New Chair for Lincolnshire LEP

Steve Fisher
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New Chair for Lincolnshire LEP

University of Lincoln Vice Chancellor Neal Juster has been named as the new Chair of the Board of Governors of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

He said: “I am honoured to have been asked to take on the role of Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP following from the two, very inspirational, previous Chairs. They, together with Ruth Carver as CEO and the wider team, have given the Board a clear strategy to help the county achieve economic growth. “I would like to thank Pat Doody for his last three years as chair and eight years as a member of the Board. It is an incredibly exciting time for Lincolnshire as we discuss devolution, attract and create new businesses, create jobs and develop critical infrastructure. This cannot be done by any one institution and I look forward to working with partners across the region to achieve collective success.” LEP Chief Executive Ruth Carver said: “Bringing in Neal Juster to lead our Board of capable Directors is a tremendous opportunity for the LEP. Following in the footsteps of Ursula Lidbetter and Pat Doody will be tough, but we know that Neal has a wealth of experience, knowledge and business acumen as well as the high profile and excellent far-reaching contacts that this role requires. “His deep knowledge of the engineering sector will be an advantage as we promote and strengthen the manufacturing and engineering heritage of Greater Lincolnshire. Never has the business voice been more important in driving forward the economy, and Neal and the Board will bring fresh ideas to help us navigate the period of change that we’re facing. “We’re looking forward to welcoming Neal and getting started on the task in hand, which is to represent the business voice for our area at a regional and national level, build on our four game-changing sector developments across energy, food, ports and defence, and lead projects and programmes which are all aimed at driving economic growth.” Joining Professor Juster on the LEP Board will be four new non-executive directors drawn from the private sector and third sectors:
  • Liam Scully, CEO of Lincoln City FC
  • Shaun Povey, Head of Strategic Planning & Projects at Siemens Energy
  • Nikki Cooke, CEO of LIVES
  • Mark Webb, CEO of Grimsby-based business support group E-Factor
Professor Juster took over as Vice Chancellor of the University of Lincoln from Professor Mary Stuart in October 2021. He holds a BSc degree in Mechanical Engineering and a PhD in Computer-Aided Design, both from the University of Leeds,and has extensive experience of management in higher education including Senior Vice-Principal and Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Glasgow, and Pro Vice-Principal and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Strathclyde.  His research interests were in the area of computer-aided design including rapid prototyping and the use of virtual reality in design and manufacturing processes.

Energy industry employer welcomes creation of sustainable energy engineering hub

Steve Fisher
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Energy industry employer welcomes creation of sustainable energy engineering hub

Grimsby Institute has launched its Elite Centre, a sustainable energy engineering hub developed in collaboration with the Greater Lincolnshire LEP and supported by the Midlands Engine.

The facility will bring a cutting-edge curriculum specialising in low-carbon learning to the region, including 12 brand new training courses, offering students the opportunity to train as engineers. The project benefited from £1.4m of funding from the LEP which has helped to transform the existing facility into a dedicated low-carbon, engineering, and ports and logistics space. The state-of-the-art, green-focused hub will offer training on automation, electric vehicle technology and carbon reduction. Pat Doody, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, said: “We supported the development of the Elite Centre with £1.4m of LEP funding, and it’s a great pleasure to see the centre finished and ready to grow the next generation of green engineers and professionals.” Former Grimsby Institute Engineering student Lee Sutton, now CEO of myenergi, cut the ribbon to open the centre. He said: “I was an engineering student at the Grimsby Institute, and coming back today to officially open the Elite Centre is fantastic. It is so important to train people with the skills we need for this electrical revolution. “We are going to see many more electric vehicles on the road in the future, and we are now seeing three more times solar-powered systems than we saw a year ago. There’s rapid growth in this sector and we need so many more trained people in this industry. “As a big employer in the region myenergi is proud to be able to offer quality jobs in the sector. It’s great to see facilities like this opening today and students training for a career in renewable energy.”

