LINCOLNSHIRE’S SHINING STARS AWARDS 2019 CLERK OF THE YEAR Nominees: Karen Treacher – Long Sutton Parish Council Karen has achieved 25 years’ service as clerk to, which has involved more than one parish. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and experience with our councillors. Sue Simmons – Wainfleet Councils During the recently declared emergency flooding situation at Wainfleet, Sue put herself forward during the day and night to be a point of contact. Sue opened the rest centre, provided local information and was the face of the emergency response. He actions were selfless with no complaints. She worked tirelessly alongside members of the Town Council, community and members of the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum, Red Cross, Lives, St John’s Ambulance, 4x4 plus statutory services. Her work in this difficult period where people were having to evacuate their homes, was highly commendable. Christine Newton – Chapel St Leonards Parish Council Christine became clerk for CSL in August 2015, joining a parish council that was in turmoil, after the previous clerk had found it necessary to take legal action after his resignation caused by the vexatious actions of certain councillors. One of the outcomes of this was that the council engaged Audit Lincolnshire who carried out and internal audit, the report recommending changes to CSL policies, procedures and Standing Orders. A total of 30 actions, the time scale given was extremely tight. Christine has achieved all this and guided the Council back into a sound financial footing, restored the moral and good standing of the council within the community. She has worked tirelessly and achieved more than could have been expected of a Parish Clerk. Yvonne Smith – Spilsby Town Council Yvonne has served as town clerk for a number of years. She has provided great support to the council members through her knowledge, energy and dedication. She has a lead role in many voluntary organisations in Spilsby and is a strong believer in Spilsby and its residents. She works hard to make Spilsby a better place. Yvonne has a true community spirit and it is this that drives her work with the Town Council. Julie Murray – Welton-by-Lincoln Parish Council Welton PC considers itself very fortunate in having Julie Murray at its helm. The 15 years she has been working as clerk and RFO has seen a rapid increase in the population of the village and Julie has advised and supported the council to ensure seamless incorporation of new developments and wider community cohesion. Julie has worked proactively with other authorities to take on services such as the village library, which also required relocation and is now being developed into a Community Hub. She is respected by staff, volunteers, councillors and parishioners alike and embraces the challenges to deliver the council’s ethos of a family-friendly environment for the village. She is a principal member of the SLCC, currently Secretary of the Lincolnshire Branch and actively encourages networking and CPD amongst other clerks to the benefit of Welton Parish Council and the wider County. Elaine Atkin (Clerk) and Lydia Smithson (Deputy Clerk) – Saxilby PC Elaine Atkin is not only highly professional and efficient, but is also an enabler, whose work contributes hugely to the running of events around the village. In the same light her deputy, Lydia Smithson has done tireless work to preserve the conservation area of the village, engaging extensively with outside bodies and different organisations. She has also recently run a large project to create a wonderful new play area for the children. Elaine and Lydia are an outstanding team, who are also involved in running numerous large-scale events during the year, such as galas, firework displays, 5k runs to name a few. The two clerks are crucial to the success of this. Amanda Bushell – Hemingby Parish Council Amanda has served Hemingby Parish Council since 2005 with just a short break during this period as well as being clerk to Woodhall Spa Parish Council at one stage and is now clerk to Horncastle Town Council as well. Her commitment to the role is second to none and she always keeps abreast of all regulations by attending training. However, the finest attribute is that she carries out the role in a quiet, friendly and efficient manner and there is never a time when she is too busy for individuals or the council. Although Amanda is the Proper Officer of the council, our members and residents view her as a friend as her commitment to our village is not just as an employee but as a way of life. She is the absolute epitome of what all clerks should aspire to. Kathy Partridge – Fishtoft Parish Council Kathy Partridge has been the bedrock of Fishtoft PC in the position she has held for over 20 years. Over these years she has maintained a consistently high standard of work performing her role in accordance with all the legal requirements. Kathy is punctual and reliable and is always extremely well presented at meetings recognising the importance of her role. She is always patient and dignified when dealing with members of the public and outside bodies. Her immense knowledge of her job is and her ability to explain things to new Councillors without causing them embarrassment is one of her greatest attributes. She is incredibly supportive to those new to the role of Chairperson, again discreetly guiding to prevent mistakes. Supported by her husband Peter, she has always gone above and beyond her role and remit in helping parishioners and being a valued member of our community. Together they have maintained 4 notice boards and for many, many years weeded and kept the Parish War Site neat and tidy. Kathy is a very gifted and talented lady and has represented the council at our Church Flower Festivals. Her culinary skills are unsurpassed and at our December meeting members are treated to an array of her homemade delights. Kathy is blessed by a pleasant personality and a very caring nature its true to say that all councillor’s past and present respect her and hold her in the highest regard. Nothing has ever been too much trouble for her. With her inimitable thoughtfulness she has given Fishtoft PC long notice of her intended retirement on 31 March 2020. We are all incredibly sad that she will be leaving us, but typical of Kathy’s dedication and loyalty to Fishtoft PC she has agreed to allow any new clerk we appoint to shadow her until she leaves and has said once she moves ‘I will only be a phone call away’. Kathy Partridge has not just been the consummate professional, she has been a friend to everyone, she is a gem and without doubt our ‘Shining Star’. Christine Myers – Sudbrooke Parish Council Christine Myers is an outstanding clerk who has served the parish of Sudbrooke for many years. She is also parish clerk for Greetwell and a past clerk for Langworth Parish Council. Her courteous and professional manner when dealing with sometimes contentious issues is much appreciated by those with whom she has dealings. She undertakes many tasks which are far beyond the duties of a parish clerk and she is a loyal and respected individual within the local community. During the past year, Chris has faced a number of significant challenges including ensuring that the council were prepared and have been compliant following the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulations in May 2018. She has assisted the Sudbrooke Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group in getting the Neighbourhood Plan to a point where a referendum will take place on its adoption very soon, and has dealt with a number of issues and concerns associated with the commencement of a large housing development in the village. All this has been on top of the usual heavy workload associated with being a parish clerk. She always has a smile on her face and conducts herself in a highly professional manner whilst always observing the 7 key Nolan Principles. Three new parish councillors have joined the council in the past year and Chris has made them feel extremely welcome, imparted her considerable knowledge and experience during their induction period and has ensured they have received the training required. She has been extremely generous with her time whilst they have been ‘learning the ropes’. In conclusion, Chris is an excellent clerk. Her experience, integrity and work ethic are something that needs and should be recognised. Runner up: Steve Larner – Skegness Town Council Steve Larner as a CILCA qualified clerk with 41 years’ experience of working within local government. It is the clerk’s strategic thinking, forward planning, expert guidance and advice along with endless amounts of ambition, determination and drive that has enabled Skegness Town Council to undertake a substantial project of asset transfers including a 5.8 acre park, four commercial kiosks, a car park and various other walks and parcels of land throughout the Town. The transfer also includes a site where the clerk has managed the process to get planning permission and funding in place for a £1.5m community building. The actions taken to get the town council in a position where it has been able to successfully deliver the council’s ambitions are endless, but here are some: • Making provision for a new improved website with community engagement and consultation pages as well as making sure the council is communicating through social media channels • Changing the staffing structure to accommodate the new responsibilities including appointing a deputy town clerk and supporting her to gain the CILCA qualification