Discover North

Delivering a positive difference in your life Continuing a tradition of listening, responding and respecting residents’ views

Cllr Richard Wright Leader of North Kesteven District Council

I introduce this summary of I sincerely hope that you A record response to our what North Kesteven District discover – or deepen – a sense residents’ survey this year Council does in support of of what lies behind North showed consistently high our District of Flourishing Kesteven’s success as ‘A District satisfaction for the way the Communities by saying how of Flourishing Communities’. Council runs things, the quality proud and privileged I am to be of its services and the value for Leader of such a great council. And that you discover that money it represents, which of your District Council is about so course I welcome. Through this leaflet you will much more than emptying your gain a sense of how we work bins weekly, running elections, However, the challenge before effectively and efficiently in managing planning applications us is to push even harder in the interests of our wonderful and providing leisure centres – ensuring our services, support District: councillors, officers and all of which we do, and do well. and leadership are efficient and partners in the service of our of the high standards residents communities; reaching for the Discover more about the expect of us – to the point that highest standards in the delivery ways in which we safeguard should you ever be asked to of excellent services that are and create jobs; promote choose your council, you would relevant in people’s lives. inward investment; build, run still choose us. and support quality housing In NK we make great efforts options; shape safe, vibrant I firmly believe that to remain in making the Council central to communities; ensure food at the very top of our game, we the lives of our residents; adding outlets, taxis and pubs are safe must – as a Council – listen to real value and fostering wellbeing and properly licensed; protect our communities, pursue only and prosperity within safe, clean the public; and encourage the highest standards at best communities. healthier lifestyles. possible value and perform as well as we can, delivering against We do this by ensuring that Discover how all of this the clear unambiguous goals set NKDC remains at the heart activity is prioritised to achieve out in the NK Plan. of our community. And that is a stronger economy, better the purpose of this Discover homes, vibrant communities and Your input is critical in this NK engagement, continuing a efficiently-run Council services. and I welcome your thoughts, tradition of listening, responding compliments and any concerns and respecting the views of Discover how little you pay for you may have. residents in shaping bold, what you receive: on average resilient and responsive actions. £2.56 a week.

Telephone Number: (01529) 414155 Address: Out of Hours Telephone Number: (01529) 308308 District Council Offices Kesteven Street Minicom: (01529) 308088 DX Number: 26909 Sleaford Email: [email protected] NG34 7EF

For more information about the Council www.n-kesteven.gov.uk NKDC: Delivering a difference – daily

North Kesteven District Council is a council that delivers a difference: a difference that impacts positively on the daily lives Fast facts of its 111,000-plus residents in 50,000-plus homes and those NK: working in 4,000-plus businesses. This difference is what defines businesses and community Fourth fastest growing North Kesteven as the country’s influencers. district in ; safest place to live; with high 6% projected growth levels of life satisfaction, quality This includes you, as together by 2021. of life, contentment, happiness we make North Kesteven what and wellbeing – as verified by it is – a District of Flourishing Fourth year running various studies in the past year. Communities. as safest place in the country: fewer crimes It has high levels of businesses Together we shape those per 1,000 people than start-up success, investor communities; we pioneer anywhere else in the UK. confidence, sports take-up and initiatives, ideas and active participation and some investments; we show foresight, Highest levels of of the best council homes built care and compassion; and we through a highly-regarded actively support and enhance contentment anywhere and robust programme for our neighbourhoods. in England; highest developing social housing. sense of life satisfaction; This level of positivity and second of all council Small in size, but big on impact, engagement underpins the areas for a feeling that it is highly effective and highly NK Plan, the Council and life is worthwhile; 25th efficient; operating with a clear community’s shared three-yearly for happiness; and low vision and commitment to rolling programme of targeted down on an anxiety scale. deliver excellence in all it does. ambitions and aspirations geared towards responding to need, Active adult sports This is achieved not only challenges and opportunities. participation the highest through the foresight and in Lincolnshire and 11th direction of its 43 dedicated Fully-funded and backed best nationally. councillors, the commitment by the community through and consideration of responsible consultation and political Stronger than average council officers, and the strong endorsement, it ensures that survival rate among new and resilient partnerships which the Council continues to deliver businesses succeeding help to shape responsive and the excellent services expected beyond the first two regarded services; but through of residents, in support of years of trading. a mutually-respectful the District’s Flourishing relationship with residents, Communities. Housing development programme commended The Plan for this year and a flavour of the successes delivered by industry leaders as against it over the past year can be seen over the following pages. the best of any UK local authority. Further detail can be found at www.n-kesteven.gov.uk or contact your Councillor, details on the back cover. What your District Council has achieved Each year North Kesteven District Council sets targets to ensure it delivers for the Flourishing Communities it serves. Some of the key figures for the last year are featured on this page, and throughout your newsnk.

