News from District Councillor Lucille Hagues
Councillor Lucille Hague’s
Newsletter August 2025
FREE FRUIT TREES FOR COMMUNITIES
Following its success last winter, NK are pleased to relaunch their community orchard scheme for planting late 2025 to early 2026.
NK are offering free fruit trees to establish community orchards in North Kesteven as part of the Coronation Living Heritage Fund. Sites should be assessable to the public to some extent (e.g. amenity land, parks, village greens) and there should be plans for community engagement (such as tree planting, fruit picking). Trees are offered alongside stakes, guards, and ties in packs of five, but if you have space, please do apply for more than one pack.
You can find more information of the scheme and a link to the application form on our Trees for Communities webpage. THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION IS 12PM ON MONDAY AUGUST 18TH. Please note that priority will be given to new orchards, as well as locations and groups that have not previously received fruit trees from NKDC.
COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS 2025 LAUNCHED
Do you know someone who is making a difference within the community of North Kesteven through their kind consideration and voluntary endeavour? And have you always thought ‘they deserve a medal’ for what they do?
The next best thing is an NK Community Champion Award, backed by community minded businesses within the district and co-ordinated by North Kesteven District Council.
Across 11 categories, this year NK are looking for a champion:
Community Spirit
Young Achievers
Community Businesses
Contribution to climate action, arts and culture, sport, a better environment and good health and wellbeing
Good neighbours
Longstanding contribution to a single group or organisation
There is a new category this year to compliment the Chairs charitable theme to celebrate Contribution to Animal Welfare.
There’s a category to capture all manner of expressions of voluntary action undertaken tirelessly, quietly, and selflessly for the benefit of people and communities within North Kesteven.
It could be supporting neighbours, befriending, contributing to a sport or art club, picking litter, maintaining paths, supporting those in need, contributing freely to a myriad of ways, changing lifestyles and business practice to reduce climate impacts or going over and above in any way that brings broad benefit of community enrichment.
Nominations can be made at www.NKawards.org where there is more detail. Deadline is 12pm on September 16th.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT REORGANISATION: HELP NKDC TO SHAPE A PROPOSAL THAT WORKS FOR YOU
This change in the way Councils are structured will affect the way local services are delivered and the number of Councillors to connect with communities. That’s why it’s essential that your views as residents and businesses are factored into what is put forward.
Government wants to see structures thar enable strong community engagement and deliver neighbourhood empowerment. That is why NKDC are proposing a middle ground between the size of the current district and the county councils, with three authorities keeping things as local as possible. It also wants new structures that prioritize quality, sustainable public services and proposals that meet local needs and are informed by evidence.
Please tell NKDC your thoughts and priorities for setting up the new council here: LGR survey on their website.
STREET IMPS YOUTH FOOTBALL COACHING
Free, fun football sessions for ages 11-18 (any gender) are on offer from NKDC and Lincoln City Foundation.
The sessions take place weekly at Better Gym, Sleaford on Thursdays from 5.30 – 6.30pm.
COSTA DEL SLEAFORD
Enjoy sand, sun and buckets of fun as the seaside is brought to Sleaford Market Place this summer! A pop-up beach is coming to SLEAFORD MARKET PLACE from AUGUST 20 UNTIL SEPTEMBER 4. Find out more on NKDC’s website.
APPEAL FOR YOUTH PANEL VOLUNTEERS
Fearless, part of Crimestoppers, has opened applications for their 2025/26 youth panel.
The Youth Panel is made up of young people aged between 13 and 17 from across the UK who volunteer their time to help shape the work done by Fearless.
The Panel meets every six weeks or so to talk about all things Fearless, including ideas for campaigns, opinions on local crime issues and emerging trends, and how to reach and engage with young people.
To apply to be on the panel, complete a short application form here by August 31st, 2025. For any queries regarding the application form please email
HERITAGE STRATEGY FOR NORTH KESTEVEN NEESD YOU TO HELP
North Kesteven District Council is hoping to implement the district’s first Heritage Strategy, as well as District-Wide Shopfront Design Guide.
NKDC are currently consulting on the draft strategy and design guide documents, which can be found in the Heritage Strategy and Shopfront Design Guide.
The consultation process will continue until August 31st 2025.
A DROP-IN SESSION WILL TAKE PLACE AT RIVERSIDE CHURCH, SOUTHGATE, SLRAFORD ON AUGUST 11TH 2025 FROM 10.00AM UNTIL 4.00PM.
Alternatively, response can be emailed to the Conservative and Heritage Teams at Planning@n-kesteven.gov.uk or by post to: Conservative Officer, Planning Department, NKDC, Kesteven Street, Sleaford NG34 7EF.
All comments will be considered at the North Kesteven Executive Board meeting in September 2025.
STREETSAFE – ONLINE REPORTING TOOL
Have you heard of StreetSafe? It’s an online reporting tool launched by the Home Office as part of the Government ‘s Strategy to tackle violence against women and girls, although it’s open to all of us.
It’s a means to report where and why you don’t feel safe and is quick to use and anonymous.
You can flag up locations and factors that make you feel unsafe or might help offenders either to commit or conceal a crime – such as lack of street lighting, abandoned buildings, poorly designed spaces or vandalism.
TEENAGE MARKETS ARE BACK
Sleaford’s Teenage Markets have returned in 2025, offering young people a platform to showcase their talent and test their entrepreneurial skills.
Young people wishing to take part in the Teenage Markets can create a profile as a trader or performer at www.theteenagemarket.co.uk
The next teenage market is alongside the Sleaford on Sea event on Saturday 23rd August, from 11.00am until 4.00pm in SLEAFORD MARKET PLACE – please do come along and show your support or share the date with any young and budding entrepreneurs.
Best Wishes
Lucille