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February News
from Marianne Overton MBE
Welcome to my monthly personal newsletter to let you know what I am doing on your behalf and to keep in touch with you. Let me know if I can help you.
Road Safety
Lincolnshire Council is “amber” - National Pothole map
The DfT published its map ratings all our councils. Lincolnshire for road condition, how much is spent on repairs and whether councils are following best practice.
Just 16 of the 154 local highway authorities have been given a green rating overall, while 13 have red ratings and the rest (125), including Lincolnshire have amber ratings. The state of Lincolnshire’s roads is described here.
Around a quarter of Lincolnshire’s unclassified roads are in the red category, though improved over the past five years, especially in my division, thank you, but more to go. ‘A' roads are better with 4/5th in Green. Around 70% of B and C roads are in good condition, with slow but steady improvement over the past five years.
An extended speed limit has been requested from Bassingham towards Thurlby as far as just after the sharp corner. Also increased safety in Witham St Hughs may be needed to make a clear passage from Hedge Lane and the roundabout. Restrictions can be annoying, but they are only allowed by the committee on safety grounds.
I had the Highways officer out last week on a site visit to see the problems we face at first hand. I raised the complaint to highways about our contractors signing well ahead of repairs and also more clearly stating where the road is blocked. Also speeding issues, blocked drains, further road resurfacing and parking at South Hykeham School.
I am pleased to see the road below Navenby now improved to complete the length of good road all the way to Norton Disney. The number of vehicles has been increasing steadily, five-fold in five years in some places. It is worth avoiding driving if you can and driving carefully.
Solar on Roofs, not farmland!
Public meeting 24th Feb 7pm in Welbourn Village Hall
Huge thanks to everyone for excellent contributions at the public Inquiry into 2,600 acres of farmland and 10km of cable up the Cliff edge. So many well-prepared and powerful speakers from our community got our points across - and in planning terms. Well done indeed and thank you - amazing! Thank you for wider support, including posters, petition and more than 1500 letters written to the Prime Minister.
Written submissions deadline on Fosse Green to the Inspectorate is 6th February, before midnight. Have your say on an application Send us a copy at Www.cvsag.org
We asked for a public hearing with the Inspector so you could add your voice, and it was agreed for the week starting 9th March, probably in Lincoln.
Want to help? Please get in touch. Www.cvsag.org
There are two changes that give us hope
1) National need for solar is already fulfilled to 2035 according to the Government body, NESO
2) UK Safety agency is raising concerns on battery safety and put out a moratorium, which may be effective for us.
Thanks to our County and District Councils for their support. Thanks to the Inspectors, Graham Gould and Mrs Wilkinson and their team who ensured all relevant evidence was meaningfully gathered, whether from experts or from the public. This is one of three applications nearby, each the size of a London Borough.
Supporting Local Business
AI Adoption Accelerator - overcome barriers and implement practical AI solutions.
Retail Accelerator - flexible, high-impact support for independent retailers.
Low Carbon Lincolnshire - cut energy costs and boost efficiency.
Lincolnshire Farm Support Programme - build resilience and explore future opportunities.
Your Business Boost - fresh ideas, practical tools, and a clear action plan.
Visit the Business Academy for access to valuable insights and resources tailored to business needs, under four themes: starting a business, running and growing a business, selling overseas and digital skills
Personal business advice is free.
Business Spotlight
Just outside the village of Leadenham and open for meals and teas, the Pheasantries is run by Henrietta Reeve, with daughter Caroline, son James, and some lovely staff.
Policing
Lincolnshire received one of the biggest settlements this year, but from a low base and the force is still planned to be cut. We are a relatively low crime area, but the thin blue line needs to be there when we need it.
There are plans to merge 43 into 12 regional forces, taking away powers from Lincolnshire. As with merging councils, there is no evidence that merging police forces would cut crime or improve performance.
The role of Police commissioners is planned to be handed to the Mayor, overseen by two people they appoint. Independents are arguing against the cuts and mergers, as it makes it much harder for Lincolnshire to get a fair share.
CORE20Plus5 Asthma Survey
Do you have Asthma and are a child or person under 25 or are you a parent or carer of a child or person under 25 living with Asthma in Lincolnshire?
As part of our CORE20Plus5 programme we are asking for your help in completing a survey to help NHS Lincolnshire to improve Asthma care and support that they provide to young people across the county.
You can access the form by clicking on this link.
If you would like to know more about the survey, go to our Children Living With Asthma Survey page on our website. Thank you for taking part.
Local Government Reorganisation
The Government says they are pressing ahead with dissolving ten councils and creating two or three new ones. From the section 24 notice, expected after the decision on structure in June, the current councils will no longer be able to make any new commitments, but will carry on normal business.
This week, the Government cancelled 29 elections, including Lincoln and North East Lincolnshire. Those councillors have served their four years and run out of mandate, but will be staying on nevertheless.
Local Government Reorganisation centralises local powers into fewer hands. I see it as a costly distraction when we are already facing a shortfall. The “hope savings” just do not appear and powers go to the big Mayoral authority, not to our councils. Worse, it creates very large organisations that make it very hard for local people to be heard. If you thought our District Council was hard to influence, try something 7-10 times bigger!
The Government will decide, ready for elections to the new councils in May 2027, they say. They plan a year overlap with District, County and Unitary councillors all in place at once.
Reorganisation into ever bigger areas was proposed by the Conservatives and continued by Labour.
Food Waste
Food waste is collected in North Kesteven from April 2026, as required by Government. You get two smaller plastic caddies with a weekly collection. The food goes to make green electricity in a biodigester north of Lincoln. More here. https://www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/bins-waste-recycling/information-about-waste-service/food-waste-recycling.
Want to keep in touch?
If you know anyone else who would find this newsletter useful, please suggest they drop me an email here. I write a weekly bulletin which you can find here. Please keep in touch with social media. facebook or @overtonmarianne Best wishes,
Marianne
Marianne Overton MBE