Big Improvement Plans for Gainsborough

The cost of bringing all homes in Gainsborough's South West Ward up to the national Decent Homes Standard has been estimated at £5.5 million.

The figure is contained in a Neighbourhood Renewal Assessment commissioned by West Lindsey District Council aimed at making improvements to the whole area.

The report says that on average each property in need of work will cost £6,300 to repair and it is envisaged that only a very small number of properties will need to be demolished - instead the emphasis is likely to be on retro-fitting existing properties to bring them up to scratch.

At a meeting of the Economic Development and Regeneration Committee, councillors agreed to take the next step towards making improvements by holding an open day with residents to discuss the options and gather local views.

Housing and Renewal Manager, Mr. Grant Lockett said:

"The consultation report confirms much of what we already thought. The area contains 1,390 homes and 75% of them are terraced with 85% built before 1919.

"Much of the area has little or no open space or play areas and there is not much in the way of off road parking.

"Sadly, the most common type of crime in the area is criminal damage and this is a common finding in areas with high levels of deprivation."

The area also suffers from high levels of unemployment (7.5% compared to the West Lindsey average of 5.9%) and it is officially the most deprived area in the district. House prices are 38% lower than the district average and 52% below the national average.

Mr. Lockett added: "

In general, local people like the area, they find it friendly with a real sense of community with good access to shops and takeaways.

"And what most people seem to be agreed on is that more green space and children's play areas would be a great boost as would a really good clean up which would improve the way people feel.

"There is quite a lot of litter in the area and when this is coupled with a large number of run down properties there is a feeling that no-one cares - which is really unfair because we believe the residents really do care."

Sadly, consultation has revealed that 50% of over 75s feel very unsafe but any idea that young people are the main 'threat' does not hold true as 35% of them said they too feel unsafe on the streets.

Chairman of the Economic Development and Regeneration Committee, Cllr. Jeff Summers, Conservative (Waddingham & Spital Ward) said that the survey had also revealed that 42% of residents were receiving benefits, 15% were disabled, 25% had an income of less than £10,000 and there is a broad range of house types and ages.

"Throughout the consultation, unemployment was a common factor and many thought this was the major contributor to many of the other issues suffered in the area. More than 70% of people thought that unemployment was a big problem.

"People told us that the main barriers to getting a job were the low number of opportunities available, poor transport links, a low skills and education base and a benefit culture which means there is little incentive for people to find work."

Another plus point was that 57% of people in the area believed the police are providing an above average service and 58% believe that the refuse collection service is above average.

But dog fouling, vandalism and the misuse of drugs were all considered to be problems and more than half the business owners felt the Council could do more to help them make improvements to commercial buildings.

In terms of the homes themselves, the survey revealed that 90% of properties would benefit from having new central heating installed. This would also improve the energy efficiency and reduce running costs to householders.

The major hazard of excess cold was found in 48% of properties, 35% had a danger of a fall on the stairs and 15% had the danger of a fall on the level. There were also major problems with electrical hazards, food safety and the presence of carbon monoxide.

As a result of all these issues, the average price of a house in the area in 2009 was £61879 - well below the national average of £160,000 and the Lincolnshire average of just under £130,000.

Cllr. Summers added:

"There is no doubt that there is much to be done in South West Ward but we believe that with the co-operation and understanding of local residents we can make real and very tangible improvements."

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."

Direct Train Services May Arrive In Lincoln

The Lincolnshire Echo today exclusely reveal that direct train services between Lincoln and London could be saved – if a new train operator throws its hat into the ring.

As reported in the last week, East Coast will save £9 million a year by running just one daily return service to and from King's Cross from May next year, instead of the seven originally planned. Most passengers from Lincoln will have to travel to Newark to catch onward trains.

Passengers can currently use East Midlands Trains' much slower direct service to St Pancras, which takes two hours and 50 minutes, departing Lincoln at 7.08am and leaving London at 6.30pm. Now, it has emerged that Grand Central is interested in taking on the direct Lincoln to London services abandoned by East Coast.

Managing director Tom Clift made the revelation at a recent meeting of Railfuture Yorkshire.

Grand Central runs the Sunderland to Kings Cross and West Riding to London services as open access services. This is when the operator receives no taxpayer support and operates services at its own commercial risk.

It would run the Lincoln to London services in the same way.

Grand Central spokeman Rupert Brennan Brown said the company would be looking at using the paths, or slots in the timetable, that East Coast is vacating.

"As I understand it, East Coast is proposing one train in the morning and one train in the evening between Lincoln and London and four return services from London to Newark.

"It is Grand Central's contention that this is not the best use of these paths and that it may be possible to serve other places by extending the trains beyond Newark.

