News from District Councillor Lucille Hagues
NKDC OWNERSHIP OF CARRE ARMS HOTEL IN SLEAFORD
As you will already know, following the unanimous decision taken by Full Council on February 29th 2024, NKDC has taken ownership of the Carre Arms Hotel in Sleaford. The news has been released this week following the purchase of both the hotel and its operating company having been finalised.
In a move which will procure a prestigious hotel business, protect jobs, and broaden it’s economic and social benefits. Members agreed there was significant advantages to the community in protecting this key local infrastructure asset, which could otherwise be lost as a viable business.
Acquisition of the Carre Arms also assists the Council significantly in advancing its ambitions around expanding the visitor economy – being one of the only two hotels in the immediate area with more than ten rooms – and the regeneration of Sleaford Town Centre. The move also protects a historic , landmark building and introduces opportunity to enhance its viability as an accommodation, conference and functions provider.
A couple of years ago the Council engaged in a pilot to looking into options for changing the way business rate receipts are allocated. During this time, NKDC were able to retain a greater share of what would ordinarily be sent off to government. It is from that resource that NKDC have been able to finance this acquisition.
NORTH KESTEVEN DISTRICT COUNCIL AT 50
Fifty years ago on April 1st, 1974, North Kesteven Council opened for business.
Born out of three smaller district councils and taking on aspects of work from the former Kesteven Council – all of which had duly served the area of the previous 40 years – the new council set out with new roles, responsibilities, and relationships.
Fifty years on, NKDC continues to serve its residents, businesses and visitors with clear purpose and a far-sighted view of making things better for its flourishing communities. This is the most clearly exemplified in its immediate 10-year plan to invest a record £270m in more and better housing, enhanced business opportunities, functions, and facilities; to work in partnership with all other councils, health agencies and public services locally; and to promote and progress climate action for a carbon net-zero future.
Looking forward into the next 50 years it is impossible to say what the shape of local government will be in 2074 – whether the units will be larger or smaller, what might be devolved from central government or passed up for regional determination etc – but what is certain is that NKDC, through its Members, its colleagues and its positive relationship with partners, will always seek to be a high-performing, value for money Council that is responsive, responsible and reflective to the needs of its communities and delivers (day-in, day-out, year by year) services which are excellent, effective, efficient and exemplary.
DO YOU HAVE ANY IMAGES, VIDEOS, FILM, WRITING OR REMINISCENCES FROM THE LAST 50 YEARS OF ACTIVITIES AND LIFE AT THE COUNCIL? PLEASE SEND THEM TO COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA MANAGER JASON HIPPERSLEY AT Jason hippersley@n-kesteven.gov.uk
WATER COURSES – RIGHTS AND RESONSIBILITIES
If you own land with a watercourse running through it, along its boundaries, under it, you have certain rights and responsibilities that in legal terms make you a “riparian owner”.
Being a riparian owner helps to protect your own home, your neighbours’ home and those that are situated upstream from flooding, whilst also supporting the natural environment of the rivers and streams.
If a water course forms the boundary between your home and a neighbour’, the law automatically presumes that you are responsible for the maintaining up to the centreline of the watercourse. However, this information can vary based on any formal information that indicates a separate contract, such as title deeds.
Below is some more information on rules and regulations for those living close to a watercourse:
If there is a fence between your land and a watercourse, the presumption remains that the watercourse marks the land boundary, rather than the fence.
If there is a hedge, the landowner on the hedge side of the bank is presumed to have riparian responsibilities for the whole watercourse, rather than just up to the centreline.
If a watercourse runs alongside an adopted highway the responsibility for maintenance is presumed to lie with the landowner on the non-highway side of the bank. However, in certain circumstances, maintenance of these watercourses may be the responsibility of Lincolnshire County Council.