New state pension age increases to 67, with plans to increase it further

Steve Fisher
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New state pension age increases to 67, with plans to increase it further
The Government has confirmed the State Pension age will rise to 67 by the end of 2028 for anyone born after April 1960. The Pensions Act 2014 forces the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to regularly review State Pension age – and after this one there’s to be a further review within two years of the next Parliament to reconsider the rise to age 68. This gives the Government appropriate time to take into account evidence which is not yet available on the long-term impact of recent challenges, including the Covid pandemic and global inflationary pressures. These events bring a level of uncertainty in relation to the current data on life expectancy, labour markets and the public finances. This will ensure that the Government is able to consider the latest information to inform any future decision on the State Pension age. This will include life expectancy and population projections updated with 2021 Census data and the latest demographic trends, the economic position and the impact on the labour market of the recently announced package of measures to tackle inactivity. Given the wide-ranging impacts of changing the State Pension age, it is important to take the time to get any changes right. Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Mel Stride said: “It’s essential the State Pension remains sustainable and fair across the generations. Our balanced approach will help achieve this and ensure we continue to provide security and dignity in retirement for millions of people across the country. “The Government remains committed to the principle of providing 10 years notice of changes to State Pension age, enabling people to plan effectively for retirement. All options for the rise to the State Pension age from 67 to 68 that meet the 10 years’ notice period will be in scope at the next review.”

Furore continues over asylum plans for Scampton as £300 million investment put in jeopardy

Steve Fisher
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Furore continues over asylum plans for Scampton as £300 million investment put in jeopardy
West Lindsey District Council has put measures in place to take necessary legal action against the Home Office as it remains committed to protecting, preserving and enhancing RAF Scampton, for the long-term sustainable benefit of its communities. Following today’s announcement from the Home Office, Sally Grindrod-Smith, Director of Planning, Regeneration and Communities at West Lindsey District Council, said:“We are extremely disappointed with today’s announcement, but we have been preparing for all eventualities. We are in constant dialogue with the Home Office to seek to demonstrate to them that RAF Scampton would not be an appropriate site for asylum accommodation. Any move to use the site for asylum seekers would likely curtail the nationally significant plans, which the Council has been working on since 2018. Simultaneously we are considering all legal options, including urgent judicial review proceedings.” The move by the Council, comes after weeks of speculation and ‘not knowing’ which way the Home Office will go on this matter, putting its ground-breaking deal with Scampton Holdings Ltd for a £300 million investment, in jeopardy after years of planning. Sally added:“The Council is working with public service authorities across Lincolnshire and has highlighted in writing to the Home Office what it considers to be a significant number of barriers for mobilising the site for asylum use. The Home Office has committed to chairing a Lincolnshire multi-agency forum prior to any work starting on site. The Council has a responsibility to get the best deal for its residents and will continue to do everything to support the community and that also means working with the Home Office and partners in Lincolnshire to fully understand and support those who live and work in and around Scampton.”

Eviction and house closures aim to improve neighbourhood in Grantham

Steve Fisher
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Eviction and house closures aim to improve neighbourhood in Grantham
A series of anti-social incidents has resulted in a tenant facing eviction from one council property, a second having their tenancy impacted by a partial closure order and the third property having a full closure order. The court ruling was made following partnership work between South Kesteven District Council’s Housing Services and the police regarding tenancies at Eastwell Place, Grantham. A dossier of “significant issues”, video footage and police statements were presented to Lincoln magistrates recently. Evidence included records of antisocial behaviour, CCTV footage, street violence, neighbour complaints and witness statements from council staff. The eviction was secured at an earlier hearing when the Council was granted possession of the flat. A spokesperson for the Council said: “This robust and successful partnership action with the police means that our tenants and their neighbours are once again able to live their lives without the regular disruption caused by these tenants and their visitors. “We take instances of anti-social behaviour very seriously and as a responsible landlord have a duty to all our tenants to deal with that. “It is very important for the other residents of Eastwell Place to know they are supported by their landlord and that incidents of this nature are taken very seriously. “The situation there was unacceptable and with support from the courts, we will take action where necessary to allow people to feel safe at home and in their neighbourhood.” The Full Closure order means the tenant cannot live at the flat for six weeks ahead of potential eviction. The Partial Closure at the second flat prevents named visitors at the property, which if breached could ultimately result in the tenant’s eviction. A copy of the closure order is displayed outside each property and anyone breaching the order could be arrested and, if found guilty, face a punishment of up to 51 weeks in prison and/or an unlimited fine.

