at RAF Scampton yesterday, will the Prime Minister acknowledge the overriding need for safety, and that our campaign to save RAF Scampton from closure is not just based on sentiment for the historic home of the Dambusters but on the overriding need for the kind of safe, uncluttered skies above north Lincolnshire which the Red Arrows need to practice safely."

The Prime Minister, David Cameron responded:

"I’m sure the hearts of everyone in this House go out to the family of the pilot who was killed in this terrible accident. It comes on top of a second accident that happened in the Red Arrows and this has obviously been a very tragic time for something the whole country reveres and loves."

The Prime Minister said he knows the Red Arrows consider their Lincolnshire home 'extremely important' and added that 'we must get to the bottom of what happened'.

Edward Leigh has campaigned for the Ministry of Defence to state its intention of keeping RAF Scampton open, especially as home to the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, known as the Red Arrows. Mr. Leigh has met with MOD ministers and written several letters putting the case for the base’s continued usefulness as part of Britain’s defence community and a large contributor to the local economy.

Cllr. Roger Patterson, Conservative (Scampton Ward) said:

"I am very sorry to hear about the death of Flt Lt Shaun Cummings, of the Red Arrows.

"Coming so soon after the tragic loss of Flt Lt John Egging it has really it the community of Scampton Hard.

"Sometimes the things you take for granted are appreciated more when tragedy strikes and right now the community at Scampton realise how blessed we are to have The Red Arrows as part of our community, and we stand resolutely behind the team and all our brave servicemen and woman at Raf Scampton.

"We are steadfast in our belief that The Red Arrows must fly again as soon as possible and continue to bring joy to the millions of people around the world who hold them in such high esteem and that they continue for many more years and that they do this from Raf Scampton because we as a community are proud that they are based here.

"My sincere condolences go out to his family, friends and his team mates at such a tragic time."

Edward Leigh MP Demands Action on Insult

2011-10-19T10:00:00.000+01:00

Edward Leigh MP has called on the Government to amend a law that criminalises the use of insulting words – as MPs were blocked from debating the issue in Parliament.

The Conservative MP for the Gainsborough Constituency has tabled an amendment to the Protection Of Freedoms Bill, which is being debated in Parliament this week, that removes the word 'insulting' from Section 5 of the Public Order Act. The amendment, which was tabled in conjunction with Labour MP Tom Watson and Lib Dem MP Alan Beith, has been backed by 65 MPs from across the political parties.

It has also won the support of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights and backed by civil liberties groups like Justice. However, Mr Leigh claims the Government is using a procedural device in the House Of Commons to block debate on the amendment – even though it is far and away the most well-supported amendment tabled to the Bill. Mr Leigh said:

Edward Leigh MP for the
Gainsborough Constituency

"It is ironic that MPs should be denied the opportunity to speak about the freedom to speak."

Writing on the ConservativeHome blog, the Conservative parliamentarian said that while freedom of speech is 'perhaps, our most precious civil liberty after the right to life itself', there is a 'widely held concern that civil liberties such as freedom of speech are being eroded'.

Although some blame the previous Labour Government, 'policing practice' has also contributed to the 'erosion of freedoms'.

Mr Leigh explained that 'insult' has a low threshold and 'is open to misuse'. He said:

"Whatever self-restraint the police exercised in the past in applying the law against insults appears to be melting away.
"No doubt we can blame it on external pressure from activists and internal pressure from out-of-control 'equality and diversity' programmes."

Mr Leigh noted that while freedom of speech 'does have its limits', he cautioned that it is not 'legitimate' to 'criminalise words or behaviour that are merely insulting in the ordinary meaning of the word'.

Edward Leigh MP Welcomes Eric Pickles' Visit

2011-10-17T09:00:00.000+01:00

Mrs. Suzanne Scott, Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP,
Edward Leigh MP and Cllr. Burt Keimach.

Edward Leigh, who represents the Gainsborough Constituency, welcomed the Rt. Hon. Eric Pickles MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to the Gainsborough Constituency on Thursday, 13th October 2011 together with fellow Conservatives, Leader of West Lindsey District Council, Cllr. Burt Keimach and Cllr. William Parry, the authority’s Chairman.

