Ric Metcalfe

By Ric Metcalfe City of Lincoln Council Leader

As 2021 draws to a close, we are left to reflect on a year that has, for many been as difficult as the last.

Locally, nationally and internationally, the coronavirus pandemic has continued to affect all of our lives, with the start of the year seeing the city council work with key partners to run testing facilities at Sincil Bank and Monks Road, testing over 15,000 people in January alone.

We continued the hard work of 2020 into 2021, keeping our key services running while also helping to ensure the needs of the most vulnerable in the city were met.

I am incredibly proud of all our city council who have exceeded expectations and continued to provide a high-quality service throughout the year. They have delivered above and beyond for both our residents and visitors, despite the obvious challenges we have faced.

One such example took place in May, when the local elections were at the forefront of all our minds. It is safe to say it was the most challenging elections we have faced in terms of set up – certainly in my time as a councillor.

Voters this year had three votes to make, with the City of Lincoln Council, Lincolnshire County Council and Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner elections all taking place on the same day. Staff worked incredibly hard to provide a safe, and easily accessible election, with the challenges of government guidelines and increased restrictions in place. 2021 saw new polling stations, with some voters visiting different locations, including a car showroom, to ensure social distancing could be adhered to throughout.

As some of you may know, 2021 is the second year of the council’s Vision 2025, and it’s been a year where we’ve delivered projects that have focused on our five strategic priorities including driving economic growth, reducing all kinds of inequality, delivering quality housing, enhancing our remarkable place and addressing the challenge of climate change.

This year saw the completion of the Cornhill Square public realm, Lincoln’s new contemporary space within our city centre, where we hope 2022 will bring a range of family-centred events and cultural activities to be enjoyed.

Key works also began in our High Street Heritage Action Zone in partnership with Historic England, with the first restoration of shopfronts on St Mary’s Street. In 2022 we will do further work as part of the scheme to maintain, protect and restore historic buildings including St Mary’s Guildhall and other heritage sites at risk.

We have further developed our Lincoln Social Responsibility Charter, which now has almost 100 businesses involved and encourages organisations in the city to undertake socially responsible activities which benefit both their employees and the local community.

Works continue at De Wint Court to provide a new purpose built 70 apartment Extra Care facility, with completion expected for the beginning of next year. Once complete, the new apartments will enable residents to maintain independence in their own homes as their needs change, with care providers arranged by the county council.

Our refurbishment of Lincoln Crematorium nears completion with the delivery of a second chapel and new cremators to ensure we continue to deliver a high-quality service, in an attractive environment where people can say goodbye to loved ones.

The capital works as part of the Boultham Park Lake Restoration project were completed this year, improving the water quality of the lake, restoring its banks with further improvements to the biodiversity of the plants and wildlife in the area. I was lucky enough to attend the official opening following the works, highlighting a beautiful green space, which is cherished in our city.

Earlier this month, the Lincoln Christmas Market returned to the city, attracting more than 275,000 visitors over the four-day event. We saw thousands get into the festive spirit, taking in the sights and smells Christmas in Lincoln had to offer, with over 150 stalls, entertainment and outstanding views, showcasing what our city has to offer as a tourist destination. I look forward to celebrating our 40th year of the market in 2022.

Next year sees the plans for Western Growth Corridor being considered by Full Council, sitting as the planning committee. Proposals, which will be decided upon on 12 January, include 3,200 new homes, a local centre for retail and commercial units, a primary school, leisure complex and facilities and a new road infrastructure. This is probably the most significant project the council has put forward in modern times and I look forward to taking part in the debate next month.

I can’t wait for 2022 and the continued improvements we all hope it will bring. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all residents, businesses and visitors in our special city a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Councillor Ric Metcalfe is the Labour Leader of the City of Lincoln Council.

By Ric Metcalfe City of Lincoln Council Leader

What a year it has been! Notable for the protracted debate about Britain’s place in Europe, increasing and justifiable anxiety about the effects of climate change, continuing pressure on public services and right at the end, a seismic change in the political landscape.

I was extremely pleased that the whole council came together as one to support our proposal to declare a climate emergency for Lincoln and to commit to a carbon-neutral city by 2030.

This will challenge us to change the way we do things, as both individuals and organisations.

The council has already developed an action plan which includes the reduction of single use plastic in our buildings and we are encouraging others to follow our lead and go plastic free.

Sadly, you don’t need to go too far in the city to notice the effects of chronic underfunding for our public services. Homelessness is on the rise and is being felt in all towns and cities across the country. Lincoln is no exception.

We have taken significant steps over the last year to address the issues of homelessness and rough sleeping. We have worked together with partners to set up a rough sleeper initiative delivered by a team based at City Hall.

It is not a problem amenable to a quick solution, but successes are being achieved. Since it was set up the team has helped almost 100 people to find accommodation and assisted more than 160 who are suffering with mental health issues.

Another success I am particularly pleased about is that we were able to get government support for the removal of the blight of ‘To Let’ boards in certain areas of the city. At first glance, this might seem like a small thing but the improvements made are significant to those streets which were so negatively affected by signs which remained in place on a year-round basis.

We also celebrated Lincoln City FC’s promotion to League One, a success story that we recognised by organising the club’s second city parade in three years. It was incredible to witness more than 20,000 people lining the streets to cheer on their heroes and show their pride. It was a privilege to put on this event for Lincoln and we keep our fingers crossed that it isn’t too long before we can do it again!

We set great store by having good relationships with business in the city, large and small, which is why I am very happy at the number of businesses which have signed up to our Lincoln Social Responsibility Charter. Almost 70 businesses have now shown that they go ‘above and beyond’ in providing support for their employees and the community.

In 2017 we launched our vision of “Let’s deliver Lincoln’s ambitious future” and since then we have been integral in the delivery of dozens of new initiatives and projects which have helped move the city forward, from the Transport Hub to the £4million renovation of Boultham Park.

Next year, we hope to keep this momentum going with the launch of our Vision 2025 and I hope residents will get involved.

It will include further work at Boultham Park. A bid has gone into the Heritage Lottery Fund for money to improve the park’s lake, clearing silt and debris which will allow the water to become rich in oxygen and clean itself naturally. We are hoping to hear whether we are successful very early in the New Year.

Vision 2025 will include work on a fantastic new extra care facility on the vacant site off De Wint Court, off Bowden Drive. This will feature 50 one-bed apartments and 20 two-bed apartments and will bridge the gap between ordinary sheltered housing and residential care for a mixture of residents with high, medium and low care needs and supporting them to live independently. The project will be delivered in partnership with Lincolnshire County Council and Homes England.

There are also big changes on the way for Lincoln Crematorium, with a radical transformation on the cards, creating a modern, high-quality service which is fit for a growing city.

We will continue our house building programme, all our work to support sustainable economic growth, and our drive to reduce inequality.

There are some great challenges ahead in 2020 but also some great opportunities.

Councillor Ric Metcalfe is the Labour Leader of the City of Lincoln Council.