West Lindsey District Council

THE INTERNAL NEWSLETTER OF WEST LINDSEY DISTRICT COUNCIL AUGUST 2009

Staff Newsletter

First amongst equalsCouncil leads the countryat achieving equality

West Lindsey District Council hasbecome the first local authority inthe country to reach the achieving

level of the Equality Framework for LocalGovernment.

The feat was recognised at the EqualityMark Awards 2009 held in Crewe whenSurinder Sharma, National Director forEquality and Human Rights Department ofHealth, congratulated the Council on beingthe first local authority to reach the newachieving status.

Director of Strategy and Regeneration,Rachel North, said: “This is a fantasticachievement. We are not the best Councilin the country delivering equality but whatwe have done is move from quite a lowlevel only two years ago to a level wherewe are achieving under the new guidelinesframework set out by the Improvement andDevelopment Agency.

“We have got to this level by knowing whatour community’s needs are and respondingto them. We have not stuck slavishly by thecriteria making sure we can tick the rightboxes; it’s been about making things fair andaccessible and that resulted in improve-ments being made quite naturally.”

As part of the equality and diversity pro-gramme, West Lindsey has hosted a seriesof courses for staff and partners with prac-tical demonstrations of what life is like if yousuffer from a disability or are an older per-son.

Policy and Performance Team Leader,Julie Taylor said: “People attending thecourse were put into wheelchairs, had theirarms restrained and wore frosted glassesto restrict their vision. They were then takeninto town to find out that when your move-ment and vision is restricted even the most

simple tasks that most of us take for grant-ed can be made really quite difficult.”

The experience was run by the local AgeConcern branch and pressure group WestLindsey Disability Network who also madepresentations.

Chairman of the Council’s GenericEqualities Group, Cllr Irmgard Parrottadded: “A speaker with eyesight problemstalked about her difficulties in day to daythings like making a cup of tea or crossingthe road whilst other wheelchair users

Making a Difference

Pictured with the Award are (l-r) Director of Strategy and Regeneration RachelNorth, Chairman of the Council’s Generic Equalities Group, Cllr Irmgard Parrott

and Policy and Performance Team Leader, Julie Taylor

� Continued on page 2

� From page 1talked about getting access toshops and using public trans-port. It was very powerful andat times quite humbling.”

But it has not been all talkand training. The Council hasput the theory into practice bytalking to local shops and busi-nesses about improving accessfor those with a disability and a

successful £10,000 bid to theLottery’s Awards for All schemeresulted in inclusive sportsclubs being set up across thedistrict.

New Age Kurling – a form ofthe original curling game, butadapted so it can be playedindoors on any smooth, flat sur-face – is particularly popularand can be played by anyoneof any age.

Another success story is theInclusive Fitness Initiative part-nered by the Primary CareTrust and Lincolnshire Sports

Partnership which has resultedin the lighting, doors andchanging rooms at theCouncil’s own leisure centrebeing made more disabilityfriendly and new equipment isbeing installed in the gym thatcan be used by people with dis-abilities.

The Council, which receivedthe equality award only monthsafter achieving Investing inPeople status, is now setting itssights on joining the select bandwhich can boast the EqualityMark level of excellence.

Chief Executive DuncanSharkey said: “We know wehave got some way to go butwe have already proved wehave the will to keep companywith those who deliver the verybest practice in local govern-ment.

“We are now in the processof assessing all our policiesagainst Equality Mark stan-dards and as we continue todevelop our services with thehelp of our partners I am surethat more improvements will bedelivered.”

2 Staff Newsletter

FIRST AMONGST EQUALS

If you are an older person or suffer from a dis-ability, getting around in West Lindsey can bea nightmare.At a series of Disability and Age Awareness

Days, district councillors, staff and employeesfrom partner organisations found out for them-selves how difficult life can be when they tookto the streets in wheelchairs with their legs andarms immobilised and their vision restricted byfrosted glasses.

The result was that perfectly able-bodied peo-ple admitted to being terrified, uncomfortableand having never realised that everyday taskscould be so difficult.