The Secretary of State visited the Hemswell Cliff Primary School to open the community’s new ‘Room of Requirement’ – named with the Harry Potter books in mind. Head teacher Mrs. Suzanne Scott said:

Eric Pickles MP is shown Marshall's Yard
in Gainsborugh flanked by Cllr. Keimach
(Left) and Edward Leigh MP (Right)

“It's a great honour to welcome the secretary of state to our school.

“We are looking forward to using this facility along with our community.”

After opening the facility, The Secretary of State, Edward Leigh, Councillors, council officers and other stakeholders were briefed on the need to regenerate dilapidated former RAF bases into thriving communities. Mr Pickles said:

“I will rattle the MoD's cage on this as this is a place we should celebrate.”

Later Edward Leigh together with Councillors Keimach and Parry escorted Mr. Pickles around Marshalls’ Yard, Gainsborough to demonstrate what can be achieved when Councils, communities and businesses work together. At the council offices there were presentations on the entrepreneurial council and eco towns and an opportunity for local councillor to talk to the Secretary of State. Edward Leigh said:

Edward Leigh MP, Mark Dransfield
and Eric Pickles beneath the iconic
Marshall's Yard Gates.

“We are very fortunate to have had this visit from the minister. The important work of regenerating former RAF bases in the constituency is a priority for me and something I championed when I was Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee. “The work done by West Lindsey District Council in spearheading regeneration of Gainsborough is a credit to previous and present administrations. I know that Gainsborough is going to continue to change, grow and improve – it a community that I have enormous respect for – the challenges in regenerating the town that are ahead will be worth overcoming for the better, bolder Gainsborough that will emerge.”

Eric Pickles Brings Westminster Magic to West Lindsey

2011-10-14T07:00:00.000+01:00

As exclusively revealed on here at the start of July the Rt. Hon. Eric Pickles MP, Her Majesty's Principle Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, visited West Lindsey, Lincolnshire yesterday.

Arriving at Retford Station Mr. Pickles was greeted by Leader of West Lindsey District Council, Cllr. Burt Keimach, Conservative (Market Rasen Ward) and Chairman of West Lindsey Distirct Council, Cllr. William Parry, Conservative (Scotter Ward).

Eric Pickles and Liam Smith, lock wands at the opening of the
Room of Requirement at Hemswell Cliff Primary School
(c) John Jenkins/Lincolnshire Echo

Mr. Pickles was speeded away to Hemswell Cliff Primary School yesterday to open a new £10,000 community facility, their 'Room of Requirement'. Named after a secret room within Hogwarts Castle, the library will be open to residents inside and outside of school hours. The Secretary of state even engaged in a wand duel with one pupil to celebrate the opening of a Harry Potter-inspired library.

Mr Pickles praised villagers for their 'heart' in trying to improve the community. Mr Pickles. told pupils:

"If I had known this was being named after Harry Potter I would have wanted a wand.

"I am not from the Ministry of Magic but times are hard."

Speaking of Roman philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero. Mr Pickles said:

"He said for complete contentment that what you need is a garden and a library. Today he would have said what you need is a garden and a Room of Requirement."

The ninety-one pupils from the school sang two songs which Mr. Pickles praised. Head teacher Mrs. Suzanne Scott said:

"It's a great honour to welcome the secretary of state to our school.

"We are looking forward to using this facility along with our community."

After touring the school, Mr Pickles was briefed on West Lindsey District Council's plans to revitalise ex-RAF bases at Hemswell Cliff, Brookenby and Newtoft, plus RAF Scampton by Cllr. Paul Howitt-Cowan, Conservative (Hemswell Ward), who said the aim was to create more community spaces.

Having seen some of the dilapidated buildings, Mr Pickles said:

"I will rattle the MoD's cage on this as this is a place we should celebrate. What you do have should be a joyous occasion. It shouldn't be like visiting the Bronx. In fact, the Bronx is better."

Mr Pickles later visited Gainsborough to hear about the work of West Lindsey District Council and the way an 'entrepurnurial council' is being delivered.

