South Kesteven District Council officers have confirmed, in a response to a question I posed in Full Council 8th September, that they cannot guarantee they will complete a list of all of our towns historical assets before development starts on the sites identified in the Grantham Area Action Plan.
Given this concerning news I have asked officers to look at prioritising their work so that the sites earmarked for development in GAAP (and elsewhere in SKDC for that matter), are checked out as a priority to reduce the risk.
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
New fencing at College Street river crossing
New fencing has been installed at the bridge crossing over the River Witham at College Street. Anti social behaviour on and around the bridge has caused concern for both local residents ande people passing.
Unfortunately whoever installed the fencing paid more attention to aesthetic requirements than the original objective. Rather than the vertical slats PC Wright and I proposed, horizontal slats have been put on the fencing. Combined with the large gaps it is now possible to sit and rest your feet on the planks. This somewhat defeats the object of the fence which was to discourage, rather than encourage loitering.
I have asked for details of the order to find out what has gone wrong and to get the situation rectified.
Unfortunately whoever installed the fencing paid more attention to aesthetic requirements than the original objective. Rather than the vertical slats PC Wright and I proposed, horizontal slats have been put on the fencing. Combined with the large gaps it is now possible to sit and rest your feet on the planks. This somewhat defeats the object of the fence which was to discourage, rather than encourage loitering.
I have asked for details of the order to find out what has gone wrong and to get the situation rectified.
Thursday, 8 September 2011
Saturday, 3 September 2011
Would You Like a Visit to the Mayor's Office? I can help
As a Grantham Ward Councillor I find myself also a member of the Charter of Trustees. As a result I am required to attend meetings in the Mayor's office and assist with civic duties, including fundraising.
I personally would also like the Trustees to put aside political differences in the Council Chamber and put forward ideas that would support the people of Grantham! We can but dream (and keep badgering away at the idea too).
At our meeting this week debate was largely around the Mayor's car. It was generally agreed that the lowest cost, most fuel efficient vehicle should be found that can take four passengers. A Reliant Robin was suggested.
I have volunteered to help feed the hundreds of cyclists who will arrive at the Mere's in November cycling for charity. It is the same day the Christmas Lights go on.
I had a delightful tour of the Mayor's Office with Peter who has a number of roles supporting the Mayor's Office including chauffeur, tour guide, assistant, washer upper and organiser. (Ann does most of the organising it has to be said from a tiny office at the back.)
Peter showed me a number of artefacts, most of which are gifts to the Mayor over the years. The Mayor's Staff is ornate and beautifully crafted but the most moving items were the most humble. Tiny origami gifts from the children of Fukushima,Japan so tragically struck by the earthquake and tsunami. There have been links for some time between children in Fukushima and children in Grantham through schools.
I made the point to Peter that I find it concerning how divorced the Mayor's Office seems from the people of Grantham. I am glad to say he agrees. He is keen to open up the office as much as possible. He has agreed that if any of my ward members (or other Granthonians for that matter) would like a tour of the office please contact me and I will arrange it with Peter for you. You are also welcome to bring relatives along.
Peter has produced a booklet on the contents of the Mayor's Office available for £6 which will go to the Mayor's Charities.
The Mayor's Office belongs to all of us. Come and take a look.
I personally would also like the Trustees to put aside political differences in the Council Chamber and put forward ideas that would support the people of Grantham! We can but dream (and keep badgering away at the idea too).
At our meeting this week debate was largely around the Mayor's car. It was generally agreed that the lowest cost, most fuel efficient vehicle should be found that can take four passengers. A Reliant Robin was suggested.
I have volunteered to help feed the hundreds of cyclists who will arrive at the Mere's in November cycling for charity. It is the same day the Christmas Lights go on.
I had a delightful tour of the Mayor's Office with Peter who has a number of roles supporting the Mayor's Office including chauffeur, tour guide, assistant, washer upper and organiser. (Ann does most of the organising it has to be said from a tiny office at the back.)
Peter showed me a number of artefacts, most of which are gifts to the Mayor over the years. The Mayor's Staff is ornate and beautifully crafted but the most moving items were the most humble. Tiny origami gifts from the children of Fukushima,Japan so tragically struck by the earthquake and tsunami. There have been links for some time between children in Fukushima and children in Grantham through schools.
I made the point to Peter that I find it concerning how divorced the Mayor's Office seems from the people of Grantham. I am glad to say he agrees. He is keen to open up the office as much as possible. He has agreed that if any of my ward members (or other Granthonians for that matter) would like a tour of the office please contact me and I will arrange it with Peter for you. You are also welcome to bring relatives along.
Peter has produced a booklet on the contents of the Mayor's Office available for £6 which will go to the Mayor's Charities.
The Mayor's Office belongs to all of us. Come and take a look.
Ward Surgeries
It has taken some research but I have decided the best way to hold ward surgeries is to invite you to visit me in my home. Please ring for an appointment. This way you don't have to wait for a monthly surgery and if you cannot come to me, I will visit you.
My number is 01476 574748.
I plan to hold meetings at residential centres as well including Welby Everard Court, Sandon Place and Witham Place.
My number is 01476 574748.
I plan to hold meetings at residential centres as well including Welby Everard Court, Sandon Place and Witham Place.
Do you need help? Don't delay to avoid losing benefits
If you have lost your job, or had a change in circumstances then it is very important to act quickly.
