Community Awards Celebrate Local Heros

Dedicated volunteer Mrs. Shirley Sanderson has been voted the first ever West Lindsey Citizen of the Year 2012.

For more than forty-two years Mrs. Sanderson, from Gordon Field in Market Rasen, has selflessly supported many of our communities including Market Rasen, Tealby, Walesby, Kirkby cum Osgodby, Owmby and Toft Newton. Much of that time has seen her as parish clerk to these councils, but she has also been a West Lindsey District Councillor, a school governor and chairman of Brookenby Development Ltd.

Mrs. Sanderson was surprised to be nominated and to win the award for Market Rasen Area Champion, before being named as the overall Citizen of the Year as well. She said:

“I was astounded to be nominated for something I have enjoyed doing for many years. It’s just normal work for me and I have enjoyed making things happen.

“It would be good if more younger people got involved. It’s far more difficult now because so many people have got to work and don’t have as much time.”

Mrs. Sanderson was presented with her awards at a packed ceremony, hosted by Chairman of the Council Cllr. Mrs. Jessie Milne and Cllr. Jeff Summers, in the Council Chamber at the Guildhall in Gainsborough.

Cllr. Jessie Milne was very moved by the community spirit of people across the district. She said:

“It was very hard to select a winner in all the categories, as those nominated have done such sterling work. There are so many people who seek no reward for their outstanding effort.

“I hope these annual awards will help recognise these people and highlight just how much work is carried out by volunteers, and how much of their free time they give up.”

Volunteer of the Year 2012 winner was Mrs. Cathy Andrews from Hackthorn. Mrs. Andrews, who always has a cheery smile, has great enthusiasm and pride in her voluntary work. She has worked hard to make sure that the village hall is fully utilised and helps out at many events in order to keep up the community spirit. She said:

“I was humbled at actually getting nominated. You don’t do it for that. I do it because I’ve always done it. If you live in a village you have to do bits to support your village. If you don’t you miss out with a lot.

“I would absolutely encourage other people to get involved in their communities. That’s when you actually start to live in your village.”

Cllr. Jeff Summers, who put forward the idea of the Community Awards, said:

“Our first Community Awards was, for me, a resounding success.

“We have a significant number of people in the district who make a dramatic positive impact upon all age groups. It was a great privilege for me to be able to present the awards and we look forward to making this an annual event.

“Thank you to every one helping to keep our towns and parishes safe and clean for all to enjoy." 

Upton Parish Council was chosen as Parish Council of the Year 2012 for the excellent work they do to keep a safe, secure, clean and tidy village. This is achieved by allocating each parish council member an area of the village to keep an eye on.

Chairman Cllr. Peter Rushton has been on the council for ten years and chairman for six years. He said:

“I’m flabbergasted. We’re only a little council and we were nominated by a village resident. You don’t get a lot of general public coming to meetings. This award is recognition for all our councillors, we work as a team. I must admit if it weren’t for the parish clerk we wouldn’t be where we are today.

“We don’t do it for reward. I don’t think anyone does, but it’s nice to be appreciated. I think if we can recognise people publicly that will encourage other people to get involved.”

The winners in the other categories are:

Volunteer of the Year 2012 runner up was Mrs Mary Galbraith from Lea, for her unlimited support she offers to the vulnerable and elderly residents in her community and the voluntary work that she carries out at both community buildings. Mrs Galbraith couldn’t understand why she had been nominated. She said:

“I do these things because I want to help my friends and neighbours.”

Parish Council of the Year 2012 runners up were Saxilby parish council and Brattleby parish council.

Area winners were:

• Market Rasen Area Champion 2012 was Mrs. Shirley Sanderson from Market Rasen.
• Fossdyke Area Champion 2012 was Mr. Mick Slack from Ingham for his work with the elderly in the village and as village caretaker.
• Caistor Area Champion 2012 was Mrs. Louise Drakes from Keelby for her hard work with the cub and beavers, and also for setting up the Allotment Association. Mrs. Drakes was unable to attend, so Mr. John Hodson accepted the award on her behalf. He said:

 “She’s a real hard worker. We’re very proud of her. I think the awards are good because it recognises the work we do for our village.”

• Trent Area Champion 2012 was Miss Sue Hunt from Willoughton for tireless devotion to the ‘Tuesday Club’, which is the youth club that runs throughout the year, and has made her a big favourite with the young people of Willoughton. Miss Hunt was unable to attend the ceremony.
• Witham Area Champion 2012 was Mr. Charles Shaw from Nettleham, known as ‘the man of sport’ in Nettleham, for all his hard work and commitment to sports in Mulsane Park. He said:

“I’m very pleased to have got this.”

