Lincolnshire readers’ views on our news
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 looking at this story.
Don’t forget, you can always get in touch by emailing news@lincsonline.co.uk
I believe facilities could have been saved
Further to the letter you published last week from a group of Independent Rutland councillors headed “Impossible funding choice”.
The decision to close this facility down is scandalous and it makes a complete mockery of the ‘priorities and strategies’ continually referenced in council reports and documents online.
Having downloaded the council’s statement of accounts for 2022/23, looking for reasons why we cannot afford to subsidise and maintain the single, most comprehensive and much needed health, fitness, well-being and child care support programmes in the county (over 60 groups utilise the community programmes provided), a number of observations can be made.
The word strategy (the plan, the aspiration etc) is used countless times. Strangely there is no sign whatsoever explaining the tactics to be employed to deliver the strategies outlined therein. Page 4 of the report shows five key areas (green box) in their vision for the future. Number 3 is “Healthy and Well” – Promoting health, happiness and wellbeing for people of all ages!
Was the demolition of the only public swimming pool in Rutland and now, the closure of not just a gymnasium (with over 2000 members) but also the spaces used by over 60 health, fitness and wellbeing groups - not forgetting child-care support groups which enable parents to stay in employment during school holidays – always the plan? The council should be ashamed of themselves. What plans are in place, right now, to support the thousands of people whose lives have been turned upside down by this decision? It is an absolute scandal. The council cannot be allowed to say “job done” and walk away from the situation they have now created.
Finally, almost 50% of the council’s budget is spent on salaries and benefits. Interestingly, on page 24 of the report there is a small table showing that from 2021/22 to 2022/23 the number of employees being paid from £50k to £80k increased from 20 people to 35 people, at a cost between £845k and £920k a year.
A figure of £300,000 would have saved the facilities for the people of Oakham.
David Beswick
Edwards Way, Oakham
He will be sadly missed
I was deeply saddened to read of the passing of Robert Strouts on the family announcements page last week.
I would like to pay tribute to him for his generosity and kindness over many years when I acted as tree warden (the title has changed recently) for the parish of Oakham. He was always generous with his advice and will be missed by many people of Rutland.
Always in my thoughts
Joyce Lucas
Oakham
Save our pharmacies
As part of its policy to improve access to Primary Care in January 2024 the then Government introduced the principle of “Pharmacy First”, seeking to direct more minor ailments and conditions to pharmacists in the first instance, and as part of this change extended a limited prescribing role. This was a sensible policy step to take, but it was a policy not supported with the necessary funding.
And it is not just the pharmacists who are concerned. The recent review of our health services by Lord Darzi found that: ‘The accessibility of community pharmacy is referred to as ‘one of the great strengths’ of the health service with the potential for it to deliver more value-added services. However, reduced spending has led to increasing closures and too few resources in the places where it is needed most.’. I think most people in Rutland would agree with his assessment.
The National Pharmaceutical Association (NPA) is currently engaged in a campaign to “Save our Pharmacies” - you will see petition forms in your local pharmacy - to elicit public support for a new funding formula from the new Labour Government,to maintain our existing local pharmacy provision.
All Rutland residents should be concerned with the present situation. I would urge you to sign the NPA petition and write to our MP, Alicia Kearns, asking her to support this call to Government for improved funding for our pharmacies.
Coun Ramsay Ross
Leader of the Labour Group
Rutland County Council
Speak to councillors
The monthly surgery for Oakham North West residents will be held on Friday, October 4, at the George Inn Hotel, Market Square, between 2pm and 3pm. Please note the change of venue.
No appointment is required.
Couns Steve McRobb and Ramsay Ross
Labour - Rutland County Council
I agree with correspondent
I totally agree with Rex Merchant's comments published last week.
One point I would like to make is that we change the title from West End to the Forgotten End of Oakham.
After several attempts to spruce up the area I complained to the owners of the flats about repainting the boundary wall (these should never have been painted in the first place in my opinion ) only to be told that I would get a reply within five working days.
I am still waiting after three months.
When can the residents of this area look forward to some improvement.?
