Local Democracy Weekly: Is council “switched on” to streetlights concerns?

A new study which measures the prosperity of UK councils has put North East Lincolnshire in the bottom five and rated several Lincolnshire districts poorly.

London-based think tank The Legatum Institute released the UK Prosperity Index for 2021 measuring institutional, economic, and social well-being across the UK’s 379 local authorities.

Of those, North East Lincolnshire placed 374th while North Lincolnshire was 340th.

North East Lincolnshire’s lowest score of 369 comes under enterprise conditions which measures business start-ups, competition, and expansion.

Its highest score of 171 was in governance, which measures the quality of local democracy, trust in politicians and the effectiveness of council services.

Council disputes report findings

Councillor Philip Jackson, Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said the report did “not give an accurate depiction of our borough”.

“Like all communities, we do have challenges, but our outlook for the future has never been better,” he said.

North East Lincolnshire Council leader, Philip Jackson. | Photo: Calvin Robinson

He pointed to investment including the Greater Grimsby Town Deal, Cultural Development Fund, Towns Fund and the Future High Streets Fund.

“We are clearly an area that is punching above its weight, and we mean to continue to do that to attract more good quality jobs, increase skills training, and improve the health and wellbeing of local people,” he said.

Worst-placed Lincolnshire district Boston also saw its lowest score in enterprise conditions (375) and its highest in governance (six).

Meanwhile, East Lindsey scored three under governance, but its worst score of 373 was in natural environment which measured the physical environment’s impact on people’s daily lives and changes that impact future generations’ prosperity.

Council leaders at both authorities said they were “well aware” of the challenges and their corporate strategies included measures to tackle the issues.

“We will help make the borough a more amazing place to live, where residents can enjoy healthy, active lives; and a fantastic place to work and do business, with a sustainable local economy where our businesses and workers are encouraged to develop, and we see a continuation of the investment we’ve experienced in recent times,” Boston leader Councillor Paul Skinner said.

East Lindsey District Council leader Craig Leyland (left) and Boston Borough Council leader Paul Skinner.

East Lindsey Council leader Craig Leyland said “We [have] an ambition to address any issues, maximise our potential in those areas, and ensure that the communities of East Lindsey are afforded every opportunity to thrive.”

Lincoln again scored highly for governance, getting 12 marks, however, its lowest score was under health, which measured the extent to which people are healthy and have access to services.

Jo Walker, Assistant Director of Growth at City of Lincoln Council, said there had been major investment in recent years which had helped “transform and bring opportunities to the city”.

However, she added: “It is clear that many challenges remain, particularly in relation to health and economy, and the benefits of investment have not reached all of our communities. This is a situation that we are determined to improve.”

She said the Town Investment Plan and the recent £19 million Town Fund were hoped to “go some way towards supporting our economic recovery and regeneration”.

There were also hopes for future support including through the Levelling Up Fund, Community Renewal Fund and a future Shared Prosperity Fund.

“However, the challenge should not be underestimated. It requires a long-term approach and a collective effort,” she said.

“We are currently working with a range of partners to secure resources to help on this journey and will continue to do so.”

South Holland District Council did not respond to a request for comment, but again scored highly under governance, with a five, and poorest under natural environment – scoring 375 there.

Labour councillor Jackie Kirk has been appointed as the City of Lincoln’s 814th Mayor.

She was handed the mantle of the City of Lincoln Mayor from Councillor Sue Burke during a council meeting held at Lincoln Cathedral’s Chapterhouse on Tuesday morning, an unusual setting from the typical Guildhall at the Stonebow, due to COVID-19 social-distancing rules.

Councillor Burke has held the role for two years due to the coronavirus pandemic – the first to do so since the First World War, and Councillor Kirk held the role of deputy mayor during that time.

Jackie Kirk has been a Lincoln councillor for the Glebe Ward since 2012 and has previously told the Local Democracy Reporting Service her priorities are mental health amidst the coronavirus pandemic pressures.

She will be the 814th Lincoln Mayor along with her deputy, Councillor Rosanne Kirk who was the Labour candidate for this year’s Police and Crime Commissioner elections.

The new Mayor says the role is “going to be glorious” and it is an “honour”.

Her predecessor Councillor Sue Burke welcomed Jackie Kirk and congratulated her on becoming the new Mayor, wishing her a “wonderful year”.

New Deputy Mayor Rosanne Kirk says it is a “wonderful privilege to represent the City of Lincoln”.

