Council cracks down on street drinking in Spalding

Each month in 2021, The Lincolnite and publishers Stonebow Media will offer our support to a local charity, with free advertising and promotion across our website and social media channels, to help them raise funds and awareness.

During the pandemic lockdown countywide charities have suffered with fewer donations and not being able to host valuable events that help them raise more money throughout the year.

We’re asking our readers to submit nominations for their favourite charities over the next few months.

Our first charity is StreetVet, a charity set-up to treat dogs belonging those who are street homeless, in emergency accommodation, or sofa surfing with no permanent address. Their clients are often vulnerable and anxious, having been let down by others in the past.

The Lincoln team has helped 17 canines since launching in 2019 and treated a variety of cases ranging from ear infections to the surgical removal of a mammary tumour. Most of their registered patients are older pets, so they often see cases of arthritis and dental disease too.

Miri Prior, who works at The Veterinary Hospital in Lincoln, first launched Lincoln StreetVet in 2019, having volunteered at the old Nomad emergency shelter and at HOME meal previously run by St Swithin’s church.

How to support Lincoln StreetVet

Buy essentials for the Lincoln branch from their Amazon wishlist here.

Make a donation to the StreetVet charity here.

She wanted to provide vet care for those in need and, after spotting a StreetVet stall at a veterinary conference, she contacted the charity about setting up in Lincoln.

StreetVet is a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons registered practice delivering free care to the homeless and their pets on the streets of Lincoln, London, and many major cities across the UK.

StreetVet Lincoln go on outreach sessions alongside ECHO (East Coast Homeless Outreach) once a month, providing health checks, preventative treatments, food, toys and accessories for warmth and visibility, whilst their owners receive hot meals. It is hoped that this will become more regular once coronavirus restrictions are lifted.

They’re going out once a month around the city to see if there is anyone who would be in need of the charity’s help. Many cases are organised with the owners directly.

One of their most challenging visits was to a dog whose owners did not feel comfortable to be away from their pet or the tent where they were living.

The Lincoln team managed to take blood from the dog in the middle of a field and rush it back to a practice in time to go in the centrifuge within the 15 minute window required for the test needed.

To access the service please email [email protected].

The Lincoln team currently has 12 volunteers, including Laura Stone, who told The Lincolnite: “I feel so lucky to be part of the StreetVet community. I knew ever since I qualified as a Veterinary Nurse I wanted to be a part of this wonderful charity.

“For many of our service users their companions are their only family, and support, many of whom have passed up housing opportunities so not to be separated from their pets.

“Being able to provide care for, and ensure the health of these animals is the best gift we could give. StreetVet is such a unique and needed provider out in the community, and I feel really excited to be part of its growth and development, and being able to support the growing number of users and their pets.

“We would also like to thank our supporters Webbox, Lintbells and Ceva, and 4Paws feeding Lincoln.”

StreetVet Lincoln has the support of several local practices, most notably The Veterinary Hospital on Newport in Lincoln, where the charity stores some of its kit. It is also where several animal patients are booked in for urgent treatment.

It costs approximately £5,000 per location. However, day-to-day running costs can vary hugely depending on the number of patients and their requirements.

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How to support Lincoln StreetVet

Buy essentials for the Lincoln branch from their Amazon wishlist here.

Make a donation to the StreetVet charity here.

StreetVet Lincoln are also recruiting for a fundraising coordinator, with anyone interested urged to email [email protected].

StreetVet is also launching a country-wide “accredited hostel scheme” which it hopes will prevent anyone from having to choose between their canine best friend and a roof for the night.

Lincolnshire County Council’s Business Recovery Fund has received applications for more than £3 million in just two days as the second round of funding prepares to open.

It is one of four grant funds that were made available for small businesses in Lincolnshire earlier this year to help the recovery from the impact of coronavirus. They’re coming from a £12 million support package from Lincolnshire County Council.

The Business Recovery Fund has now had over 400 applications, which are being processed before funding can be allocated.

Applications for the second round of funding will open at 9am on Thursday, March 4 to offer help to more businesses — those that have made a loss in the 2020 calendar year.

The application window will run until 12pm on Saturday, March 6 — see more information and the eligibility criteria here.

New businesses registered less than 12 months ago can select a fund of £2,500 or £5,000.

Established businesses registered for over a year can select a fund of £2,500, £5,000, £7,500 or £10,000.

Although the scheme is open to businesses with less than 50 employees, the council is particularly keen to receive applications from those with less than 10 employees. One application per business is allowed.

Councillor Colin Davie, executive councillor for economy and place, said: “We’re delighted that we have had so many applications already and it’s important that we are looking to help those businesses that have suffered with the largest losses first.

“We’re now able to extend the eligibility to small businesses that have made any loss, provided they meet the other criteria.

“And in the next few weeks we are also launching three further funding schemes to provide grants to help businesses improve their digital offer, expand and grow, and a specific grant for businesses and organisations in rural areas.

“These aim to give our local economy a much-needed boost, supporting businesses into the future.”

Find all the LCC grant options here

Council leaders at West Lindsey District Council have been accused of playing musical chairs, as they voted in a new deputy leader — the third since November last year.

Conservative Councillor Anne Welburn was elected to the role on Monday following the resignation of former party member Paul Howitt-Cowan.

Councillor Howitt-Cowan himself only took over the position from now leader Councillor Owen Bierley in November after former leader Councillor Giles McNeill stepped down due to fraud allegations for which he was arrested but later bailed pending further investigation.

Councillor Howitt-Cowan, however, was suspended from, and later left, the ruling party after it emerged he had urged residents to spy on a local house builder and accused them of plans to illegally demolish a former blacksmiths forge in Hemswell.

Prior to Councillor Welburn’s election on Monday night, opposition councillor Trevor Young said: “Elected on a promise of stability, credibility and expertise — that’s what you all stated.

“But months on and yet again, we’re voting on these key positions on the council. It has become a game no more than musical chairs.

“I would say to any of the Tory group, hang on in there because eventually your turn will come around.”

He said the “swapping and changing” impacted negatively on the view of the council.

“It’s farcical, it’s becoming an embarrassment to the authority,” he said.

Councillor Lesley Rollings said: “This feels like it’s been a really, really disruptive year and there’s obviously been a lot of upset, and argument, and discussion in the controlling group and it has had, I feel, an impact on committees.

“We’ve had meetings cancelled, we’ve had people not attending meetings, and these are policy committees where we’re planning work and debating things.”

The leadership did not respond to the comments on the night, however, in a statement following the meeting, Councillor Bierley said: “I very much welcome Councillor Anne Welburn’s election as Deputy Leader of the council.

“Her new role is a pivotal and vital one and I look forward to working closely with her as we collectively seek to deliver our ambition and vision for the future for the whole of West Lindsey.”

Councillor Welburn has served as a local councillor for the district for almost 13 years, starting in May 2008 and is the ward member for the Cherry Willingham Ward.

She said: “It is both an honour and a privilege for me to accept the role, and I will work tirelessly to justify the faith placed in me.

“I am passionate about inclusivity in politics, effective debate is essential to achieving what communities want at a local level and I hope we can spend more time focusing on the needs of residents rather than petty politics.

“Together we are stronger and can achieve far more with your support.”