21 private 184 sector empty jobs created as a properties brought result of Council back into use intervention 96% of the Council’s business units 95% of are occupied 97% of tenants satisfied with food businesses the service provided broadly compliant by the Council with legislation

10 new 89% of investments customers found secured in NK 70% of it easy to access for regeneration residents feel that the services they projects streets are clean require within the District

384,767 712,991 visitors to cultural venues visitors to indoor sport and ArtsNK programmes and leisure facilities

North13 elections Kesteven of is various a Council kinds defined delivered, as: including the Police and Crime High-performingCommissioner – aelection, theVibrant EU Referendum – inherently and SleafordCustomer-focused and North – highlyHykeham efficient Parliamentary ratio of Constituencyenthusiastic, progressive by-election engaging 100s of people staff to residents serving and dynamic in all that in setting the agenda on a sparse rural population. we do. priorities and action. Resilient – strong financial Well-run – highly regarded Active – investing heavily planning and preparedness and respected by a in leisure, arts and cultural mitigates against kneejerk spectrum of resisents, peer facilities as well as improved efficiencies and cost savings. authorities and agencies. housing. NK Plan 2017-20 NK Plan: It’s about making a difference The NK Plan is about making a difference for people and communities in North Kesteven. Designed with input from partners, stakeholders and residents, the NK Plan ensures that the Council continues to deliver excellent services for flourishing communities which make up the District, while tackling the main challenges facing NK.

The plan is split into four distinct priorities – Our Economy, Our Homes, Our Communities and Our Council – and describes what we plan to do, the resources available to do that, and how success will be measured. Our Council Our Communities It is revised annually to ensure it remains fresh, with relevent To be a high-performing To promote the ambitions and aspirations, and value-for-money sustainability, wellbeing, reflecting the position in authority prepared for safety and health of respect of strategy, budget and the future North Kesteven’s evolving performance framework for the communities forthcoming three years. In line with the Plan and to ensure clear, consitent delivery against it, all of the Council’s services are geared towards delivering against one or more of the 15 current ambitions. The Council is focused on Our Homes Our Economy delivering the strong vision and To promote housing growth To promote the economic clear priorities set out within the that meets the current and and employment growth Plan, together with its ambitious emerging needs of North of North Kesteven capital programme. Kesteven It has a viable and positive financial plan for the next three years, and remains focused on How we continued to deliver against the NK Plan making a difference for the in 2016/17 can be seen on the following pages. communities of North Kesteven.

North Kesteven is a Council defined as: Collaborative – engaging Efficient – pioneering a Future-focused – detailed with partners who share range of shared service short and medium term our vision in tackling the arrangements to save plans sit alongside long- main challenges together. money and share expertise. term visioning. Visionary – first to start Pre-emptive – always Forward-looking – building council houses horizon scanning and anticipating change and again; and doing more responsive to emerging challenges and preparing than any similar authority. challenges. timely responses. Our Council

‘Our Council’ is the Priority concerned principally with ensuring the efficient operation of the Council and its lost-cost, high-value, customer-focused services; maintaining balanced budgets, and resilient financial planning; and operating systems of open and accountable democracy which includes the good conduct of Council meetings and Members. Service areas include finance, For the year ahead key activities are to: customer, public and partner • Progress the new Refuse Depot at ; and engagement, technology, • To deliver key strategies surrounding staff, services and governance, emergency finance as well as a new model for improving the quantity planning, democratic and quality of rented accommodation in the District. participation and elections. Through such targeted action the Council: As a proportion of net • Maintains its reputation for openness and transparency; General Fund spend, it • Improves engagement and involvement of residents; accounts for around one- • Ensures ease of access for customers to its services; third; £4,443,000 in 2016-17. • Maintains a highly motivated, skilled and flexible workforce; • Continually seeks better quality and higher value-for-money; and • Innovates efficient and effective services that meet customers’ needs.

