County Council Leader Slams Independent West Lindsey Councillor as 'Ignorant'

Conservative Leader of Lincolnshire County Council, Cllr. Martin Hill OBE has had to intervene and write a letter to the Lincolnshire Echo following comments made by an Independent West Lindsey district councllor, describing them as 'ridiculous and completely false'.

Two weeks ago, Cllr Chris Darcel made a number of claims that were so far-fetched they seemed unworthy of being answered. 

However, given that these claims were then repeated in last week's paper [The Lincolnshire Echo], I feel it's important that the record is set straight. 

Over the last few years the county council has had to take bold action to help put right the nation's finances, left in such a disastrous state by the previous Labour government.

Unlike some, we refused to bury our heads in the sand. We pushed ourselves to find new ways of doing things, finding savings of around £150m while protecting the vital services that our residents rely on.

And we have done this in an open and transparent manner, with the vast majority of decisions taken in public and all our accounts and committee records published online for all to see.

We also make sure we give people ample opportunity to voice their views, a recent example being our three-month consultation on local library services, which received hundreds of responses.

And by getting the public involved we were left in the enviable position of having a plan that not only saved money but extended services too. 

Unfortunately, we have now been asked to reconsider our decision and hold further discussions with a not-for-profit company that is interested in running services.

I would also like to underline the council's commitment to building the Lincoln Eastern Bypass.

Major projects like this are complicated and inevitably bring challenges.

We are now making a small adjustment to our design so we can address the planning inspector's concerns. 

Let me be clear though – we will build an eastern bypass, and this will not only relieve congestion by improving traffic flow in the city, but will have a tremendously positive impact on economic prosperity for the county as a whole. 

The points Cllr Darcel raised about the county's new Energy from Waste Facility were ridiculous and completely false. 

A full technical assessment took place to identify the best option for Lincolnshire, and the county council's officers negotiated a very good deal.  Far from wasting money, the contract has saved taxpayers £30 million over the next 25 years.

I'm afraid Cllr Darcel is simply ignorant of the facts both in respect to the alternative ways of dealing with waste, and with regards to the finance arrangements. We have tried to correct him on numerous occasions but, sadly, he refuses to accept when he's wrong. 

By being sensible with our finances and living within our means, we have successfully navigated perhaps the most challenging years local government has seen. 

Simply put, thanks to our efforts and those of our colleagues around the country, the nation is now in a far better position, with the economy starting to look far healthier.

Cllr. Martin Hill - Conservative Leader of Lincolnshire County Council

Lincolnshire's UKIP Councillors Embroiled in Racism Row

The Sunday Mirror report that, despite a claim that UKIP have cracked down, the newspaper have investigated 'sickening rants' on social media.

Lincolnshire County Council's Leader of the Opposition, Cllr. Chris Pain, UKIP (Wainfleet and Burgh), who is the party's East Midlands regional Chairman, is named by the paper as the author of a commment that reads:

"Have you noticed that if you rearrange the letters in 'illegal immigrants', and add just a few more letters, it spells, 'Go home you free-loading, benefit-grabbing, resource-sucking, baby-making, non-English-speaking ********* and take those other hairy-faced, sandal wearing, bomb-making, camel-riding, goat-*******, raghead ******* with you."

Cllr. Pain claims his Facebook account had been hacked.

Another, Cllr. Ms Tiggs Keywood-Wainwright, UKIP (Boston North West), has complained that mosques being built in 'quintessentially English' Cambridge, asking:

"Is nowhere sacred for the Brits in Britain any more?

"Bottom line is we have too many muslims in this country!" 

Cllr. Ms Keywood-Wainwright has admitted that she 'probably' regrets some of her remarks. Claiming that she meant that in some areas there were too many Muslims, defending herself saying:

"My GPs are all Muslims and I have no problem with them at all.

"One of them is extremely nice and very, very good at her job."

