Council chiefs receiving big payouts, councillors misbehaving and residents taking matters into their own hands over controversial decisions, are just a few of the local democracy stories that made the headlines in 2019.
Some of the tales made an impact in communities, while others were outrageous and scandalous.
With that in mind, here’s a rundown of the top 10 local democracy stories from this past year.
Kexit fallout
It started in November 2018 when rumours began to circulate that Keith Ireland, only recently appointed chief executive of Lincolnshire County Council, had left the authority.
Former Lincolnshire County Council Chief Executive Keith Ireland.
And it was true, Mr Ireland lasted just four months as CEO. But the saga didn’t end there.
He received a total package of £292,263 which included his agreed salary, £975 in outplacement services, £8,901 holiday pay and £14,637 in employer’s pension contribution and his compensation payment.
To add to the drama, Mr Ireland was awarded an OBE in the 2019 New Year’s Honours list for his services to local government.
All in four months work.
People power: Spalding Western Relief Road
Catherine and Frank Roberts outside their forever home on Bourne Road. Photo: Daniel Jaines
That’s what Catherine and Frank Roberts of Bourne Road, Spalding, did this year when their £300,000 Tudor home was threatened to be flattened to make way for the Spalding Western Relief Road.
The authority had lined up plans to spend £40 million on the central route, which would have taken out nine homes on the street.
But, Catherine and Frank were not to be deterred and took the fight to the council.
After what they described as “the summer from hell,” councillors relented and offered to change the route to avoid the homes.
It’s a victory for all the families on Bourne Road, but the decision has still to be signed off by the council’s executive in the New Year.
Councillors on the naughty list
Former North East Lincolnshire Council Labour leader Ray Oxby on his way into the court. Photo: Daniel Jaines
Several councillors across Lincolnshire woke up to a lump of proverbial coal on Christmas morning.
Some came under fire for selling golliwog dolls, others have landed themselves appearing before council disciplinary hearings.
The town council had planned to spend £7,500 on a tree for the town centre ahead of the festive period.
But the decision came under fire from local councillors after it was revealed the tree was coming from China and raised concerns over the environmental impact.
As a result, the previous decision to approve the spend was brought back before the town council.
The issue caused widespread debate and uproar in the town, with councillors lamenting that the decision “made the council look stupid”.
At the council meeting, the debate got heated, councillors shouted across the room at each other and others walked out after the final vote was tied.
In the end, it was resolved that a local tree would be donated for the town centre.
A sensible resolution to an unexpected row.
A U-turn on Toll Bar Roundabout
Toll Bar campaigners Anne and Peter Herring, Michael O’bee, David Cowell and campaign lead Roger Breed pictured in September 2018. Photo: Daniel Jaines
The problem of what to do with Toll Bar roundabout seems to be a never ending story.
After years of debate, petitions and rows over removing the roundabout for traffic lights, the saga continued into 2019.
In May, the Conservatives took control of North East Lincolnshire Council at the local elections and newly appointed leader, Philip Jackson, put an immediate halt to the plan.
This was met with celebration from campaigners who had fought the previous Labour group’s plan to tear up the roundabout.
The hospital also remains in special measures after a CQC visit this year. The next decade is going to be a vital one to turn around the trust’s fortunes.
All that remains in the hands of new chief executive, Andrew Morgan, should he remain beyond his interim basis.
Lincolnshire-by-the-sea
Flooding in Wainfleet in June. Photo: Chris Dower
Climate change dominated a lot of the news agenda in 2019 with Extinction Rebellion warning of “point of no return” over extreme weather events.
It’s fair to say that Lincolnshire bore the brunt of a lot of extreme and unprecedented rainfall, leaving home owners evacuated from their homes.
County councillor Colin Davie said it was clear that the council needed to look again at how it defends homes from flooding.
He said that the extreme rainfall would become frequent – just like campaigners warned.
Democracy in action
The Lincoln Debate which was hosted by The Lincolnite and BBC Radio Lincolnshire during the General Election 2019 campaign. Picture: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite.
It was a year of votes in 2019.
People headed to the polls three times in eight months to cast their ballots in the European elections, local elections and a general election.
In North East Lincolnshire, the Tories took control of the council for the first time in its history and Grimsby returned a Conservative MP for the first time in 74 years.
Scunthorpe also returned a Conservative member of parliament, unseating the Labour Party and completing a clean sweep across the region.
As for local authorities, the City of Lincoln Council is the only authority which Labour controls in the county.
The weeks following local polling day also saw fresh faces fronting councils in Lincolnshire.
West Lindsey, North East Lincolnshire, Boston and South Kesteven all elected new leaders.
The Usher Gallery saga
Campaigners outside Lincoln’s Usher Gallery. Picture: Steve Smailes.
Earlier this year, Lincolnshire County Council tabled proposals to shake up how heritage services would be run in the county.
While some welcomed the idea of erecting a monument to Mrs Thatcher in her hometown, others were not for the turning.
Fears were raised that the statue, which was to be built outside Grantham Museum, would become a “likely target for politically motivated vandals”.
As a result, the plan included a measure to place the statue on a high plinth.
Councillors ultimately gave the go-ahead to the plan, but, as of yet, there has not been an installation date confirmed.
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The 2024 Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards are now open for nominations, seeking to spotlight outstanding businesses within the Greater Lincolnshire area.
Hosted by Stonebow Media, the publisher behind The Lincolnite and the MyLocal platform, this prestigious event is designed to honour the achievements of the regional business community.
Thanks to the headline sponsorship from the University of Lincoln Enterprise & Research department, the Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards are a unique opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of local enterprises.
The awards are also sponsored by Ringrose Law, Duncan & Toplis, Sills & Betteridge and Pearson Hydraulics. A small number of sponsorship opportunities remain available. Contact [email protected] to discuss partnerships.
Businesses can nominate themselves across eleven awards categories:
The deadline for nominations is May 24, with the judges’ deliberation lunch set for May 29.The judging panel includes business experts and professionals from Lincolnshire and event sponsors.
The Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards 2024 gala will take place at the Engine Shed on July 12, 2024.
Enhance profile & credibility: Securing an award or being shortlisted acts as a powerful endorsement, signaling trustworthiness to potential customers and helping to distinguish your business from competitors. Displaying the award on your communications can significantly boost your brand’s perception.
Insightful focus & feedback: The application process encourages deep reflection on your business strategy and direction, offering invaluable feedback and clarity, even for new ventures.
Team confidence boost: Recognition from the awards can significantly uplift your team’s morale, affirming the value and potential of your business in the eyes of industry experts.
Marketing & PR boost: Being associated with the awards, even as a nominee, can enhance brand visibility, providing ample content opportunities for social media and other marketing channels.
Networking opportunities: The awards connect you with local business leaders and experts, offering a platform to seek advice, share ideas, and foster future partnerships. The ceremony itself is an excellent occasion for networking with peers and celebrating mutual successes.
Potential to win: Entering offers a chance to win and gain all the associated benefits, but even without taking home a trophy, the process can yield significant advantages for your business.
A Lady Gaga loving kitten owned by a couple who run a charity for disabled pets featured on Channel 5’s The Pet Psychic.
Pet Psychic Beth Lee-Crowther comes to the aid of pet owners and in Tuesday night’s episode she met Cookie the kitten, a depressed camel, and looked at whether a dog can predict the future.