Letter writers from Stamford, Spalding, Grantham and Rutland share their views with LincsOnline on issues including Rutland’s local government reorganisation and potholes
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
Great turnout at event
On behalf of president Keith Edwards and members of Uppingham Rotary Club I should like to thank your readers for the splendid turn out for our recent celebration of International Women’s Day held as a breakfast meeting at The Falcon Hotel.
We heard from three impressive speakers; Bishop Debbie Sellin, Bishop of Peterborough, Nadia Tikhonova, joint chair of Ukrainian Impact Club of Rutland and Tracy Moores, founder and company director of Glorious Brands. They all told their differing stories to a very appreciative audience and in addition, as this was a charity event we were able to raise in excess of £700 to be donated to a local women’s refuge. Again many thanks to all those involved.
Margaret Simpson
Secretary, Rotary Club of Uppingham
Concert was superb
Rutland is fortunate to have both an accomplished orchestra and participating young soloists. In the first half of the Rutland Sinfonia Young Musicians' Showcase at Oakham School Chapel, the audience were treated to a wonderful horn entry to Weber's Freischutz with spirited playing from the upper strings and ample support from wind and brass. Felipe Klepin-Salles confidently steered his way through the first movement of the Mozart Piano Concert 25 followed by the pure voice of Soprano Evie Holder in the Mozart Exsultate, Jubilate. Some potential concert attendees might have been deterred by the term 'Young Musicians' - a missed opportunity to hear two very talented young performers on their orchestral debuts.
The second half involved a solidly conducted Brahms First Symphony with reliable contributions from all orchestral sections. Some lovely phrasing and clarity of tone from both the principal flute and clarinet throughout. The cascading upper strings sequence in the slow movement was beautifully played and well led by the respective section leaders. The odd slight lack of ensemble and balance issues did little to detract from a successful outing from the Rutland Sinfonia with a well chosen musical programme. The next concert is on Saturday, May 10, at St Peter's Church, Oundle.
Mike Round
Rutland
I was fortunate on March 8 to attend the Rutland Sinfonia Young Musicians showcase with my mum at Oakham school chapel.
My flute teacher and my mum’s piano teacher both play in the orchestra and we were looking forward to hearing them play.
It was a truly magical evening hearing a full orchestra live. The two young musicians, Felipe Klepin-Salles (piano) and Evie Holder (Soprano) showed remarkable professionalism beyond their years and both gave spectacular performances with no hint of nerves!
Felipe’s fingers flew over the piano with effortless confidence and accuracy playing Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.25 and Evie’s soaring high notes rang through the chapel with crystal clarity singing Mozart’s Exsultate, Jubilate.
Following the interval Rutland Sinfonia delighted us with all 4 movements of Brahms Symphony No.1 in C Minor and it was a true feast for the eyes and the ears. Watching the bows of the strings all moving rhythmically together and the musicians fingers moving swiftly over their instruments while the music filled the hall all around us.
Evie Franklin
Aged 15, Rutland
We need to see all the options
The failure of Rutland County Council’s leadership to hold a vote at the council meeting on Tuesday, March 11, before submitting a proposal to Government on local government reorganisation caps off a dismal display of poor leadership and a failure to adequately stand up for Rutland.
Having initially refused to submit their plans to elected councillors stating with astonishing arrogance that local government reorganisation was purely a matter for the leader, the council agreed last month that any proposals to Government would be debated and voted on by Rutland’s councillors.
The Liberal Democrats even claimed they supported this new position because it was what they were going to do anyway.
The abject failure to do so and allow a vote in Council of their proposal whilst hiding behind procedural rules will fool no one. If the Liberal Democrat leadership of the council wanted a vote then one would have happened.
Secondly, the council leadership has been woeful in thinking outside the box, of fighting adequately for Rutland’s unique position.
We are both an administrative county, a ceremonial county, and a historic county.
The failure to provide options to council but to simply go along with a Leicestershire centric plan based on a proposed new council area of Leicestershire North and Rutland (North West Leicester, Charnwood, Melton, and Rutland) is staggering. No option for the status quo. No option for a merger with South Kesteven and Stamford and other parts of Lincolnshire. No option to look at a different configuration with Leicestershire such as an East Leicestershire and Rutland option involving Harborough, Melton and Rutland. The absolute and categoric failure to provide any of these options and a vote denies the clear expression of the views of Rutland residents through their elected representatives on Rutland County Council. So what if the Labour Government chose to ignore our views? At least they will have heard them and the views of the council would have been on the public record.
As it is the only option this Government will hear from Rutland is that we wish to be in a new council called North Leicestershire and Rutland. When we consider that the council leader has already been telling the Government that we want and need local government reform and are in favour of a Combined Mayoral Authority and even want to be fast tracked to this end, I can only conclude that the leadership of Rutland County Council has categorically failed Rutland and her residents.
