Bryan Lynch has been an On Call firefighter in Corby Glen for 34 years, and the watch manager running the station since May 1997.
Under his leadership, the station has been able to provide cover for fire and rescue incidents but has also delivered the co-responding scheme – supporting East Midlands Ambulance Service at medical emergencies.
In 2012, he was commended for his actions at a road traffic collision he came across, while off duty. The driver was not breathing and he gave CPR until a doctor arrived.
In 2014 Bryan was again commended, following a house fire where three people were rescued. Three further occupants of the property had escaped after being woken by smoke alarms – fitted by Bryan at the property several months before.
Lincolnshire’s Chief Fire Officer, Mark Baxter, said: “Bryan has been the heartbeat of the fire station for more than 30 years, but also a pillar of the community. He has maintained the competence of the other firefighters at the station, using his tremendous operational experience, and is an active and enthusiastic volunteer in his community. This honour is well-deserved for a man who has given so much to help others.”
Bryan has served on Swinstead parish council for over 20 years, helping to save the village hall and raise funds for its refurbishment so it can now be used as a community hub. He has tended the clock in the village church for all of this time – maintaining and winding it, as well as ensuring the correct flag is always flying on top.
A blood donor for over 30 years, he has also raised money for various charities. As the voluntary groundskeeper at Swinstead Football Club, he mows the pitch, paints the lines and completes general up-keep tasks around the clubhouse. Without him the next generation would not have a football team or anywhere to play.
Cllr Lindsey Cawrey, executive councillor for Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, said: “My heartfelt congratulations go to Bryan for this award, and also my thanks for his service. His skills and knowledge as a firefighter will have saved many lives over the years.
“But more than that, he has given his time selflessly to benefit others. On top of all of his other responsibilities, he has organised charity car washes at the fire station, raising thousands of pounds for The Firefighters Charity.”
Honour for Corby Glen firefighter dedicated to his community
A Lincolnshire firefighter has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the New Year 2023 Honours list.
Ambulance striking: are more people at risk?
This month, trade unions announced that ambulance workers across nine trusts in England will be striking on the 11th and 23rd of January. They stated that on these dates, ambulances will only be responding to life-threatening emergencies. This is something which could cause a spike in medical negligence cases.
The recent challenges to the NHS
The NHS Confederation points out that the ambulance system has been under significant pressure over the past 18+ months. Demand hasn’t shown any signs of abating since the turbulent times of the pandemic.
Between February 2021 and August 2021, for example, the ambulance service responded to 60% more calls. Calls for more serious conditions, such as cardiac arrests, rose by 51% during this period.
This has impacted the wider NHS system, with hospitals often struggling to accommodate patients brought by ambulance to the hospital. In the same period, patient handover wait times lasting longer than an hour increased by 285%.
What is regarded as “life-threatening?”
When unions state that striking ambulance services will only attend “life-threatening” emergencies, they are referring to a category system used by the emergency services to determine the seriousness of a call. “Life-threatening” emergencies are placed in Category 1. These emergencies include cardiac or respiratory arrest, where the patient requires immediate medical intervention.
What repercussions can we expect?
With fewer ambulances responding on these days, certain repercussions are to be expected. There are likely to be more patients with issues of a higher severity turning up by car, potentially showing up at the wrong hospital. Dr. Adrian Boyle, president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine told The Telegraph that although patients are most likely to navigate themselves to the nearest hospital, they are unlikely to know whether that hospital offers the type of care they require.
A&E is also likely to be busier than normal, with many would-be ambulance patients instead filling the waiting areas.
Who is at the most risk?
Some attempts are being made to mitigate the risk to the general population. The Armed Forces are being trained to drive ambulances during strike days.
The strike days could have implications for people who are already vulnerable, such as the elderly or terminally ill. Sometimes people can feel tempted to downplay their medical emergency to 999, but it’s more important than ever on a strike day not to do this.
Some people rely on NHS ambulances to take them to hospital appointments, so these people should be aware that they will probably need to make alternative travel arrangements.
