Read the July 2026 update here ...
Marianne Overton MBE
July 2026 Newsletter
Greetings!
Welcome to my monthly personal newsletter to let you know what I am doing on your behalf and to keep in touch with you.
A new Prime Minister!
As the new Prime Minister will be reviewing his policies, it is an important time to get some key messages across.
I have shared a platform with Andy Burnham in the past and met him again at the count of his election. I helped an Independent Councillor colleague, keen to get our messages across in 50,000 leaflets, on signs and at doors.
Presenting a thousand letters
We are calling for Solar on Roofs not farmland.
On Monday 6th July, I am presenting our letters to Number 10 with our MP. Thank you to all who manage to sign and to join me. We are knocking on the door at 11am, then a guided tour, round the House of Parliament and hopefully meeting one or two useful people!
National Influence
In the first week of July, I am attending the annual conference of Local Government with 1,600 delegates in Bournemouth. I aim to catch up with the Minister for Local Government, a previous colleague, Steve Reed and the Minister for Climate in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Katie White OBE MP. I have been elected Treasurer and AGM Chair of the LGA Independent Group at the core of over 2,500 elected councillors.
North Kesteven District Council and solar
I gave our call for solar on roofs, not farmland another boost this week at NKDC where I put a motion to redouble our efforts at this time of change in the Prime Minister, when policies must face a rethink.
50 Years of the Viking Way
Featured on Countryfile this week, was 149 miles of footpath was joined up fifty years ago into the Viking Way. At Navenby, were volunteers Deryck Dillon, Vicki Munnery and the Navenby Welbeing Walks. There was much appreciation of the view, but nothing on the significant impact of impending solar industry!
Solar Summary Update on the applications
Springwell Despite our best efforts, Springwell was passed by the Inspectorate. (4,200/17km² then 3,162 acres/12km²) Our District and County Councils have compiled a list of faults in the process and called that to Judicial Review. We await to hear.
Fosse Green (2,400 acres/10km²) inspectorate closes on 6th July. There is a call for any new land interests to have your say. Thanks to so many who gave support and the Action Group who attended the hearing and worked hard at every stage.
Leoda (2,400 acres/10km²) is paused by the applicant.
The Coleby BESS with 1,300 shipping containers of Lithium battery has gone quiet, though there is a significant BESS in each of the other applications. And further BESS’s.
The Navenby sub-station application was submitted on May 12th and sent back twice as incomplete. It will return, however, and residents need to be ready to write into NKDC, via Planning on line. It is important, as this application could open the floodgates still further. More applications are still hidden.
Need help or support?
The new Armed Forces Community Directory gives the contact details for the Service information and activity “hives”, such as Waddington, Cranwell and Digby.
The “Connect to Support” has lots on it, from where to get cheaper heating oil to St Chad’s in Welbourn, the Red Lion in Wellingore and the Venue in Navenby. https://lincolnshire.connecttosupport.org
If your venue or event is not yet on it, please let them know! Lincolnshire Connect to Support Feedback
Swallow Lodge
Swallow Lodge in North Hykeham and Cedar House in Spalding provide high level care for vulnerable working age adults, for short breaks of respite for the caring families and in emergencies. The council is meeting this month to discuss extending the current contract pending further review.
I objected strongly to the closure as carers have found there are no alternatives for some who need 24 hour 1:1 care. Taking the more able people out makes the homes less cost-effective and more difficult to staff. We know that the number of adults needing care is increasing and the number of children needing care has risen sharply. We need more beds in Lincolnshire, not fewer. There are five options now being considered, including taking the service in house, outsourcing to several providers, closing one of the two homes and local communities stepping up. The chance to have your say is here until September 7th.
Meeting with adults and carers about Swallow Lodge
Congratulations
North Kesteven’s Building Control Team won silver in the LGA awards for their work on safety and legal compliance.
Thank you for your donations of unwanted IT to the Sleaford Repair Café and SleafordCAN in EWaste Action Week. Kelly Teasdale of Sivill Service refurbished the items where possible. This year 82 laptops, 303 mobile phones, 87 tablets and more than 115kg of cables were donated. Last year 116 items were sent to Ukraine. 48 went to Ghana, where IT being out of date is less of an issue.
A Government Fund, Changing Places for toilets is being put to good use in Sleaford. An old 3-bed house on Southgate is being refurbished into fully accessible toilets, a café kiosk in a riverside garden and upstairs rooms for business.
Cinema proposed in Sleaford
A new 320 seat, four screen cinema in Moneys’ Yard is proposed by Savoy Cinema and NKDC. Brick-faced, glass fronted in place of the Citizen Advice building, higher than the current buildings and built over some of the current parking spaces, leaving 61 spaces. You can comment on the plans here. 26/0666/FUL
Lowland Search and Rescue Link
Professionals across the country volunteer their time to assist with rescue. Between Mountain and Coastal rescue is Lowland Search and Rescue. The Lincs SAR have 35 volunteers giving many hours, deployed 47 times in 2024.
Nominate your Community Champion
Awards in 11 categories are available from NKDC, but you need to nominate someone!
Nominate for Community Spirit, Community Business, Community Group, young achiever, good neighbour, contributions to climate action, arts and culture, a better environment and health and wellbeing. Or a long-standing contribution to a group. Nominations close September 14th Please nominate a local person right away here.
Events
Peter Gill is fund-raising to Fight Cancer
Peter Gill is cycling with
Want to donate too? Link
Want to keep in touch?
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Best wishes,
Marianne
Marianne Overton MBE
Working together for people and planet