Local Democracy in Sleaford: will it bring about changes in policy?

But who are the real progressives?

So there are several reports of the recent District Council by-elections - and much comment on Facebook. The story topped the list of most read on the Sleaford Standard web-site for a few days. The Town Plan and link road were key points discussed. OK! we will get the arguments that only 25% or less actually turned out to vote so the rest aren't that bothered.

Well that is not necessarily the case: the lower turnouts in elections are seen as voters deciding that voting will not make one jot of difference. Things have been decided by the "elite". Now who would that refer to in North Kesteven and Sleaford?

Whether or not by design or just co-incidence a statement from NK reaffirmed (Standard article  also )  the intention to press ahead, if needed, with Compulsory Purchase of the required part of the Recreation Ground to facilitate a re-alignment of the Road network in Sleaford - and facilitate (maybe) a new Tesco superstore.

So here are some links on the election result: Standard, Target and NK web-site.

Well done all those who  stood for election, and those who turned out and voted. Congratulations to the winning candidates.

The big issue is: how can these results help turn the tide in favour of a reassessment of the Town Plan? Plans seem to get amended to facilitate proposed new ventures by outside business interests - so why not to facilitate residents preferences as shown in elections?

So what happened? Will we get Lottery money again?

Update: On Wednesday 25 June at the Source at 8.00 pm - Martin Hill of LCC will be at the Source, Southgate (TC venue) to speak, and answer questions on the Anaerobic Digestor Plant. I will keep this site posted of any changes. 

The opening of the Farm Bridge in September 2012 was supposed to be a turning point: cyclists and pedestrians would travel between Sleaford and Leasingham without crossing a busy A.17. Lottery money had helped it to happen.

The M.O.U helped secure the money from the Lottery. However, a proposed entry and exit road to a Chicken Farm/Digestion Plant would affect this. And where would the proposed Anaerobic Digestion Plant and Chicken Farm, if approved, leave the reputation of the group that worked to secure the cycle paths.? The cycle path would have to cross it at some point: how that would compare to having to cross the busy A.17 one can only guess.

It seems to have descended into whether or not the M.O.U is valid legal protection. Well M.O.U's never were but that is not the overriding  principle here. Money was given for a safety purpose.

Post Note: Page 4 of the Sleaford Target (11/6) has a piece at the bottom of Page 4. Shows a photgraph of Children at the Leasingham St Andrew's Primary School at the opening of their new bike and scooter shelters. Sue Waring and Dr Bike from Sustrans are on the photograph with the words "Sustrans has been working closely with school and pupils to develop good habits of susttainable travel to school."

Much of that travel is between Sleaford and Leasingham.

What is the latest? Residents of Holdingham and Leasingham need to know!

I went for a walk this afternoon just to look over the A.17 Farm Bridge and see if anything is happening yet! No sign of Biofuel Lorries: that apparently is next month.

No sign of any development re the Houses and Care Home. And on the other side of the A.17 (Leasingham side) no more stories about the progress or otherwise of the Anaerobic Digester Plant. Something has to give!!

It can't all happen without some major investment.  What is the point for instance of Chicken Lorries coming onto the A.15 and then onto the  busy Roundabout, down to A.17 and going off down the A.153 if it blocks access points on the A.15 towards Anwick.  

And finally there is planning permission for just under 300 dwellings on the Sleaford side of the A.17 adjacent to Sleaford Wood.

Here are a couple of photos to view  the area before any changes take place.

Sleaford Changes

So things are changing: by how much it is hard to tell as much of the information is issued from Press Offices and senior figures on and associated with  Council.

However the stories are about the Mayoral resignation and the "latest" confirmation that Tesco are still interested in developing a new store and the District Council still intend to proceed towards compulsory purchase of the required land on Boston Road - in order to allow for the associated road (Mareham Lane to Boston Road). That would then allow for the closure of the Railway crossing onto Southgate!

Will it regenerate Sleaford or spoil a nice recreation ground and create bottlenecks elsewhere?

Answers on a post card.

Latest Crime Messages

Latest Crime Messages

The latest Neighbourhood Watch messages are at:

Neighbourhood Watch

The Sleaford Target also carry a story.

 

Lock up Your Bikes!

Ensure your possession are safe. Bike thefts particularly are commonplace nationally. Sleaford is not exempt.

Theft of pedal cycle- Sleaford

This is a message sent via Lincolnshire Alert. This information has been sent on behalf of Lincolnshire Police (Please do not reply directly to this email, please use the Reply button at the bottom of this message) Message sent by Amy Michie (Support, PCSO NC37 Sleaford Town, Sleaford Station) Good Morning from the Sleaford Neighbourhood Policing Team. There has been a theft of a pedal cycle from an address of Jubilee Grove, Sleaford. The bike is described as a red and blue males mountain bike with a black seat and black handlebars. The bike is 18 speed and has a bell fitted. This occurred between 20:30 hours on the 28/4/14 and 11:30 hours on the 29/4/14. Incident 166 29/4/14 refers. Please report any information to Lincolnshire Police on 101. Thank you from PCSO Amy Michie. Please use the buttons below or c

Shale Gas & Fracking Arguments Back on the Agenda!

There are two articles relating to this subject which will become bigger issues with the passage of time.

They are: Look North Paul Hudson's Blog  and suggested possible conflicts of interest at Council level. The Council in question is the L.C.C!!    No doubt other news will follow in thee months ahead.

Watch this space!