BOSTON BOROUGH COUNCIL Working for Boston Borough Council ABOUT BOSTON Google “Boston” and you’ll end up in a world- the country with fantastic wealth for a small famous city in America. But Google “Boston, Fenland market town. By the 14th century Lincolnshire” and you’ll end up in the much- Boston had become the fourth-richest more historic location to which its namesake provincial town in England. across the ocean owes its existence. Boston’s fine Guildhall and magnificent St Boston is the principal town in South Botolph’s Church (Boston Stump) point to a Lincolnshire and the administrative centre time in the town’s history when it had power, for the Borough of Boston. Lincolnshire, the wealth and influence. second largest county in the country, is made up of seven districts. Much of the Borough of Boston’s thriving open-air market on Boston is top-grade agricultural land, some of Wednesdays and Saturdays is the largest in it the result of centuries of reclamation from Lincolnshire and has been held for more than The Wash. Boston sits on the River Witham 450 years. The town retains its traditional (known as The Haven where the tidal section market place, surrounded by a variety of runs through the town centre) and, with easy national and locally-owned shops. In addition access to The Wash and the North Sea, has a it has a historic network of feeder alleyways busy port and a fishing industry. and streets, themselves home to some of the most interesting trading establishments. One of the smallest local authority areas, it covers140 square miles, it is a significant Boston is also the gateway to some of contributor to the food and farming sector Lincolnshire’s finest surrounding countryside in Lincolnshire, which, in turn, has one of the - from the rolling Lincolnshire Wolds to largest concentrations of food manufacturing, bracing Skegness and the wilderness of the research, storage and distribution in Europe. world-famous Wash estuarine salt-marsh bird Food production in Lincolnshire is vital to the reserves. UK’s food security. In the cases of horticulture and cereals, Lincolnshire is the largest single county producer in England. Greater Lincolnshire is responsible for growing one eighth of the nation’s food. Farming, manufacturing and food processing are worth an estimated £18.7 billion to the national economy, and much of the food processed within the area is found in kitchen cupboards across the UK. Boston’s population increased by 15.9 per cent between 2001 and the 2011 census. This is more than 50 per cent higher than the county rate of growth and twice that of the national rate. Boston experienced the largest increases in its population in the age bands representing people in their 20s. The town has, throughout its history, had a diverse and multi-cultural population, having enjoyed close and profitable associations with Baltic trading nations. Trade with the Hanseatic countries was particularly strong in the 13th century, leading to Boston becoming the second most important port in WHERE IS BOSTON? Lincolnshire Travel by train 50 minutes from Grantham 60 minutes from Lincoln Only two-and-a-half hours from King’s Cross Train times tel: 03457 484950 In common with all local authorities the OUR COUNCIL council has grappled in recent years with reducing finances. Its transformation board has worked hard at doing more with less and, despite £2.4 million savings made since 2009 no frontline services have been affected and there has not been a need for compulsory redundancies. All staff have been major players in finding a way forward. In a low-wage economy and in recognition of the pressures on household finances, council tax has, for the most part, been frozen. The council has formed successful working partnership arrangements, both with neighbouring councils and other partners. These arrangements have allowed for significant investment in CCTV services and the development of an operational hub for surrounding districts and towns being led from Boston and significant investment into heritage support for the retail sector in the town centre. The South East Lincolnshire Joint Strategic Planning Committee adopted the South East Lincolnshire Local Plan 2011-2036 on 8th March 2019. You can see the Local Plan itself as well as various supporting documents at http://www.southeastlincslocalplan.org/ adopted-plan/ Major developments on the cards, and at an advanced stage, include provision of a major new residential area on the outskirts of Boston, together with commercial development and a new stadium for Boston Utd football club plus the provision of the start of a new route to ease traffic congestion. Plans are also at an advanced stage for a £93 million flood prevention barrier for the town. This is due for completion at the end of 2019 and will give Boston the best tidal flood protection outside of London. The council has an advanced carbon reduction