Stonebow Media's Local Democracy Reporters Calvin Robinson (L) and Daniel Jaines (R). Photos: Steve Smailes
From council chief executives walking out the door to crisis at hospital childrens’ wards, the past year has been filled with major local democracy stories.
Some have shaken local communities, while others have been downright outrageous.
Meanwhile, a handful of stories are expected to rumble on into 2019 and beyond.
Here is a roundup 2018 from our Local Democracy Reporters Calvin Robinson and Daniel Jaines.
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Lincolnshire County Council’s Chief Executive Keith Ireland.
Apart from a joint statement and a couple of positive comments about the work Keith Ireland did in his four months in the role, officials have been pretty tight-lipped about the circumstances surrounding his leaving.
That initial statement suggested there had been clashes between the highly-praised former City of Wolverhampton Council CEO and the leader of LCC Councillor Martin Hill on “a number of important issues”.
A story which rumbled on for months and months with a development at every senior management meeting and has produced multiple storylines.
When paediatricians at Boston Pilgrim Hospital warned that a skeleton staff rota could lead to crisis at the service, health bosses called an urgent review.
Many derided the Boston Borough Council members who disagreed with the idea for not taking a gentler approach to the school pupils and accused them of putting people off getting involved with local politics.
The arch was one of a number of improvements suggested following a comprehensive review which involved traders, visitors, schools and more and also saw changes including scrapping of a trader list and looking at more cultural offerings.
£150m combined health authority deficit
United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust headquarters.
Sifting through all eight health authority financial reports revealed a large financial black hole which needed to be plugged.
This was, they said, because of the running costs involve, however following comments the council did add on the proviso that if the new centre proved itself to be viable, there would be space for a pool to be built in the future.
A report before the authority’s executive committee in August showed that in the first quarter of the year the income from car parking was down from the budgeted £1,581,000, taking £1,265,000 instead — a deficit of £316,000. Until the end of the financial year, this was predicted to be a decrease on what they had expected to make by £1,141,000.
Council leader Ric Metcalfe later denied that the 25% drop in takings year-on-year was due to high parking charges, a statement which conflicted with residents who said they didn’t park in the centre, but also blamed traffic congestion and anti-social behaviour in the town.
The situation was improved but didn’t look much better by the time of the second quarter’s performance in November, when car parking took £650,000 less than expected.
It saw the predicted income decrease to £1,134,000 less than what had been expected for the year.
Health bosses roll the dice and unveil urgent treatment centres
Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
We all know that Lincolnshire’s accident and emergency departments are under strain, it’s a problem all over the country.
So when health chiefs unveiled a new plan to simplify where people could get the care they need for minor injuries and illnesses, it seemed they were onto a winner.
Instead of being a solution, the proposal turned into a problem. A running theme with healthcare in the county.
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Beer gardens in Lincoln have already started to fill up as pubs and bars were allowed to reopen to serve customers outside from Monday, April 12.
Restaurants are also allowed to reopen to serve customers outside as part of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown, while indoor service is currently scheduled to be permitted from May 17.
The Lion & Snake and Prince of Wales were particularly busy in Uphill Lincoln on Monday, while student bar The Towers had a long queue of people outside during the afternoon.
Soaking in the sunshine in the Bailgate at the Prince of Wales and Lion & Snake. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The queue at the student bar – The Towers – on Monday afternoon. | Photo: The Lincolnite
Students enjoying their drinks at The Towers. | Photo: The Lincolnite
The beer garden at The Towers was very busy. | Photo: The Lincolnite
The Nosey Parker, Craft and The Royal William IV were also among the bars to reopen in Lincoln on Monday – see the full list here.
The Nosey Parker welcomes back punters on April 12. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Socially distanced drinks in the beer garden at the Nosey Parker. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Ronnie Byrne, Duty Manager at Nosey Parker, said: “It’s good to be back! The snow last night had us a bit concerned. A snow day after six months off would’ve been a bit of a downer, wouldn’t it?
“But thankfully, the sun is out, the drinks are flowing, and we’ve been able to welcome back our amazing guests. They’ve stood by us through this whole chaotic time, and we couldn’t be happier to have them back!”
Good to be back! Craft on Lincoln High Street has a spacious beer garden to welcome customers. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
David Nejrup, Operations Manager at Craft, said: “We are delighted to be taking the first step back to ‘normal’. It’s been great to welcome guests into our garden.
“We are now counting down the days to May 17 when hopefully we’ll be allowed to welcome our guests back inside the venue.”
James Dolan is Operations Director at Ever So Sensible Restaurants. They run The Royal William IV and Horse & Groom on Brayford Wharf North, The Duke William in the Bailgate and Ferry Boat in Washingborough, which are all now back open.
