City Council starts benefits service review

A 45-year-old woman from Gainsborough has been jailed for fraud after stealing over £1.7 million from the company she worked for in North Lincolnshire.

Lisa Crawshaw appeared at Grimsby Crown Court on Friday, February 26 and admitted to stealing the money in order to fund her luxurious lifestyle, numerous expensive horses and equestrian equipment.

The theft had been going on for around five years. The owners of the North Lincolnshire company discovered the theft when they started to receive debt collecting letters following the sale of the firm.

DS Ben Robinson from Humberside Police’s Economic Crime Unit said: “Fraud can be an extremely distressing offence to become a victim of, especially when the level of offending is of the magnitude in this case.

“It is clear that Lisa Crawshaw had no regard for her employers and instead defrauded them to fund her own luxuries.

“With a habit of buying horses ‘more addictive than drugs’, as said in her own words, Miss Crawshaw not only destroyed a successful North Lincolnshire business, she also destroyed the owners’ years of dedication and future financial security.

“Investigators from our asset recovery team continue to make enquiries into any assets that have been gained as a result of Lisa Crawshaw’s criminality.

“She will now have the next few years in prison to reflect on her actions, and I do hope this goes some way to bringing the victims a sense of closure.”

South Kesteven District Council has approved a £5 council tax increase for 2021/22.

This will take the authority’s Band D share of the tax to £168.62 — a 3.06% increase.

Approval was given in the authority’s Full Council meeting on Monday afternoon, following scrutiny in its cabinet and joint overview and scrutiny committee early this year.

Kelham Cooke, Leader of South Kesteven District Council said in the meeting: “The budget setting process this year has been immensely difficult as we continue to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, and the pressure that it has put on our communities and businesses, and on the services we deliver as a council.”

A report before councillors said: “The scale of the financial challenges ahead are significant and largely as a result of the external environment namely a further delay in the national review of the local government funding formula and the detrimental impact the pandemic has had on the council’s resources.”

The report said the financial outlook for the district “remains uncertain”, however, notes a number of settlements and financial measures announced by government including the income losses compensation scheme.

A number of national reductions in funding means SKDC predicts its income will reduce from £18.5 million to £13.4 million by 2024-25 and, so money will have to come from elsewhere.

Last week, North Lincolnshire Council approved a 3.48% council tax increase for 2021/22, which works out as a 45p weekly increase for a Band D property in the authority.

It’s neighbour, North East Lincolnshire Council has approved a 4.98% council tax increase for 2021/22 – with 3% going towards adult social care. This will see a £1.52 per week increase for a Band D property – £79.04 annually.

By Wednesday evening, all Lincolnshire councils will have agreed on their budgets and council tax increases for 2021/22.

Nationally, Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, will announce details of his spring budget on Wednesday, where he is predicted to extend the furlough scheme until at least May.

Natureland Seal Sanctuary in Skegness has been rescuing, rehabilitating, and re-releasing orphaned and injured seals since it was founded by John Yeadon in 1965.

Today Daisy Yeadon, John’s granddaughter, is co-director of Natureland with her cousin Matt. Along with a small team, they rescue between 60 to 70 seal pups each year.

However, Daisy estimates that COVID-19 and associated restrictions have cost Natureland upwards of £300,000 and, without visitors, the sanctuary itself stands little chance of survival.

With the third lockdown in place, Natureland is completely closed and has no regular income. If funds run out, so too does the luck of vulnerable seal pups.

However, the team at Natureland is determined to continue the important conservation work. Daisy said: “The welfare of our animals is top of our list and we have to keep things running as normal.”

Rescued pups begin their rehabilitation at Natureland in the seal hospital.

On average, the rehabilitation of one seal pup costs Natureland £2,000. More than £300 is spent weekly on frozen fish for the rescued seals.

The care of full-time residents (penguins, meerkats, sheep, and an unruly goat called Henry to name just a few) brings the bill up to over £6,000 per month.

For Daisy, this financial strain is a constant concern and she said: “With no one coming through the door we have no money coming in and it’s really worrying.”

Natureland has outdoor enclosures and thus had the option to open to the public before the third lockdown took hold.

However, the precautions necessary due to COVID-19 were a further drain on funds, especially at the quietest time of year.

Daisy added: “There are so many extra costs. You’ve got to provide hand-sanitiser and paint the floor with signs saying ‘this way’ for the protection of visitors.

“It’s easier to not have to think about that and focus on the animals’ welfare.”

Natureland rescues between 60 to 70 seal pups per year.

Faced with these vast outgoings, Natureland has set up a Justgiving page with a goal of £100,000.

They still have a long way to go, but Daisy is grateful for everything Natureland has received so far.

She said: “Our supporters have been the best thing to come out of all of this. They just donate, they don’t want anything in return.

“These people have been affected by COVID as well, they have lost their jobs, they’re making less money, but they are helping us with anything they can.’

Once pups reach a desired weight they are moved to the rearing pool with the other rescued seals.

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on February 24, Daisy expects to reopen Natureland’s outdoor enclosures on April 12.

Although this does provide a glimmer of hope, the sanctuary faces a further month without income, and there are more orphaned seal pups in the North Sea in need of Natureland’s help.

Donate to Natureland on JustGiving