The Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority is now an official body, following final communication from the Government. The Leaders of Lincolnshire County Council and North and North East Lincolnshire unitary authorities have received an official letter from the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon OBE MP. This confirms he has signed the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority Regulations 2025, which created the GLCCA and devolves functions to it. In the correspondence, the Minister adds: “I would like to thank you and your officers for your hard work in enabling us to deliver this landmark agreement for the people of Greater Lincolnshire.” Following this, the first meeting of the new authority’s board will be in early March, with the election for a Mayor going ahead as planned on Thursday 1 May. Reacting to the news, the Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, Cllr Philip Jackson, said: “Having enjoyed a local political career here that has spanned more than three decades, this is a true highlight. “We now move forward with a combined county authority that can work to effect real and positive change for all our residents. We expect to see this new authority make a significant difference in key areas, such as business growth, skills and improving our housing, our infrastructure and public transport – and this is just the start. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in the creation of the GLCCA and bringing the very best deal here to benefit our communities,” he added. North Lincolnshire Council Leader Rob Waltham said: “The formal creation of the combined authority marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the residents of Lincolnshire. “With ministerial approval now secured, we can move forward with the real work of delivering better jobs, improved transport, and greater opportunities. “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to take control of our own future – ensuring that investment is directed where it will have the greatest impact and that every penny is spent delivering tangible benefits for local people. “As someone deeply rooted in Lincolnshire, I am committed to making sure this new authority drives real, positive change – protecting our communities, growing our economy, and securing a brighter future for all.” Cllr Martin Hill, the Leader of Lincolnshire County Council added: “There has been a lot of hard work to get to this point, and much more still to do. I firmly believe that decisions that affect local people should be taken locally, and the benefits of devolution mean that we will be in charge of our own future in Greater Lincolnshire. These issues are really important to residents’ everyday lives, when it comes to the housing available, how we all get about the county and the jobs and training that are available. “We’ll also be able to deal more directly with government in representing the needs of our area, and have a clearer voice to attract more investment.” The deal brings with it an investment package of £720 million over 30 years with a one-off capital investment of £28.4 million to invest in priority schemes across the Greater Lincolnshire footprint. With it also comes an elected Mayor to chair the new authority and give our region a greater voice in Westminster.

A service which offers patients, their families and carers 24-hour access to a rapid review if they have concerns about a person’s deteriorating condition is now available at Pilgrim Hospital, Boston. Call for Concern will give anyone worried about a loved one who is staying on a hospital ward direct contact to a dedicated team who will give urgent help and advice. The service has been developed as part of the implementation of ‘Martha’s Rule’. Martha Mills died in 2021 after developing sepsis in hospital in London, where she had been admitted with a pancreatic injury after falling off her bike. Martha’s family’s concerns about her deteriorating condition were not responded to, and in 2023 a coroner ruled that Martha would probably have survived had she been moved to intensive care earlier. In response to this and other cases related to the management of deterioration, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and NHS England committed to implement ‘Martha’s Rule’ in the NHS nationally; to ensure the vitally important concerns of the patient and those who know the patient best are listened to and acted upon. The Call for Concern service was originally launched at Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, and is now being adapted for other acute and specialist hospitals. Professor Ciro Rinaldi, Deputy Medical Director at United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “The Call for Concern service builds on the existing safeguards already in place in our hospitals to offer a clear and direct way for patients, families, carers and other advocates to further escalate their concerns and access a rapid review of their care.” Nerea Odongo, Group Chief Nurse for Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals NHS Group, said: “I’m very proud of what the teams have accomplished in setting up this service. In Lincolnshire, the Critical Care Outreach Team will be responsible for these reviews. They have extensive experience in caring for patients whose conditions may be worsening. “This team, made up of specialist doctors and nurses, collaborates closely with other healthcare professionals to ensure that appropriate care plans are in place. A special thank you to everyone involved for their dedication and hard work in making this possible.” The service can be accessed by using the dedicated Call for Concern telephone number for the relevant hospital site. Those with concerns should use Call for Concern when there is a significant change in a patient’s condition and, after discussion with the ward team, they feel their concerns have not been addressed or it is still not clear what the plan is for the patient. A member of the Critical Care Outreach Team may provide advice over the telephone in the first instance, or visit the ward to discuss and assess the situation.   Image credit: United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust

A new website called Story Tellers has been launched to bring the heritage of South and East Lincolnshire to life through a mix of interactive arts and culture. The online hub highlights past and ongoing cultural initiatives, featuring local artists, practitioners, and community members. From light nights and virtual reality museums to theatrical performances, vintage celebrations, and immersive soundscapes, Story Tellers invites everyone to explore and engage with the region’s cultural landscape.showcasing a diverse range of creative projects and events funded by Arts Council England and delivered through the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership’s NPO programme. In April 2023, the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership was awarded National Portfolio Organisation status by Arts Council England for the first time, securing almost £2m to invest in arts, culture, and creativity across the region from 2023 to 2026. This funding supports projects under five key themes; Re-imagine – exploring new ways to experience culture; Reconnect – strengthening community ties through shared stories; Uplift – empowering local artists and creatives; Activate – inspiring participation in arts and heritage and Leadership – driving cultural innovation across the region. With its own Cultural Framework, the Partnership spans Boston Borough, East Lindsey, and South Holland, working collaboratively to bring high-quality cultural experiences to local communities. Councillor Graham Marsh, East Lindsey District Council’s representative on the NPO culture board, Councillor Sarah Sharpe, Boston Borough Council’s representative on the NPO culture board, and Councillor Elizabeth Sneath, South Holland District Council’s representative on the NPO culture board, said: “The launch of the Story Tellers website marks a significant milestone in celebrating the rich arts, culture, and heritage of South and East Lincolnshire. We are thrilled to support this initiative, which not only showcases the incredible talent within our community but also fosters a deeper connection to our shared history and creativity. This platform will undoubtedly inspire and engage residents and visitors alike, highlighting the vibrant cultural landscape of our region.” Story Tellers marks a pioneering achievement as the first local authority-led NPO to trial cross-district cultural collaboration, bringing together three local authorities under a shared vision for creative engagement. Rob Pitman, from Paradigm Arts, said: “The launch of the Story Tellers website is an exciting ‘next step’ in our journey as an NPO. For the last year a lot of work has been going on and with this website we can now begin to share what we’ve done, what we plan to do and help more and more people across the region get involved with what’s yet to come.”

