New Bio-Fuel Buses Launched in Lincoln

The Lincolnshire Echo has reported on a trailblazing project that uses food waste from landfill to fuel buses has been officially launched.

A fleet of 11 Stagecoach buses, which are the first of their kind in the UK, was unveiled at Lincolnshire Showground yesterday. The programme managers say reduced emissions from the biomethane gas-powered vehicles will reduce damage to the environment.

The project was joint funded by Lincolnshire County Council, which provided £260,000 of investment, and the East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA), which injected a further £100,000.

The launch ceremony was conducted by Stagecoach Group chief executive Mr. Brian Souter who said:

"Waste is a big issue for every family and household up and down the country and councils now face major taxes for landfill.

"This is an innovative way of taking something that's a big problem for society and turning it into a fuel of the future."

A special refuelling facility has been installed at Stagecoach's Great Northern Terrace depot, near Lincoln. Investment from EMDA has helped fund this new fuel infrastructure.

Ms Diana Gilhespy, executive director of regeneration at EMDA, said:

"We are delighted that these bio-methane buses are being trialed. We feel it is vitally important to explore innovative ideas for reducing carbon emissions in the East Midlands transport industry."

The project will run for six to 12 months on a number of routes in Lincoln. Lincolnshire County Council and Stagecoach will then review its success and decide if it will be rolled out across more routes in the county.

Cllr. William Webb, Conservative (Holbeach Rural Division) and Executive Member for Highways and Transport, said:

"I am delighted to be associated with Stagecoach on the launch of this project.

"It will have much benefit to the county and the people of Lincolnshire and will benefit people in the whole country."

Conservative-led Council Rejects 22% Pay Increase for Councillors

Conservatives-led Lincolnshire County Council paved the way for an extra extra £250,000 to help community projects after councillors rejected plans to increase their allowances.

A cross-part consensus at Lincolnshire County Council agreed yesterday to forgo a twenty-two point two percent increase, which would have seen allowances for the seventy-seven members rise from £8,184 to £10,000, saving just shy of £140,000 a year.

A further four and a half percent inflationary increase could have swelled this figure by a further £450, but instead a freeze will be implemented until 2013.

Mileage rates will, however, increase in line with H.M. Revenue And Customs' guidance from 40p to 45p a mile.


Cash included in the council's budget for any potential allowances change will be redistributed to help community, voluntary and charitable initiatives. The Conservatives added they would have to be in the 'spirit of the Big Society'.

Yesterday's vote confirmed rumours that the ruling Conservatives were planning to kill off the controversial proposal to increase allowances. The recommendations for an increase were made by an independent panel last year. But there was still an overwhelming sense of unease in the council chamber as councillors faced the prospect of deciding their own pay.

Cllr. Mrs. Christine Talbot, Conservative (Bracebridge Heath Division) led the calls to remove the responsibility from members. She said it was a 'tricky topic' which emerged repeatedly year after year.

"I would like to suggest that because we have had an Independent Remuneration Panel. In future an independent body should be charged with setting the pay and allowances we receive as elected members to avoid any potential conflict of interest."

County Council Care Home Consultation Will Come This Autumn

Update to 'Linelands Consultation Meeting is 'Frank and Emotive''.

The Lincolnshire Echo today reports on plans for the future of eight county council-owned care homes which will come forward this autumn and the small protest on the steps of County Hall yesterday.

The Executive at Lincolnshire County Council is understood to have voted in favour of moving forward the emerging 'vision' - shaping care in the 21st century - to develop care facilities for older people.

Conservative councillors believe that replacing respite and day care centres with more modern accommodation, to tackle the effects of ageing populations, would benefit Lincolnshire residents, although this could see care homes privatised.

Leader of Lincolnshire County Council, Cllr. Martin Hill OBE, Conservative (Folkingham Rural Division), is reported to have said that details on delivering improved service would come in 'late autumn'.

"This is a long-running saga. It's one thing to agree a vision and another to agree what will happen at a practical level. It's a difficult journey but one we must undertake and not shy away from."

Cllr. Mrs. Marianne Overton

Leader of the Opposition on Lincolnshire County Council, Cllr. Marianne Overton, Lincolnshire Independents (Branston & Navenby Division), commented:

"The current homes work really well and do a fantastic job, focused on getting people better and able to turn the key in their own front door. We need more of these facilities, not less."

Complete details on the proposals will emerge when a business plan has been drawn up and no decision has been made on whether the eight care homes will remain open or close.

Campaigners vowed yesterday, to continue fighting to keep all affected buildings open, including Linelands in Nettleham, Bonner House in Sleaford and Park View in Lincoln.