At Lincolnshire County Council's Annual Meeting, held on Friday, 17th May 2013, All 16 UKIP Councillors refused to sign an anti-racism declaration, proposed by Group Leader, Cllr. Rob Parker, Labour (Lincoln West). Cllr. Pain said:

"I cannot support this document. It actually pushes forward the chance of multi-culturalism, one of the fundamental things that's wrong with our society.

"UKIP's stance is not racist. Our stance is on space and space alone."

Cllr. Mrs. Jackie Brockway, Conservative (Nettleham & Saxilby) said:

"I'm very concerned that there's a theme developing that seems to be attacking the vulnerable adn we need to be careful about that."

Riseholme Residents Demand Action After Collision on Riseholme Lane

Two teenagers have been injured in an incident on Riseholme Lane and local resident are calling for action. The two teenage boys, a sixteen year-old from Market Rasen and the a seventeen year-old from Grimsby, were hit by a car at 4.57pm on Tuesday, 6th November.

The older of the two boys is understood to be being treated for serious head injuries at Sheffield's Royal Hallamshire Hospital while the younger one has been discharged from Lincoln County Hospital after being kept in overnight for observation.

A  seventyh-four year-old man, from Lincoln, has been arrested on suspicion of failing to stop after the collision and has been released on police bail until Tuesday, 18th December .

It comes after one lady died in a crash on the road last July when her car collided with a tree.

Parish Councillor Mrs. Barbara Lane, said the road was used by drivers cutting through from the A15 to the A46. Speaking to the Lincolnshire Echo, she said:

"It tends to be used as a rat run and collisions like what happened on Tuesday don't surprise me at all. 

"They're always mending and repairing fences down Riseholme Lane after cars have hit them. All the residents down here are getting fed up. It's a good job there aren't very many children down here.

"Another problem we have is with students and coaches using the lane to get to Riseholme College instead of the main entrance. I don't know what the answer is but Riseholme Lane isn't in a very good condition either and really needs patching up."

Meanwhile, Mr. Martin Finney, a resident of Riseholme Lane, commented to the paper:

"If you're not careful you can easily get into some trouble on Riseholme Lane, whether you're a driver or a pedestrian."

Lincolnshire County Council's Area Highways Manager, Mr. Alan Brown, said:

"Once we get full details through about what caused this collision, we can assess whether any changes to the highway are needed."

PCC 2012: Melvyn Barrett Quits Commissioner Race

Mr. Mervyn Barrett OBE has withdrawn from the contest to become Lincolnshire's first Police and Crime Commissioner the Lincolnshire Echo is tonight reporting.  Mr. Barrett's decision followed a campaign which had fallen to pieces in recent days after a disastrous turn at a hustings event in Boston, the resignation of his entire campaign team on Saturday because of revelations which were subsequently published in The Sunday Telegraph regarding the financing of his campaign by a group likely to lobby for greater privatisation of policing services.

Mr. Barrett confirmed he was pulling out ahead of tonight's and Crime Commissioner hustings at Lincoln Drill Hall, organised by the Lincolnshire Echo.  Mr. Barrett said:

"I will be withdrawing from the election and will be issuing a press statement tomorrow."

The Telegraph's Andrew Gilligan, online, was quick to claim the scalp for the paper:

"Mervyn Barrett, the remarkably well-funded independent candidate to be police and crime commissioner in Lincolnshire, reacted with the standard huffing and puffing to our expose on Sunday about his links with a neo-con US thinktank. Not that he’s actually denied it, or anything else specific that we wrote, of course. And tonight, inevitably, two days after his campaign team resigned, Mervyn has followed them out of the door."

Mr. Barrett, one of the more high profile candidates, worked for the crime reduction charity NACRO for more than three decades and was granted an OBE in 1999 for services to crime reduction.

Press Hostility Forces Councillor's Resignation

Lincolnshire County Councillor, Rev. Sara Cliff, Conservative (Lincoln East Division), has resigned as a member of the county council following 'unwarranted hostility in the press'.

