Read the May 2026 update here ...
Councillor Lucille Hagues
May 2026 Newsletter
INCREASE IN NK HERITAGE GRANT SCHEME FUNDING
The NK Heritage Grant Scheme, which offers small grants to owners of listed buildings across the district, has had approval to increase its budget from £25,000 to £50,000 for this financial year.
The scheme offers grants of up to £3,000 for listed buildings owners, properties in conservation areas, of owners of non-designated heritage assets to fund repair and restoration works. In previous years, the scheme has been hugely successful, with funds fully allocated and significant improvements made in the condition of historic buildings throughout the district.
Further information and application forms can be found on the NKDC website under the “North Kesteven Heritage Grant Scheme”.
CELEBRATION OF MILITARY SERVICE AND UK ARMED FORCES DAY
Veterans of the UK Armed Forces who have not yet received their commemorative Veterans Badge are being invited to step forward to receive it at North Kesteven District Council’s celebration of Military Service event this summer.
The Celebration of Military Service (a ticketed event) will take place in the Council Chamber at NKDC’s Office on Kesteven Street in Sleaford at 12pm on Monday 22nd June 2026.
Although service leaders receive their Veteran’s Badge automatically now, there are still veterans living in North Kesteven who haven’t, and they are being encouraged to apply to receive their badge in recognition of their contribution during their military service. Additionally, an invitation is extended to anyone who has already received their badge to have it presented at the celebration. Read more on the Council’s website.
E-WASTE ACTION WEEK RETURNS BIGGER AND BETTER
Building on last years success, E-Waste Action Week is coming back with an expanded programme. With two Repair Cafes in the week ( in Sleaford and Bracebridge Heath) and drop off points around the District, NK are hoping it’ll have an even bigger impact.
Electronic waste – E-Waste – consists of all those electrical and electronic items which we discard, including cables, which millions of us stash in drawers and cupboards. These devices are packed with useful materials that could be reused, saving the environmental damage caused by mining.
Sleaford Climate Action Network, (SleafordCAN) and North Kesteven District Council are working together to run the Action Week from 16th to 23rd May 2026. North Kesteven residents are encouraged to donate mobile phones, laptops and tablets and cables during this event, which will be refurbished and redistributed to local people and good causes.
Get all the details on NKDC website: Repair Cafes and drop-off events take place from 12.30 to 3.30pm on Saturday 16th May at Bracebridge Heath Village Hall and on Saturday 23rd May at Sleaford Rverside Church Hall.
SPRINGWELL SOLAR FARM
With a Secretary of State decision now in place granting the Springwell Solar Farm Development Consent Order, the District Council is keen to further explore with operators EDF how a commitment to provide community benefits of £400 per megawatt of installed capacity will be spent on local projects, and to align with the Council’s adopted Large Scale Solar Energy Community Benefit Policy.
The proposal to install 800MW of generating capacity located at the A15 between Lincoln and Sleaford was considered to be Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) which meant it needed to be determined by the Secretary of State, who has now published his decision.
North Kesteven District Council’s position was to comment on the scheme and its local impact and to raise objections on a number of grounds. In doing so it has highlighted it needs to be a high regard for the community and the impacts on landscape and visual amenity, grid connection arrangements, cultural heritage and archaeology, ecology and biodiversity net gain, battery storage and associated operational safety and ongoing agricultural use.
READ MORE ON THE COUNCIL’S WEBSITE.
FOOD WASTE RECYCING SUCCESS
One month after launching food waste collections in Lincoln, North Kesteven and West Lindsey, and two weeks in South Kesteven’s rollout, early results show a positive response from residents.
Thousands of households are now using their food waste caddies each week, helping to recycle that would have previously gone in their general waste stream. In the first month alone, more than 950 tonnes of food waste have been collected across the four districts.
The new service makes it easier for residents to recycle everyday items such as peelings, leftovers, teabags, and bones. All the food waste that is collected from homes is taken to an anaerobic digestion facility, where it is turned into energy and fertilizer, supporting local agriculture and generating renewable power.
Read the full story on the Lincolnshire County Council’s website.
REMINDER – PENSIONERS URGED TO BE ALERT TO FUEL PAYMENT SCAMS
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is warning pensioners to be on high alert for scams as the recovery of Winter Fuel Payments begins – Read the full story on the Government’s website.
Almost two million people are expected to repay their winter 2025 payment due to their annual income being more than £35,000 – for most, an automatic process.
HMRC saw more than 25,000 Winter Fuel Payment scam referrals over the last twelve months and is warning that scammers may now use the recovery process as a hook to use texts, emails, and phone calls to target this group.
For most, the payment will be recovered in a change to their PAYE tax code from last month (April 2026), with no need to contact HMRC. For those in Self-Assessment who file online, the payment should be pre-populated in their 2025/2026 tax return, due by 31st January 2027. Customers should check and add it manually if it is not shown. Paper filers will need to add it to their tax return, due by 31st October, 2026.
HMRC will never contact people by text or Email to ask them to repay their Winter Fuel Payment, or to request bank details.
People can use HMRC’s online check tool on the Government’s website.
To report a suspicious text claiming to be from HMRC, forward it to 60599. To report a suspicious email forward it to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk . to report a scam phone call, visit GOV.UK. If you have money stolen, contact your bank immediately and report it in Action fraud.
For more advice on staying online, visit Stop Think Fraud campaign website.
Best Wishes
Lucille