Stagecoach Should Explain Decision to Reduce Bus Services

Edward Leigh MP has called on Stagecoach Lincolnshire to explain to local people the company’s decision to cut services along the number 3 route from Lincoln to Grimsby, which serves Nettleham, Dunholme and Welton.

Our local Member of Parliament, has responded to the significant change to the Number 3 service from Monday 2 April 2012. Which will include the loss of an hourly connecting bus service between the south east and north east of the Gainsborough Constituency during the daytime. Through journeys will now end during the middle part of the day with the last through departures from Lincoln and Grimby at 8:40am and not resuming until 1:40pm.

Stagecoach have admitted that they are eliminating less economical services because of the Department of Transport’s twenty percent reduction in the Bus Service Operators Grant, equivalent to an additional 39p to the cost of a gallon of diesel. But talk of local authority intervention might be overly optimistic, given the £1.3m savings to the county transport budget and the need to find £125m in savings to put the County Council budget on an even keel. Edward Leigh said:

"I am relieved that the cut to the Number 3 service won’t be as deep as originally proposed, but it is still regretful that those who will need to travel outside the peak period will have their options severely curtailed. 

"In rural parts of the country such as ours, providing connections by regular public transport is challenging, but important. I’m not convinced Stagecoach have made a proper case for curtailing the Number 3 service. This follows from their cuts to Sunday and Bank Holiday services from last year.

"This situation is the responsibility of the bus company, and I hope they find more imaginative ways of responding to public demand. They can’t solve their problems simply by demanding subsidies from taxpayers who are hard-pressed to make end’s meet already. All this underlines the overriding importance of cutting the vast deficit we have inherited from the previous government."

New Leader Appointed to West Lindsey District Council

Cllr. Burt Keimach, Conservative (Market Rasen Ward), is the new leader of West Lindsey District Council.

The Conservative Group, which has the ruling majority on West Lindsey District Council, elected their new leader last Thursday (more here).

Cllr. Keimach was chosen from the twenty-two strong Conservative Group, on the council, to take over from Mr. Adam Duguid, who lost his seat in the local elections at the start of May.

The Market Rasen representative was voted into office at Monday night's full council meeting.

Cllr Keimach said:

"I look forward to working with everybody within the authority and will continue to deliver our services at the lowest costs. I look forward to developing strong relationships both with the officers and our external partners, which I believe is crucial to driving the authority forward.I have an open approach to working and I welcome practical ideas and suggestions to deliver the very best service.West Lindsey has one of the lowest council tax increases and I want to strive to continue to keep it as low as possible. I want to make sure we continue the on-going work in Gainsborough and see the swimming pool promised for Market Rasen come to fruition."

The former Mayor of Market Rasen, is also a County Councillor for the Market Rasen Wolds Division.
He is married to Elizabeth and he has two children and one grandchild. Cllr. Keimach was educated at Harvard University and has a master degree from the University of London. His work background is in journalism and public relations.

Work to Start on Market Rasen pool

Work is set to start on building a swimming pool in Market Rasen before the end of the year.

Leader of West Lindsey District Council, Cllr. Adam Duguid, Conservative (Market Rasen Ward) told a meeting of the Full Council last night that contractors would be on site during the autumn and construction would take 18 months. Cllr. Duguid said:

"This will mean that during the summer of 2012 – Olympic year – Market Rasen will have the swimming pool that has been wanted for so long."

The project has been costed at £2.4 million and the 25 metre four-lane pool will feature a dome which will allow both indoor and outdoor use. There will also be changing facilities, a gym and a wet play area for children.

Right: This is the style of pool which will be build on Willingham Road, Market Rasen.

The site for the development is on Willingham Road on land currently occupied by the Market Rasen and Louth Rugby Club.

Cllr. Duguid said: "We have come to an agreement with the rugby club that they will move to a site on the other side of the road where there will be a new club house with changing facilities, three pitches – one floodlit – a training pitch and car parking. A funding bid has been made to the Rugby Football Union to help with the costs.

"This is what makes this project so exciting – not only does the town get a fantastic new pool but the excellent rugby club, which has a thriving junior and senior membership – gets wonderful new facilities."

Peter Dixon, President of Market Rasen and Louth Rugby Club said:

"This is a wonderful opportunity for the rugby club which is currently enjoying great playing success. The new facilities will allow the club to build on that success in future years. Rugby has always been a major part of the town’s sporting scene and the club is proud to play a part in this tremendous development for the people of Market Rasen and the surrounding area."

Cllr. Duguid said the whole development, which is subject to contract, was great news for Market Rasen.

