Leader’s message
Spring is just around the corner and already you can see signs of new life in our hedgerows and fields, with flowers beginning to appear and soon trees will be blossoming ready to carry the fruit of the new year as the season begins to change. And speaking of looking ahead to changes, we all need to make sure we’re ready for the May 4 local elections that are taking place across West Lindsey and other districts across the country. This year for the first time you’ll need photo identification to be able to vote at a polling station and of course we’re encouraging as many people as possible to remember to also register to vote ahead of the day itself. You can find out more using this link here Voter ID | Electoral Commission
Our March newsletter brings you up to date with news and information from across the district – you’ll find a report on how we’re tackling fly-tipping, advice on tackling unsightly mould in your home; along with useful links to cost of living support and advice.
Councillor Owen Bierley
Remember to register now to vote in the May elections
Are you ready to vote?
Residents in West Lindsey will need to bring photographic ID if they choose to vote in person at the elections in May – and of course you’ll also need to register.
These new changes are being rolled out nationally and have been introduced by the UK Government’s Elections Act, which was passed last year. It comes into effect for the first time this May and relates to voting in person and it does not impact postal voting.
All seats on West Lindsey District Council and both Town and Parish Councils throughout the district are up for election.
Ian Knowles, Returning Officer at West Lindsey District Council, is urging people to understand the changes now so that residents can elect the candidates they want to represent them and their interests locally in May.
Here’s the link to the full story, where you will also find links for information on all aspects of voter ID and registration Changes to voting at polling stations in West Lindsey
Worried about damp and mould?
Reduce condensation to battle mould
As well as being unsightly, having damp or mould in your property also makes you more likely to have respiratory problems such as allergies, asthma or respiratory infections. Damp and mould can also affect your immune system and cause mould to accumulate on walls, furniture and make wooden window frames rot.
Mould is a blight and a nuisance, but thankfully there are some simple steps you can do to reduce and prevent it from building up in the first place.
We’ve put together a guide to tackling damp and mould, which you can view here Damp and mould guide
Help in tackle rising costs
The rising costs of living are affecting us all, with many of us having to cut back and change how we spend and live our lives. There is plenty of help and support in West Lindsey and across Lincolnshire. Just some of the help and advice available from a range of organisations is listed here:
Help for Households – household cost of living support
Citizens Advice – range of advice and support
Wellbeing Lincs – a helping hand through life’s changes
Benefits, money and advice – Help from West Lindsey DC
NHS costs – help with prescriptions and health related issues
Energy bill support – help and advice on household bills and other costs
Focus on fly-tipping:
Fly-tipping down across district
The instances of fly-tipping across West Lindsey are down, but the problem continues to blight the local landscape and environment. It’s an eye-saw for residents and visitors alike, and impacts greatly on the environment.
Andy Gray, housing and environmental enforcement manager, housing and communities, says although the level of fly-tipping has dropped, the council continues to tackle the issue head on.
“The overall figure for the level of fly-tipping has decreased significantly within the district and we are continuing to use a number of different approaches to tackle the issue and raise awareness of it,” he said.
“During the last 12 months we have increased the amount of time officers spend patrolling the district specifically for environmental crime type issues such as fly-tipping, which we believe acts as a deterrent and serves to disrupt illegal activities.”
The council has also publicised successful fixed penalties issued to offenders and is utilising high-visibility tape to ensure residents know that a fly-tip is in the process of being dealt with and removed.
You can find out how to report an instance of fly-tipping by visiting the Bins, Waste and Recycling info page on the West Lindsey District Council website here waste information page
In case you missed it – latest news
Deirdre Speed, a Homes for Ukraine host in Gainsborough, featured on BBC One’s Songs of Praise recently (19 February) where she discuss her experience hosting Oleg, Olena and their French bulldog, You can watch the full programme here Songs of Praise
Enjoy the great outdoors on two wheels
You can get active and healthy while exploring the great environment we have here in West Lindsey by swapping your four wheels for two. There are some great cycling routes across the district and further out across the county, and with the approach of spring, you’ve the added bonus of better weather!
Find out more about the great cycling opportunities and other outdoor activities on our leisure page here sport and leisure page
Heritage skills fair
Calling all traditional trades, artists and makers!
Applications are being welcomed from those working in traditional construction trades, decorative art, conservation and restoration to demonstrate their skills, and possibly allow visitors to try for themselves, during Gainsborough’s Heritage Skills Festival 2023!
On Saturday 16th September 2023 from 9am until 3pm, we will be holding a Heritage Skills Fair in Gainsborough, followed by a week of bookable workshops. We are interested to hear from anybody who would like to book a place as a demonstrator at the fair, which will have zones for construction skills, decorative arts and traditional makers.