Customer-focused NK Open and accountable

81.4% of residents show high 1,145 formal ‘access to information’ levels of satisfaction with the requests responded to in 2016/17; way the Council runs things. 98.5% answered on time. Twice the number from five years ago. 100,198 enquiries handled by During 2016 the Council Customer Service staff by phone refreshed its website, making it NewsNK delivered to 52,500 and 27,021 customers seen face easier to use on the move, more premises, four times a year, at a to face in 2016/17. accessible, more transactional cost of 15p per copy. and more intuitive. 94% of customers satisfied It lets you contact the council Social media engagements grew with the way their request was when and where you choose, by an average of 15% over the handled. 24/7 – instead of having to wait year; 5m on Twitter alone. for when we’re open. 89% of customers find it easy to All Council, Executive and access the services they require. 316,106 users visited 1.9m pages committee meetings are open at www.n-kesteven.gov.uk over to the public to attend, with 11,708 people formally consulted 486,579 sessions. decisions shared via social on one thing or another in media, local media, NewsNK, 2016/17; 3,357 through the There was a 235% uplift in web online minutes and recordings. annual household survey – a sessions over five years as the three-fold increase on 2015/16 website improved. Running elections – 16 separate – and 3,800 customer service polls were juggled in 2016/17. surveys. At the same time Customer Services handled 1000s of Around 300 aspiring voters 92% of the 97 total complaints phone calls and face-to-face engaged per year through Local responded to within 15 days. enquiries at its reception desks. Democracy Week initiatives. To be a high-performing and value-for-money authority prepared for the future

High quality and value-for-money NK 1,363 planning applications received in 2016/17, plus 667 pre- 85% of residents rate the quality The 10th best Council Tax application enquiries; in line with of the Council’s services ‘highly’. collection in country, out of consistently high volumes. 326 authorities – 99.1%; and 82.7% of residents feel the 2nd highest in Lincolnshire for 11,703 consultations Council offers ‘value for money’. Business Rates – also 99.1%. undertaken and 8,163 ‘neighbour notifications’ carried out. 9.6% – the proportion of Council One of the lowest ratios of staff: Tax North Kesteven keeps for its population of any Lincolnshire own services. council; 322 (FTE) staff to 327,7 92 hits on applications, support the needs of 111,876 documents and decisions via the £2.56 – the average Council Tax people. Panning Online web portal. cost per household for all that the District Council provides. £2.26m – the amount saved 100% of Major applications and generated as additional decided within the required 13 NK’s Council Tax rate is within income to offset reduced central weeks or agreed extension; the lowest 25% nationwide. government funding for 2016/17. 1,110 new addresses registered; Bite-sized budget summary and 40 new streets named.

Overall the Council is value. This is chiefly funded by Council’s function as a landlord responsible for handling around the retained share of Council of 3,868 properties. £90m in gross spend every year. Tax, Business Rates and service income. Although Central Government For most of this the Council is funding is rapidly declining merely an agent, paying it out The Council has an ambitious – down 38% this year on top through benefits, drainage rates, programme of improvements of a 33% cut in 2015/16 – precepts for other councils, and enhancements which through robust and resilient disability facilities grants etc. totalled £17.93m in 2016/17. accounting, the Council is well Although it collects around The Housing Revenue Account placed to deliver on its forward £58m in Council Tax and £24m is a ring-fenced budget of vision, strategic objectives and in business rates a year, it £15.3m predominantly funded corporate priorities through only retains a fraction of this through rents in support of the inclusive, active partnerships, for spending by NKDC, with pioneering initiatives and the rest passed on to other investing in growth. organisations.

The main area of spend on direct delivery for all residents is Police & Crime Commissioner: 12.7% the Net General Fund which for Lincolnshire County Council: 72.6% 2016/17 totalled £12.020m. Parish & Town Councils: 5.1% North Kesteven DC: 9.6% The Net General Fund budget for this year is £11.298m and How your Council Tax payments are £11.986m for 2018/19; always shared out. Parish share is averaged. striving for low cost and high Your local councils and their responsibilities In North Kesteven, services are provided by different councils: County, District and Town or Parish. Each has its own level of statutory and discretionary responsibilities, for which a Council Tax charge is set. This handy pullout guide will show you who does what with your money and who to speak to about any issues that may arise. Parish and Town Councils Most parts of the District fall within a Parish or Town Council, but some smaller areas, don’t. Such a council will incur costs varying from a few hundred to many thousands of pounds according to the range of services and operations they undertake. The Council Tax charge varies greatly for this, but on average accounts for around 5% of the overall Council Tax charge. This list includes services which can be – but don’t have to be – delivered by any Parish and Town Council. ■■ Allotments verge maintenance. space, gardens, walkways, ■■ Burial Grounds ■■ Land – acquisition and sale. village greens, playing fields ■■ Bus shelters & Clocks ■■ Litter – litter and dog bins. and holiday camps. ■■ Community centres, village ■■ Planning – parish councils ■■ Rights of way – footpath halls and public buildings. must be notified of, and and bridleway maintenance. ■■ Footpaths & drainage may comment on planning ■■ Seats & signs ■■ General spending – ability applications for the area. ■■ Tourism – cash contribution to spend a limited amount They can also draw up to a local tourist organisation. on anything of benefit to the Neighbourhood Plans. ■■ Traffic calming community that is not covered ■■ Telecommunication – ■■ War memorials by other responsibilities. power to pay a subsidy to ■■ Water supply – power to use ■■ Highways – lighting, parking provide local services. stream, well or spring water places, traffic signs and other ■■ Public toilets and provide facilities for notices, tree planting and ■■ Recreation – provide open general use.