"Local people and visitors will have a wonderful swimming pool, gym and rugby facilities in the same area as golf, the race course and Willingham Woods; it will be a splendid sporting and leisure attraction."

Full Details of New Chief Executive Appointment at West Lindsey District Council

Update to 'EXCLUSIVE: West Lindsey Announce New Chief Executive'.

A new Chief Executive has been appointed by West Lindsey District Council.

A meeting of the authority last night confirmed the appointment of the forty-eight year-old, mother of two, Mrs. Manjeet Gill who is expected to start her new job in May.

Right: West Lindsey District Council Chief Executive Mrs. Manjeet Gill.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Adam Duguid, Conservative (Market Rasen Ward) said:

"The selection panel was faced with the difficult job of selecting a candidate from a very strong short-list, but Mrs. Gill was the unanimous choice."

Leader of the Opposition, Cllr Reg Shore, Liberal Democrat (Stow Ward), added:

"The two-day selection process was very rigorous but I am sure an excellent choice has been made and that the whole district will benefit."

A delighted Mrs. Gill said:

"I am extremely proud to have been chosen to be West Lindsey's Chief Executive. This is a district with many strengths and challenges and I am looking forward to working with councillors and officers to build on the strengths and to meet the challenges.

"I was attracted to the job because the Council has a good track record and I am looking forward to developing the towns in the district and improving the rural economy."

Mrs. Gill's local government career began in environmental health with Leicester City Council. She has worked as Chief Executive for Salisbury District Council and her other senior posts include roles in Regeneration and Partnerships at Northamptonshire County Council.

She has also worked as a professional adviser on public sector leadership and on the role of the voluntary and community sector in society.

Away from work Mrs. Gill enjoys running in the countryside and cycling.

Mrs. Gill succeeds Mr. Duncan Sharkey who has taken a post with Worcester City Council as Managing Director.

EXCLUSVE: Conservatives At West Lindsey Elect New Leadership Team

Update to 'Leadership Contest Final Furlong' and 'Leadership Contest Speculation Begins'

Cllr. Adam Duguid and Cllr. Burt Keimach, both representing the Market Rasen Ward have been elected by their Conservative peers to become Leader and Deputy Leader of the West Lindsey District Council Conservative Group. These two councillors will now, by convention, become Leader and Deputy Leader of West Lindsey District Council.

Conservatives met last Thursday evening and their decision will surprise readers of the Lincolnshire Echo, who had tipped Cllr. Ian Fleetwood (Bardney Ward) as frontrunner. Since Cllr. Theobald's resignation as the Council's Leader, Cllr. Duguid has been Acting Leader of West Lindsey District Council and served as Deputy Leader of the Council following the Conservatives' winning control in the 2008 local elections. It is understood that Cllr. Ian Fleetwood was made interim leader of the group.

Cllr. Keimach was first elected in May 2008, at the time Cllr. Duguid, commented:

"I am proud to welcome Burt as a member of the Market Rasen team. I know how committed he is to serving our local community through his service on Market Rasen Town Council."

It would have been difficult to forecast that Cllr Keimach would have emerged so quickly into a leadership position, speaing to the Lincolnshire Echo in mid-December Cllr Keimach said:

"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."

Time will tell if this is the style adopted by the pair.

Two other Conservative councillors who were named as potential leadership candidates are now Chairmen of two important committees. Cllr. Chris Underwood-Frost (Scotter Ward) is now Chairman of the influential Planning Committee and it is understood that Cllr. Mrs. M. Davidson will become Chairman of the Organisation and Resources Committee.

At the request of the local Conservative Association this story was prepared on Friday, 15th Janaury 2010 and embargoed until 12:00noon on Monday, 18th January 2010.

£75,000 pitch on cards for Market Rasen

A £75,000 replacement artificial turf pitch is on the cards for the De Aston School in Market Rasen.

Members of West Lindsey District Council are looking to contribute £30,000 towards the project which eventually be repaid through savings made under a new leisure contract.

It is hoped that the balance of money needed will come from the school and the Football Foundation.

Leader of the Council, Cllr. Bernard Theobald said:

"The County Council paid for the artificial pitch more than 25 years ago and the district council paid for floodlights so it could be used by the community in the evenings.

"It continues to be well used - particularly by football teams - but sadly it now reached the end of its expected lifespan.

"The replacement of the artificial pitch will bring hugh benefits to a large number of people in the Market Rasen area. We will be asking the Council to set aside £30,000 in next year's budget and to recoup it from savings achieved over the new five year leisure management contract."