Cambers on the roads made controllingwheelchairs difficult, pelican crossings barelyallowed time for people to make it across busyroads and the attitudes of people who did notknow what to do were frequent complaints.

But for Nigel Webster of the West LindseyDisability Network, perhaps the biggest issue ofall was that far too often the emphasis is onwhat people with a disability can’t do, not whatthey CAN do.

“People always look at the negatives insteadof asking what we can do,” said Nigel, whobecame disabled following a car accident. “Weare very resourceful at finding ways round ourdisability even when this can reflect badly on

our benefits,” he added.Nigel said that the language used to describe

people with disabilities was now much better,but he challenged whether attitudes were stillanywhere near as good as they could be.

“Shops say they want our business but manystill don’t provide ramps to facilitate us. I needaccessible parking – which I don’t mind payingfor – but I also want it properly policed and pro-tected so that when I get there I can use it. Ifthings aren’t right those who are responsible forit will hear about it,” said Nigel.

Philippa Haresign, Age Concern Lindsey, saidthat many of the difficulties and frustrations feltby those with a disability were shared by olderpeople.

Cllr Irmgard Parrott, Chairman of GenericEqualities, had opened the session by sayingthat the difficulties of older people and thosewith a disability were often not understood.

She said: “By changing the format of this ses-sion from the traditional dry classroom setting toa practical test of the problems faced by peopleeach day will dispel some of your ideas andshow you that some of your perceptions aretotally wrong.”

How right she was.............

Staff learn the hard wayabout life with a disability

Telling it like it is..A number of people attended thesessions to tell the group of theirexperiences:CASE STUDY 1:

Sheila is partially sighted. Shefinds it difficult to cope witheveryday things like using theremote control on her television.She looks at everything througha magnifying glass.

“I used to read all the time butnow I feel like an idiot. I can’teven do the simple things likemake a cup of tea for myself. Ican’t use the gas cooker anymore. Buses frighten mebecause I am nervous of steps

and kerbs, so I use taxisalthough this costs me a for-tune,” she said.CASE STUDY 2:

Steve has learned that toler-ance is a virtue in dealing withhis disability. He says if he is inan electronic buggy people willmove out of the way for him butif he is in a wheelchair he ‘mightas well not exist.’

He finds it odd that people sayto his wife: ‘How is Steve today?’and completely ignore him.

� The names have beenchanged but the experiences arereal.

ABOVE: Staff getting readyto road test the streets andBELOW: Return after anenlightening experience

Ady Selby from Waste Services becamethe proud father of Claudia Lola (above)on May 14 who tipped the scales at 7lb.And a day later Democratic ServicesSupport Officer James Hodgin becamethe proud father ofOliver whoweighed in at 8lb15oz.

3StaffNewsletter

Welcome tostaff from AcisNew staff who have joined us from Acisto join the Housing and RenewalServices team are:Neil Gray, Housing Options Manager(ext 694)Paula Clarke, Housing Options Adviser(ext 608)Rachel Parkin, Housing Options Adviser(ext 613)Janette Lockey, Housing Options Adviser(ext 617)Laura Cook, Customer Adviser(ext 191)

Hello to ournew starters

Goodbye toold friends

Heather Kelly, Senior Standards Officer;Sarah Sorrell, Technical Officer, (bothhousing)Chris Allen, Public Protection ServicesManager.And at Trinity Arts we welcome:Janet Keens, Temporary CentreManager, Kendal Evans, TemporaryCustomer Service Assistant, andCharlotte Rockett, Temporary Front ofHouse and Box Office assistant.

During August and September we willsay goodbye to the following who aremoving on to pastures new:Laura De Vita, HR AdviserHelen Reek, Policy and PerformanceServices ManagerRichard Green, Development PlansOfficerAshleigh Stevenson-Leigh, HealthTrainerMartin Smithson, Front of House,AssistantAnd on August 31 Project ManagerColin Carter will retire.

Proud dads

Bye, bye 30s - hellohell in the saddle!Business Improvement Manager MatthewClarke has come up with an unusual(mad?) way to mark his 40th birthday.

On October 3 - the day he says goodbyeto his 30s - Matthew will be starting a 12hour solo mountain bike ride in Norfolk’sThetford Forest.

