South Holland District Council is to break-up with a Norfolk district council after 10 years of shared services.
The authority has been in partnership with Breckland District Council -50 miles away – since 2010, even sharing some leadership until last Autumn when Anna Graves stepped down.
However, they are both now going their own way.
Council leader Lord Gary Porter said: “Over the past decade, Breckland and South Holland District councils have successfully developed and operated a shared management and joint working arrangement – focused on putting local residents, communities and places first.
“But the local government landscape has changed considerably over the past year or so, and both councils have recognised the need to review their partnership and explore the case for changing the way our councils work together.”
He said the authority was looking for arrangements that would keep “delivering great outcomes” but that were also flexible and adaptable.
“The best way to do this would be by pursuing a new local strategic partnership at each council, bringing to an end the long-term and successful current shared arrangement which has served both councils well over the last decade.
South Holland District Council leader, Lord Gary Porter.
SHDC’s cabinet has already agreed to the measures, and a further report is set to go before a monitoring panel next Tuesday ahead of a final decision by full council on February 24.
Agenda reports praise the work the partnership has undertaken over the past 10 years, referring to a “pioneering spirit” and a “continued focus on evolving” a successful shared management and joint working arrangement model.
However, they said that “as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic” a “temporary uncoupling” of shared managers saw two locally-focused management teams created and their existence extended until March.
It adds that the previous chief executive has not been replaced and will not be until a review of the partnership has been completed.
“Both leaders are keen to explore the opportunity this now presents, in terms of the potential next steps for the partnership,” said the report.
A Breckland Cabinet meeting on Monday saw councillors there agree to ending the partnership.
Councillor Sam Chapman-Allen, leader of the Breckland council, said: “At no point is this a reflection on the officers or the members, and a failing of the partnership.”
The move comes as the district looks to strengthen ties with its East Coast neighbours in Lincolnshire.
Later this month neighbour Boston Borough Council is set to decide whether it will buy into another 10-year-old public services partnership company between South Holland and East Lindsey District Councils, which is hoped to save £849,000 over the next five years.
The leaders of all three councils joined other Lincolnshire districts in hitting out against a county council bid to restart devolution talks in 2020.
Council leaders in Lincolnshire butted heads over devolution plans in 2020.
Lincolnshire County Council chief Councillor Martin Hill, jointly with the leaders of North and North East Lincolnshire Councils asked government to look again at plans to reorganise local government across the region, but were roundly rejected.
District councils hit back at the move claiming it was “not the right time” and ministers appeared to agree with them.
Lord Porter recently told his cabinet the Breckland partnership did not “place us very well for conversations about reorganisation inside Lincolnshire”.
He added: “I do understand that the fire under that agenda has been somewhat smothered at the moment, but I think given the nation’s finances, it won’t be long before somebody blows them flames back again.
“We need to protect our people and our residents to make sure that we’re in the best position possible going forward.”
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A Spalding man who admitted perverting the course of justice and stalking his ex-partner was today (Monday) jailed for four months.
Timothy Hart, 46, of Alexandra Road, was also made the subject of a two year restraining order which prevents him from contacting his former girlfriend.
Lincoln Crown Court heard the offences occurred after the couple’s three and half year relationship came to an end.
Following the end of the relationship Hart’s ex-partner returned home on 16 April to find him lying on the floor next to her bed, the court was told.
Hart was asked to leave but took his ex-partner’s car keys and returned on April 30 when he banged on the front door.
On that occasion Hart’s ex-partner did not answer the door and he was later arrested by police.
Following his release Hart made a number of phone calls to his ex-partner.
During one of the calls Hart’s ex-partner answered and asked him: “I’m not going to get my car keys back?”
Hart replied: “No, not until you drop the charges,” the court was told.
Anna Soubry, mitigating, said Hart knew that he faced a jail sentence.
“It is just a question of length,” Miss Soubry acknowledged.
“The most serious matter is the perverting of public justice.
“He admitted that in interview and has pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.”
Miss Soubry told the court Hart was a hard working mechanic who had the offer of a job once he is released from prison.
She added that Hart also faced the prospect of losing his Spalding home.
Hart admitted an offence of stalking and doing an act intended to pervert the course of public justice between May 5 and May 7 this year.