Many benefits are not back-dated. To get what you are entitled to contact either South Kesteven District Council Customer Service Team on 01476 405080 or our Citizen's Advice Bureau.
If you are struggling to pay for food don't forget to ask if you can get Food Vouchers.
FoodBank is there to help you and your family.
If you want more help contact me. As your Ward councillor I will be delighted to help you and will make an appointment to meet you at a mutually convenient.time and place. Call me on 01476 574748.
Many benefits are not back-dated. To get what you are entitled to contact either South Kesteven District Council Customer Service Team on 01476 405080 or our Citizen's Advice Bureau.
If you are struggling to pay for food don't forget to ask if you can get Food Vouchers.
FoodBank is there to help you and your family.
If you want more help contact me. As your Ward councillor I will be delighted to help you and will make an appointment to meet you at a mutually convenient.time and place. Call me on 01476 574748.
FoodBank collection at Sainsburys a success - but Government fails to deliver
Last Saturday I had the honour of joining the dedicated band of FoodBank volunteers at Sainsburys in Grantham. They were collecting donations of food from Sainsbury's customers, sorting them and transporting the food to the FoodBank office in St Catherine's Road.
It was a humbling and heartwarming experience to see the generosity of local people. It was also clear from the content of the trolleys that went by that many people are struggling themselves. As we took donations and sorted the food I was constantly reminded of the families needing help. I would like to say that I would find it hard to imagine what it must be like to have an empty foodcupboard.but I don't have to imagine. A childhood spent in poverty carved such images in my mind and stomach. My mother somehow always managed to rustle us up something but I didnt taste roast beef until I had my own job in my early twenties.
It is sobering to realise just how close so many of us are to the poverty line. Not only those in long term poverty dependent on benefits, including many working, are struggling. Middle class people are also affected. I visited the Council Tax Benefits team this week. Many of their callers are used to a decent income but committed to a large mortgage suddenly find themselves out of a job and facing high outgoings. Savings quickly disappear. Their benefit entitlement is minimal too. Far more people are at risk than we may like to think.
I found it disturbing to hear from Brian Hanbury, FoodBank Project Co-ordinator that the Government has failed to rollout the allocation of Foodbank vouchers to JobCentre Plus. Foodbank have identified over 70% of people they should be helping cannot get aid because the Job Centres do not hold the vouchers required. All the Job Centres need to do is complete a simple form to put food on the table of a family in need.
Quick to deliver cuts the Government has been far less efficient at supporting those volunteering to make up for the shortfalls in our welfare system. A system which we should never forget supports one of the most inequal societies in the world.
Whilst I was helping a local gent came up to me. He sighed, shook his head and said " I never thought I would see the day when British families would need help with food." He went on to say "This Government came in on a pack of lies. I was a Tory, I voted for them....I didn't vote for this...I won't be voting Tory next time".
During the election campaign on the podium David Cameron accused Gordon Brown of lying when Labour said that a Tory Government would hurt ordinary people. Who is the liar now David?
Perhaps there is a reason the Coallition Government have failed to support FoodBank. Perhaps they would rather people sat at home hungry than queued outside a FoodBank centre for food. No doubt they would rather keep their failure hidden.
In the meanwhile the determined supporters of FoodBank will keep battling on against the odds, and I will be proud to join them.
It was a humbling and heartwarming experience to see the generosity of local people. It was also clear from the content of the trolleys that went by that many people are struggling themselves. As we took donations and sorted the food I was constantly reminded of the families needing help. I would like to say that I would find it hard to imagine what it must be like to have an empty foodcupboard.but I don't have to imagine. A childhood spent in poverty carved such images in my mind and stomach. My mother somehow always managed to rustle us up something but I didnt taste roast beef until I had my own job in my early twenties.
It is sobering to realise just how close so many of us are to the poverty line. Not only those in long term poverty dependent on benefits, including many working, are struggling. Middle class people are also affected. I visited the Council Tax Benefits team this week. Many of their callers are used to a decent income but committed to a large mortgage suddenly find themselves out of a job and facing high outgoings. Savings quickly disappear. Their benefit entitlement is minimal too. Far more people are at risk than we may like to think.
I found it disturbing to hear from Brian Hanbury, FoodBank Project Co-ordinator that the Government has failed to rollout the allocation of Foodbank vouchers to JobCentre Plus. Foodbank have identified over 70% of people they should be helping cannot get aid because the Job Centres do not hold the vouchers required. All the Job Centres need to do is complete a simple form to put food on the table of a family in need.
Quick to deliver cuts the Government has been far less efficient at supporting those volunteering to make up for the shortfalls in our welfare system. A system which we should never forget supports one of the most inequal societies in the world.
Whilst I was helping a local gent came up to me. He sighed, shook his head and said " I never thought I would see the day when British families would need help with food." He went on to say "This Government came in on a pack of lies. I was a Tory, I voted for them....I didn't vote for this...I won't be voting Tory next time".
During the election campaign on the podium David Cameron accused Gordon Brown of lying when Labour said that a Tory Government would hurt ordinary people. Who is the liar now David?
Perhaps there is a reason the Coallition Government have failed to support FoodBank. Perhaps they would rather people sat at home hungry than queued outside a FoodBank centre for food. No doubt they would rather keep their failure hidden.
In the meanwhile the determined supporters of FoodBank will keep battling on against the odds, and I will be proud to join them.
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