Foster carers to receive an extra 12.4%

Steve Fisher
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Foster carers to receive an extra 12.4%
Foster carers across the county are to receive an additional 12.4% fostering allowance from 1st April. On top of the increased weekly allowance paid to Lincolnshire’s foster carers, there will continue to be extra payments to help with additional expenses to support fostering households. This is in addition to the annual retention payment made to foster families. Cllr Mrs Patricia Bradwell OBE, executive member for children’s services, said: “Foster carers provide a vital role in looking after some of the county’s most vulnerable children. This allows them to grow up in a nurturing family home within their local community, keeping them connected with everything that’s important to them. So, we’re delighted to be able to provide our foster carers with some extra financial support at this time of rising living costs. “In Lincolnshire, there is a need for residents to come forward for all types of fostering, especially to look after teenagers, siblings, children with additional needs and children who need long-term homes. Being a foster carer can be a challenging role, but it’s also hugely rewarding. Foster carers often speak of a sense of pride in seeing the child develop and flourish. “We always look to our own in-house foster carers first and are careful to ensure carers have the right knowledge, skills, and experience to meet children’s needs, which means that our foster carers are more likely to get regular placements within their preferred age range and skill set. That makes Lincolnshire County Council the best option for fostering in the county.” Lincolnshire has a diverse fostering community. Each application to foster is considered on an individual basis and you can be a foster carer regardless of your marital status, sexuality, employment status, ethnicity, or religion. However, you do need to have a spare bedroom for a child or young person to use.

All go to improve flow, say Lincs County Council, as road turmoil begins on A16

Steve Fisher
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All go to improve flow, say Lincs County Council, as road turmoil begins on A16

All go to improve flow, say Lincs County Council, as road turmoil begins on the A16 thanks to a £20m ‘levelling up’ fund.

The council have earmarked the funding for five different road improvement projects to ease traffic flow on the A16 between Boston and Spalding and say works will begin imminently.

The first two schemes to get underway will see work start on Marsh Lane roundabout and the construction of better, safer routes for walking and cycling around Boston. Cllr Richard Davies, executive member for highways, said: “This work is funded by £20m in ‘levelling up’ funding awarded to us from the government in October 2021. We have developed five projects, all aiming to reduce congestion along the A16 corridor between Boston and Spalding. “These transport routes are key for our food and agricultural businesses, but also important for local people travelling between Boston and Spalding.” Work on Marsh Lane roundabout is expected to take five months to complete and includes the creation of an additional northbound lane to unlock space for a dedicated right-turn lane for people travelling north from the A16 into Marsh Lane. The project will also create a dedicated left-turn lane for those travelling south from Marsh Lane onto the A16. The Boston ‘Active Travel’ improvements, expected to take seven months to complete, comprise of creating a three-quarter mile route that will include:
  • Building a new shared footway/cycleway along London Road, A16 and Marsh Lane, including the introduction of new toucan crossings on the A16 and Marsh Lane which allow both pedestrians and cyclists to cross the road under lights
  • Updating the layout on Wyberton Low Road (north of the crossroads with Marsh Lane) to reduce conflicts between cycle users and HGVs on Marsh Lane
  • Building a new shared footway/cycleway on the eastern side of Marsh Lane
  • Adding a new shared footway/cycleway on the northern end of Wyberton Low Road to the primary school
Once these two sets of works are finished, efforts will then move on to improving Spalding’s A16/A151 Springfield Roundabout and A16/B1180 Greencell Roundabout, as well as active travel in Spalding. Cllr Davies continued: “When complete, these first two ‘levelling up’ projects will reduce congestion at the Marsh Lane roundabout, while also making it easier for people to walk and cycle in and around Boston by addressing the conflict between cycle users and HGVs on Marsh Lane through the Riverside Industrial Estate. “With improved walking and cycling facilities and reduced traffic congestion, our ‘levelling up’ projects complement other local transport and renewal projects that are either underway or planned. “These are long-term projects that will also help future-proof the A16 so it can be widened to incorporate a dual carriageway if suitable funding is available at a later date. “A large number of the county’s businesses rely on the A16 to support their operations, especially our food and horticultural sectors, so ongoing investment in improved transport infrastructure is a priority for Greater Lincolnshire.” The A16/A151 Springfield Roundabout improvements are expected to begin during this autumn, with construction of the A16/B1180 Greencell Roundabout improvements expected to start during the summer of 2024.