Passing sentence Judge Simon Hirst told Hart: “Perverting the course of justice is a very serious offence because it strikes at the heart of the justice system.”
Hart was also made the subject of a restraining order for two years.
There is now less than one week to go until the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay visits Lincoln as part of its final journey through England this summer.
Birmingham 2022 is hosting the 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay – a journey which brings together and celebrates communities across the Commonwealth during the build-up to the Games. In England, the Queen’s Baton Relay will provide the opportunity for communities to experience the excitement for Birmingham 2022, as the 11 days of showstopping sport nears ever closer.
The Queen’s Baton Relay will travel the length and breadth of England for a total of 29 days, before culminating at the Opening Ceremony for Birmingham 2022 on 28 July 2022.
After kicking off on Thursday 2 June, the Baton spent four days in London, coinciding with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Weekend.
The Baton then resumed its international journey and returned to England today (Monday 4 July) to commence a 25-day tour of the regions.
On Sunday 10 July, Lincoln will officially welcome the Baton.
A busy schedule of activities and events are planned for the Queen’s Baton Relay’s visit to the city, with key locations being the International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC), the LNER Stadium, Lincoln Stonebow, Lincoln High Street, Steep Hill and Lincoln Cathedral.
The schedule of activity for the Baton’s time in Lincoln includes:
Approx. 5.13pm*, International Bomber Command Centre – The IBCC is working with Active Lincolnshire to provide a free public event from 3pm – 6pm involving youth groups, encouraging people to sign up, get active, have adventures and make communities.
Approx. 5.34pm*, LNER Stadium – The baton will be taken onto the 3G community pitch at the LNER Stadium where there will be coaching sessions with the local walking football and Down Syndrome Active teams. Spectators can line along the pitch and stadium footprint to view.
Approx. 6.05pm*, Lincoln Stonebow to visit the Right Worshipful, The Mayor of Lincoln, Cllr Rosanne Kirk before relaying up Steep Hill up to Castle Square and then to Lincoln Cathedral, where residents and visitors to the city will gather for an ‘end of day’ celebration.
*Times subject to change.
The ‘end of day’ celebration will take place from 5pm – 6.30pm in Castle Square and will include street theatre performances including stilt walkers waving flags, a punting duo who will serenade crowds and ‘knights on horses’, as well as music from BBC Radio Lincolnshire.
Members of the public are encouraged bring their England flags, get involved with the celebrations and embrace the arrival of the Baton, taking the opportunity to experience the buzz of Birmingham 2022 in their community.
Cllr Bob Bushell, Portfolio Holder for Remarkable Place at City of Lincoln Council said: “We look forward to hosting the Baton in Lincoln as part of the Queen’s Baton Relay on 10 July.
“This is a very exciting opportunity for us to showcase the city and what we have to offer and welcome residents and visitors to enjoy the evening’s celebrations.”
Martin Hickerton, Chief Executive of the Lincoln City Foundation, said: “Everyone at Lincoln City is looking forward to the Queen’s baton visiting us at the LNER Stadium. As a home to both a Football Club and a Sports-based charity, we recognise the power of the Commonwealth games and physical activity, in inspiring people to healthier lifestyles.
“We will have coaching sessions going on at the time, as we do most days, and it’ll be a great treat for all the participants in our walking football and DS Active teams to see the baton in person.”
Nicky van der Drift, Chief Executive of the International Bomber Command Centre, added: “The team at the IBCC are honoured and excited to be hosting the Queen’s Baton Relay.
“Bomber Command’s story is one that encompasses the Commonwealth. 59% of Commonwealth countries are represented on the Walls of Names at the IBCC, which record every life lost in the service of Bomber Command.
“This event, we hope, will inspire a new generation in the core ethos of the Command: service, community, collaboration and solidarity.”
To encourage the public to stay and enjoy the city’s evening economy, all City of Lincoln Council pay and display car parks (all car parks except Lincoln Central) will be free from 4pm until midnight on 10 July.
You must park within this period only to qualify (parking outside of these times will be charged as normal. Long term parking that abridges this period (starts before and/or ends after the period) will not be discounted.
Following its visit to Lincoln on 10 July, the Baton will then visit Skegness, Boston and Grantham on Monday 11 July.
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