The Marin Dusk Til Dawn offroad chal-lenge is expected to attract more than1,000 riders who will do battle with thecourse that covers 11 miles of fire roadsand track that dodges through the trees.

Matthew said: “I wanted to do somethingmemorable and worthwhile to mark mymilestone. I’ve chosen to help CancerResearch as the conditon touches justabout everybody during their lives in oneway or another.

“Fortunately some of my family have sur-vived it, and some of them haven’t. It’s onlya matter of time before someone else Iknow and love has to fight for their lives

and Cancer Research increases their oddsof survival.”

Work colleague Jeannette Anderson hasalready sponsored Matthew and told him“Great idea, fantastic charity - but you aretotally bonkers!”

If you would like to sponsor Matthewplease go towww.justgiving.com/matthewccclarke

� Cancer Research UK funds researchinto all aspects of cancer, from the mostbasic nuts and bolts of cell biology to largestudies of entire populations.

Funding the work of over 4,500 scien-tists, doctors and nurses across the UK,the charity also runs specialised institutesdedicated to cancer research.

Donating through Justgiving is quick,easy and totally secure. Justgiving allows25% in Gift Aid and a 3% supplement isalso added to your donation.

RIDE ON:Matthew Clarke intraining for his12-hoursponsoredmarathon

All Council staff are being reminded thatoffers of gifts or hospitality should betreated with extreme caution.

The Code of Conduct for Employeesrequires that private interests and giftsshould be declared and registered in a logheld by the Democratic Services section.

Monitoring Officer Rachel North said:“Receiving minor things like a diary or cal-endar at Christmas is not regarded asaccepting a gift.

“But offers of anything more substantialshould be treated with caution. Each of usis responsible for the initial decision aboutthe propriety of accepting something. Ifthere is any doubt I would advise you torefuse it or seek the advice of your direc-tor,” said Rachel.

The Code of Personnel Policies can beaccessed on the Intranet or anyone withparticular questions should contactRachel on ext 535.

Beware men bearing gifts.....

End of a 40year labour of love

4 StaffNewsletter

One of West Lindsey’s longest serv-ing members of staff has retiredafter a right royal send off.

Civic Officer Janet Broughton capped offher 40 year labour of love as a guest at aRoyal Garden Party in recognition of heroutstanding service. She was accompa-nied by her husband Pete.

Dodging the showers, Janet enjoyed thebeauty of the gardens beyond the Palacegates on a trip that was a fitting tribute toher career which has also included beinginvolved with the organisation of visits toWest Lindsey by the Princess Royal andlast year’s official opening of the newGuildhall by Prince Edward.

Janet (65), who lives in Walkeringham,celebrated her birthday in March butdemonstrated her devotion to duty whenshe agreed to stay on until after theLincolnshire Show and Civic Service inwhich she was a key player.

One of her final duties was to ensure thesmooth running of a visit of 23 young peo-ple from our twin town of Neunkirchenwhich was completed just days beforeJanet said her last goodbye to the Councilon July 31.

As a mark of the Council’s thanks, ChiefExecutive Duncan Sharkey presentedJanet with £150 in garden centre vouchersbought following a collection amonst coun-cillors and staff.

Janet told the Staff Newsletter: “I’vealways liked civic work and that is why Ihave enjoyed the last two years so much.The town twinning has been a great inter-

est of mine and I have made some life-longfriends. I will carry on being involvedalthough I will not be running it anymore,”said Janet.

Her marathon career in local governmentbegan on July 7 1969 when she joined theformer Gainsborough Urban DistrictCouncil as a private secretary.

“I’d been working at Newell Dunford inMisterton as a shorthand typist for 10 yearsuntil I decided I needed a better job thatpaid more money!” said Janet.

After local government reorganisation in1974 she became private secretary toChief Executive William McIntyre – theboss who she believes had the most influ-ence on her working life.

“He checked my work meticulously andtaught me everything I know. He died with-in six months of his retirement which wasreally sad because he worked so hard,”said Janet.

This Is

Your Life

Janet

Broughton!Janet (centre) pictured with some of the Chairmen she has served

Janet recalls the days whenshe not only took the minutesbut she married people too!