Rev. Cliff was born in Manchester and had been resident in Lincoln for four years, when she was elected in 2009. She was a Governor of Waddington Redwood School. Rev. Cliff left teaching in 2001 when she held the position of Head of Year, as a science teacher, with responsibility for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme. Her work as a Methodist Minister reflected her lifetime involvement of working with the voluntary and community sectors.

Rev. Cliff's attendance had been a cause for concern and the Daily Mail reported that a Lincolnshire County Council spokesman had confirmed her poor attendance as having been flagged up to the Conservative Party by authority clerks. She is the only county councillor to have this happen in the three years of this council.

Leader of Lincolnshire County Council, Cllr. Martin Hill, Conservative (Folkingham Rural Division) admitted he had spoken to Rev.Cliff about her attendance levels six months ago, the paper reported.

"There is no doubt her attendance of late has not been good at all."

In a statement to the Lincolnshire Echo, Rev. Cliff said:

"I have taken the decision to resign my position from the county council.

"While I did feel willing and able to carry on representing the people of Lincoln East, in view of the unwarranted hostility in the press, I am clear that this action is in the best interests of the Methodist church, the county council and my own family.

Following criticism from local residents, and in the press, that the outgoing councillor had not allocated her 'Big Society Fund', Rev. Cliff clarified that:

"As a matter of record I have awarded my Big Society Fund to St Barnabas to help support the excellent services they provide."

City Council Candidate Arrested

The Lincolnshire Echo reports that Mr. Dean Lowther, (British National Party) Candidate for the Bracebridge Ward of Lincoln City Council has been arrested.

Mr. Lowther, of Newark Road, Lincoln, who is the only British National Party candidate in the Lincoln City Council elections on Thursday, 3rd May 2012 'has been arrested over allegations of racist content his Facebook page' the paper reports. The paper explains that 'anti-Islamic and other racist images and slogans appeared', posted on Mr. Lowther's Facebook profile.

James Newall, a spokesman for Lincolnshire Police, said:

"Police have reviewed the material in question and a 45-year-old local man was arrested on suspicion of producing material inciting racial hatred in the south of the city this morning. He is currently helping police with their enquiries."

Local Kids Learn About Lincolnshire

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."

Former Council Leader Receives An Apology & A Substantial Sum in Damages

Above: Mr. Theobald in the Council Chamber when he was
Leader of West Lindsey District Council

The Lincolnshire Echo has today published an apology to Mr. Bernard Theobald, the one-time Leader of West Lindsey District Council, for linking information about the council's operations, a planning application by Mr. Theobald and the dismissal of a member of the planning department. The paper summerised there apology saying:

"We apologise unreservedly to Mr Theobald for any distress or embarrassment caused by this error."

Although the periodical spent, however, the preceding seven paragraphs quantifying their apology and blaming a press release from the Council; apparently the connection between 'potential fraud and mismanagement' and Mr. Theobald's planning application was made, relying on a press release from West Lindsey District Council dated 24th September 2009.

Mr. Theobald, who was singer Barbara Dickson's manager before entering politics, brought proceedings in the High Court, in London. The former Leader of West Lindsey District Council and Chairman of the Planning Committee, was caused serious distress and embarrassment by the stories, said his counsel, Mr. Ronald Thwaites QC. The first article appeared in December 2009 and alleged there were good and solid reasonable grounds to suspect Mr. Theobald had committed fraud in relation to the application, which he had made the previous June. Three days later, the allegation was repeated and it was also claimed that Mr. Theobald had lied in denying the newspaper's claim that his planning application had resulted in a council officer's suspension and investigation by the Audit Commission. A third article appeared in January 2010.

Mr. Thwaites said:

"There was nothing to justify the allegations as published. The allegations made against Mr Theobald were completely false and should never have been published."

On behalf of the publisher, Mr. Manuel Barca QC, said it apologised 'fully and unreservedly' for the publication of the false allegations. It is understood that they have agreed to pay Mr. Theobald a substantial, yet undisclosed, sum in compensation and his legal costs.

