Council leaders ‘optimistic’ on Brexit Day

Council leaders have agreed to move forward with a £10.7million refurbishment of the Deepings Leisure Centre.

South Kesteven District Council’s cabinet voted to support a recommendation by joint scrutiny members last week after examining a series of options for the facility.

The leisure centre was closed in July after rainwater leaks in the roof caused safety concerns, with councillors U-turning on a decision to make the closure permanent after a backlash from local residents.

Councillors on Joint Scrutiny last Tuesday voted to recommend moving forward on “Option C”, which would cost £10.663 million, along with meaningful consultation and a full spending review.

Other options ranged from completely new builds priced between £20-35 million and refurbishment options from £6 million up.

The proposals will see a full remodelling and refurbishment including reconfiguration of the main pool, a new health and fitness gym, two new studios, a changing village, modification of the entrance area and refurb of the sports hall.

Councillor Barry Dobson, executive member for leisure, told senior councillors on Tuesday that it was “an important first step” in bringing the existing centre back into use.

“Undertaking a full refurbishment and remodelling of the current centre will provide the local area with a facility which meets the evidence need, both now and in the future, but also results in improving the leisure offer in the area, providing an enhanced level of facilities and more opportunities.”

During the meeting last week residents said they were “heartbroken” by  the closure, while opposition councillors accused the Tory leadership of “betraying” and letting residents down.

However, the Conservative leadership argued the present situation was far different to what it was during the elections and that there is a lot less money in the coffers.

Councillor Dobson repeated that “a refurbishment of this magnitude and cost will still be a significant undertaking”.

He added any investment would require the council to review its spending priorities.

Council leader Kelham Cooke said it was important that “the much-loved Deepings leisure centre is reopened as soon as possible”.

He said the refurbishment would “not only return it to its former glory, but would also meet the needs of the local community much better than it has ever done before”.

Councillor Robert Reid said the move showed the council had listened to residents and opposition members.

The plans will now go before an Extraordinary meeting of SKDC’s full council next Tuesday.

Young people in Lincolnshire are showing signs of stress, anxiety and low mood following the COVID-19 pandemic health bosses have warned.

Lincolnshire County Council’s executive members heard on Monday that although the impact of the virus itself has been minimal — with one in 15 people aged 0-19 testing positive compared to 1 in 12 nationally — the “indirect effects of the pandemic are undeniable and significant”.

A report to leaders concluded: “Though the hard work and collaborative effort of people across Lincolnshire has eased this burden, we are seeing signs of harm and must continue to do all we can to minimise this and give children in Lincolnshire the best start in life.”

It added: “Most significantly, the pandemic has taken its toll on the mental health of the nation and its impact is no less in young people, who are showing signs of stress, anxiety and low mood. This is particularly pronounced among children with SEND and children in care.”

It noted that the pandemic had “highlighted inequalities and vulnerabilities, and threatens to widen the gap in health and well-being between richer and poorer communities.”

Professor Derek Ward told the executive: “Generally children have a mild disease they recover and it doesn’t have much of a long term impact is what we understand at the moment. But they have to isolate.

“Schools have been closed right the way through the pandemic on and off remote learning. While schools have done a fantastic job to try to continue education for children and young people, they like to be with those their own age and they’ve been significantly impacted over the past two years.

“All of that will have an immediate impact but also a medium and long-term impact.”

The report, however, noted “significant strides” to support young people in Lincolnshire during the pandemic and praised services for adapting rapidly.

Professor Ward praised “excellent service provision” and highlighted the value of Children’s Centres in the county.

It said partners had worked together to “empower parents and educators” in the county.

Council leaders praised the report and the work of the council to support young people during the pandemic.

Deputy leader of the council and executive member for children’s services Councillor Patricia Bradwell said: “Young people have struggled the same as adults have. They couldn’t go to school, they couldn’t see their friends and all their social activities like the football or the dance or the you know, music lessons all stopped as well.

“So their life stopped and I think it has made an impact. Some children have bounced back, but some still do struggle.”

In general, the report said young people were less likely to be physically active and there was an increased risk of becoming overweight.

However, it said that as the council moved into COVID-19 recovery it would aim to open up and protect services such as children’s centres and would look to develop a “child and family weight management service”.

A Lincolnshire lorry driver who was jailed for causing a crash in which a charity worker died has failed in a bid to reduce his driving ban.

Dorin-Silviu Buinea, 35, was jailed for 16 months in December 2019 after he admitted causing the death of Katie Ablewhite, 37, by careless driving.

Her work colleague, Dawn Crisp, who was driving the car in which both women were travelling, also suffered life changing injuries in the collision on the A52 at Bicker.

Buinea was also banned from driving for two years and eight months by Judge Stephen Coupland in addition to his jail sentence.

But the former HGV driver made an application for the early return of his driving licence during a hearing at Lincoln Crown Court this week.

The court heard Buinea, who has now completed his prison sentence, had found new employment which required him to make a nine mile bike ride to work in all weather conditions.

However Judge John Pini QC rejected the application, telling Buinea he was conscious of the long lasting impact his driving had on both his victims and their relatives.

The judge also told Buinea that he did not regard his cycle journey as too much of a hardship for a man of his age.

Lincoln Crown Court previously heard how Buinea was driving along the A52 heading for his then firm’s depot at Donington when he struck a lorry from behind as the other vehicle waited to turn right.

His lorry then went into the path of a car driven by Dawn Crisp in which her work colleague Katie Ablewhite was a passenger. The women were on their way to Boston for work.

Jonathan Dunne, prosecuting, said that the lorry initially hit by Buinea’s vehicle was in the middle of the road waiting to turn right with its brake lights and indicator on.

Buinea had eight seconds to see the brake lights ahead of him and seven seconds to see the indicator but continued into the back of the vehicle.

The front of his lorry then crossed into the opposite carriageway giving Dawn Crisp no chance of avoiding a collision.

Miss Crisp had started her journey in Grantham when she had given a lift to her work colleague, Kate Ablewhite, and was travelling towards Boston.

Following the collision Katie Ablewhite, 37, was taken to hospital but never regained consciousness and her life support machine was switched off ten days later on Christmas Eve. Her death was due to chest injuries and she also had minor brain injuries.

Dawn Crisp suffered life-changing injuries and underwent abdominal surgery. One of her knees was shattered and she suffered fractures to her thigh and wrist. She spent seven weeks in intensive care and a year later was still seriously affected by her injuries.

Buinea, 35, then of Holbeach Terrace, Haven Village, Boston, admitted a charge of causing death by careless driving as a result of the collision on the A52 at Bicker on December 14 2018. In addition to being jailed he was banned from driving for two years and eight months.

Judge Steven Coupland, passing sentence, described the fatal collision as “utterly avoidable”.

He said: “There is no alternative to an immediate custodial sentence. Dawn Crisp had no chance of avoiding a collision.”

Neil Sands, mitigating for Buinea at the sentencing hearing, said: “There are no words in the English language or any other language that can adequately communicate the degree of regret and remorse that Mr Buinea feels. He is deeply sorry for what has happened.

“The only way to describe what happened is that his eyes saw the brake lights and it took his brain seven seconds to process what he had seen.”