If you find yourself in need of medical help on a strike day, it’s important you seek it out if you need it. For those who don’t have a life-threatening emergency, the NHS 111 helpline will still be functioning as usual.
Approval recommended for new Skegness hotel
Plans for a new hotel in Skegness have been recommended for approval by East Lindsey District Council.
Burney Property Group are behind the proposals for the former Crazy Golf site on South Parade, which has been left vacant for the past four years.
The new scheme involves two units on the site; a six storey Travelodge hotel with 80 rooms, and a drive thru Starbucks restaurant.
A design statement indicates that the development would create a significant number of local job opportunities, and have knock on beneficial impacts associated with the wider regeneration and investment in the local area.
EV charging points would be included in the development, along with cycle parking spaces, 65 car parking spaces for the hotel and 17 spaces for the Starbucks unit.
A publicly accessible food and drink outlet is also proposed on the hotel’s fifth floor, with panoramic views across Skegness beach and coastline.
South Kesteven District Council set to move to new HQ
South Kesteven District Council will officially move to its new headquarters on Monday (January 9th).
The Council is relocating to a modern, open-plan office on the top floor of the town’s nearby cinema complex in a move that will “improve business efficiency and working conditions, and save taxpayers an estimated £300,000 a year in running costs.” The switch from St Peter’s Hill, Grantham, was approved in May.
The Council Leader, Cllr Kelham Cooke, said St Peter’s Hill was an ageing asset that would have needed significant investment if it was to provide a modern working environment.
“We are embracing new ways of working post-pandemic and the new office provides the flexibility we need to do so effectively and efficiently,” he said.
“This move is a unique opportunity to rationalise the Council’s operations against the backdrop of continued financial challenges and to reflect the significant change in working practices accelerated by the pandemic.”
Throughout the pandemic the Council showed that it could operate in a more agile way and no longer required such large premises, with a blended approach of home and office working seen as the most effective way forward.
Cllr Cooke said: “No matter how our services are delivered, the first consideration must be the needs of the business and ensuring that our residents and businesses receive high quality, value for money, services.
“We need to identify ways of reducing operating expenditure, maximising the use of assets and removing unnecessary costs.
“The move allows us to make best use of a vacant Council-owned asset, eliminate the significant annual costs being incurred at the present office location, and provide our staff with a modern working environment.
“The projected saving is around £300,000 a year, while the potential sale of St Peter’s Hill could generate a capital receipt. Crucially, there will also be a reduction in our carbon footprint – a key priority for us.”
Potential partnerships with other public sector organisations continue to be explored to develop a Customer Service hub in vacant ground floor units within the cinema complex.
The Council’s Customer Service Team is temporarily based within Grantham Guildhall Arts Centre. The entrance is on Edith Smith Way between the Arts Centre and Grantham Museum and the office is open Monday to Friday from 9am-1pm.
The new postal address is South Kesteven District Council, Council Offices, The Picture House, St Catherine’s Road, Grantham, NG31 6TT. The main switchboard number remains 01476 406080. Other phone numbers also remain the same.
Work on new football ‘hub’ on Clee fields to start this week
Plans for a football ‘hub’ on land in Grimsby have been finalised, thanks to an injection of money from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation.
A bid for £1.5m to the Football Foundation to support the new Clee Fields project has been approved, so along with the money from the Council’s capital projects budget, the work can start to create new facilities on the site.
Two new 3G pitches, both suitable for football and one suitable for rugby, will be laid to replace the old turf pitches that have been out of use for several years. The new pitches will be able to be used all year round.
Also, as part of the project, new changing facilities will be created alongside a larger car park and additional security fencing. Air source heat pumps, solar panels and LED lighting will be used in the scheme as part of the Council’s ongoing pledge to reduce carbon output in its projects.
The development of Clee Fields is part of the Council’s commitment under the Playing Pitch Strategy. This pledges to give all residents the opportunity to access sports pitches and facilities to support being active, whilst some urban land is made available for regeneration.
Cabinet member for leisure, Cllr Tom Furneaux, said: “These plans will create excellent facilities at Clee Fields to help make sure we provide places where our residents of all ages can enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits high quality sport, leisure and recreation services offer.”