Shore: "I don't agree with Nick."

Cllr. Reg Shore, Liberal Democrat (Stow Ward), has surprised many with comments made to the Lincolnshire Echo, in an article published today, about the local election contest for West Lindsey District Council due on Thursday, 5th May 2011. Cllr. Shore is quoted as saying:

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

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

The shock 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 last year with Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for the Gainsborough Constituency, Cllr. Pat O'Conner, and the Deputy Prime Minister.

Cllr. Shore is also reported to have provided the following withering critique of his leader:

"Nick Clegg will not sort flooding or has vision for West Lindsey".

However, one of Cllr. Shore's district and county colleagues described him as 'Canute' - a man who sat in the waters as they rose during his time of leadership of West Lindsey District Council in 2007.

Two Fatalities Following Car Crash

 A man and a woman were killed in a collision on the A46 north of Lincoln, near Nettleham.

A blue Vauxhall Astra collided with a purple Citroen Xsara between Riseholme Lane and Washdyke Lane, the Lincolnshire Echo today reports.

Furious Karl McCartney Hits Out At Lincolnshire Echo

A furious Karl McCartney MP, Conservative (Lincoln), has hit out at claims published in today's Lincolnshire Echo which declared he has been sleeping on the floor of his House of Commons Office.

The report stated:

"The Conservative MP for Lincoln made the claim as the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority published the latest tranche of MPs' expenses claims for September and October last year.

"In December, the authority also published details of MPs' expenses from May until the end of August.

"The documents revealed Mr McCartney has claimed £20,954 since being elected in May – the highest of any MP in the county.  

"But that does not include any expenditure relating to his second home in London, such as rent and bills."

Tweeting just before half past eight, Mr. McCartney said:

"Shoddy sensationalist claims by Echo. I expressly pointed out I wasn't forced to sleep on the floor, & other MPs don't employ anyone then?"

Lindum Rugby CLub 'Reasonably Confident' of Move to Village

Rugby Club remain 'reasonably confident' of moving to their new ground in Nettleham on time despite so far raising just a 10th of the cash required, report the Lincolnshire Echo today.


The Red & Greens are pressing ahead with plans to move from their existing base at The Lindum to the £1.4m facility, although the date has now been pushed back from January 2012 to the start of the 2012/13 season, which is likely to be September.

Funding for the switch comes from a variety of sources, including £100,000 from West Lindsey District Council's Leisure Capital Investment Fund.

But that funding is dependent on the club raising a significant amount of the overall total – around £500,000 – themselves.

Conservatives Cleared Over 'Inappropriate Behaviour' Allegations

Two members of West Lindsey District Council who faced allegations of inappropriate behaviour have been cleared following the investigation undertaken by Standards for England.

Standards for England have revealed that Mr. Adam Duguid, formerly Leader of the Council, and Cllr. Malcolm Parish, Conservative (Welton Ward) did not breach the code of conduct when they met a suspended council officer last year.

The two men were accused of bringing West Lindsey District Council into disrepute after they were present at a meeting with a suspended council worker in September 2009. However, Standards for England has concluded neither man discussed a disciplinary hearing that was ongoing at the time.

Cllr. Parish was said to have acted out of 'genuine concern for the officer's wellbeing' whilst Mr. Duguid's behaviour was described as 'not likely to compromise the impartiality' of the council's investigation.

Mr. Duguid, who lost his Market Rasen seat at the local elections in May, told the Echo:

"I think they did a very fair investigation. There were plenty of opportunities to raise points. My only criticism was it took rather a long time to be sorted."

Bernard Theobald addresses
the council lst year.

Meanwhile an announcement made by Eric Pickles MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, means that local residents may never know the outcome of a report by the Audit Commission - which is pending publication in to matters related to governance at the authority - after the body was announced that it is to be scraped with the loss of 2,000 civil service posts as part of government cuts. Doubtlessly Mr. Bernard Theobald, Mr. Duguid's predecessor as Leader of the Council, who also lost his seat in recent elections, is probably delighted at that news.

