December 27, 2019 12.20 pm
This story is over 28 months old
Reflections 2019: Richard Wright – A year of big change
Councillor Richard Wright is the leader of North Kesteven District Council.
North Kesteven District Council leader Richard Wright. Photo: Steve Smailes/Lincolnshire Reporter
By Richard WrightLeader of North Kesteven District Council
As 2019 draws to a close it is good to find time to reflect on what has been a busy and productive year and to look forward to what promises to be a great 2020.
During the last 12 months the council has provided quality local services – a record 95% of our housing tenants and 94% of broader residents said they were satisfied or very satisfied with what we do.
In May we delivered the Cabinet Office’s voter identification trial for local elections. Since then, the principal of Voter ID has been brought forward in the Queen’s Speech as potential legislation.
This was a big change for all of us but great work from the council teams meant an incredible 99.64% of voters arrived with the right ID and were able to vote. That’s what I call a job well done!
On the national stage we were held up in a parliamentary debate as an exemplar of what can be achieved in response to climate change.
We were the first Lincolnshire council to declare a climate emergency, committing to reviewing operations to meet United Nation’s goals, and we are now bringing forward an ambitious action plan.
I am very proud the entire council voted unanimously to join the movement to address the climate emergency by 2030. Much of the work has to be done by local councils and, given our long-standing emphasis in this area and our legacy of success, North Kesteven is at the forefront of this response.
The council also voted to lobby MPs to push forward further responses to carbon reduction including the local generation and supply of electricity. It also took a stand against anti-semitism.
We acknowledge and take seriously warnings that urgent action is needed on climate change to avoid runaway global warming and climate breakdown and we are committed to rising to that challenge and to be carbon neutral as soon as possible.
In Sleaford, we are committed to making big progress on plans for a £4 million three-screen cinema, restaurant and food court for the town. A planning application will be submitted soon.
Local people tell us they want a modern multi-screen cinema and we want to continue to meet the needs of a growing and changing town.
A £2.2 million investment for a commercial workspace development for 15 new and growing businesses is also being progressed for North Hykeham.
The council already manages 111 workshops across 11 sites. Occupancy levels and demand are both very high.
The Discovery Court development will, subject to planning permission, be located alongside other employment and business growth opportunities off Whisby Road and will complement existing investments as well as provide starter and growth space for businesses.
In the same area, the second phase of development is underway at St Modwen Park Lincoln, a popular 70-acre industrial and logistics scheme at Witham St Hughs.
Two units totalling 75,000 square feet will provide high quality industrial and warehouse space with easy access to the A46 and the A1.
We’ve got other projects going on in this area too so I can honestly say that North Kesteven is definitely on the development map, and with plenty of housing plans on the books and a new innovative approach to returning empty homes for use, there’s plenty of action across all of our priorities.
2020 is going to be a great year for the district and the council and I will be pleased to keep you informed on how we are progressing as soon as I possibly can. Happy New Year!
Richard Wright is the leader of North Kesteven District Council.
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A 22-year-old man who died in a motorbike crash in Lincoln will be given a final send off with a rip-roaring procession on the way to his funeral.
Connor Peters, 22, tragically died in a crash on the B1190 Lincoln Road on Monday, May 9, as his black Lexmoto motorcycle collided with a white Isuzu van.
He unfortunately died at the scene, and a fundraiser was set up for the “cheeky, loveable rogue” to have the send off “he deserves”. At the time of reporting there is a remarkable £5,000 on the GoFundMe page, which you can visit here.
Connor Peters, pictured here with his mum, tragically died in a crash on Monday, May 9. | Photo: GoFundMe
Now, plans have been made for a motorbike procession to join the hearse taking Connor to his funeral service. The event, titled Connor Peters’ Last Ride, has been organised by his brother Josh.
It will take place at 11.50am on Monday, June 13, starting from Larne Road in Lincoln.
Josh says on the event’s Facebook page: “As a family, we are wanting a full motorcycle procession behind the funeral car, we want as many bikes, trikes, mopeds anything. We want so much noise remove all baffles removed, pops and bangs enough so he can hear from up there.
“Connor was a 22 year old lad that was full of life and was loved by so many, he loved his little 125cc, he thought that he had finally hit the big time but due to a awful turn of events he lost his life doing something he loved.
“For many of us bikers we can understand the love and passion he had for that short period of time. A biker fallen hits us all but we all club together to make an effort to remember those we lost.”
The Lincolnshire Sexual Health Clinic (LiSH) has been temporarily relocated while work begins to extend the Abbey Medical Practice on Monks Road.
The sexual health clinic, usually located at 63 Monks Road, has been transferred to the fourth floor of Queensgate House, 12 Silver Street.
Patients and the clinical team from Abbey Medical Practice have moved into 63 Monks Road while works to the practice are ongoing.
Abbey Medical Practice will be doubled in size once a two-storey extension is completed.
It is expected the work will take 18 months to complete.
The sexual health clinic will move to the fourth floor of Queensgate House on Silver Street
Cheryl Kern, Matron of Specialist Services for Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust, said: “We are delighted to be able to work with and support our health partners while they undertake their exciting building project to ensure there is minimal disruption to the wider services available in our local community.
“Our temporary move will not impact on the quality or range of sexual health services available to those who need them.
“We look forward to continuing to support people from our temporary new home at Queensgate House on Silver Street.”
Abbey Medical Practice is part of the IMP Primary Care Network (PCN), a network of nine GP surgeries covering the north of Lincoln.
Dr Rama Srinivasan, one of the Clinical Directors for IMP PCN said: “As a primary care network, one of our aims is to bring some services currently delivered in our hospitals back into primary care and expanding our GP surgeries will enable us to do this.”
For more information about Lincolnshire Sexual Health Service, visit lincolnshiresexualhealth.nhs.uk or call 01522 309309.
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