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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

Lincolnshire Police have issued a warning after widespread gatherings of youths in public spaces in local villages over the weekend.

Police received multiple reports of youths gathering in various locations, including one incident relating to a large group of people in the skate park in North Hykeham on Sunday, February 28. Officers attended and there was no breach in progress at the time.

On Saturday, February 27, police received a call that there were a group of 20 youths in Valerian Place in Lincoln.

The force also received a report that there were a group of teenagers in Glebe Park in Lincoln. The youths had left before officers arrived.

Police warned parents they can be fined £200 if their teenage children are found to be breaching COVID-19 regulations after recent incidents in North Hykeham, Branston and Washingborough.

Sharon McMaster claimed that a group were sat in Glebe Park at 4pm on Friday, February 26 messing about with kids play equipment and received verbal abuse when she asked them to stop.

Lisa Clifford alleged that a group sit on the play equipment in Rustons park most evenings, playing loud music and smoking weed.

Hykeham and Bracebridge Heath Police posted on Facebook on Monday, March 1, asking parents to account for the whereabouts of their teenage children.

They said: “This weekend has seen widespread gatherings of youths in many public spaces in our towns and villages, notably North Hykeham, Branston and Washingborough.

“These groups have not amounted to COVID-19 compliant incidents of exercise or gatherings in bubbles. There have been large gatherings of youths who are not socially distancing and are in some cases engaging in disorder.

“These incidents have extended late into the evenings. Parents can be fined a £200 Fixed Penalty Ticket (fine doubles on each occasion) if their teenagers are found to be breaching COVID-19 Regulations.

“This is not a line police readily wish to go down in the first instance, but we are beyond the first instance and warnings by some margin now.

“We would respectfully ask parents to account for the whereabouts of their teenage children and ensure that they are complying with COVID-19 regulations.”

Meanwhile, Lincolnshire Police’s Sergeant Mike Templeman attended an incident on Sunday, February 28 where coronavirus fines to two men, one of whom claimed not to be aware of COVID-19 or lockdown.