To contact your parish council, visit www.n-kesteven.gov.uk and search for ‘Parish and Town Councils’ North Kesteven District Council North Kesteven District Council operates across 365 square miles, delivering more locally-based services to 111,876 people in 50,255 households. For the services, outlined here, on average people pay £2.56 a week. The Band D charge is £154.80 for the year, around 9% of the total bill.

■■ Accessible services – ■■ Car parking – In Sleaford and operation of all elections. Ensuring fair, easy and at Nature Park. ■■ Environmental health – equitable access to services: ■■ Community safety – CCTV Inspecting and enforcing on online, at District-wide offices operation and dealing with food safety, water quality, and and through formats suited to anti-social behaviour and workplace Health & Safety. sight, hearing and language community safety concerns. ■■ Environmental protection needs. ■■ Conservation – Heritage – Includes air quality, stray ■■ Administration - Billing and assets and tree protection. dogs, fly-tipping, abandoned collecting fees and charges. ■■ Countryside access – vehicles, graffiti removal and ■■ Arts and culture – Offering Includes maintenance of 140 noise complaints. a range of arts and cultural miles of Stepping Out Walks. ■■ FundNK – Grants available outreach and centres. ■■ Economic regeneration for community projects. ■■ Benefits – Advice, admin and – Wide ranging services to ■■ Grass cutting – In council- payment of various benefits. create jobs, stimulate inward owned areas only. ■■ Building Control – Dealing investment, promote growth ■■ Health trainers – Dedicated with dangerous structures and attract funding. health trainer encouraging and regulation compliance. ■■ Elections – Registration and healthier lifestyles. ■■ Housing – Providing nearly as the Vitality programme, energy use and energy 4,000 of its own homes, health walks, senior swim cost. ensuring private rentals sessions and specific art ■■ Tourism – Operation are fit to live in; promoting events. of visitor attractions re-use of empty homes for ■■ Planning – Consultation and direct support for use, homelessness support and consideration of tourism businesses and and many other services. planning applications, a accommodation providers. ■■ Land charges – fully accessible, searchable ■■ Trees and hedges – Maintaining an accurate and open website of all Managing NKDC-owned register of charges and planning documentation, trees, protected trees and conditions affecting land and long-term planning advising on planning. and property. strategy. ■■ Waste collection – ■■ Leisure – Operation of ■■ Safeguarding – Duties for Operation of an alternate two leisure centres and safeguarding children and weekly collection for refuse, outreach. vulnerable adults against recycling and paid for ■■ Licensing – Ensuring neglect and abuse. garden waste service. compliance of pubs, clubs, ■■ Strategic Partnerships ■■ Witham Valley Country taxis, animal breeders, – Working with public, Park – Leading a project of kennels, venues, etc. private, voluntary and joined-up of green spaces ■■ Money advice – community organisations to as a recreational hub for Supporting people with pool resources in tackling locals and tourists. budgeting and debt identified local challenges. ■■ Working with others - management. Street scene – Emptying Promoting community and ■■ Neighbourhood Planning litter and dog bins, except strategic partnership to – Supporting communities in Sleaford or on private achieve more together. who want to shape the land, street cleaning, street ■■ Young people – promoting future of their local areas. naming and signage. demographic engagement ■■ Older people – ■■ Sustainability – advice and hearing young people’s Recreational services such and support to cut carbon, voices through YouthNK. To contact the Council or your local District Councillor, visit www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/councillors or call the Council on 01529 414155. Lincolnshire County Council Lincolnshire County Council serves the whole of Lincolnshire. At Band D the Council Tax charge is £1,173.42 for the coming year, accounting for more than 70% of the overall charge.

