Lincolnshire Energy Switch Scheme Available Again

The Lincolnshire Energy Switch scheme is back – so now you could also stand a chance of saving up to £300 on your annual gas and electricity bill.

That’s how much some already stand to save having made the switch first time round. You could join the 1,000 households in Lincolnshire who look set to save an average of £167 on their energy bill.

If you missed out the first time, this is another opportunity to save money on home energy bills through the latest collective Lincolnshire Energy Switch Scheme (LESS).  The scheme is easy to join. Before you register, find your energy bill as you will need your current tariff and energy consumption details. Then visit here and register your details. Alternatively you can call on 01529 301990 between 9:00am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays).

There is no obligation to switch so there is nothing to lose by registering. Where residents don’t see a saving in their individual offer it means that they are likely to be on a competitive rate already.

Why not also let your family and friends know so they can save money too? Up to five households can register on the same email address so it’s a great opportunity to help out family and friends who don’t have internet access.  Everyone who pays for gas or electricity can register – and potentially save money. Whether you rent your home or own it, whether you are on dual fuel, electric only or have a prepayment meter – everyone is encouraged to register. You don’t even have to live in Lincolnshire as it will be open to anyone in the country, so friends and family can also register, wherever they live, by visiting the same website.

Once the Monday, 9th June, registration deadline has passed energy companies are invited to bid for your combined business.

The lowest tariff will then be offered to residents in a personalised email or letter. Residents will have four weeks to confirm they wish to switch supplier by following the instructions in the offer email or returning a signed form by post. As collective switching schemes become better known they are attracting a mix of the ‘Big Six’ and smaller independent suppliers to make their bids.

Cllr. Giles McNeill, West Lindsey District Councillor for the Nettleham Ward, said:

“I would encourage as many people as possible to register with the Lincolnshire Energy Switch Scheme to secure the best possible gas and electricity rates for a community switch here in West Lindsey and across Lincolnshire. The first scheme was successful with 1,000 households switching to better energy deals. 

“We are always keen to look at new ways to help our residents and local businesses reduce their monthly outgoings and this is the start of a process that could help families and individuals suffering fuel poverty. 

“The scheme is open to anyone, so everyone who registers can benefit. Local residents need to be aware that registration closes on Monday, 9th June, so register to switch as soon as possible.”

Forty New Jobs Created in Nettleham

Complaint Handling Services, in Nettleham, wants to take on more claims advisors to more than double its workforce.

Staff at Deepdale Enterprise Park in Nettleham

Picture: Anne Draper

The new recruits will help customers claim money back from banks that have mis-sold payment protection insurance.

All the positions will come with permanent, full-time contracts, although the company could take on some part time staff.

Ms. Aily Slade, Human Resources officer at the firm, said the business had been impressed with the skills of workers in the Lincoln area since the branch opened last June. She said:

"We're recruiting in Lincoln because we have found the quality of candidates is higher here than in other areas and bigger cities.

"We've found people are very friendly here and there's a good community spirit, and that's what we're all about.

"There's also a better level of qualifications in Lincoln.

"Whether it's GCSEs or up to degree level, it just seems to be a good area for it."

Claims advisors can earn between £13,000 and £17,000 a year on a basic salary. However, the firm says there is potential for people to earn up to £2,000 a month extra in bonuses. There are thirty people working at the company in Nettleham, with a similar number working in the original office in Altrincham, in Greater Manchester. Although the Altrincham branch opened in 2010, the firm has chosen to expand in Lincolnshire. Ms Slade added:

"We get a better application rate here in Lincoln too, although Altrincham is in a bigger area.

"There's also not as much competition in this area from other call centres."

The firm offers a variety of incentives for good results and last year took a group of the top workers to Las Vegas. Ms. Slade said she was looking for people with some previous experience in a similar job.

"We're looking for people with sales experience, some personality and who are able to gain a rapport with people – someone with a bit about them."

Current claims advisor Mr. Dan Pounds, joined the firm last June. He said:

"It ticks the ethical box for me really. 

"The money is out there and the banks are holding on to it, so it's about getting the money to the people that deserve it. 

"The company is also good at training people so they can progress through the company."

