Greater Lincolnshire Devolution- have your say
People in Greater Lincolnshire are being asked for their views on the creation of a Mayoral Combined Authority with Directly Elected Mayor for the area. The six week consultation closes on 8 August at 5pm.
Ten local authorities, from the Humber to the Wash, have joined together to ask for some powers, responsibilities and funding from Government to be devolved to Greater Lincolnshire.
If all ten councils sign up to this a ‘Mayoral Combined Authority’ would be established made up of elected councillors from the ten councils and a representative from the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership. The Authority would be chaired by the Directly Elected Mayor, chosen by Greater Lincolnshire residents.
Under the deal an additional £450 million over the next 30 years (£15 million per year) would be provided for investment in housing and infrastructure. It could also help to develop a better approach to skills training provision and criminal justice services in the area.
Visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/greaterlincs to have your say or pick up a consultation form and read the supporting information at your local Council Access Point or library. Frequently Asked Questions, along with other useful information, are available online.
Responses will be reviewed and each council will then have to formally agree the deal later this year.
Commemorating the Somme centenary
Lincolnshire will commemorate 100 years since the Battle of the Somme at Lincoln Castle and the Museum of Lincolnshire Life with a series of special events from 1-7 July.
Beginning at 7am on Friday 1 July, a half hour event will mark the exact moment the battle began 100 years ago.
At 5pm, every evening from 1- 6 July, a bugler will play the Last Post over Castle Hill from the battlements of Lincoln Castle’s West Gate. This will be followed by a student from a local school reading out 26 names of the fallen from Lincolnshire in the Battle of the Somme.
The commemorations continue across the weekend at the Museum of Lincolnshire Life, concluding on Thursday 7 July at 5pm on the South Lawn at Lincoln Castle.
The flag will be lowered at Lincolnshire County Council offices to mark the special anniversary.
Proposed new approach to roadworks aims to cut disruption
A new way of managing all works on the county’s roads could help keep traffic flowing more smoothly.
A new roadworks permit scheme is being proposed which would mean utility companies, Lincolnshire highways and anyone wanting to dig up the road has to apply for a permit to ensure roadworks are managed effectively in the county.
This permit scheme would allow the authority to impose conditions around the types of traffic management systems used and the timing and duration of the works.
Companies would also need to provide clearer and more detailed roadside signage, giving people more information about what’s happening.
The council has been trialling the scheme since March with some of its own works, as well as consulting local companies, neighbouring local authorities, district and parish councils and national businesses affected by utilities works. Special interest groups were also consulted.
The proposals are due to be discussed by the Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee on Monday 11 July, with a final decision taken by the authority’s Executive in September 2016. If approved, the scheme is due to start in early October.
New rules for street parking on Skegness seafront
Following a successful trial last summer on Skegness seafront new restrictions will come into force permanently on July 4 to further regulate parking, ease congestion and make it safer for pedestrians.
The restrictions, which have been approved by Lincolnshire County Council between South Parade and North Parade, include areas for buses and coaches, dedicated disabled parking bays and loading bays as well as more stringent parking restrictions on some sections.
Coaches will be able to drop off and pick up passengers on the seafront and long term coach parking is provided at the Richmond Drive Coach Park.
Council shortlisted for exporting support award
The county council has been shortlisted in the Support for Exporting category in this year’s Enterprising Britain Awards.
The awards are part of the Government’s drive to increase entrepreneurial activity in the UK, and managed by Investment in Young People on behalf of the Department for Business Innovation and Skills.
The council’s nomination was in recognition of its work with UKTI to establish a major export support programme for the county.
More information about the support available to local businesses interested in exporting is on the Business Lincolnshire Growth Hub at www.businesslincolnshire.com.
Calls for major change for health and care in Lincolnshire
A report by Lincolnshire Health and Care (LHAC) says a radically different model of care is needed to provide a high quality and safe service whilst tackling a £300m overspend predicted by 2021.
Lincolnshire, in common with the rest of the country, is required to submit a Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) to government, setting out how it will address the financial challenges and improve the quality of care for patients.
Lincolnshire Health and Care is a partnership of 13 health and care organisations across the county working together to find ways of transforming services.
Proposals highlighted in the report include providing more care out of hospital with teams of health and care professionals that work together with the patient to deliver better care.
A full public consultation on the report’s proposals is expected to take place later this year.
Free central heating scheme
Eligible tenants and home-owners are being encouraged to apply for a scheme to have central heating installed for free if their property has never had it fitted, including those with solid fuel open fires or portable room heaters
Government funding could be available for home owners or tenants who receive certain income related benefits, subject to availability, entitlement checks and a technical home survey.
More details are available from the Lincolnshire Home Independence Agency on 01522 516300 or by emailing info@lincshia.org .
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