Tell Police If You're Leaving The Village

The Lincolnshire Echo are reporting that local police are urging homeowners in Nettleham who have been targeted by burglars to let them know when they go on holiday.

Detectives are continuing to investigate a spate of break-ins in the village of Nettleham outside Lincoln after twelve break-ins and attempted break-ins in a matter of days. Police have been posting advice to residents in an effort to boost vigilance - 600 leaflets have been delivered by PCSO Jackie Parker.

It has been revealed the burglars were targeting empty homes in the village, officers have taken the unusual step of urging anyone going away to let them know. The move comes as local fears grow about the burglaries – and against a background of break-ins in nearby Welton.

Ms Debra Tinsley, a spokesman for Lincolnshire Police, said officers were doing everything they could to catch the culprits. She said:

"The investigation is still ongoing, and we are doing everything we can to get to the bottom of things.

"We are urging residents to follow basic crime prevention advice to minimise the risks they face."

Police say people going away should let them know so that patrols can be stepped up in the right areas but they are also advising locals to take their own measures – such as cancelling milk and papers, informing neighbours when away, using timers for lighting at night and setting burglar alarms.
Police this week attended the meeting of Nettleham Parish Council to update the council on the investigation.

Cllr. John Hill is reported to have said:

"Nettleham has a very low crime rate. We have never had something like this before and I hope it is a one-off. But the police have issued very good advice. Keep a watchful eye out, particularly if a neighbour is away on holiday."

The spate of break-ins began on Saturday, 29th Ma y2010 has seen homes across the village targeted. So far, there have been no arrests. The case has some parallels with a spate of break-ins in nearby Welton in May. Now locals are hoping the intensifying police investigation will soon lead to a breakthrough.

Cllr. Alf Frith, Liberal Democrat (Nettleham Ward), is reported to have said people were concerned about what was happening in their village.

"It's alarming, I have been away for a few days and when I went away I was rather concerned about what might happen. It's upsetting, especially because a lot of people were away when their homes were broken into."

Anyone with information about the break-ins should call police on 0300 1110300. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

West Lindsey's Green Bin Service May Be Reduced

Green Wheelie Bin collections could change this winter in a bid to cut costs at West Lindsey District Council, the Lincolnshire Echo reports today.
Apparently, discussions have begun with staff about potential changes to West Lindsey District Council's triple bin collection system. The scheme, which brought the authority in line with other neighbouring councils which collect waste on a fortnightly basis, was introduced last year and represented a compromise for the ruling Conservative group on the council. In their 2008 manifesto they committed to 'deliver a free green bin to everyone who wants one' but following the loss of several million pounds in Icelandic Banks - following the previous Liberal Democrats' Treasury Management Strategy - the had to sacrifice continuing with weekly refuse collection.

If changes are approved, green bins for garden waste would be collected monthly instead of fortnightly between November and February and the bi-weekly service would resume in March.

It is understood that maintenance staff from the council who are left with a reduction in workloads would be asked to help with other jobs during the winter.

A public consultation is expected to be held later this year.

The paper reports that council spokesman Mr. Geoff O'Neill said green bins were normally emptier during the winter months and any changes could allow the authority to save cash.

All councils are trying to make savings ahead of cuts in Government grants.

Homes Not Damaged By Explosive Testing Says Report

The Lincolnshire Echo is reporting that a new report has rejected residents' claims that explosions from a testing site in Faldingworth are causing structural damage to homes Faldingworth Defence Ltd. (formerly Skydock), which operates at the former RAF Faldingworth site, has always denied any such link and says cracks in people's homes are due to the clay sub-grade on which they are built.

The site is used to test military ordnance and hardware, such as the standard field tests of protective armour plate in support of Ministry of Defence development work.

West Lindsey District Council has now made a noise and vibration impact report, by Atkins Ltd., available on its website.

