Rob's Monthly Update January 2025

Rob kendrick

News from County Councillor Rob Kendrick

Rob's Monthly Update January 2025 

News from County Councillor Rob Kendrick

Happy New Year!

 

Flooding incidents

Unfortunately, we have experienced a number of flooding incidents around the county this week. A whole range of council services were involved in supporting affected residents including Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, Emergency Planning, Flood and Water, Highways, Public Health and Adult and Children’s Social Care, as well as support staff from the Corporate and Resources directorates. The Emergency Centre in Lincoln was activated where representatives of a whole range of services including  the county council and emergency services and others co-ordinate the county wide response. Fortunately, we are now experiencing a drier period of weather and flood risk has abated.

County Council budget proposals and council tax

Lincolnshire County Council’s Executive considered 2025/26 budget proposals on 7 January 2025. They discussed increasing demand and around £20m in lost Government funding. Read the report here(External link) (opens in new tab).

What do you think? Share your thoughts before 5pm on 28 January 2025:

Our costs are going up and government is changing the way it funds councils so we'll get less money than expected for the next five years. Government will give more money to deprived areas, which means Lincolnshire loses out. We’re making savings and we'll get some additional cash next year.

As part of government rules, we can increase council tax by up to 5%. Our rate is one of the lowest among counties in England. We’ve taken difficult decisions in the past so we’re in a strong position compared to other councils.

The budget proposal considers three options:

  • Option A is a 2.99% increase and use £9.7m of reserves / additional savings
  • Option B is a 3.99% increase and use £5.8m of reserves / additional savings
  • Option C is a 4.99% increase and use £1.8m of reserves / additional savings

In recognition that it’s still tough for you too, the Executive said that their preferred option is to increase council tax by 2.99% and use £9.7m of reserves and/or further savings (option A). That also means we can continue to provide quality services. Please use the survey to give your views.

We’ll share a feedback summary with the Executive on 4 February where they’ll consider a final budget recommendation to the Council meeting on 21 February 2025.

Investment to boost business and employment

The council’s executive has agreed to invest £20m over four years to encourage and support businesses to start up, grow and re-locate to the county.

The money will be used to expand business parks, create new office spaces and to build a new facility supporting manufacturing companies to get the skills and expertise they need to thrive. This is estimated to create around 3000 new highly skilled jobs across the county.

This investment will build upon our strong record of supporting Lincolnshire businesses as a council, and as part of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP. There have been many achievements to reflect on this year, and the Christmas edition of the LEP newsletter highlights some of these.

 

Support for Young Carers

Lincolnshire has 7000 young people who care for a parent or sibling. The council is regarded as providing a high level of support for young carers . However, it was decided last year to conduct a review led by a cross-party panel of  councillors. This was  reported to the committee which scrutinises  services for a children and young people. This week at the Council’s Executive Meeting I attended as Chairman of the Children and Young People scrutiny Committee  to support the recommendations of the review panel.   The Executive unanimously accepted the recommendation of the review panel. More information can be found on the LCC website.

 

See your art on display at the Usher Gallery , Lincoln!

       The Usher Gallery Trust is calling all Lincolnshire-based artists to submit their work for ‘Art of the Now’, an open exhibition launching in July 2025 at the Usher Gallery.

       The judging panel will consider all work from Lincolnshire-based artists that has been completed in the last three years. Paintings, video, photography, textiles, drawing,            collage, mixed media, works on paper and sculpture will all be accepted. It is free to enter work, and submissions are open until Monday 7 April 2025. Full entry guidelines and terms and conditions can be found at www.ushergallery.com  

ENDS

Councillor Rob Kendrick

Member for Metheringham Rural Division

Chairman of the  Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee

Lincolnshire County Council, County Offices, Newland, Lincoln LN1 1YL

Monday, 9th December 2024