Three of the Chief Executives Janet has worked for came to pay their tribute at herretirement presentation. Left to right are current Chief Duncan Sharkey,AndrewHancock and Bob Nelsey. William McIntyre sadly died not long after he retired.

‘40 years have just flown by – I must have enjoyed itotherwise I would have been gone a long time ago’

� Continued on page 5

Ten things Janet willdo in her retirement

1. Shop in supermarkets at a time when there are still things on theshelves

2. Be a lady who lunches to keep in touch with friends and colleagues3. Sit in and look at the garden instead of only having time to dig it4. Catch up on household jobs instead of having to jam them all in on a

Sunday5. Get back in touch with lots of foreign pen pals6. Improve her cooking skills7. Get fit8. Forget about stress eating9. Enjoy the conservatory being

built at her home10. Stop charging around at 100

miles an hour5Staff Newsletter

� From page 4Other Chief Executives Janet has

worked with are Andrew Hancock, BobNelsey, and, of course, our current boss,Duncan Sharkey.

“Every time we got a new ChiefExecutive it was just like having a new jobbecause they all worked in different ways.It was just the same every time we got anew Chairman because there have beensome very different characters. I thinkthat’s one of the reasons why 40 yearshave just flown by – I must have enjoyed itotherwise I would have been gone a longtime ago,” said Janet.

In the early years of her career Janet wasa real workaholoic. Not content with thedemands of her full-time job she taughtshorthand and typing at GainsboroughCollege and Misterton school in the eveningsand was also taking piano lessons!

And work was a little more varied thantoday as she carried out the role of DeputySuperintendant Registrar which entitledher to conduct civil marriages at the oldGuildhall!

“There are lots of funny stories about

that – people who had forgotten the rings,people who were so nervous they couldn’tget the words out and others that I don’tthink I ought to go into!” said Janet.

She has seen enormous changes in howservices are delivered and when the moveto our new building grew nearer and near-er she was determined that she would stillbe working for the Council when we movedin.

“I don’t know what it was. But after beingat the old Guildhall for so long I just want-

ed to be part of the new era.“There are lots of things that I am proud

to have been part of and I have made lotsof friends and had tremendous help fromcolleagues.

“I am very proud of having very little sickleave during my career but I am now look-ing forward to having much more time to dothings I have always wanted to,” saidJanet.

Make sure you do Janet, you deserveit!

Janet has dealt with confidential issues all her life and has oftenbeen asked for information. Her top tip for anyone in the same

position is to say you don’t know anything about it. This proceduremust be followed even when you do know and the person who is

asking knows you know!

Royalsend offfor ourqueen ofthe civics

SAYING IT WITH FLOWERS: Council Chairman Jessie Mills presented Janet with a bouquet

TIP FROM THE TOP

Final curtain: Janetpictured on duty at her last

Lincolnshire Show

6 Staff Newsletter

Planning is probably the mostcontroversial service theCouncil provides.

One man’s necessaryexpansion of much–neededhousing is another’s blot on thelandscape.

Feelings run high when con-troversial proposals are sub-mitted and that is why all offi-cers who get involved withapplications should be familiarwith the Code of Conduct fordealing with planning matters.

Any investigation into a com-plaint – either internally or bythe Ombudsman – will takecompliance with the Code intoaccount; so it’s important to befamiliar with it.

Some of the key points to beremembered are:� Failure to declare a prejudi-cial interest may result in abreach of the Code and a com-plaint to the StandardsCommittee. Officers who areChartered Town Planners areguided by the Royal TownPlanning Institute’s Code ofProfessional Conduct.Breaches of the Code may besubject to disciplinary action bythe Institute. They are alsobound by the local Code ofConduct for employees.� Officers must always actimpartially. To make suresenior officers do so, the LocalGovernment and Housing Act1989 enables restrictions to beset on their outside activities,such as membership of politicalparties and serving on anotherCouncil. � During their work, officersmay be offered hospitality frompeople with an interest in aplanning proposal. If possiblethis should be politely declined.If receiving hospitality isunavoidable, officers shouldensure it is kept to a minimumand declare it as soon as pos-sible.

