February 2021 - West Lindsey News #1
Leader's update -
2021 hasn’t really got going for most of us. Following the announcement that we would be entering a nation-wide lockdown, just after New Year’s Day, many of us have been house-bound, patiently observing the latest daily data; data which shows how Covid-19-related cases, hospitalisations and deaths are coming down from a shockingly high peak. At present in West Lindsey, our weekly infection rate stands at 92.0 per 100,000, which is 32% lower than the week ending February 5th. While we are doing well to bring cases down, we must remain resolute yet. I do know many residents have suffered greatly at the hands of this ghastly virus, and not just at the hands of the disease but as a consequence of it too. Many of our local businesses and services have been badly affected by the restrictions introduced to combat the virus – it is quite clear that the recovery from this pandemic will be a great national joint and focused effort. My thoughts go out completely to everyone who is suffering with loss at this time.
However, I am encouraged and delighted by the recent vaccine roll-outs at John Coupland Hospital and at Lincolnshire Showground. Hearing stories and seeing the photographs of all those who have received a vaccine, showcasing the sense of relief and pride many of our residents are feeling right now, is a delight to see. My sincere thanks go to all our volunteers and NHS staff helping with the vaccine roll-out nationally and in our area. I have recently been updated with the latest from John Coupland Hospital, by Cllr Jim Snee, who as well as being a Ward Councillor, also works at the hospital itself. For a full featured update on the vaccine roll-out in our area, see below in our Covid-19 update.
It is our communities and our sense of togetherness throughout this pandemic that gives me most optimism however. Time and time again over the past year, we have all heard stories of communities coming together; of neighbours checking on loved ones, on shopping and prescriptions being delivered for those shielding, on virtual parties being held digitally – including over Christmas and New Year, and more recently – how we all came together to celebrate the life of Sir Captain Tom Moore, who taught us all about the need to see the positives in tomorrow, and to make the most of today. It is this togetherness that will get us through the pandemic, and I am delighted to see that this newsletter features a number of stories demonstrating that community spirit and togetherness in abundance. Each month our newsletter will focus and check-in on a different ward area; this month it is the ward areas of Welton and Dunholme, and we have a number of articles to read focusing on the local Welton and Dunholme community and their brilliant showing of community spirit. On top of this, we have a number of other features to also check-out, including our news-round up over the past month, and our most frequently asked questions on social media.
I do hope you enjoy the last few weeks of winter where you can, and perhaps next month we will be in a completely different position to where we are now. I would also like to encourage you to look at our council meeting timetable - https://democracy.west-lindsey.gov.uk/mgCalendarMonthView.aspx?XXR=0&M=3&DD=2021&ACT=Go – where our next Full Council meeting is scheduled for 1st March 7pm. Please watch our virtual meetings if you can, and take an active role in understanding what we are getting up to as a council!
Cllr Owen Bierley
Leader of West Lindsey District Council.
Covid-19 latest -
 “Relief” and “Pride”: Emotions high as our most vulnerable residents continue to be vaccinated and protected against Covid-19
A Gainsborough ward councillor says he has been overwhelmed by the ‘heart warming’ response of residents receiving their COVID-19 vaccinations.
Earlier this month John Coupland Hospital opened its doors to become the latest vaccination centre to open in the district, along with the Lincolnshire Showground.
In the first 9 days, around 3,500 people were reported to have received their vaccinations at the Gainsborough site.
Cllr Jim Snee, a West Lindsey District Councillor, who also works at the hospital as a Support Services Team Leader, witnessed first-hand the impact the centre is having.
He said he was moved by the ‘relief and pride’ people were feeling after having had the vaccination.
Cllr Snee said: “Some of the comments have been fantastic. We have had people literally in tears, thanking us, they are so grateful. One lady said to me – she hasn’t been out for the best part of 10 months, and this was better than going to the beach! She really was so pleased."
To read the full update - Click here
- The District's weekly infection rate is 92.0 per 100,000
- This is 32% lower than week ending 5th February
- West Lindsey has the 298th lowest infection rate out of 324 lower tier local authorities
- As with the rest of England, West Lindsey continues to see declining case rates week-by-week, as a result of the hard work of local residents
- Gainsborough Test Centre remains open for anyone who is suffering from Covid-19 symptoms, however mild. Book a test at https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
 Help and support is available -
 Groups providing essential services can still apply for £5,000 grant!
Charities and Community Organisations that are delivering essential services to vulnerable residents in the current climate, can apply for a grant of up-to £5,000.