Other authorities in a similar position to Rutland have not been shy in fighting their corner hard. I feel deeply ashamed as a Rutland County Councillor at the failure of Rutland County Council to do so as well.
Giles Clifton
Rutland County Council (Con - Braunston and Martinsthorpe ward)
What does a healthy democracy look like? I do not believe ‘democracy’ is a matter for elections alone. For democracy to be thrive it must be seen. This must include open, transparent engagement with the electorate during the process of decision making. It requires those in power to make decisions that uphold and support the principles of a free and democratic society. One key principle is to ensure even the most complex topics are articulated in a way that everyone can engage with and understand. There should be no subject deemed ‘too complicated’ or ‘too difficult’ to talk about openly.
We face a once in a generation decision regarding how local government is organised. Aside from our identity, what we pay, what services we receive, how and where they are delivered is all on the table, at a central level.
Legislation dictates it is the leader of Rutland County Council who will approve a final proposal for Rutland before the Secretary of State has the final say. In practice, as has been demonstrated by many other councils up and down the country, it is quite possible to develop, discuss and assess different options through engagement and constructive public dialogue. Active engagement can only make the Leader’s eventual decision much more powerful as it carries the weight of public endorsement. Yet, here in Rutland, we find ourselves in a position whereby a democratically secured amendment to have a vote and public engagement prior to the council meeting on March 11 has not been upheld by the council leader.
Democracy as we know it today, evolved because of people challenging the edicts of those in power. I would expect any leader to be protectionist of this fragile, precious commodity which must never be taken for granted nor undermined by inaction. By telling us we need reorganisation, by telling us if we don’t jump, we will be pushed, by telling us there is no choice, there seems little room left for listening and explanation, for discussion and dialogue. Such a position leads to an uncomfortable game of word association: ‘authoritarian’, ‘dictatorial’ two words springing to mind. This is neither liberal nor democratic.
Rutland deserves more. Rutland deserves better. We are a bright, articulate and an engaged county that does not wish to be done to.
I hope there will be a marked change in approach by the leader moving forward: public engagement events that are not simply ‘show and tell’, an insistence on a vote to endorse any final proposal with clear detail of other options considered at the Council meeting in November prior to submission to the Secretary of State. I would also ask the leader to work with our MP as we fight for the protection of our ceremonial status, reflecting the wishes of the many hundreds of residents who have signed the ‘Save Rutland’ petition.
Lucy Stephenson
Rutland County Council (Conservative Group leader)
At the Rutland special council meeting on devolution I asked Coun Gale Waller, the Lib-Dem leader of Rutland County Council, if a full council vote would be held before any final decisions are made for Rutland.
Despite a vote being unanimously agreed in a motion at council in February, Coun Waller now claims: “The council has no power, as I understand it, to take any vote because of the way the legislation is laid out.”
As other councils across the country are holding votes, I am disgusted that Rutland is letting down our residents by not allowing our vote and in addition writing letters supporting the mayoral authority, local government reform and asking the Minister to fast track us.
In Rutland there has been minimal public engagement and the leader is choosing to ignore the motion to hold a vote of full council.
This doesn’t seem at all democratic to me.
Kiloran Heckels
Rutland County Council (Con - Exton ward)
Why is affordable housing expensive?
This letter is intended to explain why affordable housing is so expensive. Prices in rural areas have increased at almost twice the rate of urban areas over the past five years, and in Rutland we have built too many executive homes.
Presently landowners can benefit from ‘hope’ which is a principle established by the 1961 Conservative government. It simply means that if land receives planning permission, then the owner can financially benefit from its changed status. But there is a double benefit for the landowner, since if they choose to reinvest, or roll-over, these monies in new farmland, no capital gains tax is paid.
Farmland has been one of the very best financial investments in England over the past 25 years. This is a fact that the NFU will not mention in their campaign to ‘Save Family Farms’. They will also not mention the fact that their action relates to farms over £3m.
Now the developer often makes an offer for land, subject to it receiving planning permission, whilst some also buy land speculatively. In calculating the price to be offered for the land the developer knows what the average price of housing is in the area, and this average is determined by the size of the typical home. If you have many large homes in the area, such as in Rutland, this results in a higher average selling price. Armed with a piece of land and knowing the average price, the developer can set the housing mix and price, confident that it can be defended in any challenge by a local authority. This is why the current Government has brought in new legislation to allow local authorities to compulsorily purchase land for housing development. The premium paid will be reduced as it will be based upon existing use, and not the ‘hope’ value.
So, this Government is taking steps to more fairly tax land, to reduce the cost of land, to bring more land forward for development and require a higher proportion of homes for social rent, but are even these measures sufficient?
