Grantham, Rutland and Stamford letter writers share their views with LincsOnline
Readers have once again 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.
Send your letters to: news@lincsonline.co.uk
Share your views on reorganisation
Oakham North West councillors will be holding meetings on Local Government Reorganisation on May 20 and June 17 in the Scout Hut on Grampian Way, to discuss this topic with constituency residents. We will seek to explain the position and options, based upon the information available, and take questions. This will inform our contribution to a subsequent council meeting on the issue.
Doors will open at 6.45pm for a 7pm start.
Note that surgeries will continue to be held at the George Hotel at a time to suit you.
Please contact us through our Rutland County Council email address to make an appointment:
Cllr Steve McRobb: SMcRobb@rutland.gov.uk
Cllr Ramsay Ross: RRoss@rutland.gov.uk
Steve McRobb and Ramsay Ross
Rutland County Council
What next for our town?
What now for Stamford after the huge swing to Reform in Lincolnshire ? What Stamford needs are -
A long awaited waste recycling plant; an even longer awaited East / West bypass; ( SKDC ) Council staff actually turning up to the office to work for five days a week and not just two days as currently required; the end of expenditure wasted on DEI awareness courses and projects like rainbow crossings; proper attention to our roads and not just irregular and botched pot hole repairs; the regular clearance of blocked drains; the end of money being wasted on projects like Red Lions Square; safer slip roads on and off the A1; proper upkeep of the streets, paths and alleyways; moneys gained from Stamford’s car parks used to repair Stamford’s car parks - Stamford should not be used as a cash cow for the rest of SKDC; rubbish collected on the days designated; provision of services rather than enhanced salaries; the end of street parking where it causes hold-ups to traffic flow; Lincs Fix my street might actually start fixing my street and not just do a botch or part job (eg Roman Bank S/W pavement ); the prevention of farmland being used for solar panels; our thanks and support for the excellent Stamford Litter Pickers, Arts Centre and Corn Exchange; finally, the rightful protection of Lincolnshire’s ‘jewel in the crown’.
I am sure readers will have plenty of other suggestions!
Michael Sharpe
Stamford
Conduit Road is not a dumping ground
Recently I have noticed the illegal dumping of a considerable amount of garden waste, mainly tree and large shrub branches, on Conduit Road. An attempt has been made to disguise the fly-tipping by depositing it in the little walkway at the end of Conduit Road that takes you through a small area of trees onto East Street. This is not an area for dumping your rubbish of any description. It is such a shame because this is a shady area where many wild plants and flowers grow each Spring, and the weight of the waste just means that they will now have been obliterated. This is so disrespectful and lazy of those responsible. Hire a vehicle and dispose of your rubbish properly, don't leave it here. The matter has been reported to the Council but it is the fly-tipper's responsibility to move it.
Corinna Hoptroff
Conduit Road, Stamford
A town with a rich heritage deserves a museum
I was glad to read Trevor Wissen’s letter in the Mercury asking for the tapestry and other items to be put back on display in Stamford. As Mr Wissen pointed out, towns across the country far smaller than Stamford have dedicated museums, and a town with such a rich heritage as Stamford deserves one. Despite wide local opposition, Lincolnshire County Council closed the doors of Stamford Museum in 2011 and Stamford Town Council has been working hard in recent years to get a museum reinstated in the town. In the last two years we recruited a dedicated Culture and Heritage officer and have a committee of councillors working on progressing the plans to open a museum in the town.
While we go through the necessary steps for accreditation as a museum and negotiate the transfer of the museum collection from the county council to the town council, I would encourage visitors to our town to join one of our tours at Stamford Town Hall. These free guided tours take place every Friday at midday and 2pm, hosted by our team of knowledgeable guides. The tours allow you to discover our council chamber, the Mayor’s Parlour and the historic Courtroom. You can also learn more about the important collection of civic regalia. Our experienced guides have a wealth of knowledge and provide interesting insights into the Town Hall’s history and its architectural significance. Just drop in or book your spot by calling 01780 753808.