Copies of the Code ofConduct on Planning Matterscan be obtained from SueHarrison on ext 600.

Follow theplanningcode

CongratulationsWill Saville, AshleyStevenson-Leigh, Claire Whiteand Debbie Williams have alljust passed their AdvancedDiploma in Nutrition.Well done to you all.

Doggone it! United fannames pups after playersStreetforce warden Annette Mappin

has potentially immortalised agroup of Scunthorpe United

footballers if the puppies she has namedafter them become Show Champions.

Annette’s Gordon Setter, Rosie (agedfive), has had a litter of ten puppies –seven girls and three boys. For thisScottish, black and tan breed, this is aboutan average size litter.

Annette is an avid Scunthorpe Unitedfan, and has been since her brother tookher to her first match over 40 years ago.For the last five years she has been a sea-son ticket holder.

The puppies have Kennel Club regis-tered names, they all start with Bryerdale,then their names start with the letter M,this being the next letter of the alphabetdue for this thirteenth litter. Then there arethe names of the Scunthorpe United play-ers. So some of the names are: MazingAdkins, Mini Hooper, McCann Cann,Mazing Hayes and Morris Dancer.

Annette (pictured) said: “It was a way ofcommemorating Scunthorpe United get-ting through to the Championship Leaguewith the arrival of Rosie’s litter”.

When player Paul Hayes was told thatthere was a puppy named after him, hethought it was ‘absolutely brilliant’.

Annette’s farmhouse in Scotter, is alsohome to Rosie’s dad, Rodney, threeCavalier King Charles Spaniels and aLabrador (previously a stray).

The puppies are just a few weeks oldand are being weaned, which, apparentlyis when the ‘fun’ starts for Annette (who isnot in the first flush of youth) and her part-ner Graham Banks.

The puppies have to be fed four times aday, cleaned out, weighed, wormed, havetheir nails clipped and need to learn to

interact with everything and everyonearound them.

As if Annette doesn’t have enough to dowith the litter, she also shows dogs. Rosiecame first in four out of five shows lastyear. Annette also judges dogs, specialis-ing in Gun Dog breeds, and is secretary ofthe Scunthorpe Canine Association.

Annette is keeping one bitch, and all theothers have been spoken for, with twopeople in reserve. Some are going asshow dogs to Ireland, Scotland,Derbyshire and Surrey.

All Annette’s breeding line have comefrom Ellie in 1980, and have an excellenthealth record and are all ‘Fit for Purpose’as the Kennel Club now say.

An area of Gainsborough with poor housing andservices is set to receive a major facelift.

Part of the the South West Ward will benefitfrom Neighbourhood Renewal which could beunderway by March next year.

Approximately 1,500 homes are involved inan area bordered by Bridge Street and LeaRoad to the west, Shakespeare Street to thesouth, Sansfield Lane to the east and WembleyStreet, Coalville Terrace and Tooley Street tothe north, known in the Council as the SouthWest Action Zone.

West Lindsey District Council’s Housing andRenewals Service Manager, Grant Lockett,said: “Housing condition surveys are alreadyunderway. No decisions have been taken aboutwhat work will be done and we are consultingwith residents to find out what they want.Everyone who is in the area will be spoken toalong with other people who have an interest in

what happens there.”Surveys and newsletters will go out in

September before an analysis is preparedwhich will list the options available. Surveys,focus groups, a neighbourhood planning dayand a public exhibition are all planned.

A detailed specification has been drawn upand consultants have been appointed to under-take the assessment.

Consider the optionsChairman of the Economic and Regeneration

Committee, Coun Malcolm Parish said: “ByMarch next year we will have a picture of whatresidents want and what we can achieve andthe Council will consider all the options.

“This work will ultimately impact on everyonewho works, visits and lives in West Lindsey.”

Funding for the project will be drawn downfrom central government.

MAJOR FACELIFT ON THE WAYFOR SOUTH WEST WARD

The first repayment of money invested by the Council in collapsedIcelandic banks has been returned to the authority.

Joint Administrators for Heritable Bank Plc (in administration)have sent a first instalment of £325,193 against the £2 million theCouncil had invested.