If you have any further queries in relation to riparian ownership, please contact Lincolnshire County Council: Riparian ownership- Lincolnshire County Council
POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER ELECTION – 2ND MAY 2024
The election for a Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner takes place across the county on Thursday 2nd May 2024. Voting for this election has changed to a first passed the post system. To be able to vote at this election, the deadline to apply (for those that are not already registered to vote) is Tuesday 16th April 2024. The quickest way to do this is online at www.gov.ul/register-to-vote . Paper forms are also available by contacting NKDC.
Electors are encouraged to act sooner to avoid any potential delays with any applications they may need to make:
For anyone that has moved house, they need to register to vote again.
For someone who has changed their name for any reason, they can either:
Contact the Council and request a change of name form or simply register to vote again.
Here at NKDC, poll cards for the PCC will start to be delivered to those who are currently registered to vote from around March 22nd onwards.
To vote at the forthcoming Police and Crime Commissioner Elections anyone who is not currently registered to vote must have applied by 16th April 2024. The quickest way to do this is online. Paper forms are also available from NKDC. Either method requires certain information to be provided by an elector.
https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
VOTER ID
Voter photo identification when voting at a polling station continues and there has not been any change to the types of identification that are accepted.
For anyone without an accepted type of Photo ID or if their photo on their identification no longer looks like them or their name on the photo ID is different to the name on their electoral register then they can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate. An approved Voter Certificate should last up to ten years.
Again, the quickest way is to apply online but if someone needs assistance they can also contact NKDC.
https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate
SPRING SPOTLIGHT: HECKINGTO DIGITAL HUB
Spring is here and so is the opportunity to boost your digital confidence!
The Heckington digital Hub offers support for anyone who could do with help in navigating the digital world. Sessions are held every Wednesday during term time from 1pm to 2.30pm at the Heckington Methodist Church Hall, Church Street, Heckington NG34 9RF.
One of six hubs held across North Kesteven, this inclusive space is run by the Council in collaboration with a range of dedicated volunteers, with sessions covering a range of topics including:, this could be a laptop, tablet, or smart phone. There is a tablet available to use, but you make the session more beneficial.
Setting up and sending Emails
Video calling
Accessing services online, such as NHS and council services
Online shopping
Safety and security online
Using apps effectively
And much more
If attending the Heckington sessions, if possible, please bring along your own device, this could be a laptop, tablet or smart phone. There is a tablet available to use, but you make the session more beneficial by being supported on a device which is familiar to you.
For more information on the Heckington Digital Hub and further Digital Hub session locations, visit: https://www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/your-community//digital-hubs or phone 01529 414155.
CALLING ALL COUNCIL TENANTS
Do you want to stay in informed, share your thought, make your voice heard and become a bigger part of our vibrant NKDC Housing Family? Join NKDC’s Facebook page dedicated to you, in the heart of your community. Simply search NKDC Housing on Facebook to find it, answer the questions and agree to group rules.
For more information visit: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NorthKestevenHousing
MORE EMPTY HOMES ATTRACT ADDITTIONAL COUNCIL TAX CHARGE becoming subject
Changes to the legislation affecting long-term empty homes means that from April any house that has been unfurnished and unoccupied for 12 months or more becomes subject to an additional liability for council tax; requiring the owner to pay double the standard charge. Up to now, that has applied after two years of being empty.
This change potentially brings an additional 193 properties under the premium charge within North Kesteven.
While there are circumstances in which discounts and exemptions can be applied, such as structural alterations or initial two months of vacancy, if a house remains empty for more than a year it is now charged at double the full charge of an occupied one. Homes that remain empty after a year will also be included.
Charge increases to three times the rate after five years and four times after ten years.
From April 1st 2025, an additional premium on furnished, unoccupied properties will see double council tax apply to second or holiday homes, and from this April an established 10% discount for second homes no longer applies. This affects around 150 properties within North Kesteven.
These circumstances may provide an additional incentive to owners of empty properties within North Kesteven.
For more information visit the Empty Homes pages on the website at www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/emptyhomes
Best Wishes
Lucille