West Lindsey District Council has approved a £5 council tax rise as part of its budget for 2021/22.
The move is a 2.3% rise and the maximum allowed without sparking a referendum. It will see the average band D property pay £222.74 to the authority.
The council has a net budget requirement of £13.279 million – down from £14.357 million – with £6,710,800 of that coming from council tax.
Council leader Owen Bierley said: “With future uncertainty, and the expected long-term recovery of our income streams, it is appropriate that we take the opportunity this year to maximise our council tax increase.”
He told councillors there would have been a “difficult year” ahead due to the COVID response, but praised government funding and other plans for enabling the authority to set aside extra funding for environment, climate change and health.
He said it was “hugely ambitious” but achievable.
“The dedicated deliberate and steady, long term approach to policy is designed to make the council’s financial position more resilient at a time when central government continues to reduce funding, and considers limiting our ability to find innovative solutions to fund the frontline services that local people expect and rely on from this council.”
Opposition leader Councillor Trevor Young, however, questioned whether the council’s budget was “ambitious enough”.
“This isn’t a normal year, so we’re going to see a very difficult question in terms of whether we’ve been aspirational enough for how we’re going to kickstart the economy […] I just don’t see it within the existing budget.”
The government has granted the council £2.225 million this year. The authority will also be able to retain £1.989 million in business rates.
A further one year settlement means the council can spend £1.1million to support COVID-19 response.
It hopes to spend £20,076,045 over the next five years on its capital programme.
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We are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a collision caused serious injuries to a 23-year-old man.
Just before 3.30pm yesterday (2 July), we received reports of a collision on Barholm Road in Tallington. It involved a grey BMW 335D estate, a blue BMW 116D and an orange KTM motorcycle.
The motorcycle rider, a 23-year-old man, sustained serious injuries during the collision and was taken to hospital.
If you witnessed the incident and are yet to get in touch with us, please do so. If you have any other information or dashcam footage available that may have captured the road along the A1175 at the time of the collision, get in touch.
By calling 101 quoting incident 282 of 2 July.
By emailing [email protected] quoting incident 282 of 2 July in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
The 2022 Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards are open for applications, and Destination Lincolnshire giving you the rare chance to co-create your application with Nell Barrington, a tourism awards veteran, who has helped hundreds of businesses write winning applications over the last 15 years – including national VisitEngland winners.
The Tourism Awards Masterclass is taking place on Tuesday 12 July at 11am for one-hour online. Laura Freer, Head of Marketing at Destination Lincolnshire said: “This is a golden opportunity, after years of hard work and heartache, to get your business and team recognised and rewarded.
“A well written application is key to achieving a coveted place on this year’s shortlist, and I’d encourage all tourism and visitor economy businesses who are thinking of entering – whether they are seasoned at writing award applications or not – to join us for this exclusive masterclass.
“Nell Barrington has worked with us and VisitEngland on the founding application processes of these awards, and she is perfectly placed to assist in co-creating applications that you can be proud of. This is a great opportunity for business development too – whether you are shortlisted for an award or not – discovering how to effectively apply for awards and talk up your business adds another string to your bow.
“Booking is essential and places are limited to just 35 – so be quick! This year we’ve made our masterclass available to partners and also to those who we are yet to work with for free. Call it an added bonus, after two years away from the awards circuit.
The awards masterclass is focussed on the application process, and it will spell out what the judges are looking for. You’ll learn how to make your application stand out from the local competition, helping your chances of going through to the national VisitEngland Awards in 2023.”
There are fifteen categories open for nominations from visitors attraction, accommodation providers, hospitality businesses and many more.
The deadline for nominations is July 29, with online judging starting on July 30 and mystery shopping from August 13. Finalists will be announced on Monday, August 15.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Engine Shed on October 21, and will be hosted by Lincs FM presenter, John Marshall.
The event is organised by Stonebow Media, publishers of The Lincolnite, to celebrate the best businesses in Greater Lincolnshire, alongside headline sponsors Lincoln College and Destination Lincolnshire.
We would also like to thank our other sponsors Visit Lincolnshire, Heart of Lincs, Duncan and Toplis and LNER, insight6 and EV Camel.
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