West Lindsey has a total of £7 million invested in three of thefailed Icelandic banks.

Latest financial advice also suggests that Landsbanki - wherethe Council has £4 million invested - should be able to repay theCouncil all it is owed.

And Glitnir - where the Council has £1 million invested - appearsto have assets significantly greater than the liabilities and a fullrepayment is likely.

An external investigation into the circumstances surroundinghow West Lindsey’s investments were made has reported that theauthority’s guidelines met good practiceand officers applied strategy guidelinescorrectly. It also found that records arecomplete, accurate and properly autho-rised.

7StaffNewsletter

Mark cleans up with new businessGainsborough born and bred, Mark Killelay has

just taken on his first Team Member in hisfirst extra curricular business set up from

home.Mark,(pictured) who left college having

completed business and accountancycourses, started working with the councilon placement in 1996 through WestLindsey Training, and was taken on per-manently in 1998. He worked at theDepot for ten years before moving to workwith Procurement in the Guildhall last year.

As with many people the Credit Crunchhit, but Mark got up and joined the multilevel marketing business Kleen-Eze. SinceSeptember 2008, his feet have covered mostof Gainsborough, popping the cataloguesthrough letter boxes.

Mark, (32), goes out in all weathers, and finds that the

response is very seasonal, the busiest period beingOctober to March. He now has a regular clien-

tele, but still enjoys finding new customers.He has just taken on his first Team

Member, which means that not only doeshe receive a return on his sales, but alsoreceives a bonus on how well his Team isdoing.

This is fed down through the team,when they also take on a Team Member.

Mark said “It is hard, and sometimescold work, but the return is definitely

worth it, it has helped me live well ratherthan just surviving in these financially hard

times”.If you would be interested in becoming a

Kleen-Eze Team Member or would like any fur-ther information, please give Mark a ring on

01427 676539.

Bully foryou Stuart!Support Officer Stuart Birkett has received an award for his

voluntary time and dedication given to men and women’shockey.

Stuart (56) regularly gives up much of his own time to umpirehockey matches within Lincolnshire and the Eastern region,which spans from Lincolnshire to Kent, including premier games.

He is also Chief Umpire Coach for Lincolnshire, which he car-ries out when he is not umpiring. Stuart delivers theory coursesfor new umpires as well as coaching from the sidelines, to agesranging from 8 to over 50!

The award he has received is in recognition of his services tohockey, and he was only one of three umpires in the Easternregion to be recognised in this way, this year.

The citation reads: “In recognition of his service to theAssociation as an umpire who is available regularly and willingto umpire wherever appointed in order to further the game ofhockey in the East Region".

Stuart said: “I was really surprised to receive this award, and Iam very proud that all the hard work I have put in has beenrecognised”.

Stuart and his long-suffering wife, Susan, have three children,Joanne, Gareth (another keen hockey player) and Emma, withtwin grandchildren Isla and Callum (3).

Stuart was a police officer for 31 years, eventually retiring as asergeant, and he represented the force in cricket, hockey, crosscountry, table tennis and rugby.

He has been with the Council since January 2005, initially inlicensing and then in Cultural Services.

Stuart has been umpiring for 15 years, the last six of which asa Level 2 which allows him to umpire premier games. He alsoenjoys playing squash (for fun), going abroad on holidays andbeing a granddad!

Top award for services to hockey

Icelandic cash thawsStuart Birkett pictured with his hockey award

West Lindsey’s Built In ExcellenceAwards are making a return after a threeyear break. The big night is on October 1when the sustainability prize will be madein memory of Steve Harley who was theCouncil’s Building Control Manager.

BuildingAwardsare back

Apicture of Gainsborough with a population of 36,000 boast-ing three new neighbourhoods has been painted for influen-tial stakeholders in the town.

Guests at a presentation at the Council headquarters were toldthat the town would double in size in the next 20 years followingthe Government’s decision to award the area Growth Point Status.

A new ‘sustainable urban extension’ to the south of the existingtown will provide approximately 2,500 new homes together withemployment land, community facilities and services.

The process has received national recognition from theCommunity Infrastructure Fund who have awarded £1.85 millionto help with development needed for such a major change.

