Urgent action is needed to help the thousands of North Kesteven residents who will struggle to pay fuel bills, a councillor has warned.
Councillor David Suiter wants to see more help for working families, including a VAT cut on energy bills, expanded benefits, and a windfall tax on fossil fuel producing companies to keep prices affordable.
He is asking North Kesteven District Council to call directly for government action as the cost of living soars.
“There is a serious threat of fuel poverty to many residents of North Kesteven,” he said in a motion to go before council.
“In the last few months global energy costs have risen dramatically. In response the government have announced a scheme to increase the cap on energy bills, and provide some welcome compensation through council tax rebates and pay back loans. However more help is needed.”
He says low-income one-parent families could be spending nearly half of their income after housing on energy bills alone.
Others will face annual bills as high as £2,000.
Councillor Suiter, who is part of the NK Independents Group, will be putting his motion before the council on Thursday, April 28.
It says: “North Kesteven District Council calls on the government to act now and far more effectively on the national crisis in energy prices and unsustainable supply, to protect thousands of low and middle income North Kesteven residents who will get nothing or little from the council tax rebate plan or payback loan.
“We call on the government to take the following actions:
Increase substantially the Warm Homes Discount for poorer households, and expand the category of households eligible to include all in receipt of either Pension Credit or working age benefits
Levy windfall taxes on fossil fuel producing companies
Remove from energy bills the burden of paying the debts of failed energy companies since OFGEM failed to require them to protect themselves against wholesale cost increase
Cut VAT on energy bills and insulation
More support for Renewable Energy and long term investment in energy efficiency by home owners, council and other social landlords, private rental tenants and businesses.”
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The final in the latest series of road closures for works on the A1, as part of the Grantham Southern Relief Road project, has been temporarily postponed
A weekend northbound A1 closure was due to be in place between 8pm on Friday, May 20 and 6am on Monday, May 23.
However, Lincolnshire County Council said the closure has been temporarily postponed and once new dates have been confirmed they will be shared.
Works on phase three began in April this year, with the council anticipating that winter 2023 will be the completion date for the relief road.
This will be with the view to reduce congestion and carbon emissions, and provide opportunities for growth in the local economy.
The £102 million Grantham Southern Relief Road project has been led by Lincolnshire County Council, supported by South Kesteven District Council, Highways England, Greater Lincolnshire LEP, Network Rail, Homes England, the Department for Transport and local business contributions.
Safety improvements have been carried out at corner where numerous accidents have occurred in East Keal.
The council is looking into what else can be done to prevent motorists from coming off the road at Hall Corner, while police are looking into the possibility of fitting a speed camera.
A cement lorry recently overturned on the corner in February.
Lincolnshire County Council has found a slight dip in the road where Blacksmith Lane meets the A16 could be the reason why heavy vehicles travelling at excessive speed are tipping over.
It is considering whether to smooth out and realign the road, but says it is concious of the impact that closing the A16 would have on traffic and local businesses.
Several safety improvement measures have already been put in place, including ‘slow’ markings, enhanced bend warning signs and improved chevrons.
Problems have been found with the road surface on the corner. | Photo: Google Street View
Lincolnshire Police are assessing whether a speed camera on the corner would be beneficial, and will be taking speed readings in the coming weeks.
Larger barriers and longer safety fencing have been proposed by the public. However, the county council says that in order for it to be big enough to withstand the impact of overturned vehicles, the cost can’t be justified.
Either the local parish council or the country council could also explore whether to fund a reactive speed sign on the location.
Richard Davies, executive member for highways, said: “We are very thankful to the residents and members of the parish council who have given us their ideas and support in what can be done at Hall Corner. Local knowledge and personal feedback are cornerstones of what we do in terms of delivering the best solutions in the most informed way.
“There has already been much done at this bend to try and mitigate the issues faced and we now have more planned for this particular area that will go on to encourage all road users to drive accordingly in line with the road and conditions.
“I would like to thank everyone involved so far for their input. We will all work together to get the best resolution we can for Hall Corner.”
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