• Gainsborough Area Champion 2012 was Mr Matthew Gleadell from Gainsborough for his work for the Morton Playing Field Association. He helped bring the field back to life, applied for funding and now coaches young people in cricket. He said:

“I’m absolutely overwhelmed. It’s both an honour and a privilege to receive this award. I was quite surprised. I only found out I’d been nominated today!

“I’ve always believed if there are people out there that have got the skills and the knowledge to help communities then they should do. Far too many people don’t get involved with their community and half the time people don’t know the name of their next door neighbour and it’s a real shame. It’s great to celebrate the work these people do.”

 

Saxilby Man's Licence Appeal Refused

A court in Lincoln has upheld a decision taken by West Lindsey District Council to refuse a man a private hire/hackney carriage driver's licence.

Mr. Peter Kemp of Mill Lane Saxilby has been ordered to pay £270 in court costs after losing an appeal against the council's decision. Mr. Kemp was refused an application for the renewal of his licence in March 2011 by the council's Taxi and General and Licensing Committee.

The committee had to consider whether the applicant was a 'fit and proper person' to hold a licence. In determining the application they resolved he was not a fit and proper person because of his driving record of speeding offences and disqualification. He was told he would have to wait six months before reapplying.

Mr. Kemp appeared before Lincoln Magistrates Court after lodging an appeal against the council's decision.

Chairman of the Licensing and Regulatory Committee, Cllr. Jessie Milne, Conservative (Lea Ward), said:

"This is a fantastic result for West Lindsey District Council and shows we are not afraid to make tough decisions.

"Taking everything into account we must remember the overall aim of the licensing regime is to protect members of the public.

"This decision gives me great comfort, reassurance and confidence that the Committee's decision was the correct one, which has now been confirmed by the courts."

Leadership Contest Final Furlong

Update to 'Leadership Contest Speculation Begins'.

The battle to become the Leader of the West Lindsey District Council Conservative Group will reach the finishing post today.

The West Lindsey District Council Conservative Group will meet this evening and elect a new Group Leader and Deputy Group Leader. These two councillors will then, by convention, become Leader and Deputy Leader of West Lindsey District Council, following the resignation or Cllr. Bernard Theobald (Wold View Ward) and Cllr. Adam Duguid (Market Rasen Ward) who, it is understood, is not contesting the Deputy Leadership.

Since Cllr. Theobald's suspention from the Conservative Party, preceded by his surprise resignation as the Council's Leader, Cllr. Adam Duguid has been Acting Leader of West Lindsey District Council, it is understood that Cllr. Ian Fleetwood was made interim leader of the group. Nominations for the post were to be recieved by the Agent yesterday and it is believed that both positions will be contested elections.

Cllr. Ian Fleetwood, Conservative (Bardney Ward), emerged as favourite to secure the top job. One member of the Conservative Group confided in me last week:

"We know, it's going to be Ian."

Cllr. Fleetwood previously held the position of Conservative Group Leader at the authority and is also a Lincolnshire County Council member representing the Bardney and Cherry Willingham Division.

The Lincolnshire Echo also suggested Councillors Lewis Strange, Conservative (Kelsey Ward), and Chris Underwood-Frost, Conservative (Scottor Ward), whilst I predicted that former Deputy Group Leader, Cllr. Mrs. Meg Davidson, Conservative (Fiskerton Ward) and Chairman of the Council, Cllr. Mrs. Jessie Milne, Conservative (Lea Ward) might also be in contention.

There was some speculation that the Group may decide to have two Deputy Leaders of the Council, although the Group's constitution only allows for one Deputy Goup Leader. Based on conversations with Conservatives at West Lindsey it is thought that Cllr. Fleetwood's leadership style may not be too dissimilar to that of his predecessor Cllr. Theobald and so the likelihood of a triple leadership team seems to be receeding.

Housing Staff Win Inspection Awards

Five members of the housing team at West Lindsey District Council are now qualified to inspect houses and judge whether they are fit to live in.

The award is nationally recognised and can only be awarded by the University of Warwick.

Training for the award was carried out by Decent and Safe Homes, part of Derby City Council, and they were so impressed by the facilities available at the council headquarters at the Guildhall in Gainsborough, that they have decided to use it as their training base.

Council Chairman Cllr. Jessie Milne, Conservative (Lea Ward), presented the awards.

Leadership Contest Speculation Begins

The Lincolnshire Echo is reporting that A former Conservative Group Leader has emerged as the favourite to take control of the West Lindsey District Council Conservative Group. Apparently, sources described as 'close to the Echo' - whoever they are - have revealed that Cllr. Ian Fleetwood, Conservative (Bardney Ward), is the front runner to replace Cllr. Bernard Theobald (Wold View Ward) as the Leader of West Lindsey District Council.

