Christmas not cancelled in Boston, as council funds lights

Councils in Lincolnshire are looking to set up a crowdfunding scheme to help raise money for local projects and community-based initiatives.

Boston Borough, East Lindsey and South Holland District Council, as the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership, will invest an initial combined £34,000 into setting up the scheme with Spacehive.

If approved Boston and ELDC would contribute a further £30,000 to match-fund healthy community-based projects in their respective district. It is not yet clear if SHDC would do the same.

Boston’s cabinet and ELDC’s executive board will both discuss the plans at meetings next week, while SHDC’s own cabinet will vote later this month.

Reports before ELDC and Boston said: “Civic crowdfunding is becoming increasing popular due the numerous economic and social benefits it can deliver.

“Many local authorities across England have successfully used crowdfunding platforms to engage with local residents and businesses to develop projects and seek financial support group on-line pledges to match local authority contributions.”

They said crowdfunding in other areas showed a 250-300% return on investment for the community.

As part of the initiative the partnership would set up a Spacehive page later this year listing what funds are available and how much they are willing to match-fund.

Those organising community-based initiatives and proposals would set up their own project pages separately, including a breakdown of their budgets and targets.

Spacehive would verify the bids to ensure clear budgets and permissions are in place.

The projects could then pitch to the council, and other organisations such as the National Lottery, through the site. Projects can also be backed by general members of the public.

Authorities will monitor the project’s progress before making a decision.

More than 40 local authorities use Spacehive, including Cotswolds District Council.

A recently-100% funded project included a £21,997 amphitheatre in Chipping Campden, which the council gave £10,000.

For more information visit SpaceHive

Lincoln’s pre-fab housing which has stood since the Second World War should be pulled down when the opportunity arises, a councillor has said.

Roughly 100 homes from the 1940s are still standing around the Outer Circle Drive area.

They were built to last around 20 years during the post-war housing shortage using pre-fabricated steel.

The planning committee voted this week to demolish one which had become “unfit for habitation”, and Councillor Edmund Strengiel called for others to follow when possible.

“It’s long overdue for prefab houses to be knocked down. These houses should only have lasted 20 years, although some may still be comfortable and liveable,” he told the meeting.

One pre-fab is deemed to be ‘unfit for habitation’ | Image: City of Lincoln Council

“In my hometown, many of these were demolished in the 1970s, and something much better was put in their place. We could have lovely bungalows here.”

He added: “I have no doubt people still want to live in them, and I’m not suggesting that anyone should be forced to move out if they don’t want to.

“To be fair to the council, money isn’t readily available. It would probably be a case of taking them down and replacing them one by one.

“But if the funds are there and the residents are happy, it is time for the council’s housing team to make that decision.”

Around 157,000 homes were constructed around the country after the war, although not many are still standing.

There are around 100 pre-fabs from the 1940s around Outer Circle Drive in Lincoln | Photo: City of Lincoln Council

The bungalow on Outer Circle Drive had fallen into disrepair after the tenant refused improvement works on several occasions.

It was declared void in March 2020 following a survey.

Planning committee members agreed to knock it down, with a report saying it is “in sub-standard condition and is uneconomical to repair.”

The house will now be demolished and the foundations removed, with the site then being levelled and turfed.

There are currently no plans to build on the plot of land, although it is an option in the future.