A £100,000 Community Fund was created by West Lindsey District Council to support such groups during the Covid emergency, and access to the grant is available until 31st March 2021.
Eligible groups can apply for between £250 and £5,000 – and since the grant was created, organisations such as the Salvation Army, Feeding Gainsborough and Brookenby Community Group have been allocated funding.
Matt Snee, Community Engagement Officer, said: “Like everywhere else in the country, Covid-19 has hit out district hard – causing financial, emotional and physical distress to almost if not all of our residents. It is incredible to see so many people pulling together right now, to help those who are especially struggling, and that is why we have put this funding together."
To find out more
Hospitality and Tourism sector given a financial boost
West Lindsey District Council has awarded hospitality and tourism businesses a top-up grant as part of the COVID-19 support.
It has been widely recognised nationally and internationally that hospitality is the industry hit hardest by Covid-19. The majority of such businesses in the district have had no options but to stay closed.
This top-up grant utilised the Additional Restrictions Grant provided to West Lindsey District Council from the Government to support their local priority sectors.
211 hospitality/ tourism businesses who had already applied for the Closed Business Grant have automatically been paid the Hospitality /Tourism Grant. They were awarded between £1,000 and £10,000 and the total awarded was £672,500.
The Council administers a number of grant funds on behalf of central government as part of efforts to support the wider economy to help manage the impacts of Covid19. This work is ongoing and the Council is continuing to check, verify and process all the applications.
So far the Council has issued a number of other grants which include:
- Closed Business Support Grant, launched on 12 November, 2020, has to date received 794 applications. The total amount awarded so far is £2,627,579.
- Open and Impacted Business Grant Scheme, launched on 26 November 2020, funded from the Additional Restrictions Grant, has received 177 applications. The total amount awarded is £224,863.
- January Lockdown payment, launched on 5 January 2021, has been allocated to 511 businesses. The total amount awarded was £2,363,000
- Wet-led Pub Grant, launched December 2020, has been allocated to 51 businesses. The total amount awarded is £51,000
Cllr Paul Howitt-Cowan, Chairman of the Leisure, Culture, Events and Tourism subgroup at West Lindsey District Council, welcomed the news.
He said: “It is crucial that we support our visitor economy businesses. I am pleased that the Council, which is committed to economic regeneration as part of our Corporate Plan was able to provide this additional funding."
In addition to the grants there is more support available to businesses across the district, this includes a specialist business advisor and webinars, please visit www.west-lindsey.gov.uk/businesssupport
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Retail expert to support local businesses with online events
One of the most well-known and well respected retail experts in the UK has teamed up with West Lindsey District Council (WLDC) to offer support to businesses in the district.
Clare Bailey, founder of the Retail Champion, is to hold four webinars and workshops for business as part of the Council’s package of support.
In addition to administering COVID-19 grants to businesses, securing reduced membership to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), promoting the Council’s Think Local campaign, the council wanted to do more to help.
The Council has enlisted the support of Clare, who has been visiting businesses in the district prior to lockdown, and is now offering remote support by hosting four online workshops/ webinars.
The sessions include:
- Thursday 11 February at 11am: A beginners Guide to EPOS, E-commerce and business systems (suitable for technophobes!)
- Thursday 18 February at 11am: Why use social media?
- Thursday 25 February at 11am: Kerb appeal! Top tips to ensure your premises look tip-top!
- Thursday 4 March at 11am: Developing a marketing and promotional calendar.
Chairman of the Prosperous Communities Committee, Cllr Owen Bierley said: “We are delighted to be working with Clare Bailey whose knowledge on retail and high streets will be invaluable to our local businesses.
“We know businesses are struggling and we are doing everything we can to extend support and help our local economy. Whether you are interested in attending all of the sessions or just one session – I would encourage as many businesses as possible to enroll on to the ‘free sessions’ to be able to maximise their potential.”
To find out more - Click here
 Council and HSE to make sure businesses are COVID-secure
West Lindsey District Council is working with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to contact businesses in the area to check they have appropriate COVID-secure measures in place.
They are also working alongside local public health authorities to understand any patterns in confirmed coronavirus cases in the area to help tackle COVID-19.
The Council has been working to support businesses since the start of the pandemic to ensure that they are following the regulations and guidance and helping them to diversify where possible. COVID Wardens have also been visiting businesses to see what support they need.
The latest partnership work will strengthen the work already taken place as the checks will continue to provide advice and guidance to manage risk and protect workers, customers and visitors.