It concludes that the explosions are too loud and noise should be kept below 115 decibels if the number of complaints is to be reduced. The original proposed maximum decibel level was 120 decibels. However, the report also found noise and vibration levels were unlikely to damage properties. Recommendations include better public relations from Skydock, improved notification of testing and more effective noise monitoring.

Mr. Humpage of the
Faldingworth Residents Against
Storage and Testing group.

Mr. David Humpage, a composer who lives in nearby Toft-next-Newton, remaines unconvinced that anything would improve. He told the paper:

"True, the report recommends a 115 decibels limit, but it also says there's no way to make that enforceable.

"As the brief was to deliver something 'usable in court', this aspect was a waste of money.

"The bulk of the report is unsubstantiated gossip culminating in the recommendations to keep monitoring, keep trying to get Richard Briggs of Skydock to give warnings and that Mr Briggs should have a big PR campaign to tell people of the 'importance' of what he's doing.

"We've complained to West Lindsey District Council that we didn't fund this absurdly expensive report just so that our money could be used to tell Briggs how to shut us up."

Mr. Chris Allen, public protection services manager at the district council, said the report was commissioned to give the authority expert guidance, including where enforcement action would be appropriate.

"The difficulty we have in this case is identifying or balancing the right of a legitimate business to operate and the concerns of residents around the site and their right to peace and quiet."

The district council has issued more than one thousand questionnaires to gauge more widespread opinion, which must be returned by the end of tomorrow.

Search For Oil Continues In Fiskerton

The Lincolnshire Echo is reporting that drilling tests searching for oil under a disused RAF airfield in Lincolnshire have been allowed to continue.


Cirque Energy (UK) Limited has until Wednesday, 31st March 2011, to complete its investigations near Fiskerton after Lincolnshire County Council granted the company more time.
The energy business had been required to stop work at Fiskerton Airfield on March 31, 2010.

However, the search at the Reepham and Fiskerton No. 1 wells can proceed following a decision by the county council's planning and regulation committee.

Cirque Energy will be required to make a separate application if it finds oil and wants to expand operations.

Committee Chairman, Cllr. Ian Fleetwood, Conservative (Cherry Willingham & Fiskerton Division) is reported to have said:

"I have been to Fiskerton Parish Council meetings and they have not registered any issues with me."

Cllr. Fleetwood, who was re-elected as a West Lindsey District Councillor for the Bardney Ward, last week and added nodding donkeys had not been a campaign trail issue.

Temporary planning permission allowing one exploratory bore hole to be drilled was first granted in July 1997. This was extended further in March 1998 and in 2002 permission to allow oil production was given to Cirque Energy.
The nodding donkeys were later left unused for five years and work has just recently been carried out to prepare for future testing.
Ministry of Defence land manager, Defence Estates, and West Lindsey District Council made no objections to the application during the consultation period.

Cllr. Mrs. Meg Davidson, Conservative (Fiskerton Ward) is reported to have said rising oil prices could make the business near the village 'economically viable' for its owners.

Unemployment Up 13,000 in East Midlands

Unemployment in the East Midlands has surged from 167,000 to 180,000.

The data for joblessness reveals the number of people registered unemployed in the East Midlands has surged from 167,000 to 180,000. The statistics also show the number of people working in the region has fallen.

The new data shows the number of people classed as being 'economically active' has dropped by 14,000 in the past three months.

Commenting on the latest unemployment figures, Mr. Tony Maione, Lincolnshire Institute of Directors branch chairman, commenting to the Lincolnshre Echo, said public sector spending was to blame.

"These latest figures reveal more worrying evidence that the Government is not taking appropriate steps to bring public spending under control.

"There remains a yawning gap between the performance of the public and private sectors."

Unemployment has increased nationally by 43,000, the new data shows.

Giles McNeill vs Alf Frith

The Lincolnshire Echo is today reporting that a young Conservative hopeful is looking to end the 26-year tenure of a Lincolnshire council stalwart in an electoral battleground near Lincoln.