Labour City of Lincoln Council Leader, Ric Metcalfe says the council have conducted the mayor-making ceremony in a “different fashion” in the cathedral due to social distancing measures but hopes plans will go ahead with a full mayoral inauguration ceremony in July.

In the past, former MP and new Labour county councillor Karen Lee, was the Mayor of Lincoln from 2012 to 2013.

Former Mayor of Lincoln, Sue Burke

History of Lincoln Mayors

The Mayor of Lincoln role was established in 1206 and its full title is “The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Lincoln” – it is the third oldest mayoral position in the country.

They must be impartial, are unable to become involved with political matters during the term, and are responsible for the day-to-day running of local services.

The role is elected annually by the council and carries out ceremonial duties as well as chairing council meetings with a casting vote if there is a tie.

They also have control of the council and can tell members off if they are being too rowdy.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is the first time since World War One where a Mayor has served for two years, with Councillor Burke also being the first woman to serve for more than one term consecutively.

Approximately 14 City of Lincoln Mayors have for served more than a year.

Since the 14th century, the intention was for a Mayor to hold the office for only one year to prevent the holder of the office becoming too comfortable.

Mayors have held the office more than once but not on successive years. From 1314 until 1831, Lincoln did not have anyone holding office for successive years.

From 1831 until 1900, three people held office for two consecutive years.

The most notable holder of the office on successive years was Francis Clark – who donated the Coade stone lion to the Arboretum when it was opened in 1872 – but by the start of the 20th century, Lincoln started to observe the tradition of holding office for one year.

An exception was Charles Thomas Parker, who served as Mayor through World War One, a time of national crisis from 1915 to 1919.

A civilian Lincolnshire Police worker admitted making an improvised explosive device found following a search of her home.

Former PCSO Zoe Ashley Watts, 35, was arrested in October 2020 after police searched her semi-detached house in St Helens Avenue, Lincoln.

It followed concerns raised by the Border Force who had intercepted packages containing two butterfly knives a month earlier.

Watts today appeared at Lincoln Crown Court where she pleaded guilty to making an explosive substance, namely an improvised explosive device, between January 1 and October 4, 2020.

Zoe Watts with a collection of bats.

Andrew Peat, representing the prosecution, said the Crown accepted Watts’ account for why she had the device and other items, and would not pursue a trial on the matter.

Mr Peat told the court: “Unlike similar cases there is no evidence any of these items were possessed with an ideology in mind, anything political.”

When Watts was arrested Lincolnshire Police said officers discovered a quantity of chemicals and a number of weapons.

Nearby residents were evacuated for a number of hours and a bomb disposal team was called out to carry out safety checks before the all clear was given.

Watts, who previously was a member of the Bracebridge Lowfields Community Police Team working in the south of Lincoln, has been suspended by the force pending the outcome of criminal proceedings and an investigation.

She was also a trade union activist serving as the equalities officer for the Lincolnshire Police UNISON.

Watts, who worked for Lincolnshire Police for nine years, had moved to a civilian role by the time of her arrest.

Watts pleaded to five charges relating to other items found in her home and two butterfly knives which were intercepted by the Border Force in September last year.

Zoe will be sentenced on June 29. | Photo: Stephen Daniels

Her guilty pleas were to the following charges:

• Making an explosive substance, namely an improvised explosive device, between January 1 and October 4, 2020.
• On October 4, 2020 had in her possession a prohibted weapon adapted for discharge of a noxious liquid, gas or other thing, namely an electric fly swat.
• On October 4, 2020 had in her possession a prohibited weapon, namely stun gun.
• On October 4, 2020 had in her possession a prohibited weapon, namely a taser stun device.
• On September 5 improperly imported goods, a prohibited weapon, namely a butterfly knife.

Zoe uses a baseball bat covered in glass and smashes watermelons with faces of famous people including Donald Trump and Boris Johnson. | Still: YouTube

Nick Fooks, defending Watts, told the court she was anxious to be sentenced straight away.

Mr Fooks said: “She is a woman of previous good characher.

“This defendant has already served somewhere in the region of eight months in custody.”

But Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight rejected the application, stating: “It is a very odd set of offences.”

The judge told Watts: “I am going to adjourn your case for the preparation of a pre-sentence report which will address all options, including the risk you pose to others.”

Watts will be sentenced on June 29 and was remanded back into custody.