However, if business are found not to be managing this, it may result in formal action being taken. This can range from the provision of specific advice, issuing of enforcement notices, stopping certain work practices until they are made safe and, where businesses eventually fail to comply, this could lead to prosecution.
Being COVID-secure means that businesses need to put adjustments in place to manage the risk and protect workers and others from coronavirus. For further information on how to manage the risk of coronavirus in different business sectors please read the government guidance.
Cllr Jessie Milne, Chairman of the Licensing and Regulatory Committee at the Council said: “Firstly I wanted to say that we have been working closely with our local businesses to support them and the majority of them are compliant. Our local businesses have done a fantastic job so far in meeting the challenges that the pandemic has placed upon them.
“We are continuing to talk to local businesses, and visiting and inspecting sites in and around West Lindsey to understand how they are managing risks in line with their specific business activity. Working with the Health and Safety executive helps us to cover as many businesses as possible and carry this work on beyond the current lockdown."
For more info
Winter arrives in West Lindsey!
With winter conditions gathering pace within the District, please take extra care when taking essential journeys around West Lindsey.
Please also be aware that some council services, such as bin collection, may be affected as a result of poor weather conditions. Keep an eye on our social media channels for any updates as they come in.
Don't forget - if you capture any winter-themed photos whilst out-and-about within the District - whether on any essential journeys, or on a daily exercise routine - feel free to send them to us on our Facebook or Twitter accounts; we always love seeing pictures of our local areas and will include them in the next issue of our newsletter!
   
 Apprentices: Building the future
National Apprenticeships Week took place between 8th and 14th February and is always a great way to highlight the amazing opportunities that apprenticeships brings to employers, individuals and the economy.
West Lindsey District Council is delighted to be supporting apprentices across a number of key areas of work from project management, technology and customer service and they are helping to transform the businesses.
The council has a history of successful apprenticeships, with a number of staff going on to full time roles with the council, many of whom are still with us today.
Currently eight people are completing an apprenticeship qualification at the council.
Cllr Angela White, Member Champion for Young People and Skills at the council said: “I am really pleased that West Lindsey District Council is offering these opportunities to young people in our area. This is an excellent way of gaining qualifications as you work and acquire practical skills.”
 Ambitious and exciting programme unveiled as Gainsborough gets restoration project underway!
The team working on the £1.96m restoration of Gainsborough town centre have launched an exciting and ambitious programme of events for 2021.
As well as a series of exciting events to celebrate and promote the work of the Townscape Heritage Initiative, residents can expect to see work finally begin on selected buildings on Lord Street and the Market Place from May onwards.
Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Townscape Heritage Initiative aims to restore the “historic heart of Gainsborough,” by improving the standard of repair and reinstating the original appearance of properties within the Town Centre Conservation Area of Gainsborough; a scheme which was begun officially last year.
Townscape Heritage Activity Co-ordinator, Theresa Workman, said: “We are getting ready to begin our incredible opportunity, to restore the very heart of Gainsborough Town centre. By restoring pride in some of the town’s most visible buildings on the Market Place and on Lord Street, we want to bring the town back to its former glory – full of character and prospering, with residents pride in their local town centre renewed."
To see the full 2021 schedule, click here
 WL residents urged to apply now to vote by post or proxy in May elections
West Lindsey residents are being urged to fill in their applications now if they wish to vote by post or proxy at this year’s local elections.
It is hugely important that despite the Covid-19 pandemic, residents don’t miss out on their opportunity to play their part in local democracy.
This year’s elections will focus on Lincolnshire’s County Councillors, and the County’s Police and Crime Commissioner, with voting concluding on 6th May.
Alan Robinson, West Lindsey’s Deputy Returning Officer for these elections, said: “It may feel that 6th May is a long time away, but if you are unsure or unable to attend a polling station this year, we really want to encourage you now to complete and return your applications, so we can start the process as quickly as possible."
For more information, click here
 Is West Lindsey still made up of 89,250 people; including 213 Jedi Knights?
Residents in West Lindsey will be asked to take part in a piece of history this March, with households up and down the District being asked to complete the once-in-a-decade census, to determine exactly what and who makes up our streets.
The census – a national survey looking at who we are and how we live as a nation – has been completed in this country every decade since 1801, with the exception of 1941 – when Britain was at the very heart of the Second World War.
As well as providing an important document for future generations, the national census helps determine how modern society is functioning – and therefore where local resources are best placed, such as new bus routes, doctor’s surgeries or more housing.
