Plans for a new £8.25 million “public sector hub” including a new base for East Lindsey District Council and further education centre in Horncastle have been revealed.
The authority’s executive next week will examine the plans to buy the Horncastle Residential College from Lincolnshire County Council.
The plan is for a new “smaller, fit-for-purpose” base for the council, along with a campus for Boston College.
It is also hoped health and police services could be based on the site.
A report before the authority’s executive next week says the current headquarters are “remote and difficult to access”.
It added: “The peripheral location… also make it difficult to recruit and retain staff, especially technical professionals.”
The plan is to buy Horncastle Residential College from Lincolnshire County Council. Photo: Google
It says the Horncastle site will benefit due to its proximity to the A158 and being within a town setting.
Designs are being drawn up for the build which are based on a use of 150 desks for ELDC, 40 desks for potential partners and a four classroom and ancillary space facility for Boston College.
It notes the college could also have access to a council facilities, including the meeting chamber.
At the moment, it notes, further education students have to travel “a significant distance” to Lincoln, Boston or Scunthorpe.
Council leader Craig Leyland said the project was “a very exciting opportunity”.
“The potential to bring a new further education facility into the area will help us support our residents in continuing their education without having to leave the district and provide employers with access to a higher skilled workforce,” he said.
Costs could be offset through the sale or redevelopment of sites such as the council’s current HQ Tedder Hall and Skegness Town Pavillian.
“The Council will have the opportunity to be located on the same site as some of our partners which will present us with opportunities to work together and collaborate.”
Next Wednesday, council bosses will agree to set aside a spend which includes £500,000 to buy the site, £6.226m for the council build and £1.524m for the college build.
However, it says the move will offset £5.31m running and maintenance costs due to the sale or development of Tedder Hall, in Manby, and Skegness Town Hall.
It is hoped the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership will also contribute £1.52m towards the college.
This, it says, effectively leaves just £1.42 million to find, though it is hoped the project overall will be cost neutral through savings and the sale of council property.
It is hoped the site will be active by September 2021, when the first student intake will begin.
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We are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a collision caused serious injuries to a 23-year-old man.
Just before 3.30pm yesterday (2 July), we received reports of a collision on Barholm Road in Tallington. It involved a grey BMW 335D estate, a blue BMW 116D and an orange KTM motorcycle.
The motorcycle rider, a 23-year-old man, sustained serious injuries during the collision and was taken to hospital.
If you witnessed the incident and are yet to get in touch with us, please do so. If you have any other information or dashcam footage available that may have captured the road along the A1175 at the time of the collision, get in touch.
By calling 101 quoting incident 282 of 2 July.
By emailing [email protected] quoting incident 282 of 2 July in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
The 2022 Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards are open for applications, and Destination Lincolnshire giving you the rare chance to co-create your application with Nell Barrington, a tourism awards veteran, who has helped hundreds of businesses write winning applications over the last 15 years – including national VisitEngland winners.
The Tourism Awards Masterclass is taking place on Tuesday 12 July at 11am for one-hour online. Laura Freer, Head of Marketing at Destination Lincolnshire said: “This is a golden opportunity, after years of hard work and heartache, to get your business and team recognised and rewarded.
“A well written application is key to achieving a coveted place on this year’s shortlist, and I’d encourage all tourism and visitor economy businesses who are thinking of entering – whether they are seasoned at writing award applications or not – to join us for this exclusive masterclass.
“Nell Barrington has worked with us and VisitEngland on the founding application processes of these awards, and she is perfectly placed to assist in co-creating applications that you can be proud of. This is a great opportunity for business development too – whether you are shortlisted for an award or not – discovering how to effectively apply for awards and talk up your business adds another string to your bow.
“Booking is essential and places are limited to just 35 – so be quick! This year we’ve made our masterclass available to partners and also to those who we are yet to work with for free. Call it an added bonus, after two years away from the awards circuit.
The awards masterclass is focussed on the application process, and it will spell out what the judges are looking for. You’ll learn how to make your application stand out from the local competition, helping your chances of going through to the national VisitEngland Awards in 2023.”
There are fifteen categories open for nominations from visitors attraction, accommodation providers, hospitality businesses and many more.
The deadline for nominations is July 29, with online judging starting on July 30 and mystery shopping from August 13. Finalists will be announced on Monday, August 15.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Engine Shed on October 21, and will be hosted by Lincs FM presenter, John Marshall.
The event is organised by Stonebow Media, publishers of The Lincolnite, to celebrate the best businesses in Greater Lincolnshire, alongside headline sponsors Lincoln College and Destination Lincolnshire.
We would also like to thank our other sponsors Visit Lincolnshire, Heart of Lincs, Duncan and Toplis and LNER, insight6 and EV Camel.
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