Protesters with placards lined the steps of the County Council's Offices, in Newland, Lincoln, yesterday campaigning under the slogan 'care not profit'.

Protesters at County Hall.

Mrs. Sylvia Laws, whose sister had benefited from help at Bonner House is reported to have said:

"We have a wonderful home in Sleaford. The carers are a wonderful bunch of people."

North Kesteven Seniors Chairman Mrs. Liz Peto said the group's seventy members were 'unanimous' in opposition.

No comments were made by the Liberal Democrat Group on the matter, despite Cllr. Ray Sellars, Liberal Democrat (Nettleham & Saxilby Division), taking a visible, if sometimes egregious, stance on this matter.

The County Council's Labour Group intends to 'call in' the decision. This means the executive's decision could be debated on Thursday, 17th June 2010, at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting.

Cllr. Robert Parker

Labour Group Leader, Cllr. Robert Parker, Labour (Lincoln West) said:

"We want to see improved services, but ones that remain under the control of the council with care provided by council staff committed to giving quality care.

"We want to see the Conservative council put care before profit for private sector companies. We will be challenging these proposals by calling in the decision."

Lincolnshire's Unison Branch Secretary Mr. John Sharman said the council had missed a chance to include the public sector in the care plan, and commented that:

"The fight to save our homes has not been lost. The fight goes on."

GE2010: Sleaford & North Hykeham: Opposition Leader at County Council Declares Candidacy

Lincolnshire County Council's Leader of the Opposition, Cllr. Mrs. Marianne Overton, Lincolnshire Independents (Branston and Navenby Division) has announced that she will be standing as an independent candidate for Sleaford and North Hykeham seat at the General Election widely expected to take place on Thursday, 6th May 2010.
Cllr. Mrs. Overton will face stiff competion to defeat Conservative Candidate, and favourite, Mr. Stephen Phillips, to secure a seat in the House of Commons.

Mr Douglas Hogg MP, who became a focus during the MPs Expenses Scandal last year due to claims he made for moat cleaning costs, is standing down at the next election.

Cllr. Mrs. Overton, who lives in Welbourn, south of Lincoln, spoke to the Lincolnshire Echo and said that attracting more resources into all areas of the constituency and easing traffic congestion were key issues.

"I think the best MPs are the ones that have roots in the local community, understand the issues and work closely in partnership with local government."

The declared candidates for the Sleaford & North Hykeham Constituency at the 2010 General Election are:

Mr. Roger Doughty, United Kingsdom Independence Party
Mr. David Harding-Price, Liberal Democrat
Mr. James Norminton, Labour
Cllr. Mrs. Marianne Overton, Lincolnshire Independent
Mr. Stephen Phillips, Conservative

Linelands Consultation Meeting is 'Frank and Emotive'

Yesterday evening local residents met at Nettleham Junior School on Mill Hill around six o'clock for a two how consultation meeting. In attendance were members of the Adult Social Care team from Lincolnshire County Council.

Umoung those who are elected members of various councils there was Leader of the Opposition at the County Council, Cllr. Mrs. Marianne Overton, Lincolnshire Independents (Branston & Navenby Division). Cllr. Ray Sellers, Liberal Democrat (Nettleham & Saxilby Division) and Cllr. Mrs. Meg Davidson, Conservative (Fiskerton Ward), on West Lindesy District Council - who is Deputy Chairman of the Health Scrutiny Committee at the County Council.

A number of parish councillors attended, they were: Cllr. John Hill, Chairman of the Planning Committee, Cllr. John Evans, Chairman of the Parish Plan Committee, Cllr. Giles McNeill, Chairman of the Mulsanne Park Users Committee, Cllr. Mrs. Val Darbyshire. It was very good to also see Rev. Jenny Rowley who was in attendance.

No appearance was made by Nettleham's two district councillors; Cllr. Malcolm Leaning and Cllr. Alf Frith, Liberal Democrats (Nettleham Ward) which is surprising to say the least on such an important matter which will effect so many people living within the local community.

The attendance was somewhere in the region of between 70-80, which is very good considering that the meeting had to be rescheduled. This included a number of staff from the care home.

Many local residents and the politicians had their say on there views and the members of the Adult Social Care team did well responding to questions and presenting the information they had to hand.

Giles McNeill said:

"I think the evening went very well, whilst at times the discourse was frank and emotive, at all times it remained civil. It was clear to me that what the people of Nettleham and surrounding area want is to keep the respite and day-centre provision currently provided by Linelands and add to it additional care services, such as extra-care provision and nursing care."