Director of Corporate Services at West Lindsey District Council, Alan Robinson said: “The national census represents an opportunity to take part in a piece of history; it allows us to follow in the footsteps of our Parents, Grandparents, Great Grandparents, going right the way back to 1801. By carrying on this once-in-a-decade tradition, not only are we playing our part for future generations to look back on and see who we were – and remember, as we are the generation who lived through a global pandemic, we will be looked back on – we also have an opportunity to see what our District is made of."
To read the full feature, click here
 Lea Fields celebrates successful first year
Gainsborough's new crematorium has now completed more than 350 services, supporting countless local businesses and bereaved families since its opening in January 2020.
Lea Fields Crematorium, which is located in Gainsborough Road, has made a positive impact on the local community despite a challenging first year due to Covid-19.
The £6 million state-of-the-art facility, which was funded by West Lindsey District Council, has provided local mourners and funeral directors with an ultra-modern centre to host services for loved ones closer to home. It was also crowned the ‘Best Service Team of the Year: Cemetery and Crematorium Service’ at the Association for Public Service Excellence annual service awards in December 2020.
Cllr Owen Bierley, leader of West Lindsey District Council, said: “We’re incredibly happy with the way that Lea Fields has been received by the local community and how much it is helping local mourners and funeral businesses in the surrounding area. The crematorium is a great addition to our wider portfolio of regeneration projects that are happening across West Lindsey and we look forward to developing the district further over the coming years."
To read the full story, click here
 Treasury management given ‘high assurance opinion’
Auditors have said they have a ‘high level of confidence’ in West Lindsey District Council’s treasury management.
Assurance Lincolnshire awarded the highest assurance opinion following an internal audit into the review of the effectiveness and efficiency of the controls in place.
The news has been welcomed by the Council as the audit was carried out at a time when the Council had introduced alternative working arrangements as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Cllr John McNeill, Chairman of the Governance and Audit Committee at the Council has welcomed the news.
He said: “It has been an extremely challenging year for a lot of people as the pandemic has impacted both the professional and personal lives of our communities, businesses and our colleagues. This audit outcome demonstrates that the Council has robust procedures in place and that we continue to achieve our objectives at a high standard at a time when it is needed by so many.”
To read the full report, click here
 Are you eligible for an upgrade to gas central heating?
Lincs 4 Warmer Homes (L4WH) is a new partnership between local authorities across Greater Lincolnshire, offering energy efficiency improvements and advice.
L4WH will replace the former South Humber Energy Efficiency Partnership by North East Lincolnshire Council (NELC) and North Lincolnshire Council (NLC), with the addition of Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) and the seven district councils.
The new partnership secures funding available to eligible residents and works alongside contractors to deliver energy efficiency improvements to assist those living in fuel poverty, in saving money and reducing energy usage.
In the first of a number of funding streams available to residents, households can get their heating facilities changed through National Grid’s £150m Warm Homes Fund, a programme administered by Community Interest Company, Affordable Warmth Solutions and only available through local authorities and registered social landlords.
Residents in receipt of certain income related benefits and that rely on storage heaters, fixed and/or portable room heaters and solid fuel fires could upgrade to A-rated gas central heating or, where mains gas is not an option, LPG will be offered - subject to survey to determine eligibility and acceptance by the installer. Funding is limited and will be released on a first come first served basis.
In some instances, a connection to the mains gas network will be required to help residents access gas for the first time, with additional funding available to cover connection costs.
Leader of West Lindsey District Council, Councillor Owen Bierley, said: “I am very happy that so many councils and partner organisations have come together to strike at this common goal – to keep all our residents warm and healthy."
For more information and to see if you are eligible - Click here
Frequently Asked Social Media Questions:
Q - When can I subscribe to the Garden Waste collections?
A - Subscriptions are now open and anyone interested can subscribe by visiting https://www.west-lindsey.gov.uk/my-services/refuse-and-recycling/garden-waste-collection-service/ - with the cost per bin of £35. Collections will resume from 8 March 2021.
Q - Who is in charge of gritting the roads in West Lindsey?
A - Lincolnshire County Council are in charge with gritting all roads in Lincolnshire in the prospect of any challenging weather and/or, road temperatures drop to 1 degrees. For more information - visit their gritting route plan here https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/faults-maintenance/view-gritting-routes and give them a follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/lincscc_roads?lang=en
Q - When will missed bin collections be caught up?
A - If our waste collection teams miss a round - due to bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances - please be assured that all collections will be caught up as quickly as possible. We appreciate this can be frustrating; our waste teams will work as quickly as possible to make up for any missed rounds.
 
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