To apply, e-mail a Cirriculum Vitae to Ms Slade at aily.slade@complainthandlingservices.co.uk

Olympics Boost to East Midlands' Economy

The last fortnight has seen an outstanding performance by Team GB and celebration of their success across the country. However, these Games could not have happened without the hard work of suppliers across the country and new figures show that The Olympics have delivered nearly £7 billion of contracts across the UK.

The figures show that forty-four suppliers in the East Midlands have benefited from contracts worth £275million, boosting the economy, jobs and growth in the area.

Giles McNeill, Conservative By-Election Candidate for the Nettleham Ward, said:

“Not only have the Olympics shown the best of Britain, the Games have delivered £275million of contracts to the East Midlands’ economy.

“It is fantastic news that forty-four suppliers from across the region have contributed to making the Olympics the huge success they have been.

“Now we need to continue to work hard to make sure this Olympics legacy boosts the economy, tourism and participation in sports in the years ahead.”

Work on the iconic Olympic Stadium has brought huge benefits to firms in Lincolnshire. Tarmac PreCast Concrete Ltd. of Stamford has provided precast concrete for the terracing. Sidebbottom Richardson Cheng Ltd. of Spalding took on six new members of staff to help with stadium engeneering design work. Meanwhile William Hare Painting of Grantham were contracted to paint the 6,000 tonnes of steelwork at the stadium. Smith Construction (Heckington) Ltd. won the contract to build the £1.6m athletes' drop-off point and warm-up track, connected to the main stadium.

Weather Does Not Deter Lincolnshire Show Goers

© Prima PR and Marketing

Regardless of the weather, over 60,000 visitors attended both days of the 128th Lincolnshire Show.

The first day of the show saw a six percent increase in visitors on last year, credited to the warm weather on Wednesday, and spirits were not dampened by the rain on Thursday.

Organisers reported a five percent increase on trade stand bookings from 2011 and the number of visitors from across the UK entering livestock and equine competitions also increased.

It is estimated by show organisers that for every £1 spent at the show, a further £20 has been generated in the local economy.

Hotels and Bed & Breakfasts in the area experienced heightened demand for overnight stays from an extra 18,400 visitors. For many businesses in Lincolnshire, the show provides an opportunity to showcase local produce and services. Showground Director Jayne Southall said:

"We’ve had a fantastic show and it’s been wonderful to see everything come together.

"We had a big boost to visitor numbers with the wonderful sunshine on day one. 

"Although numbers were down on Thursday, the showers seemed to do little to dampen enthusiasm and we had a steady flow of visitors arriving throughout the morning. 

"The show has proved itself, once again, as a major visitor attraction which helps to bring Lincolnshire’s wider visitor and tourism story to a national audience."

© Malcolm Leaning

Edward Leigh MP, who represents the Gainsborough Constituency, within which the Lincolnshire Showground is located, visited the West Lindsey District Council tent and  met with local councillors and joined in with the keep fit dancers from the West Lindsey Leisure Centre, Gainsborough.

Strike Boosts Lincolnshire Businesses

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.

Lincolnshire Show Is Success As Sun Shines On County

The 126th Lincolnshire Show has attracted a record breaking attendance of sixty-eith thousand people who have basked in the sunshine at this year's event. Organised by the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society, the annual tradition, which dates back seven hundred years, is said to be responsible for bringing £12 million into the local economy.

A consultation is under way that could result in the show being moved to coincide with the weekend from 2012. This will enable more families to visit without taking time off from work or school.

Mr. Charles Hood, Show Director for the sixth and final year, said he felt he was bowing out in a blaze of glory. He said, as well as the many attractions pulling in the crowds such as live entertainment and sporting activities for youngsters, it was events such as the Grand Parade displaying the best of the county's livestock that cement the tradition of the show.

Visitors to the West Lindsey District Council's marquee were able to see what services the council provides, ask questions, seek advice and enter a few competitions.
Chairman of West Lindsey Cllr Owen Bierley, Conservative (Yarborough Ward) said:

"The show is a good showcase for West Lindsey. We have had a lot of good interaction with members of the public.

I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has helped make the show a big success."

Cllr. Alf Frith, Liberal Democrat (Nettleham Ward) and his wife Margaret said they thoroughly enjoy the annual event. He said:

"It is great seeing people face to face, to talk directly about any issues they may have."