■■ Education – The county against disease and helping groups, running the main council retains oversight of achieve healthier lifestyles. branches and enhanced standards, diversity, careers ■■ Roads & transport – mobile and online services. guidance and parental choice. Maintaining the network of ■■ Waste management – ■■ Children’s services – Social roads, cycleways, footpaths Disposing of the waste care, school transport, free and rights of way; winter district councils collect and school meals, fostering and gritting; community transport running household waste adoption, and young carers. initiatives; determining speed recycling centres. ■■ Protecting vulnerable limits and traffic regulation. ■■ Community safety – Fire & adults – Looking after ■■ Economic regeneration – Rescue; Trading Standards; a growing population of Along with district councils, Also key role on emergency elderly residents and others working to encourage planning and flooding. in need of support. Also investment, prosperity and ■■ Other services - Includes administration of Blue job creation.. Plus some registration services, street Badges and assistance with tourism and heritage sites. lighting, county archives, bus residential and respite care. ■■ Libraries – Following partial pass administration, planning ■■ Public health – Protecting transfer to community of minerals extraction.

To contact the Council or your County Councillor, call on 01522 552222 or visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk Our Communities

‘Our Communities’ is a Priority which covers a broad spectrum of services; principally those which are most-public facing and the first ones to be thought of in relation to a council – such as refuse collection, recycling, street cleaning.

Service areas include waste For the year ahead key activities are to: and recycling, strategic • Procure further improved contracts for leisure, arts and culture partnerships, health, wellbeing, to further boost our already strong performance; community safety, licensing, • Support delivery of at least five more Neighbourhood Plans; environmental health and and building control, support of • To continue the implementation and development of key community initiatives, leisure, strategies for older people, welfare reform and child poverty. arts and cultural services and support for the rollout of better Through such targeted action the Council maintains its reputation as: Broadband • A Flourishing District; • A vibrant destination; As a proportion of net • A clean and attractive District; General Fund spend, it • The safest local authority are in England; accounts for more than half: • Improved health and wellbeing within all of its communities; and £6,621,000 in 2016-17. • Reduced inequality, deprivation and social and digital isolation.

Supportive NK Attractive, clean and sustainable NK

688 homelessness cases 3,410,840 wheeled bins Proactive investigation and prevented through NKDC’s collected across NK in 2016/17. enforcement of fly-tipping; with preventative actions and advice. one enforcement action for 4,208 bulky waste collections every 2.6 fly tip incidents. 1,002 people supported dealt with: 95% within five through life changes by the NK working days. NK is the most proactive Wellbeing service in 2016/17; of all Lincolnshire councils 96% assessed within five days. 30 vehicles, driving 617,222 km for pursuing prosecutions; Total of 3,195 people supported and using 293,956.5 litres of responsible for 80% of all over three years. fuel; £492,000 invested in three Lincolnshire fly-tip prosecutions. new vehicles this year. Promotion of anti-bullying, 60% of residents were positive confidence-building messages Also clearing 928 litter and dog about the standard of verge among young people through an bins weekly. cleanliness. innovative YouthNK-led project. 814 km of streets swept; 76% 40% cut in the Council’s carbon Continued financial contribution of residents rate footpaths and outputs – four years ahead of to Citizens Advice in recognition kerbs as clean or very clean. target. of their life-changing work. In total during 2016/17 the 100s of people touched by wide Council responded to 1,086 ranging initiatives in support reports of fly-tipping. of social inclusion pioneered through the PartnershipNK 17 of these got as far as court collaboration, such as Branching action, resulting in 31 successful Out and Guidelines to Art. convictions. To promote the sustainability, wellbeing, safety and health of North Kesteven’s evolving communities