Name and address supplied
Stand up for locals please
A short while ago I wrote to the Stamford Mercury as a contractor pointing out the hidden subsidence problems suffered by some older estate homes spread about Ketton that have now come to light years later.
Where does the forthcoming Vistry Homes new build NHBC certificate on completion now fit in, has compensation been factored in for high repair bills later down the line?
Mike Walker, the land and planning director of Vistry Homes, has failed to publicly answer any of these questions and many other resident concerns except to clarify in a heated parish meeting that no resident had a right to an open view from their own property.
Vistry homes has recently hit the national media again in relation to a 165 new home build in Glen Parva that has seen local residents flood the local Blaby District Council with complaints and compensation claims demanded.
A very noisy pile driving machine has been installed on site operating for eight hours a day and is literally "deafening" local residents for miles around to distraction, and it is now the subject of a full council and health and safety investigation.
Is it not time that both Ketton Parish Council and Rutland County Council stood up for it's high council tax paying residents and immediately clarified also where the £600,000 developer and 106 contributions will actually be spent in Ketton to the sole benefit of its affected locals?
How about a new doctors surgery, or is it all just about maintaining core service and high end adult social care and children's services costs at Ketton’s expense?
Name and address supplied
Property should keep original name
My sister and I were interested to read about the property for letting, namely 'Wothorpe House' in Wothorpe Road. We lived there for many years after moving from Bottle Lodges and lived with our grandparents and father. Our grandfather (Edgar Cunnington) worked for the Burghley Estate for many years for the 4th & 5th Marquess as manager of the Burghley Timber Yard.
The article mentions nostalgia and school days. This, in particular, drew our attention.
We are wondering why the name of the cottage was changed. In our time and probably for hundreds of years before it was known as Grove Cottage 6 Wothorpe Road and it saddens us to see the name change on the property.
We are hoping that the name could be reverted back to Grove Cottage. Maybe 6a and 6b Wothorpe Road.
It surprised us to see how many old Stamfordians have been in touch with us over this. How lovely it would be if the history of the old place could keep its original name.
Nostalgia is indeed a huge part of people’s lives and it would be lovely to think about the name change for the history of Grove Cottage - so named we were told that it was the last dwelling place before you reached The Groves (the local bluebell wood) on the way to Easton on the Hill.
Judith Sanders and Helena Cutforth (nee Cunnington)
Easton-on-the-Hill
Find out about your surgery
We now have an email group for Stamford Surgery patients to receive information about what's happening in our surgery and to comment on the services offered. We won't bombard you with emails but will make sure you are kept informed. Our hope is that those who sign up will also be able to pass information to friends and relations who do not use emails and social media to help make communication better across all groups in Stamford.
To join, send a blank email (no need for subject or any text) to:
stamfordppg+subscribe@groups.io
Please do sign up because the more people who join the stronger will be the voice of patients.
John Morphy-Godber
Chairperson of Stamford Patient Participation Group
Thanks for speed limit help
I would like to thank town clerk Ian Sismey for helping to arrange the positioning of speed signs in St Gilbert’s Road, Bourne.
I hope that people will take note of the limit imposed on this road.
Mrs Reeves
St Gilbert’s Road, Bourne
Great to see council investment
It was great to see that SKDC are investing in solar panels at the Meres Leisure Centre with an estimated saving of £52,000 (26.37%) on their annual heating bill. However, I would like to know their reasoning for not doing the same with the sports stadium which is part of the facility and has three flat roof areas which must be suitable for similar treatment.With a figure that SKDC estimated in July 2023 of £73,500 for that year, an additional £19,000 per annum was there to be saved. Why have they missed that opportunity? Do they not care about maintaining the best sports facility in the district?
Graham Cowell
Grantham
Editor’s note: Since this letter was received, the Journal has been made aware the money was ringfenced for use at swimming pools only.
Cost of parking puts people off
I sometimes think SKDC don't want people to come into towns, especially Grantham. The cost of parking puts them off.They need to take a look at North and North East Lincolnshire parking charges - two hours free parking - and their correspondingly healthy high streets - lots of thriving independent retailers.SKDC needs to learn about attracting people to shop and eat in Grantham and other towns.
Linda Page
Grantham