Customers enjoying a pint outside by the Brayford at The Royal William IV.
He said: “Our teams have been really busy making sure the pubs are safe and ready to reopen, and we’ve even had the chance to make some improvements, deep cleaning, redecorating, adding new seating, and additional covered areas ready to make people smile when they visit us again.
“We are super excited to see all of our lovely customers again, especially our much loved regulars that are part of the family. This most recent lockdown has been the longest and toughest for everyone, which made us a bit nervous about reopening, but as we’ve got stuck in to getting the pubs ready we’ve really enjoyed being back at work.
“We’ve rediscovered our sense of purpose, and our love for serving amazing food & drink whilst making people happy. Today (Monday) has been brilliant seeing all those smiling faces again (even if they are hidden behind a mask), it has really reminded us why we love our industry so much.”
There have been 88 new coronavirus cases in Greater Lincolnshire and one COVID-related death on Monday as restrictions eased across the UK as part of the PM’s roadmap out of lockdown.
The government’s COVID-19 dashboard on April 12 recorded 58 new cases in Lincolnshire, 16 in North East Lincolnshire and 14 in North Lincolnshire.
On Monday, one death was recorded in Lincolnshire and none in Northern Lincolnshire. This figure includes deaths both in and out of hospitals, as well as residents in hospitals outside the county.
NHS England reported no changes to the hospital death figures across the region, which still stands at 1,300 from a week ago.
Nationally, cases increased by 3,568 to 4,373,343, while deaths rose by 13 to 127,100.
In local news, North Kesteven has the most over 50s vaccinated with the first dose of a COVID-19 jab in Lincolnshire, whereas Boston has the least.
However, South Kesteven has the most 18 to 49 year olds vaccinated in Greater Lincolnshire with Lincoln having the least, according to research by Sky News.
There were 398 coronavirus cases in Greater Lincolnshire and 10 COVID-related deaths last week — a 43% drop in cases and 23% fewer deaths compared to the previous week.
Hundreds of people queued outside Debenhams and at several barbers and salons in the city as Lincoln, and the rest of England, entered the next stage of the roadmap out of coronavirus lockdown on Monday, April 12. The pubs and bars had a good day too.
The latest rules allow for the retail sector to fully reopen its doors for customers again, two weeks after the previous lockdown easing on March 29 which resumed outdoor socialising for up to six people – see the list of rules here.
Coronavirus data for Greater Lincolnshire on Monday, April 12
Greater Lincolnshire includes Lincolnshire and the unitary authorities of North and North East (Northern) Lincolnshire.
58,722 cases (up 88)
40,909 in Lincolnshire (up 58)
9,226 in North Lincolnshire (up 14)
8,587 in North East Lincolnshire (up 16)
2,182 deaths (up one)
1,610 from Lincolnshire (up one)
304 from North Lincolnshire (no change)
268 from North East Lincolnshire (no change)
of which 1,300 hospital deaths (no change)
808 at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (no change)
41 at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals (no change)
1 at Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (no change)
450 in Northern Lincolnshire (NLAG) (no change)
4,373,343 UK cases, 127,100 deaths
DATA SOURCE — FIGURES CORRECT AT THE TIME OF THE LATEST UPDATE. POSTCODE DATA INCLUDES DEATHS NOT IN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES OR IN HOSPITALS OUTSIDE AUTHORITY BOUNDARIES.
A remarkable four-bedroom town house with a cinema room and a hot tub overlooking Lincoln has been put on the market, and could be yours for £1.3 million.
The Heights on Carline Road in Lincoln is arranged over four floors and enjoys panoramic viewpoints of the city, with estate agents JH Walter valuing the home at £1,299,950.
The 4,150 sq ft property is situated on the Bailgate and comes with four bedrooms, as well as four bathrooms, a cinema room, a hot tub on the balcony and a galleried landing area.
The property has underfloor heating and air conditioning, as well as electrically operated blinds and bifold doors to open up onto a terraced balcony.
It also has electric gated access to a secure parking area, as well as an electric double garage and enclosed garden space around the back of the house.
The living room comes with a wall mounted Stovax log burner. | Photo: JHWalter
Let’s take a further look inside:
An open plan kitchen/dining/living area with bifold doors out to a balcony. | Photo: JHWalter
Once you do step outside, the balcony has a hot tub with stunning views of uphill Lincoln. | Photo: JHWalter
Looking down from the staircase. | Photo: JHWalter
The master bedroom has jaw-dropping scenery and views. | Photo: JHWalter
One of the three guest bedrooms. | Photo: JHWalter
The large designer family bathroom is stylish and spacious, complete with a bath tub and separate shower. | Photo: JHWalter
Even the study has glorious backdrops. | Photo: JHWalter
Just look at how far you can see! | Photo: JHWalter