Healthy, fit and vibrant NK Safe and inclusive NK

£7m investment in upgraded Sole district council and one of 4th consecutive year as the leisure facilities in Sleaford only four local authorities hand- safest place in the country – and ; driving picked to help shape Public with the lowest levels of crime increased use and participation. Health England’s pilot project on by population size. tackling obesity. 62% rise in use at Sleaford Active in promoting and Leisure Centre over the years 230 people helped by the upholding community safety; after re-opening and 29% NK Health Trainer – the only 90% of residents feel as safe or at ONE NK. Satisfaction at remaining Health Trainer in the safer than a year ago. Sleaford doubled to 92%. county; Almost 1,500 people helped to find healthier lifestyles Lincolnshire’s lowest levels of 38% of adults participate in over nine years. anti-social behavior and very sport regularly – the highest rate low re-offending rate. in Lincolnshire. Promoting Witham Valley Country Park, a network of 11 98% of businesses rated 3 1st interactive water flume in distinct open spaces for nature, or above for food hygiene the UK, which takes photos, sport and recreation on the compliance; 80% with the top included in ONE NK’s new look. edge of Lincoln. rating and 94% in top two grades. 712,991 visitors to NK’s indoor Maintaining a 140 mile network sports and leisure facilities – of walking routes across 19 Rated 8th in the country for 60% of them using ONE NK. self-guided Stepping Out walks; ensuring businesses comply operating annual Spires & with the highest standards. 384,767 visitors to NK’s cultural Steeples marathon running and venues and arts programme. walking challenge and 18 Social 203 taxi and private hire Strollers health walks. vehicles and 225 drivers Record use of Whisby Natural licensed. Also licensed 1,383 World Centre – 236,843 visitors Sponsor of new professional people to sell alcohol, 391 in 2016/17 – following £407,000 and amateur cycle races premises and 275 Temporary spend on facilities and play and routes to inspire local Event Notices. spaces. participation. Building Control carried out 4,313 inspections within six Community NK hours of a request and oversaw standards on 787 building 21 communities being supported support of Armed Forces Day. projects, 228 of them new with Neighborhood Plans, three homes; more already formally adopted. £120,000 administered through the Sleaford Renewable Energy 64 Fire Risk Assessments Advising and supporting Plant Liaison Panel for the use carried out for the Council and communities on wide-ranging of projects in Sleaford and private sector. implications of the Localism Act. . 183 stray dogs found; 10 550+ Veterans’ Badges Grant funding available to industrial processes regulated; presented over past decade support community ventures up 90 samples taken to assess safe under a strong emphasis in to £2,500. drinking and bathing water. Our Homes

‘Our Homes’ is a Priority which covers a range of responsibilities in respect of increased and improved housing provision. Aside from the Council’s own housing stock, which it invests heavily in expanding and enhancing, and the new Lafford Homes company set up to boost the local private rental market, this Priority is mainly concerned with supporting, enabling and

It covers strategic housing Spending on the provision of Council Housing is managed under needs, enabling social housing a separate fund, the Housing Revenue Account. As such the net providers, enforcing standards General Fund spend, is relatively low, at £500,000 in 2016-17. for private rental, facilitating the return of empty homes For the year ahead key activities are to: back to use, negotiating the • Begin contruction of at least 60 new Council properties; provision of affordable housing • Progress the beginning of development at key sites including and reviewing and developing Sleaford South and ; national and local policies • Bring at least 20 more empty homes back into use; and relating to housing. Creation, • Through Lafford Homes acquire or start construction on at delivery and monitoring of the least 30 properties to be available for Market Rent. Central Lincolnshire Local Plan falls within this area too. Through such targeted action the Council: • Maintains continual improvement in housing quality and Service areas include services across all tenures; development management, • Improves the housing mix; housing strategy, the Safe as • Increases the number of affordable homes and reduces Houses project to drive up numbers of empty homes; and standards in the private rental • Ensures sustainable housing growth coupled with market and the Council’s infrastructure development. landlord and property functions.

Increase the supply of housing in NK

To increase housing supply locally, • Directly building and North Kesteven District Council improving private rental actively works in various ways: housing through new Lafford Homes company: on site with • Giving planning approval of 27 flats at North Hykeham. appropriate developments: 467 new homes built in 2016/17. • Promoting the re-use of empty houses, actively • Enabling housing association bringing 100+ back into use partners: 99 affordable homes over five years; 21 in 2016/17. for rent or shared ownership delivered in 2016/17.

• Building its own council houses: 200 built since 2010 across 24 sites at a cost of £20m. 39 built in 2016/17 with more planned and underway. To promote housing growth that meets the current and emerging needs of North Kesteven

Maintain and improve housing in NK Deliver the Local Plan

Operates 3,868 council houses, Country’s best at increasing all built or kept to higher, tenant- Council House numbers, led standards than national building almost two for every requirements. one lost through Right to Buy.

Investing record sums in new Built Lincolnshire’s cheapest and improved social housing; to live in council houses, £30.7m over next two years two super-energy-efficient including £8.9m in biggest-ever Passivhauses in – project on 81 homes at Newfield achieving 50% energy savings, Road, Sleaford. and the country’s first straw bale council homes.

