Kate Taylor

By Kate Taylor katetaylor

The past few weeks have seen Jeremy Corbyn go from strength to strength in the Labour leadership race; from Corbynomics and the scrapping of Trident, this is the man that wants change.

Which got me thinking, what needs changing in Lincoln and the rest of the ‘Shire? What is it that we wish we could change in our very own city?

This week has seen a young girl clipped by a bus at the centre’s railway crossing; which to me is a prime example of how a small, Roman city got a whole lot bigger with very little development in its road systems and integral infrastructure.

What about the lack of information available for those facing a financial crisis? Or child services? Many parents are not made aware of the amazing services offered by charities such as Home Start (an independent, local charity who has provided advice and a shoulder to lean on for parents for over 20 years) or their local Sure Start centre.

Youth clubs – what happened to youth clubs? The sight of teenagers sat on their bikes, kicking a ball about around the local Co­-op is a normal, everyday occurrence today.

Imagine if every community centre held a youth club, every evening, with the usual table football and games console selection. Along with youth workers to support our adolescents through 21st century life.

The same could be said for the elderly of our city and indeed county. There are some amazing schemes set up by the likes of Age Concern, which literally changes lives for the better. There’s a lot to be said for a helping
hand or an attentive ear, regardless of age.

To me, a lot of what our city seems to be lacking is community; and an Eastern Bypass but one step at a time.

There are some amazing people in this place we call home; from the wonderful people in our food banks to the street pastors patrolling our city centre come night time to help those in need.

Though we have the bones of something amazing, it’s all about cohesion. We need to strive to reach into every corner of every community and bring it together.

Yes, at this point I’m aware of sounding a little like a political party broadcast but I stand by it nonetheless.

I look at the comments board on Facebook, and the various local groups that use social networking to their advantage, and imagine what we could do if we brought the same process to those living on the edges of our society.

Because it is all about helping your neighbour; whether you read a Bible, the Koran or use the one from Sunday school decades ago as a doorstop.

When it comes to a better road system, or which university building will pop up next, well, those answers are found a little further up.

Which is where I pass my rant over to you. What is it about Lincoln/shire that you wish could be changed, improved or removed? What leaves you aghast at the lack of common sense every time you think about it?

Post them in the comments or email me at [email protected] and I will post the top 10; along with answers and commentary from MPs, councillors and whoever else has a say in the coming weeks.

Start your own discussion, and maybe we can make more changes than we thought, rose tinted writer spectacles not included.

Kate Taylor is a sociologist, mother and tea and cake lover. When not working in sociological and marketing research with her company, Galilee Research, Kate can be found talking about political philosophy on the school run.

By Kate Taylor katetaylor

Surrounded by boxes. Filling boxes. Dreaming of boxes. I’m in the middle of moving house; people keep telling me it’s one of the most stressful things I’ll ever do. I’m beginning to think they’ve started taking bets on when I’ll crack, throw all of my belongings in a skip and go live in a camper van.

I will once again be renting a property, after misplacing the sneaky ten grand deposit to get on the property ladder in a cornflakes box somewhere. Happens to the best of us, right?

Lincolnshire is one of 13 counties this year to exceed the rental highs of 2008, according to the Belvoir Rental Index; and that doesn’t account for deposits or application and administration fees. All of which is understandable, business is business; but with the swath of cut backs in the latest budget, how are people able to move in the first place?

‘Affordable homes’ seems to be the new buzzword on the street, but does it do what it says on the tin? Upon closer inspection, charging up to 80% of market rental value is neither here nor there. According provisional data found by Research-Lincs, 2013-14 saw over 2000 social housing properties rented, compared to nearly 12,000 let from the private sector. That’s a big difference, especially when LHA (local housing allowance, the new name for housing benefit) is set at the 30th percentile.

This equates to a two bedroom property entitling you to a maximum of £100 per week; try finding somewhere for that price and I’ll be very impressed. This, teamed with the still sad fact that the majority of families on the poverty line are in fact working, leads to another self-fulfilling prophecy for the next generation.

Property and community are inextricably linked, and if we’re going to help them thrive steps need to be taken. Firstly, the word ‘affordable’ needs to be used in its correct sense, otherwise we need more social housing and we need it now. Secondly, we shouldn’t be ostracising those on benefits; that goes for landlords and neighbours alike. Thirdly, letting agents, housing associations and councils need to work together further and pool resources. Not only for a fuller, credible picture as to what’s happening, but to see what needs to be done to ensure economic and societal stability.

The ramifications of where one calls their home is endless, as I’m well coming to realise of late. Me and mine have been in our suburban bungalow for six years now, and a part of me will be sad to say goodbye. The other part of me would rather like to close my eyes and awaken in our new home with everything unpacked and arranged just so.

I am lucky to have financial stability in a way I couldn’t even fathom when I moved in over half a decade ago, and finding around two thousand pounds isn’t exactly easy this time, either. Now, where did I put those ruby red slippers?

Kate Taylor is a sociologist, mother and tea and cake lover. When not working in sociological and marketing research with her company, Galilee Research, Kate can be found talking about political philosophy on the school run.