Cllr. Fleetwood previously held the position of Conservative Group Leader at the authority and is also a Lincolnshire County Council member representing the Bardney and Cherry Willingham Division. The Lincolnshire Echo have clearly forgotton that whilst Cllr. Fleetwood may have once been a contender it is hard to fathom how, following the suspension of his driving licence for a drink-driving offence earlier in the year, he emerges as front runner. Cllr. Fleetwood also represents Lincolnshire on a number of committees at the European level and so is often out of the country.

The Lincolnshire Echo also suggest Councillors Lewis Strange, Conservative (Kelsey Ward), and Chris Underwood-Frost, Conservative (Scottor Ward), as also being considered for the top job.

Cllr. Strange, who is County Councillor for the Ancholme Cliff Division, is an unlikely choice following publicly defending the achievements of Cllr. Theobald leadership although he is genteel, personable and one of the longest serving members of the Conservative Group, it is unlikely that as a portfolio holder on Lincolnshire County Council he has the time to commit to also being leader a district authority.

Cllr. Underwood-Frost is certainly known to have some limited ambitions in direction of the leadership, he would likely make a good leader in the inter-rim but may lack a desire to steer the council in the long term.

According to the Lincolnshire Echo's report Acting Leader Cllr. Adam Duguid, Conservative (Market Rasen Ward) and former Gainsborough Constituency Conservative Association Chairman until March of this year, has ruled himself out of the running for the leadership but said he would continue as a 'caretaker' until a new appointment is made.

The paper omits a number of other likely contenders who would make good Group Leaders: Former Deputy Group Leader, Cllr. Mrs. Meg Davidson, Conservative (Fiskerton Ward) and Chairman of the Council, Cllr. Mrs. Jessie Milne, Conservative (Lea Ward).

The Lincolnshire Echo suggest that a new leader could be confirmed at Monday's extraordinary council meeting or be left until the new year. I suspect that a Group Meeting will not select a new leader until after Tuesday, 22nd December 2009 and most likely not until the new year.

One change that is expected is to have two deputy leaders rather than the current system of just one. Following the Conservative Group's victory in the May 2008 local elections Cllr. Theobald was elected by the group as leader, Cllr. Mrs. Davidson was elected as Deputy Group Leader and Cllr. Theobald appointed Cllr. Duguid as Deputy Leader of the Council so having two deputies is not so unusual. If the leadership of the group changes there is also the possibility that other officers - such as the Chief Whip - may also be re-appointed.

The paper quotes Cllr. Burt Keimach, Conservative (Market Rasen) as saying that an announcement would be made

"when the time is right".

"We have had a meeting about it and that is all I can say."

"We are satisfied with the progress made. We wanted someone with good political experience and all the qualities necessary for good leadership - lead by consensus and democracy rather than any other less inclusive qualities. We don't want anyone to take executive decisions."

Tour of Regained Gainsborough for County's VIPs

Regeneration work in Gainsborough and plans to make the town even more attractive for local people, investors and visitors have been showcased in the town.

Chairman of West Lindsey District Council, Cllr Jessie Milne, welcomed guests including High Sheriff of Lincolnshire and sister of the late Princess Diana, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, Tony Worth.

Also on the VIP list was Chairman of the County Council, Roy Chapman, Vice Chairman Peter Bedford, Mayor of Lincoln David Gratrick, Sheriff of Lincoln Lance Pennell and Portfolio Holder for Economic Development at South Kesteven District Council, Frances Cartwright.

Cllr Milne said:

"There is tremendous interest in how Gainsborough has been transformed by the creation of the Riverside Walk and Marshall's Yard and the work that still has to be done to refurbish the Market Place and town centre.

"We took all of our visitors on a walking tour accompanied by Regeneration Services Manager Suzanne Fysh who was able to explain in detail how such a massive improvement had been achieved.

"All of our visitors were very impressed with what they saw and went away with a very positive view of the town."

Cllr Roy Chapman, Chairman of Lincolnshire County Council, said:

"The developments in Marshall's Yard are most impressive, and the range of shops and facilities is quite amazing. The use of the old machinery, such as the gantry at the entrance, shows real imagination.

"The transformation of Whittons Mill was quite staggering - what had been patently industrial is now residential and attractive. The Art Gallery and Restaurant were particularly pleasant and appealing also, and it was wonderful to see such a wide variety of shops in the Market Place.

"The town has shown quite dramatically what can be done, and there was a distinct atmosphere that this is something of a beginning with lots more to follow."