Safe as Houses scheme Working in partnership with promotes warmer, healthier Lincoln City, and homes and improves living Lincolnshire County councils standards for private tenants; to develop and adopt a 25 year 190 cases handled, 99 planning vision for Central inspections undetaken; 31 Lincolnshire. interventions carried out to remove critical hazards. Overall plan to deliver by 2036, 36,960 new homes, 138 Five privately rented houses hectares of land to support shut down and two landlords 11,894 new jobs and associated prosecuted. roads, schools, healthcare etc over the three areas – a total of 820 square miles. Provide quality housing services across NK NK is critical to this success, 98.25% of all new homes in the Across the Council’s own 3,868 accommodating over 50% of District achieve the highest A-C homes, 95% meet the higher this growth including around energy ratings. benchmark of the NK Homes 4,400 new homes in Sleaford Standard. and approximately 8,500 close to Lincoln. 99% of tenants satisfied with their repairs. Appropriate scale developments will support the sustainability of All 2,639 Council properties many villages too. requiring a gas safety certificate have one. Around half of the employment allocations are within North 100% satisfaction with the Kesteven, bringing a further jobs 66 Disability Facilities Grants and prosperity boost. awarded in 2016/17.; a fund boosted by £100,000 of the Target for 47% of new homes to Council’s own investment. be ‘affordable’ to rent or buy. Our Economy

‘Our Economy’ is a Priority which is primarily concerned with growing a more resilient, vibrant and balanced high-wage economy by supporting all enterprises, of all sizes, to

prosper, flourish, invest, Service areas include development management, economic grow and relocate within development, tourism and the administration of business rates. the District. As a share of net General Fund spend, it accounts for around a tenth: £1,153,000 in 2016-17. This includes the operation of 102 managed workshop For the year ahead key activities are to: units to help emerging • Further develop the Teal Park/ LN6 employment locations and fledgling businesses, within North Hykeham; facilitating inward investment, • Work with partners to drive forward regeneration projects in engaging with growing Sleaford and North Hykeham; and businesses to understand • Manage the opportunities and challenges arising from Brexit. and respond to their needs and enhancing the trading Through such targeted action the Council: conditions for all, especially • Increases levels of inward investment; tourism providers and shops • Increases entrepreneurial activity; in Sleaford. • Grows a more balanced higher-wage economy; and • Actively promotes NK’s regeneration as an attractive location for residents, businesses and visitors.

Support business growth and jobs in NK

186 jobs created in 2016/17 as 50 fastest growing employers Small start-ups nurtured via a result of Council intervention closely engaged; fostering new pop-up shop initiative. and 298 safeguarded. new investment opportunities; working to improve retail 90% of the 4,270 enterprises in Supported delivery of 3.57 potential for Sleaford traders North Kesteven are classed as hectares more employment land and offering free advice. micro enterprises, with nine or for new jobs opportunities; plus fewer employees. All are eligible 8,919 sq m of business space. 102 business units operated for the Council’s professional across the District on nine sites business advice and support. 132 businesses, large and small, in support of small and growing provided with bespoke advice enterprises, sustaining 180 jobs; Unemployment locally is around and support to encourage 97% occupancy and seven more 4% and only 1% of NK residents growth. being built. claim out-of-work benefits.

NKDC operates a range of visitor attractions to draw visitors and support businesses. 2.3m annual visitors to North Aviation heritage is a unique Working with a Heritage Kesteven contribute £120m to draw locally, championed Lottery grant to rescue and the local economy and support through the Council’s operation refurbish the unique Mrs more than 2,000 jobs – a of the Museum and Smith’s Cottage and maximise 4% rise in numbers visiting, support for the International its visitor appeal. spending 3.3% more. Bomber Command Centre. To promote the economic and Our employment growth of Environment North Kesteven A proposed new Priority