Challenging traditional thinking towards PE and sport was the theme of the day, as HE Sports Coaching, Education, and Development students engaged with a tailored CPD session at the Lincoln College University Centre (LCUC) last week. The event was delivered by Daniel Taylor of Discovery Sports Coaching, a Lincolnshire-based company that specialises in PE and sports coaching, and supported by growth partner Beyond the Physical, an organisation that works with educational institutions across the country to encourage PE as a driving factor for young people. In his keynote presentation entitled ‘Move, Solve, Connect’, Daniel challenged traditional sport-based PE curriculums being used within primary schools, which is said to contribute to children’s disaffection with PE and sport due to not being afforded the time to develop essential fundamental movement skills. Daniel then shared his core beliefs that a mastery approach to fundamental movement skills development should be at the heart of primary school PE, allowing young people to become physically literate and help to foster a lifelong love with PE, sport and physical activity. Programme Lead for the HE Sport Coaching, Education, and Development courses at the Lincoln College University Centre, Scott Bastow, said: “As one of our student alumni, it was a pleasure to welcome Daniel back to the LCUC to share his thoughts on the future of primary school PE. His views certainly align with our own and it was great for our students to hear from an industry expert about the direction in which PE and sport coaching is moving towards.” Learners from all levels of the HE Sport Coaching, Education, and Development degree then got to access Beyond the Physical resources and experience a physical workshop in the sports hall too, putting what they had learned earlier into practice. Scott added: “The practical element was a fantastic opportunity for our students to see the Discovery Sports Coaching approach to primary school PE delivery, and we thank Daniel for coming in to share his expertise and experience. The practical certainly brought the theory to life and I think it really resonated with our students, so I’m excited to see them try to apply what they have learnt into their own practice. We’re always trying to upskill learners and ensure that we’re building towards them being work ready with their experiences.” Daniel also spoke highly of his experiences in working with LCUC: “I’m really thankful to Scott and the college for allowing us to work with their students. Part of our mission is to drive change in how Primary PE is perceived and delivered for the benefit of the children we support. While we do a lot to assist schools and teachers, it’s just as important to engage with students before they enter our sector. The students today were a pleasure to work with, and we look forward to collaborating with the college again in the future to support their programmes and students.”

The Rasen Area Environment Group’s bid to establish a community orchard has been approved as part of Lincolnshire County Council’s Coronation Community Orchard Project, funded by Defra’s Coronation Living Heritage Fund. This development marks a significant step forward in creating a vibrant, multi-functional green space, that will benefit both the local environment and the community. The Market Rasen Community Orchard project aims to plant a diverse array of 84 fruit trees across two key locations in Market Rasen. Most trees will be planted at Mill Road Park, creating a substantial community orchard space, including apples, pears, plums, medlars, and mulberry, while a select number of mature specimen trees will be planted in the front area of De Aston field, enhancing the existing recreational space near the benches. With a focus on Lincolnshire varieties, the orchard will not only promote biodiversity and support wildlife but also provide a source of fresh, locally grown, produce for residents. Cllr Stephen Bunney, Chair of both the Environment and Sustainability Member Working Group at West Lindsey District Council and of the Rasen Area Environment Group, expressed his enthusiasm for the project. He said: “This community orchard represents a fantastic opportunity for Market Rasen. “It will enhance our local environment, provide educational opportunities, and create a beautiful space for residents to enjoy. We’re grateful for the support of the Coronation Community Orchard Grant in making this vision a reality.” Key features of the Market Rasen Community Orchard project include:

• Planting of 84 fruit trees, with a preference for Lincolnshire varieties
• Creation of habitats for pollinators and other wildlife
• Community involvement in planting, maintaining, and enjoying the orchard
• Educational opportunities for sustainable horticultural practices
• An ongoing maintenance commitment from dedicated volunteers

The project will come to life through a series of community planting days from February 6-8, 2025. Local schools and community groups, including Market Rasen Pre-school, Town & Country Pre-school, the Old Station Group, and Market Rasen Primary School, will be participating in the planting activities. The group welcomes community volunteers to join the planting effort on Saturday, February 8. Yvonne Horrocks of the Rasen Area Environment Group said: “We’re excited to bring this project to fruition. “The community orchard will not only provide environmental benefits but also serve as a gathering place that promotes social interaction, physical activity, and mental well-being.” To volunteer for the community planting day on February 8, please contact: Yvonne Horrocks, Secretary and Coordinator, Rasen Area Environment Group:  Rasenarea.eg@gmail.com   Image credit: West Lindsey District Council