Air Ambulance video takes viewers to the heart of airborne emergency medicine

Stuart Pearcey
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Air Ambulance video takes viewers to the heart of airborne emergency medicine
A new video from the Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance features doctors, paramedics and pilots responding to missions across Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire together with patient eight-year-old Bradley. Last year, LNAA attended 1,620 incidents, over 130 more than in 2021. The charity receives no direct funding from the Government and yet delivers emergency service to increasingly more people each year. In 2022 it cost £8million to keep the helicopter flying and the critical care cars operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week and with increased costs and increased demand this figure will increase in 2023. CEO, Karen Jobling said: “We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without the support of people across the communities of Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. Everyone who donates to us owns a little part of us and without that help we would not be able to be by the side of patients like Bradley who was airlifted to hospital following a limb-threatening incident a year ago.” Watch the video here.

Canon supports Photo Specialists with Camera Store Week

Michael Fisher
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Canon supports Photo Specialists with Camera Store Week
Canon UK & Ireland is hosting a week-long event to support enthusiast photographers. From Monday 27th March to Sunday 2nd April, it will host activities including talks from professional photographers to tips from Canon technical experts both in store and online. The London Camera Exchange in Lincoln, on 6 Silver St Lincoln, will be taking part in the event, and is inviting those interested to come down and learn more. With over 20 events across major cities throughout the UK and Ireland, its dedicated team of specialists will introduce customers to its latest products across the EOS R System, professional print, and a selection of Cinema EOS cameras. Alan Harborne, Photo Specialist Channel Sales Manager of Canon UK said: “The Photo Specialists have a wealth of knowledge to help customers pursue their dreams and support them on their photographic journey. Our aim this year is to celebrate the work of those working in store, whose knowledge and passion is undeniable, and who’s advice and insight enable photographers to become the photographer they aspire to be.” Canon will have an inspirational line up of speakers supporting the week both online and in store. These include wildlife photographer Ben Hall; professional photographer and filmmaker David Newton; wedding photographer Tommy Reynolds; Canon Ambassador and Portrait Photographer Helen Bartlett. There will be exclusive cashback and instant save discounts on selected EOS R cameras and RF lenses. During Camera Store Week we’re delighted to be collaborating with a number of well-regarded accessory brands this year too, to offer even more value to the photography enthusiast.

Bransby Horses celebrates 10 years of opening to the public

Michael Fisher
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Bransby Horses celebrates 10 years of opening to the public
Bransby Horses are celebrating 10 years since they took the brave step to open a place for people to find out more about the work of the charity. Since the purpose-built Visitor’s Centre was opened at the heart of their 300 acre site just north of Lincoln, it has provided free entry and the chance to find out more about equine welfare for over 50,000 visitors a year from all over the UK. Executive Director of Engagement and Income Generation Sally Crawford said: “Our vision was to improve people’s understanding of the issues we tackle. To this day we continue to improve and raise awareness of our work and people’s general understanding of horses, ponies, mules and donkeys. “We’ve also become a popular tourist destination as we have a wonderful café, play area and miles of pushchair and wheelchair accessible walkways around our paddocks.” This year Bransby Horses was one of just 97 attractions out of potentially thousands across the UK, to gain a Gold Visitor Attraction award from VisitEngland. Mrs Crawford added: “Each year since the Visitor Centre opened we have received the Rose award (Recognition Of Service Excellence), but the Gold had always alluded us. “This award celebrates the hard work and high levels of attention to detail our team here have shown – it is the highest accolade that can be awarded to visitor attraction by VisitEngland Assessment Services so we are extremely honoured to be receiving it.” Individual Paralympic Gold Medallist Dressage Rider Sophie Wells OBE officially opened the centre over a decade ago. To find out more about visiting Bransby Horses go to BransbyHorses.co.uk
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