Read the July 2026 update here ...
Councillor Lucille Hagues
Newsletter – July 2026
FUN AT SLEAFORD MIDSUMMER FESTIVAL
On Saturday June 22nd , the Sleaford Midsummer Festival brought the town centre to life with a brand-new community event.
Four vibrant zones were offered entertainment and activities for all ages. Summer sounds from Shrug Studios in the Market Place, free bungee trampolines and a climbing wall at the Riverside Centre, and an outdoor cinema at Eastgate Green showed films throughout the day.
At Navigation Yard, there was a focus on history and heritage with stalls, re-enactments, Morris dancers, and folk music. A North Kesteven Young Traders Market also took place inside Sleaford Indoor Market.
Running from 12pm to 6pm, the festival transformed the town centre into a welcoming space to relax, explore, and enjoy the day.
LINCOLNSHIRE CHILDREN’S SAFEGUARDING WEEK – MONDAY 29TH JUNE – FRIDAY, 3RD JULY 2026
Lincolnshire County Council, in collaboration with partners including the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children’s Partnership, have created a series of free 1 – hour webinars on a variety of topics for this year’s Children’s Safeguarding week.
Many different sessions are available for parents/carers and families, and professionals. A variety of topics will be explored, from how to support children experiencing low mood, through to artificial intelligence, talking to children about drugs and alcohol, and much more.
Whether your interest is a professional or as a parent, carers, and family member, neighbour or friend, safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and these sessions help to build your knowledge and confidence to play your part in safeguarding in our communities.
For more details and to book a place on a webinar, please visit LSCP’s event webpage.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT RE-ORGANISATION UPDATE
Timelines remain unchanged with the Secretary of State decision for Greater Lincolnshire expected in July before the start of the parliamentary summer recess. The government has re-iterated that it remains committed to its overall timelines for LGR leading to Vesting Day for new councils on 1st April 2028.
Though decisions are still awaited the government, through MHCLG, has asked councils for initial thoughts on a number of elements for the Structure Changes Order. NKDC has responded in line with the government’s 16th June deadline for this with NKDC’s responses being considered by the Executive Board.
CINEMA PLANNING APPLICATION PREMIERES
The Planning Application outlining the vision for Sleaford’s four-screen cinema has been submitted. Following the earlier announcement that through a joint investment package North Kesteven District Council and operators Savoy Cinemas Ltd are working to bring this aspiration to reality, it is now confirmed that the planning application for a new riverside building at Money’s Yard has been lodged.
Read the full press release on the Council’s website.
NK COMMUNITY CHAMPION AWARDS 2026 – CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
It is time to nominate and celebrate people who make a positive difference to lives and communities across North Kesteven through kind consideration and voluntary endeavour.
On the back of Volunteer’s Week, nominations are invited for this year’s NK Community Champion Awards, which are backed by community-minded businesses within the District and co-ordinated by NKDC.
Read the full press release on the Council’s website.
ARMED FORCES WEEK
A dozen Lincolnshire veterans, whose service collectively spanned more than 200 years, were among the Armed Forces personnel thanked for their contributions at North Kesteven District Council’s Celebration of Military service.
The Celebration of Military Service took place in the Council Chamber on Monday 22nd June, at the start of the Armed Forces Day week, following the annual flag raising of the Armed Forces Flag in Sleaford Market Place, saluted by the Station Commanders, Station Warrant Officers and military representation from RAF Cranwell and RAF Digby. It commemorated the 15th anniversary of the end of Op Telic, the 35th anniversary of the end of the Gulf War, the 90th and the anniversary.
of Bomber Command.
SEVERE WEATHER EMERGENCY PROTOCOL (SWEP)
SWEP has been activated due to the high temperatures expected in the coming days. If you are, or are worried about, someone who is rough sleeping or homeless and require support, a range of help is available from the Housing Options Team at NKDC- Tel: 01529 414155 (out of hours 01529 308308) or Email housingoptions@n-kesteven.gov.uk
ANGLIAN WATER WORKS
Anglian water has rescheduled its planned works on Grantham Road, between Waddington and Bracebridge Heath, as per below:
Monday29th June, for five days – 24/7 temporary traffic lights in place from 7.00am Monday until 8.00pm Friday
Friday 3rd July, for three evenings – full road closure in place from 8.00pm Friday evening until 6.00am Monday Morning.
Monday 20th July, for five days – 24/7 temporary traffic lights in place from 7.00am Monday until 8.00pm Friday
Friday 24th July, for three evenings – full road closure in place from 8pm Friday evening until 6.00am Monday morning.
DISPOSAL AND RECYCLING VAPES AND BATTERIES
Refuse collectors and local councils joined in the plea to residents to get rid of disposable vapes responsibly, after incidences where lithium batteries put in household waste caused fires putting workers at risk.
Lithium batteries and electricals with hidden lithium batteries should NOT be placed in the same bins as your regular rubbish or recycling.
There is a risk of the battery exploding and catching fire if it has been damaged.
Fires at landfill sites have been caused when batteries have been thrown away in household bins, compacted in waste lorries, or stored in landfill.
Many retailers offer take back services for disposable vapes where you can drop their vapes into a special bin in store.
Visit the Recycle Your Electricals website and input your address to find your nearest recycling locations.
PUBLIC SECTOR CHALLENGE
A big well done to all colleagues who participated in, and volunteered, at NKDC’s Public Sector Challenge Lincolnshire fundraising event at the weekend. Over 80 walkers took part and a helpful 15 volunteers.
NKDC would like to say a Big “thank you” to Go Traffic Management for providing signage for the roads. Dyson for allowing NK to park toilets on their land and kindly provided strawberries, and visitor venues – Mrs Smith’s Cottage and Cranwell Aviation Heritage Museum, who stayed late and opened early to accommodate rest stops. Thank you too to NK’s Chairman Mrs Christine Collard who gave out the medals at the end.
NKDC’s Chief Executive Kath Marriott said: “ It was a super day and everyone who took part seemed to thoroughly enjoy it. Participants raised upwards of £5000 for various charities including British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research, Fighting Fit, and Sands Bereavement Charity. Any feedback to the organising team will be gratefully received as we review the event and consider whether to look at doing something similar again next year.”
Best Wishes
Lucille