In the evening Mr. Pickles was guest of honour at a Gala Dinner held at the Gainsborough Golf Glub, Belt Road, Thonock.

Local Kids Learn About Lincolnshire

2011-10-01T07:00:00.000+01:00

Children from across Lincoln have been busy painting pictures, putting up bunting and baking traditional plum bread to celebrate Lincolnshire Day the Lincolnshire Echo reports..

A host of activities have been arranged across the county to mark the fourth official Lincolnshire Day, which commemorates the Pilgrimage of Grace of 1536.

Liam Robinson teaching some youngsters at Nettleham
Junior School learning a Lincolnshire folk song.
(c) Chris Vaughan/Lincolnshire Echo

Pupils at Nettleham Church of England Aided Junior School in Mill Hill, Nettleham, learned Lincolnshire folk songs with county musician Liam Robinson and listened to a talk by Grace Timmins of Lincoln's Tennyson Research Centre.

Head teacher Mr. David Gibbons said:

"The children and staff had a great day. It's wonderful to give the children a chance to explore the history and character of the county they live in."

Other celebrations taking place yesterday included a food-tasting event held by Lincoln Country Market at Bailgate Methodist Church Hall, an evening of traditional folk song organised by Lincoln Folk Club and a special Lincolnshire-themed day at Gainsborough Old Hall.

Lincolnshire Day will be celebrated with a range of events, including guided tours of Lincoln, birds of prey flying displays at Lincoln Castle, a vintage fair at Lincoln's Engine Shed and craft and farmers' markets at Lincoln's Cornhill, High Street and St Mark's Square.

Lincoln Business Improvement Group events and promotions manager Mr. Michael Armstrong said:

"As each year goes by, more and more people seem to embrace Lincolnshire Day and it's wonderful to see so many people keen to celebrate it.
"It's very important to commemorate our history and heritage and hopefully our Lincolnshire Day celebrations will grow and see more and more people get involved."

Local MEP Takes Wind Farm Protest to Party Conference

2011-09-28T12:00:00.000+01:00

Roger Helmer, who is one of the two Conservative MEPs in the East Midlands region of the UK, will be speaking out against excessive wind power development at a fringe meeting in the Freedom Zone at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester next week.

On Monday 3rd October at 10.15am a panel of three speakers, including Matthew Sinclair of the Taxpayers' Alliance, Struan Stevenson MEP (Scotland) and Roger Helmer MEP, will discuss the coalition government's very dangerous policies on renewable energy, and especially their commitment to wind power.

All three speakers have campaigned against current energy policies. Matthew Sinclair's new book 'Let Them Eat Carbon', is a very effective and damning critique of renewables policy. MEPs Helmer & Stevenson have joined local campaign groups in opposing wind farm projects near residential areas, and making information public to constituents who need to be informed of the real costs of Chris Huhne's decisions on energy matters.

Ahead of the event, Mr Helmer commented about the current Energy Minister's work:

"Mr Huhne's renewables policy is futile, ineffectual and vastly expensive. It is time for a re-think".

Members of the public and press are invited to attend the discussion panel next week in Manchester. The Freedom Association (of which Roger Helmer is a past Chairman), holds the annual Freedom Zone event on the fringe of the Conservative Party Conference. It is hosting the controversial debate, and a conference pass is NOT needed to access the Freedom Zone at the Bridgewater Hall on Lower Mosley Street, Manchester.

Residents Pleased At Telephone Box Refurbishment

2011-09-24T12:00:00.000+01:00

Local residents in Nettleham have today been admiring the painting of the traditional telephone box which stands on the Green in the village.

The painting of the telephone box was requested Nettleham Parish Council following retention of the kiosk by BT last year.

The kiosk is now resplendent in a fine coat of glossy red paint with the crowns near the top finished in gold.

Nettleham Parish Councillor Giles McNeill said:

"We had a Property Committee last week were concerned to learn that no progress had been made, save that BT would, at an unspecified future date, have the telephone box inspected.

"I am please that the dedicated, hard work by the Council's staff has led to this iconic piece of street furniture being re-painted. Hopefully this will not go unnoticed in next year's Best Kept Village Competition."