Former Boston Borough councillor, businessman and applicant Alistair Arundell (right) with former council leader
Councillor Aaron Spencer (centre) and Boston and Skegness MP Matt Warman.
Boston Borough Council’s tourism cabinet member has resigned from the authority, blaming “personal circumstances”.
Conservative Alistair Arundell, who was elected to the council in May, announced he was stepping down from his Skirbeck Ward responsibility on Tuesday evening in a statement on social media.
Council leader Aaron Spencer, however, has refused to comment on the move of his cabinet member at this time.
In his post, Mr Arundell said: “Over the last five months as a councillor, I feel I have gained a huge knowledge into a side of Boston Borough Council that I wasn’t aware of, prior to being elected.
“A considerable amount of hard work goes into ensuring our town has the facilities it does, and I was proud to have the opportunity to better it further.”
Mr Arundell on a tour of the town earlier this year which looked at street-drinking issues.
The Boston businessman, hotel owner and entrepreneur soon became the portfolio holder for Tourism, Arts, Culture and Heritage following the Conservative leader Aaron Spencer’s election to leader of the authority in July.
Councillor Spencer’s own move followed the departure of the group’s former leader Michael Cooper to pursue his own interests.
In his statement, Councillor Arundell thanked his ward for his election success for which he took the third available seat with 307 votes, behind independent councillors Anne Dorrian (412) and Colin Woodcock (512).
The ward saw a 22.3% turnout, split between nine candidates.
Mr Arundell added: Boston is a marvellous town with huge potential, and I’m confident that, working with the residents, it can thrive again.
“People who know me understand I give 100 percent to anything I do and with the latest business acquisition I don’t feel I could now give that as I just won’t have the time and understand that this is not fair to the wonderful people of Boston.”
The council will announce a by-election for the Skirbeck ward in due course.
SUBSCRIBE TO LOCAL DEMOCRACY WEEKLY, our exclusive email newsletter with highlights from coverage every week, as well as insights and analysis from our local democracy reporters.
The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
The annual North Kesteven Community Champions Awards virtually honoured local heroes in the district.
The awards organised by the district council aim to recognise the selfless and voluntary work of people within the community.
Over 100 nominations were put forward by the community, with winners coming from a record 12 categories, up from ten in previous years.
It was transferred to a virtual event this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but all winners of the 12 awards were given local champion status.
The awards were announced virtually before a socially distanced photo opportunity for each winner and the relevant sponsor of the award.
Council Leader Cllr Richard Wright said: “I commended every single response across all levels of community consideration, but especially all of those groups which have sprung up to look after the safety, wellbeing and protection of people.
“Without these groups we would have probably struggled to deal with the situation across our communities as well as we have.”
The full list of winners were:
Community Spirit: Jason Snape from Witham St Hughs
Community Spirit, sponsored by Lindum Group. Won by Jason Snape and presented by Freddie Chambers representing Lindum. | Photo: Chris Vaughan for NKDC
Community Spirit – Coronavirus response group: Martin and Timberland Emergency Support
Coronavirus Response Group, sponsored by North Kesteven District Council. Won by Martin and Timberland Emergency Support and presented by Cllr Richard Wright, NKDC leader. | Photo: Chris Vaughan for NKDC
Community Spirit – Individual coronavirus response: Tracey Richardson from Osbournby
Coronavirus Response, sponsored by Doddington Hall and Gardens. Won by Tracey Richardson and presented by Richard Wright, leader of North Kesteven District Council. | Photo: Chris Vaughan for NKDC
Good Neighbour: Alan Germon from North Hykeham