programme which includes use of solar panels and plans for biomass boilers. We have to focus on creating the conditions for sustainable economic and demographic growth in the Borough along with investment opportunities, strategic partnership working and generating external funding. WHY COME TO BOSTON ? The diversity of Boston makes it a great place you will be encouraged to fulfil your to live and work. Continuous Professional Development (CPD) requirements. There are many reasons why people come to Boston not least: Best performing schools Readily available and reasonably-priced housing In total, 17 Lincolnshire secondary schools A number of well-rated primary and received five star ratings in the guide. To do secondary with separate grammar schools this, we calculated the performance of all for boys and girls (Lincolnshire is one of schools in attainment, teaching, attendance the few remaining counties to still operate and outcomes and gave them an overall the 11+ system) score. The schools were then split into Further education facilities such as Boston five equally sized groups, with the best College and Sam Newsom Music Centre performing group awarded five stars. Convenience of Boston train station and The five star schools, ranked in order of their large retailers overall score were: Range of leisure facilities 1. Caistor Grammar School - 78 points 2. Kesteven and Grantham Girls’ School - 74 We are one of the area's biggest employers 3. Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in with around 300 members of staff working, Alford - 69 both part time and full time, in a wide variety 4. King Edward VI Grammar School - 68 of occupations based across the following 5. The King’s School in Grantham - 67 sites: the Municipal Buildings, St John's 6. The Priory Academy LSST - 67 Depot, Boston Crematorium, Central Park, 7. Spalding High School - 65 the Guildhall and the Geoff Moulder Leisure 8. Kecteven and Sleaford High School Centre. We have worked hard to create a Selective Academy - 63 culture of 'One Team' and have identified the 9. Boston High School - 61 following values and behaviours that we feel 10. Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in are important: Horncastle - 59 Open and honest with people 11. Walton Girl’s High School and Sixth Form - Open to new ideas and willing to learn 59 Enthusiastic, proud and positive about 12. William Farr C0fE Comprehensive School working for us - 58 Caring and treating people with respect, 13. Queen Elizabeth’s High School in consistency and fairness Gainsborough - 57 Patient with people and taking time to 14. Carre’s Grammar School - 57 understand their concerns 15. Skegness Grammar School - 56 Focused on customers 16. Spalding Grammar School - 56 Approachable and clear with people 17. Boston Grammar School - 55 We are committed to providing all employees with learning and development The Real Schools Guide – use this link to opportunities, if you are a member of a search for your secondary school professional body or you need to keep up to https://bit.ly/2MF9m0Q date with new developments or legislation MAIN TERMS AND CONDITIONS We know that to provide the highest- HEALTH AND WELLBEING quality service to the community, we need We take the health of our employees to take care of our staff and so we offer seriously and among other pro-active a range of flexible and family-friendly measures, have an Occupational Health working arrangements to the majority of our Service whose work is focussed on employees. promoting wellbeing, advising on reducing the impact of work on health and offering These initiatives are aimed at creating a free information programmes to eligible staff. positive working environment enabling We also provide a free and confidential staff employees to work to their full potential and counselling service. In addition to statutory achieve a healthy work/life balance. sick pay, our occupational sick pay scheme is based on length of service and provides a LOCAL GOVERNMENT PENSION SCHEME maximum of four months full pay followed by The Local Government Pension Scheme four months half pay. (LGPS) is a nationwide, career average pension scheme and is a valuable part of SALARY SACRIFICE SCHEMES the pay and reward package for employees Our Salary Sacrifice Schemes provides the working in local government. The LGPS gives opportunity for employees to buy up to 5 you: days extra annual leave on top of their usual Secure benefits – the scheme provides holiday entitlement, subject to approval. you with a future income, independent of share prices and stock market fluctuations. ASSISTED VEHICLE PURCHASE SCHEME Tax-efficient savings and lower National Our Assisted Vehicle Purchase Scheme Insurance contributions for most people provides loans to cover the purchase of cars, under State Pension Age. motorbikes, electric bikes and bicycles. The scheme is open to all staff to apply.