Ramsay Ross
Rutland County Council (Labour Group leader)
Accident waiting to happen
I've written several letters regarding Witham-on-the-Hill crossroads being a speeding and public death trap and I attended a meeting there two 2 years ago with our then local district and parish councillor, and a Lincolnshire County Council highways representative.
I would honestly say there is on average of one smash a month requiring emergency services in attendance, and seems to occur on the Manthorpe side of the junction the most.
I don't think this attrition rate is going to stop until speed cameras are installed either end of the junction, as drivers just ignore the speed signs erected from either direction and flashing signs before the hill top (which don't always work) after the road markings were also upgraded some 18 months ago.
One other safety point, village children walk to catch the school bus at the crossroads. On arrival at the crossroads they have to cross this road on the junction to the Manthorpe side bus stop with extreme caution. Why is this junction not lit up? It is another accident waiting to happen.
The golf club at Toft also has the same problem with golfers sprinting from one side of the road to another.
Gene Plews
Witham-on-the-Hill
Where is the urgency?
Stamford’s traffic has never been easy to negotiate and recently has been made far worse by two “temporary” roadworks.
Did it really need to take eight weeks to complete the work on Uffington Road? Now there are four way temporary traffic lights at the crossroads near Brasenose College where little seems to have happened nor appearance of activity to finish the job they started some time ago. Traffic delays and build up have been horrendous! Does anybody care?
There just does not seem to be any sense of urgency; not surprising given the speed at which HS2 and the water main which Anglian Water has postponed for nearly two years have progressed, both meanwhile leaving the countryside in a derelict state. The Post Office and the contaminated blood scandals are still ongoing after over 20 years. Is there no longer the expertise nor grasp to get things done in this country?
Warwick Banks
Luffenham Road, Ketton
I fear future of schoolchildren
I read your article about secondary school placements last week with some foreboding. I feel for all those children that have for the next five years at least, a daily commute to a new school not of their choice adding at least two hours to their already busy life. Not only do they have to cope with probably the most stressful time of their academic life, but they are also being inconvenienced by Lincolnshire County Council and South Holland District Council’s short sightedness regarding a robust secondary education strategy in this area.This unfortunately is the tip of the iceberg. It is quite evident that we’ve run out of school places in the local area and with more and more houses being built in the Pinchbeck vicinity, more children in the coming years will have to suffer a long commute out of the area to a school not of their choice.Currently, I do not see any plans by the local authorities to address this problem with lack of providing infrastructure, on the contrary the authorities seem very quiet on the matter. They almost seem oblivious to this problem and probably hope it will go away by itself. Sorry, it is only going to get larger. Bearing in mind a school will on average take five years in planning and two to three years to build at an approximate cost of £30-40million.The whole Spalding Western Relief Road project is estimated to cost £109.5 million - which is likely to increase as labour and materials costs rise. It is not due to be fully operational until 2036, but the timescale is predicted to slip. So, in summary, by the time the SWRR is fully operational, the Pinchbeck area could have planned and built 3.5 secondary schools.
My question is: What are LCC and SHDC going to do in the short term and long term to sort out this growing problem for the local community?
Terry Moore
Pinchbeck
Respect others’ right to live
Unsurprisingly, some are upset by PETA’s (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) wish to place a reminder plaque next to new sheep and cow statues in Spalding. After all, to paraphrase activist Nicholas Klein, “First they ignore you. Then they ridicule you, and then they build monuments to you”.
Advocates for ‘respecting other’s food choices’ perhaps don’t yet realise this is less important than respecting other’s right to live. Similarly, those crying that animals ‘wouldn’t be alive’ were it not for meat may, in time, come to admit that they wouldn’t exactly celebrate being born if birthed only to be imprisoned, and slaughtered for sale.Relegating it to history is vital for animals, our health, and the planet, but perhaps some join the right side of history earlier than others.
Ingrid Newkirk
Managing Director People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
No faith in potole repairs
The leader of the county council has said that over 100,000 potholes were repaired in 2024.
The majority of them look to be on Grantham Road in Sleaford (renamed Patchwork Road).
A few years ago it was completely resurfaced but not very satisfactory and I was told by the councillor responsible for the Highways it was going to be redone at the contractors expense.
Here we are in 2025 still awaiting for it to be done and it is deteriorating all the time with the increased amount of traffic using it.
I reported the state of this road to 'Fix my Street' a month ago and two weeks ago had an update saying it had been done. NO IT HAS NOT BEEN DONE, just one or two potholes repaired which will need doing again in a few months time.
Even the A15 Sleaford bypass which opened in 1993 is now in need of a resurface along the whole stretch.
Sorry, no faith in the state of our roads or 'Fix my Street' just like a lot more drivers.
Alan Ward
Sleaford
Send your letters to: news@lincsonline.co.uk