Planning permission for the scheme was granted earlier this year, and since then, work has been ongoing to secure contractors to deliver the scheme.
Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “This grant award towards developing the new facility is great news for the local community.
“It will support people’s ability to play our national game locally and therefore help unlock football’s many benefits to physical and mental wellbeing. That’s why we’re committed to transforming the face of grassroots football facilities in this country.
“The Football Foundation is working closely with our partners – the Premier League, The FA and Government through Sport England – to support facility development projects like this across the country over the next decade to transform our grassroots game and unlock the power of pitches.”
Final phase of Louth housing scheme in the pipeline
The final phase of Charterpoint’s housing development in Louth, Lincolnshire, is poised to get under way after the developer sold the remaining 40 plots to Snape Properties.
Planning permission was granted for a total of 240 homes at Westfield Park on the edge of the town in 2018.
Snape has been building the homes in phases and this latest deal between Charterpoint and Snape paves the way for the final 40 homes to be built on the 35-acre site, which also includes a new care home, now operational.
Charterpoint CEO Adrian Goose said: “Westfield Park has become an extremely desirable place to live and as a result of its popularity, we are excited to be releasing the final phase of the original development to Snape Properties.
“This will pave the way for the completion of the original 240 homes planned for the site, which has become a thriving community close to Louth and all the amenities that the town offers.”
The housing development features a mix of three and four-bedroom semi-detached houses and four and five-bedroom detached houses.
How new homes incentivise first-time buyers in 2023
Buying a new home is an exciting experience, but it can also be daunting. Fortunately, there are many incentives that make it easier for first-time buyers to purchase a new house, from energy efficiency to government schemes and developer financial schemes. Let’s take a look at how new homes incentivise first-time buyers in 2023.
Energy Efficient
Fit for modern living purposes in 2023, New Builds tend to be more energy efficient than older houses due to their roof insulation and use of renewable heating technologies. This can save you money on your monthly bills as well as help the environment by reducing carbon emissions. Additionally, if you are looking for a home with lower running costs or one that will help reduce your carbon footprint, then buying a new home could be the best option for you.Developer Financial Schemes
Many developers offer financial schemes designed to make purchasing your dream home easier, such as ‘Deposit Paid’, where you don’t need to pay any deposit upfront, and ‘Builder assisted sale’, where the developer may help you sell your current home or ‘Part-exchange your house’ which allows you to exchange your existing home for one from the same developer without needing estate agent fees or worrying about selling before buying, so these are all great options if you are considering purchasing a brand new build property.Armed Forces & Keyworker Discounts
If you work in certain professions, such as the Armed forces or as a nurse, then some developers may also offer discounts on their properties, so this could be another great way of getting onto the property ladder and into your dream home sooner than expected. Purchasing a new build doesn’t have to be intimidating; there are plenty of incentives out there that will make it easier for first-time buyers in 2023. From energy efficiency thanks to improved roof insulation technology, to developer financial schemes like ‘Deposit Paid’ and ‘Part-exchange Your House’, there are many ways that potential homeowners can get onto the property ladder quicker than ever before. Armed forces and keyworker discounts may also apply, so do not forget to ask about them when viewing properties.GBM starts on demolition work to make way for new Gainsborough cinema
GBM Demolition has officially been appointed by West Lindsey District Council to lead the demolition of the former Lindsey Centre in Gainsborough.
Work has begun and will enable the build of a new four-screen cinema, restaurant and commercial units as part of the ‘Thriving Gainsborough’ programme of work.
The project is part of a number of ongoing Council investment programmes, which aim to develop the district’s towns and rural communities.
West Lindsey Council leader Owen Bierley said: “The demolition of the former Lindsey Centre is a focal point of our plans to create a ‘Thriving Gainsborough’. The redevelopment of this key town centre site will not only enable the delivery of the cinema, but also connect Marshall’s Yard with the historic Market Place via a new walkway.
“It is a very exciting time for the town as there is a hub of regeneration activity taking place. Therefore, we really look forward to working with GBM Demolition as they join us in our ambitious plans to bring a real, sustainable change to the town.”
