Letter writers from Stamford, Spalding, Grantham and Rutland share their views with LincsOnline
Readers have had plenty to say on what’s in the news.
Here we share some of the letters, emails and comments that have come in over the week, including this cartoon from John Elson on this story.
Send your letters to: news@lincsonline.co.uk
Rutland is blooming
As patron and co-founder of Oakham in Bloom I would like to convey my thanks and draw the attention of your readers to those volunteers who work in all weathers throughout the year to make the market towns of Oakham and Uppingham look so good.
Although Oakham no longer enters the In Bloom competition the ongoing projects round the bypass and elsewhere in town are evidence of the work taking place behind the scenes. Uppingham in Bloom needs to be congratulated on reaching the national finals and I am sure we wish them all the best when judging takes place later this year.
The projects carried out by these volunteers is typical of the work being carried out by so many unpaid helpers in a wide range of organisations throughout the county and is one of the outstanding qualities of Rutland. Having been heavily involved more than 25 years ago in the successful fight to restore the county of Rutland, I know that a major factor in that instance was the overwhelming sense of identity and commitment that residents had to the county.
The future of Rutland is once again in the balance with the probability that for administrative reasons we will be combined with neighbouring authorities. I don’t necessarily agree that this will lead to savings and am of the opinion that loss of accessibility and accountability may be the price we have to pay.
Whatever the outcome I am convinced that Rutland’s historic and ceremonial identity must not be lost. The residents have in the past, throughout our 23 years as part of Leicestershire and in the subsequent 28 years as a Unitary Authority and County, preserved our identity and I believe that we should make our voices known to all those involved in the decision making process to ensure that the historic county of Rutland continues to be recognised as such.
Richard Adams
Oakham
We have connections elsewhere
The recently announced plans for local government devolution seemingly present the foregone conclusion that Rutland will be managed in future by a new authority in Leicestershire.
Many in Rutland are objecting to this loss of identity. However there are some living in Rutland, east of the A1, who would rather be in Lincolnshire as we have stronger connections with Stamford than with Oakham. Particularly as Rutland County Council seems to forget we exist or put us at the bottom of its priorities.
Our roads are less well maintained or dreadfully resurfaced as in the Ryhall Square, Ryhall's plan for traffic calming measures was neglected even though Ryhall Parish Council offered to pay for the signage - and now Ryhall Library is threatened with closure.
Only the Lord Lieutenant and our MP take any interest in us!
Andrew Nebel
By email
Share your housing stories
Do you rent your home from a Housing Association?
If you do, then we, as Rutland County Councillors need your help. We are compiling a report about the experiences of Rutland residents who rent their home from Housing Associations with a particular focus on repairs and maintenance.
Please complete the survey, which is on the Rutland County Council website or get in touch with your local councillor. Copies are also held at Citizens Advice Rutland and can be completed anonymously. We will also be hearing evidence from the Housing Associations and will produce a report for Scrutiny committee in May. Please have your say! The survey closes at 4pm on February 28.
Rosemary Powell
Rutland County Council (Ind) and chair of Housing Association Evidence Panel
The future of Rutland
Without the successful amendment, supported by the independent group, at special council on Tuesday, February 11, it is likely there would not have been further council debates and votes in public before submissions in March and November to Government on Rutland’s future.
With Rutland’s unique position and strong sense of identity we feel strongly that councillors and residents should have their say. The quality of the debate on Tuesday, the facts, information and emotions shared confirmed the necessity for open discussion on Rutland’s future as local government is reorganised and power is devolved from Westminster.
Whilst Cllr Gale Waller, as Leader, does have the authority to act for the council, this will now be following full council debates and with increased public engagement. This is the right way to take things forward in the interests of transparency and open democracy.
Enlarged local authorities of the future will increasingly be party political, as, in order to stand for election, candidates will require considerable monetary and human resources to canvass votes in a large area which is difficult without the backing of a major political party. Independents are an essential part of local democracy and it is important that the independent voice of reason is not marginalised into obscurity.
Rosemary Powell, Samantha Harvey, Andrew Brown, Kevin Corby, Nick Begy, Tracy Carr, Oliver Hemsley
Rutland County Council - Independent members
We need a strong voice
I am sure many readers will welcome the belated acceptance by the Liberal Democrat leadership in Catmose of allowing county councillors a say and an indicative vote on the proposals due to be put forward by Rutland County Council to the Labour Government in March and November on Rutland’s future although they may well ask why it took the amendment of the Rutland Conservatives at the Special Council held on Tuesday, February 11, to galvanise them into agreement.
Clearly, the policy of insisting this was solely a matter for the executive of Rutland County Council was politically untenable as well as running counter to all common sense and democratic norms. I am unaware of any other council pursuing such an autocratic course. It is also to be greatly welcomed that the amendment commits the council leader to consulting the people of Rutland.
Further, I remain astonished that the leadership of Rutland County Council should have written to the Labour Government in such effusive terms that Rutland welcomed local government reorganisation and the creation of a new over-arching mayoral authority, and even more astonished that this letter was kept from the public let alone the elected members of Rutland County Council.