"At the moment, we are trying to get clarity as to what the final proposed timetable is.

"There was a suggestion it would cost £9 million to run the services that have now been scaled down. We are trying to find out what opportunities there might be for us as an open access operator, which is not supported by the taxpayer."

Network Rail spokesman Rachel Lowe said timetabling decisions would be needed before a company could operate.

"Various train operators, whether they be franchises or open access, will be putting bids in for paths.

"If full agreement about timetabling, given the restraints of the network, cannot be made locally, the Office of Rail Regulation will have the final say on who gets to run what services."

Benefit cheat is paying back more than £20,000

A mother of two, who is paying back more than £20,000 in benefits she was not entitled to, escaped a prison sentence.

 

Ms Kerry Codd 25, of Church Road, Bircotes, pleaded guilty at Lincoln Magistrates Court, to two counts of failing to notify of a change in circumstances, which affected her entitlement to housing and council tax benefit.

 

The prosecution was brought by West Lindsey District Council and the Department for Work and Pensions. The offence occurred when Ms Codd lived in Gainsborough.

 

Mr. David Payne, prosecuting said:

"The defendant failed to inform the affected bodies her partner had returned to live with her.

 

"He was in full time employment at the time, which was paid into a joint bank account."

The overpayment of £23,717.19 took place between 7th June 2004 to 31st October 2007.

 

It included the following:

• Income support - £10,020.87
• Housing benefit - £11,419.68
• Council tax benefit -£2,276.64

Defending, Mr. Lloyd Edwards, said she is paying back the overpayments. He said:

"She had a difficult time with her previous partner who left suddenly and reappeared on the scene.

 

"She was not sure he would stay and she delayed reporting it and delayed it."

 

Mr. Edwards explained she is with a new partner now and has two young children. He added:

"This was out of character."

District Judge, Richard Blake said:

"Many people are managing in the community on low income and not cheating on benefits.

 

"What you did was a cheat on the system.

 

"I accept it was to provide for your family and that you have done the best to make amends as you are paying it back."

He gave her 12 weeks in prison for each offence, suspended for a year. And a 12 month supervision order to run concurrently.

Karl Demands Superscript 'C' Scorned By The Independent

The Independent today reports that Karl McCartney, the recently elected Member of Parliament for Lincoln, has entered Parliament determined to deal with a pressing issue of historical prejudice.

"Forget immigration: why won't Hansard and other publications publish his name with his preferred superscript "c"?"

This is the question asked by the paper and the subject of a recent email sent by Mr. McCartney to his fellow House of Commons 'son ofs' (including Esther McVey, John McDonnell and Pat McFadden), whom he invited to help him to 'communicate a collective request for change'.

The paper reports that narrow-mindedness has dogged him since birth, and states that Mr. McCartney explains.

"I have continually through my life, from school, through college and in the workplace, with my own political party and the returning officer where I stood for election, had to make a point of informing others that my name is spelt and should look a certain way."

Unfortunately, the superscript 'c' runs contrary to The Independent's in-house style rules and those of most other national newspapers - together with the abilities of this blog - so should he ever get around to being in them for any other reason than his name will appear without the superscript.

Mr. McCartney earlier indicated at the Lincolnshire Show that he had not seen the piece in the paper but that it was 'another one to tick of the list' of papers he has appeared in since his election.

Press Give Verdict on Emergency Budget

The national newspapers have this morning given their verdict on chancellor George Osborne's emergency budget.

The Sun calls it a 'recovery masterplan,' whilst the Guardian says it promises 'pain now, more pain later.' The Daily Mail says that the middle-class will bear the brunt of Osborne's 'savage' budget, and the Financial Times says the package of spending cuts and tax rises is 'Osborne's kill or cure budget.'

Earlier, the Labour party seized on Osborne's decision to raise Value Added Tax (VAT) by 2.5% to 20% from Tuesday 4th January 2011 as evidence that the government's budget will hit the poorest hardest, accusing the Liberal Democrats of going back on pre-election campaigning against a possible rise in VAT by the Tories.

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne
and Prime Minister David Cameron

Writing directly to supporters, Prime Minister David Cameron, said:

"I'm not going to hide it from you - what the coalition has announced is tough. But let's be clear, it's also entirely necessary and entirely unavoidable. Never forget - Labour left us with one of the worst economic inheritances imaginable. They racked up one of the biggest budget deficits in Europe - with the government borrowing one pound for every four it spends - and they doubled the national debt.

"Giles, in this emergency Budget I believe you have the measure of this government. Will it provoke debate? Certainly. Will it cost our coalition some popularity? Possibly. But is this the right thing to do - for the health of our economy, for the poorest in our society, for the future of our country? I passionately believe it is."