This project forms part of the Council’s ambitious plans to regenerate the wider town centre area, which is undergoing a significant investment thanks to Council’s £18 million Levelling up Programme.
Adrian Corrigan, divisional director for GBM Demolition, said: “We’re very pleased to be involved with this demolition project, which is local to us and enables employees and supply chain partners from the locality to carry out and benefit from the works. We think the development of the cinema will be of great benefit to the area, and it’s exciting to be able to play a key role in the improvement of lovely Lincolnshire towns such as Gainsborough.”
The building, previously Oldrids Department Store, is expected to be finished at Easter.
West Lindsey District Council’s Director of Planning and Regeneration, Sally Grindrod Smith, said: “As we end 2022 and move into 2023, there are huge and positive changes ahead for Gainsborough Town Centre. We are working hard to deliver a market place that is at the heart of our town, with spaces and activities for people to spend their leisure time, meet family and friends and enjoy our traditional street market in a special historic environment.”
New exercise will realign skills supply and demand throughout Greater Lincolnshire
A Local Skills Improvement Plan has been launched by the Federation of Small Businesses to review and realign skills supply and demand across Greater Lincolnshire & Rutland.
This Department for Education initiative will lead to shifts in the type and level of skills available to local employers. It will also affect change in how some post-16 technical skills and training are delivered.
West Lindsey District Councillor Lesley Rollings said: “This piece of work will help to shift our understanding of the skills we need for the future. It’s a great opportunity for local employers to really engage with the LSIP and to ensure that the skills they need can be met.”
Over the coming months, the project aims to generate thousands of responses to the research calls from employers of every size, sector, and location.
Amanda Bouttell, West Lindsey District Council’s Senior Project & Growth Officer – Employment & Skills, said: “The scope, availability and level of key workforce skills, including work readiness has been a great challenge and frustration for local employers for many years.
“This is a chance to collectively make the right changes, and by participating in these focus groups, employers can help to shape the LSIP for the future.”
Employers in the West Lindsey area can participate in three different ways. Book a place on one of the free employer focus groups at the venues below:
11th January – Gainsborough: Thonock Park 8am to 10.30am. Book at https://www.fsb.org.uk/event-calendar/lsip-employer-focus-group-gainsborough-11jan2023.html
20th January – Grimsby: Catch UK 10am to 12.30. Book at https://www.fsb.org.uk/event-calendar/lsip-employer-focus-group-grimsby-20jan2023.html
Attend an on-line focus group on 15th February 2023. Book at https://www.fsb.org.uk/event-calendar/lsip-employer-virtual-focus-group-for-greater-lincolnshire-rutland-15feb2023.html
Images shows: West Lindsey District Councillor Lesley Rollings
Immingham firm gets grant to make jet fuel from black bin bag waste
Immingham company Velocys is one of five companies given a share in £165m from the Government to help it convert black bin bag waste into sustainable aviation fuel.
The company is currently working on a commercial scale factory to make the fuel, and is expected to have it operational in 2028, capable of producing 37.4kt/y of fuel when at full operational capacity.
Velocys CEO Henrik Wareborn said: “Velocys is delighted to receive two grant awards from the Advanced Fuels Fund, which will help to accelerate the production of SAF at commercial scale in the UK using our technology. The Altalto grant will allow us to begin FEED for our waste-to-SAF plant in Immingham, which already has planning permission. The e-fuels grant allows us to work with our partners to explore the UK based production of power-to-liquid SAF.”
Building on the success of the green fuels, green skies programme, the five projects alone will produce over 300,000 tonnes of SAF a year – enough to fly to the moon and back an estimated 60 times.
The successful projects will also slash CO2 emissions by an average of 200,000 tonnes each year once fully up and running – the equivalent of taking 100,000 cars off the road.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “Using waste or by-products to refuel airliners sounds like a flight of fancy, but thanks to £165 million of government funding it’s going to help us make guilt-free flying a reality.
“It’s exactly this kind of innovation that will help us create thousands of green jobs across the country and slash our carbon emissions.”
Image shows: Velocys CEO Henrik Wareborn