Cllr. Alf Frith, Liberal Democrat (Nettleham Ward) and Conservative challenger Giles McNeill, are contesting the Nettleham Ward in the West Lindsey District Council election to be held on Thursday, 6th May 2010. The paper declares that with both men at opposite ends of their political careers, the choice is an intriguing one for the nearly four thousand residents of Grange-de-Lings, Greetwell, Nettleham, North Greetwell and Riseholme.

The paper reports that Cllr. Frith has lived in Nettleham since the age of two, spent the last forty-six years as a Parish Councilllor and represented the area at district council level since 1984. The paper reports Cllr. Frith as saying:

"Planning is the biggest issue for the area.

"A lot of residents feel now we have reached a point where, with traffic problems in the village, we have got to capacity.

"Giles has been putting himself around a lot and the campaign is hotting up a bit I'm hoping I will be re-elected, but who can tell?"

At the West Lindsey District Council Civic Dinner, held on Friday 16th April 2010 sources close to senior councillors have said there was considerable rumour and speculation that that Cllr. Frith may not serve the full four year term if elected, and retire after a year.

The paper describe Conservative Candidate and recently re-elected Nettleham Parish Councillor, Giles McNeill, as a long-term Nettleham resident - having lived in the village for two decades. He said:

"I feel I can make a positive difference to Nettleham in four years.

"Cllrs. Leaning and Alf are less Nettleham men at West Lindsey and more West Lindsey's men at Nettleham."

"It's time Nettleham started getting fair funding and has a stronger voice in West Lindsey. You can't vote for change in Nettleham by voting Lib Dem as they are the establishment."

Commenting separately on the rumour regarding Cllr. Frith not serving a full term of office Cllr. McNeill said:

"I think it is a matter for Cllr. Frith to answer. I plan to work hard as the Councillor for Grange-de-Lings, Greetwell, Nettleham, North Greetwell and Riseholme, for the full term I am elected for."

Nettleham Burial Ground Grievance is Badly Reported in Lincolnshire Echo

Related content: 'Nettleham Parish Council Statement Regarding the Burial Ground'.

The Lincolnshire Echo is reporting that a mother grieving the loss of her teenage son has been ordered to remove memorabilia from his grave. Ryan Hides was just 17 years-old when his scooter collided with a car in Dunholme Road, Scothern, on Monday, 15th September 2008.

His mother, Mrs. Joanne Green is reported to have since tried to carry on for the sake of her family and other children, despite her overwhelming grief. Her grieving, it is reported, has been helped by raising money for charity, joining a scooter club and conscientiously ensuring that Ryan's grave, misreported by the Lincolnshire Echo as being in Nettleham Road Cemetery, but in fact his mortal remains have been interred in Nettleham Parish Council's Burial Ground on the High Street, Nettleham, is kept neat and tidy - although the parish council would dispute this.

The paper reports that bosses - or more accurately the council unanimously - have told her that she has to remove everything from the grave - images of scooters, a postcard and flowers and other grave goods- apart from one pot, for flowers.

The paper reports Mrs. Green as saying that:

"If I had known that this would happen, I would never have had him buried there."

The paper reports that in a statement 'the council said Mrs. Green signed a document to say she agreed with the rules' - however, as you can read here, this is not what is in the statement. The paper reports that Mrs. Green says she did not sign anything, which it is understood is correct. It is my understanding that paperwork relating to the interment of Ryan's mortal remains was handled by his father.

The paper makes no mention of the year and a half of on-going communication between the family and the parish council trying to resolve issues and as the Council heard at it's last meeting, Mrs. Green is consumed with grief, and has been unwilling to uphold the agreement entered into with regard to the proper maintenance of grave goods.

In conclusion the paper, despite being provided a full and comprehensive statement on this matter by the parish council, has failed to produce an article worthy of publication, it is full of errors and misrepresentations.