Good Neighbour, sponsored by Ringrose Law. Won by Alan Germon, North Hykeham and presented by Alex Bennett, representing Ringrose Law. | Photo: Chris Vaughan for NKDC
Contribution to a Better Environment: Tomas Dickson from North Hykeham
Contribution to a Better Environment, sponsored by Sleaford Renewable Energy Plan. Won by Tomas Dickson, North Hykeham and presented by John Cole representing Greencoat Capital / Sleaford Renewable Energy Plant. | Photo: Chris Vaughan for NKDC
Contribution to Arts & Culture: Mrs Smith’s Cottage Volunteers, Navenby
Contribution to Arts and Culture, sponsored by Lincs Inspire. Won by Mrs Smiths’ Cottage Volunteers (represented by Brian and Judy Looker) and presented by Rob Allison, Lincs Inspire. | Photo: Chris Vaughan for NKDC
Contribution to Community Safety: Andy Marchant from Branston
Community Safety, sponsored by Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire. Won by Andy Marchant and presented by Marc Jones, PCC for Lincolnshire. | Photo: Chris Vaughan for NKDC
Contribution to Health & Wellbeing: Rainbow Stars, Sleaford
Contribution to Health and Wellbeing, sponsored by Branston Ltd. Won by Rainbow Stars, Sleaford (represented by Jane Peck) and presented by Jackie Baker, Branston. | Photo: Chris Vaughan for NKDC
Contribution to Sport: Samantha Elmsley from Sleaford
Contribution to Sport, sponsored by BETTER. Won by Sammi Elmsley and presented by Chris Ord, BETTER. | Photo: Chris Vaughan for NKDC
Community Business: Greens Stores, Bassingham
Community Business, sponsored by Washingborough Hall Hotel. Won by Michael Sanders and Tracy Raybould from Green Stores Bassingham and presented by Ed Herring from Washingborough Hall Hotel. | Photo: Chris Vaughan for NKDC
Longstanding Contribution to a Group or Organisation: Angela Pettit from Bracebridge Heath
Longstanding Contribution, sponsored by Your Local Lincs Magazine. Won by Angela Pettit, represented by her husband Martin and presented by Karen James representing Your Local Lincs Magazine. | Photo: Chris Vaughan for NKDC
Young Achiever: George Woodward from North Hykeham
Young Achiever, sponsored by Duncan & Toplis. Won by George Woodward and presented by Jason Hippisley representing Duncan & Toplis. | Photo: Chris Vaughan for NKDC
One of the Lincolnshire’s neighbours will be going into the toughest tier of coronavirus lockdown from Saturday.
South Yorkshire will see new restrictions apply to all four local authority areas of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield starting October 24.
Nottinghamshire is reportedly in discussions about tier 3 restrictions too, along with West Yorkshire, the North East and Teesside.
Local authority leaders said “extensive discussions” had taken place.
According to reports, South Yorkshire will get £41 million government relief, including £30 million to support businesses and £11 million for public health measures like test and trace.
It follows Greater Manchester into the highest tier a change forced through by the government on Tuesday after talks between leaders broke down.
Manchester was told it would receive £22 million, though it was originally offered £60 million during negotiations. The region’s leaders however wanted £65 million, down from the £75 million originally suggested.
The area, along with Lincolnshire’s other neighbours in Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, was already in tier two.
Authorities bordering the south of the county including Cambridgeshire and Norfolk are currently still on the lowest tier.
Lincolnshire, along with the rest of the country, has seen a spike in cases over recent months.
Slides shown by Deputy Chief Medical Officer Jonathan Van-Tam on Tuesday night indicated many areas of the country were now at lower weekly case rate changes.
A huge chunk to the east of Lincolnshire had changed by 21-40 cases since October 12.
North Lincolnshire decreased and had a weekly case rate between 150-199.9 per 100,000 population.
North East Lincolnshire remained in the higher bracket for both weekly rise and a weekly case rate of 200+ per 100,000 population
Cases for Lincolnshire through to October 20. | Image: Public Health England and NHSX
On Tuesday, 240 new cases were confirmed across Greater Lincolnshire against a national record of 21,331.
So far there have been 3,349 cases for the month of October.
Whatsapp