Amanda Wheeler
Chair of Stamford Town Council’s Heritage and Collections Committee
Thank you for your votes
Can I take the opportunity, through the Letters' page of your newspaper, to thank those voters in Colsterworth Rural division (basically the rural area between Grantham and Stamford) who voted for me in last week's election to the county council. I would also like to thank all voters who voted for anybody else, as you are also helping to keep our democracy working.
While it was disappointing not to have won, I was standing to give the voters a choice, so that they did not have to vote for a candidate whose party (Labour, Conservative, Reform etc) is funded by millionaires, if they didn't want to.
Reform have now taken control of Lincolnshire County Council. While I congratulate them on their win, I also note that, if they want the cabinet portfolios and councillors' allowances, then they can expect to be judged by the same standards as other politicians. Their initial announcement that they wanted to ban the Lincolnshire flag was not a good start. They have now changed their minds. Let’s hope they can do better than this.
John Morgan
Independent Candidate, Colsterworth Rural division
On behalf of the Grantham and Bourne Labour Party, I would like to thank all our candidates, volunteers and voters for their ongoing commitment to ensuring that the Labour Party values and messages were clearly made through these elections on May 1. It was a tough election and unfortunately, we were not successful in winning seats outside Lincoln but as an established democratic party that looks to humanitarian, progressive and rational policies that help all people, we will still be here long after the latest Farage vehicle has collapsed in conflict and ignominy. The far right have a track record in falling out with each so their control of LCC may be short lived. They will soon realise that asylum and immigration policy are not matters they are responsible for. However, if you listen to Andrea Jenkyns, elected as mayor for Greater Lincolnshire, you would think this is all that matters!
For those of you that despair at the election of Reform UK to control Lincolnshire County County and the Greater Lincolnshire Mayoralty, please note that most voters didn't vote for Reform but for all the other parties and Independents on offer. On the weekend of the 80th anniversary of VE day, we should take some comfort that the majority will still reject the far right.
It is clear that Labour and other parties need to listen and to also work together to stop the rise of the far right and to hold the Reform Party to account. You can be assured we will do this in partnership with organisations such as Hope Not Hate who have been informing the public about right wing extremism for many years.
Rob Shorrock
Chair of Grantham and Bourne Labour Party
I would like to thank all Grantham South residents who supported me in the Lincolnshire County Council elections. In an extraordinary year, where national politics had a big part to play and a budget of over £2m was available in Lincolnshire to Reform UK, I was humbled to come a relatively close second. Congratulations to our LCC Independent councillors who all held their seats and with whom I will continue to work closely as we call for improvements to our town, the support available for our people and protection of our environment. Congratulations to our newly elected St Vincent’s ward town councillor Paul OReilly. To clarify, there are four town councillors representing St Vincent's ward who are now myself, Charmaine Morgan (Ind), John Morgan (Ind), Tracey Foreman (Lab) and Paul OReilly (Ind).I will continue to serve the residents of St Vincent's ward and our district as your town and district Councillor fulfilling the promises I made and can be contacted on 07398 156296 or email charmaine.morgan@southkesteven.gov.uk.
Charmaine Morgan
Town and district councillor (Ind)
To the 73% in Grantham East that either chose not to vote, forgot to vote, or couldn’t be bothered to vote, or have another reason not to vote, maybe Reform will introduce compulsory voting as they have in Australia. It’s a minimum 50 dollar fine for not voting without good cause.To those who chose another candidate, I just have a respectful and polite comment for you. I say that’s absolutely fine, at least you voted, it’s called democracy, freedom of choice, something people died for 80 years ago as we commemorate the end of the Second World War.To those who took the time to vote for me, I’d just like to express a massive, sincere thank you and in particular to those who live in the area of the Church of Ascension, I was so heartened when I saw their ballot box opened, so a big thank you for putting your trust in me as you always have and as I’ve always put you first when it comes to raising district council issues.I’d also like to say a big thank you to a gentleman called Brian, who stopped in his car, when during the campaign on a Sunday evening I’d stumbled and fell in a heap, flat on my face. He very kindly helped dust me off and helped me back on my feet. The lesson from this campaign is, always pick myself up after a fall, crack on with what I do best and that’s helping people, and don’t use sour grapes, they only make lousy wine.
Ian Selby
South Kesteven District Councillor (Ind)
Send your letters to: news@lincsonline.co.uk