At a time when this Labour Government has shown itself to be no friend to Rutland and is cutting funding for our rural communities here, is pursuing ideological and vindictive policies such as the family farm tax, the tax on family businesses, the VAT tax on school fees, a wholly counter-productive tax on jobs in the form of large increases in employer NICS which will directly harm both employers and employees here in Rutland, it is clear that the Liberal Democrats will not stand up for Rutland and our rural way of life against the Labour Party.
Rutland needs more than ever a strong Conservative voice.
Giles Clifton
Rutland County Council (Con - Braunston and Martinsthorpe)
A common sense idea
Having lived in Oakham since 1960, it has become more and more obvious that we need to increase the road connections across the railway line which divides the town. A third level crossing on South Street was closed in the early 60s which reduced the crossing points to two.
With yet more estates being constructed in the west, we really need to sort this problem out now. An extra bridge would help to connect the Uppingham road to join up with the new Brooke Road housing.
It need not be a huge structure for heavy lorries; just say up to 5 tons to enable cars and light vans avoid the traffic jams at the level crossings. Is it too much to expect a common sense idea to be adopted (adapted) for the benefit of all?
John Bagley
Oakham
A reply to bin questions
I have received a reply to questions raised about the non-delivery of the bin collection calendars and the increase in green bin fees.
With regard to the bin collection calendar, which should have been delivered to every household in early December, the district council chief executive replied: “Unfortunately we are aware that some properties did not receive the bin calendar and we have arranged for printed copies to be sent to those who have contacted us.”
In my letter I had suggested that the failures to deliver the 2024/25 calendars, offered the opportunity to issue a new annual calendar from April 2025. Chief executive Karen Bradford replied that as part of the current waste collection services review “... there is an option to revise the publication date for bin collections to coincide with the start of the financial year”.
In view of these responses, I suggest that everyone who did not receive a bin collection calendar in a timely manner notifies SKDC and/or their district councillor so the true failure of engaging a distribution company can be assessed.
In addition I would urge all residents to register their support for revising the annual publication date for bin collection calendars to coincide with the start of the financial year.
Apparently the Environmental Protection Team has confirmed there is no evidence of a link between increases in charges and flytipping rates. That conclusion does not consider the increase in collecting litter and other waste by volunteers and the increase in parish precepts for hire fees to empty and dispose of extra waste bins and bags.
Last week it was reported that the full council had approved the £2 increase for each green bin, with no increase for bulk waste collection.
Although the chief executive was referring to garden waste services in her letter, I entirely agree with her statement: “It is unfair that residents who don’t use the service should have to subsidise this….” (a service that councils can charge for). It is unfair that green bin subscribers should subsidise bulk waste collections through “cross funding” the two services.
Joyce Stevenson
Thurlby
Sad to hear about Cath
I was saddened to hear of the death of Cath Rowson; I was so grateful for her help when some uncaring owner dumped a female cat and her three kittens at the Cold Storage facility at Easton, miles away from anywhere!
I asked Cath for her help which she did Willingly!
She loaned me a “cat trap” and I managed (over time) to catch all four cats! The kittens she managed to find homes for and the mother cat she had neutered and I rehomed her, she is a very sociable and loving cat who I have today 7 years later!
She had helped so many cats over the years and the people of Grantham will miss her so much!
Amanda Watson
Grantham
An idea for old hospital
My brother Andrew had a good idea for a new use of the Old Hospital - a convalescent home. It would free up space in the main hospital but would be close enough for medical needs. I know a lot would need to be spent but it might pay for itself in the long run.
Sally Weston
Hungerton
Road should be closed, as was originally planned
I would like to discuss the amount of accidents at the Clay Lake Bank/Mill Drove Junction, Weston Hills:
Mill Drove was expected to closed off at both ends under the original plans for the A16. The entrance at the Cowbit side of the bypass has been closed off but for whatever reason Mill Drove North wasn’t.
But for years this has been used as a rat run as people think its quicker and shorter than using the bypass.
So the question needs to be asked — why didn’t the closure take place?
Who can answer that question?
There is nothing wrong with any road in the country (potholes excluded) as long as motorists use them correctly and drive to the conditions.
Having lived in Weston Hills since 1992, if you use the junction correctly there shouldn’t be any problems. Give an extra look to see that no traffic is coming stay safe.
In frosty weather, the road by Tyrrell’s yard remains icy as the road remains in the shade but yet it doesn’t get gritted.
If you not going to drive to the relevant conditions you may well suffer the consequences. If there’s snow on the A16 you drive to the conditions so why don’t people when they use this rat run?
The 40mph speed limit that Coun Anthony Casson has been talking about on applies for about 20 meters at the Low Fulney end of Fulney Drove, then its national speed limit until you hit the bypass.
So we’ve had 38 accidents there in nearly two years.
That’s 38 times the emergency services have needed to attend but if Mill Drove North was closed off as originally planned I wouldn’t be writing this letter and the emergency services could have been dealing with something else.
So why wasn`t Mill Drove North closed off and why can’t it be permanently closed off now?
These are questions that need to asked and answered.
I do hope someone from Lincolnshire County Council’s Highways department reads this and responds.
Let’s use a bit of common sense and reduce accident rates by closing the junction of Mill Drove North so people can’t use it as a rat run. The amount of new signs highways wouldn’t have to replace, let alone the cost to emergency services each time they have to come out.
Get people to use the A16.
Shaun Tranter
via email