‘Our Environment’ is under Drive investment in NK including transport routes consideration as a new Priority, which could draw on the other £30,000 into the Castle Line infrastructure enhancements in Priorities to give stronger rail partnership generated a Sleaford to unlock housing and focus and targeted action on 70% increase in passengers employment sites. the themes of place, heritage, at Hykeham station, 13 extra sustainability and climate. weekday stopping trains and Commissioned a study into the additional weekend services. potential of pedestrianisation This fifth priority is open for and traffic flow in Sleaford in people to help shape, in what it More parking and improvements support of enhanced town covers and how it is focused. at Hykeham and centre trade. stations. Suggested aspirations are to: Promoted and supported • Protect and improve the New investment in 10 large extension of the Lincoln Hire natural and built environmet scale regeneration projects Bikes into North Hykeham, of Our Places; – Sleaford Growth Project, Whisby and . • Conserve and promote Our International Bomber Command Heritage; Centre, Mrs Smith’s Cottage, car £150,000 invested into • Reduce carbon emissions to parks, leisure upgrades etc. partnership to fund up to improve Our Sustainabilty; £600,000 of improvements to • Reduce carbon emissioms Secured £2m for highways and Sleaford’s historic shopfronts. from operations and service delivery as a commitment to Our Climate. Regenerate NK Service areas informing this 2m GLLEP investment for supply contacts and £2.5m of would include sustainability, highway improvements in community benefit. conservation and listed support of Sleaford’s growth. buildings, waste and recycling Invested £2m in 19 business and council-wide contributions £2m secured through S106 units at Teal Park, with potential to reduced carbon outputs. for further infrastructure to assist 85 businesses and developments District-wide. create 280 jobs over 25 years; Targeted action in this way would lead to: Active in bringing forward Providing for seven more units • An improved and protected regeneration opportunities for in £4.2m new Depot scheme. natural environment; Sleaford and North Hykeham, • Increased recognition of, and which is home to 40% of Invested £605,000 into a participation in, the District’s Lincolnshire’s growth potential. £48m countywide partnership heritage; to rollout Broadband • Increased adoption of Poised for 50% of Central improvements for 20,000+ sustainable measures and Lincolnshire’s economic growth homes and businesses locally . resilience to climate change up to 2036 – 6,000 new jobs. for the Council, residents and LN6 area already has 28% of businesses; and the District’s whole employment. • Development of sustainable communities. Attracted £165m pioneering straw Tell us your thoughts at: bale power station at Sleaford, [email protected] sustaining 80 jobs, £6m in annual Contact your Councillor This guide to North Kesteven’s 43 Elected Members should help you to identify which Councillor you should contact on any matter relating to any particular area within North Kesteven. A list of these can be found on the Corporate Website www.n-kesteven.gov.uk or by using the direct link below.

Ward (Correct as of July 2017) Member Executive Board The six Members who make up Cllr Steve Clegg and Cranwell the Executive Board - Councillors Cllr Dan Gray Burley, Cawrey, Cucksey, Howe, Cllr Mrs Sue Howe and Money and Wright - all have Cllr Mrs Pat Woodman MBE areas of special interest spread Cllr Ms Susanna Matthan across the Council’s services. , Martin and Cllr Mrs Gill Ogden Cllr Peter Burley Cllr and Waddington East Cllr Lindsey Cawrey Peter Cllr Mike Gallagher Burley Cllr Ray Cucksey Branston Cllr Peter Lundgren Cllr Cathrine Mills Cliff Villages Cllr Mrs Marianne Overton MBE Cllr Cllr Mrs Sally Appleby Eagle, Swinderby and Witham St Hughs Lindsey Cllr Mrs Barbara Wells MBE Cawrey Cllr Stewart Ogden Heckington Rural Cllr Mrs Sally Tarry Cllr Edward Herring Heighington and Cllr Ian Carrington Cllr Cllr Ron Oxby Kirby La Thorpe and Cllr Mrs Julia Harrison Ray and Rauceby Cllr Mrs Susan Waring Cucksey Cllr Rob Kendrick Metheringham Cllr John Money North Hykeham Forum Cllr Mrs Kay Barrett North Hykeham Memorial Cllr Wallace Lee Cllr Cllr Ms Andrea Clarke Mrs Sue North Hykeham Mill Cllr Mike Clarke Howe North Hykeham Moor Cllr Mrs Pam Whittaker North Hykeham Witham Cllr Ross Little Cllr Kate Cook Cllr Terry Boston Cllr Cllr Richard Wright John Cllr Chris Goldson Skellingthorpe Money Cllr Mrs Shirley Pannell Sleaford Castle Cllr Keith Dolby Sleaford Cllr Grenville Jackson Sleaford Navigation Cllr David Suiter Cllr Cllr Tim Conning Richard Sleaford Quarrington and Mareham Cllr Geoffrey Hazelwood Wright Cllr Mrk Suffield Sleaford Westholme Cllr Steve Fields Waddington West Cllr Lance Pennell

www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/councillors