The Heritage Skills Festival is part of the National Lottery funded Townscape Heritage Initiative, which is underway to restore Gainsborough’s historic shops.
It is FREE to join the Heritage Skills Fair, in return we ask for a willingness to demonstrate skills, and possibly allow visitors to try it themselves.
We are able to offer a covered market stall with a 9ft x 5ft footprint for a display, as well as the opportunity to sell items you have made yourself. Alternatively, you may pitch your own tent/marquee or request an open space for your bespoke display.
For more information please visit the webpage at Discover Gainsborough
Major solar projects proposed
As you may be aware, four significant solar projects are being proposed for development within the District. Each of the four projects qualifies as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP). Rather than apply to West Lindsey DC for planning permission, they will instead apply directly to the government for a Development Consent Order (DCO). The process will be managed and administered by a government agency, the Planning Inspectorate (PINS).
We have set up a dedicated webpage that provides details of each scheme, key documents and helpful links. See Solar projects . A brief update on each scheme follows:
Cottam Solar Project (Island Green Power) – 600MW solar park across three sites in WL, totalling 1,270Ha.
Following a round of public consultation in the summer of 2022, Island Green Power submitted its application to the Planning Inspectorate on Thursday 12th January 2023. PINS have now confirmed it has accepted the application for examination. It will set the examination process and timetable. Interested parties who wish to register will shortly be able to do so via the PINS website: Cottam Solar Project
Gate Burton Energy Park (Low Carbon) – 500MW solar and energy park on approximately 684Ha of land, 4km to the south of Gainsborough.
Following public consultation in the summer of 2022, Low Carbon submitted its application for an Order to PINS on Friday 27th January 2023. PINS will have made a decision whether or not to accept the application for examination by Friday 24th February. In the event it is accepted, third parties will be able to register via the PINS website: Gate Burton Energy Park
West Burton Solar Project (Island Green Power) – 480MW Solar project across three sites within WL, totalling 788Ha in area.
Public consultation was held by the developer in Summer 2022. Following the withdrawal of West Burton 4 from Bassetlaw District, the developer has revised the West Burton 3 site and undertaken further public consultation which ended 8th January 2023. Changes include a larger substation and addition of energy storage units on the site.
An application for a Development Consent Order is anticipated to be made by Island Green Power in Q1 2023.
Tillbridge Solar (Tillbridge Solar Ltd) – (Up to) 500MW Solar Project, on approximately 1,400Ha of land to the west of Hemswell and Glentworth.
The developer has indicated they intend to submit their application for a Development Consent Order in Q3 2023. Prior to that, they will be required to undertake public consultation. This is expected Spring / Summer 2023.
News and info
 There’s still time to renew your subscription to the Garden Waste Collection Service Collections resume on Monday 20th March 2023 and will cost £39 per bin for the year. Subscribe by Monday 6th March 2023 to receive all 18 collections for the year. Garden Waste Recycling |
 Are you looking for a new job, change of role or just fancy something completely different to what you’re doing now? There’s a range of information and advice on vacancies, employment opportunities and volunteering roles on our information page here jobs, employment, volunteering |
Does somebody you know need a little extra support at the moment?
Lincolnshire Mental Health Helpline
The Lincolnshire Mental Health Helpline is available 24/7 if you are feeling low, anxious or stressed and/or need someone to talk to.
For more information visit: http://lpft.nhs.uk/contact-us/need-help-now… Or call 0800 001 4331
Planning and event this year?
We are collating information regarding upcoming events within our local villages and towns. Please contact our cultural events and marketing officer, Daisy Fields, by emailing Daisy.Fields@west-lindsey.gov.uk
With the Coronation this May, we know there will be lots of you looking to get involved by putting on local events such as street parties or Coronation ‘Big Lunches’ and we’d love to hear what you’ve got planned – we can then add these to our Coronation Events Map of the district.
We are able to promote your full event on our events’ page on our website, on our social media platforms, or alternatively if your event is targeted at the residents of your local village only, we can simply add the event location to our Coronation Events Map.
So please let us know what you’re doing and of course please don’t forget to complete our Event Submission Form, which can be found on our events’ page here events page
News and info
 If you’re a group, individual or organisation planning an event, you can get specialist safety support and advice from the West Lindsey Safety Advisory Group (SAG). The West Lindsey SAG is chaired by the director of commercial and operational services and consists of representatives from police, ambulance, fire, licensing, the Local Resilience Forum, Highways and the Corporate H+S Advisor. Organisers can contact SAG by e-mail SAG@west-lindsey.gov.uk |
 Residents across West Lindsey are being reminded to please ensure vehicles are parked in a way that allows waste collections to take place unhindered and safely. There was an instance reported recently where a waste collection vehicle was unable to access a residential street and had to return sometime later. Find out more about waste and recycling here Bins, waste and recycling |
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