Work will include investigating road improvements, junctionchanges, extensions to cycleways and a possible new bus stationfeaturing hi-tech real time screens that will inform passengers ofthe exact time the service they want will arrive.

Proposals for the new neighbourhoods are still under develop-ment and further consultation is planned as the scheme progress-es.

Building will take place on land owned by the Thonock andSomerby Estates and spokesman Tom Aylmer said: “We have along term interest in getting this right. This is a major opportunityfor us and for Gainsborough and we are currently working on anoutline planning application.

“Our aim is that there will be a definite relationship between thenew and existing communities andthat no new development shouldbe more than 10 minutes from thecentre of town,” said Mr Aylmer.

Deputy Leader of West Lindsey District Council, Cllr AdamDuguid said: “Growth is outstanding news for Gainsborough andoffers a very positive future for the town. The Council is very excit-ed about what can be achieved.”

Growth Point Status is the culmination of regeneration schemesto reverse the decline of the town.

The first project was the Riverside flood defence and subse-quent developments which transformed a decayed and derelictarea into new apartments, businesses and a Riverside walkway.

Then it was on with the award-winning Marshall’s Yard retail andoffice development. As part of the Growth Point, a feasibility studywill look at the viability of a marina development to the south ofTrent Bridge.

“The total investment so far is in the region of £55 million and£45 million of this figure has come from the private sector. This isa remarkable achievement,” said Cllr Duguid.

The town needs to get bigger if it is to continue to thrive, andRegeneration Services Manager, Suzanne Fysh, said GrowthPoint Status was in response to a national housing shortage.

“And with the housing will come infrastructure, services, andabout 5,000 jobs that are needed to make the growth sustainable.Gainsborough will be transformed,” she said.

“Growth will help prevent the loss of educated young profes-sionals and attract a skilled workforce by providing a range of jobs,housing and lifestyle opportunities. New businesses will be attract-ed that will bring prosperity, complement existing businesses andbuild on the former engineering basis of old,” Suzanne added.

All the new developments will be environmentally and econom-ically sustainable.

Staff Newsletter8

Triple bins godistrict wide

Full steam ahead for Growth Point

D-Day set for September 7

Triple Bin refuse collection is beingrolled out across the whole of WestLindsey in September.

The new scheme means that all house-holds will receive a free garden waste col-lection service.

The Triple Bin scheme starts fromSeptember 7. Residents will still receive aweekly collection service – blue and greenbin collections one week and black bin col-lections the next.

The vast majority of people will still havetheir refuse collected on the same day asthey do now.

The Council is sending everyone a cal-endar showing collection days.

The scheme has been piloted in Caistor,Keelby and Cherry Willingham where it hasbeen well received.

Chairman of the Community and WasteCommittee, Cllr Irmgard Parrott said: “Thenew system we are introducing is a majorservice change and naturally there havebeen some teething problems.

“But generally things have gone very welland all the staff concerned have workedvery hard to make this a success.”

In a district-wide questionnaire in

February 2009, 79.2% of peoplewho replied said they would sup-port a Triple Bin waste collectionservice.

Until now, the green bin gar-den waste collection servicehas only been provided tothose who paid an annualfee.

Whilst we believed thiswas good value for moneywe also felt that many people –particularly the elderly on fixed incomes –were put off from recycling garden wastebecause of the cost.

It is vital that as many people as possiblerecycle garden waste because if it finds itsway into a landfill site it is a major source ofmethane which is a dangerous greenhousegas.

Now the green waste we collect will beconverted into compost and soil condition-er which is used on local farms.

Blue bin recyclables are made into avariety of things – plastic bottles are usedin the production of fleecy jackets, paperoften takes on a new life as a newspaper,and steel cans are formed into a wholehost of products.

Naturally, there is a cost associated withthe introduction of a free green waste ser-vice for everyone but this will be recoveredby the Triple Bin scheme which will cut theamount of fuel we use and reduce theemissions we make. This will reduce thecarbon footprint created by the waste col-lection service.

Evidence collected from around thecountry proves that when black bin wasteis collected once a fortnight people recycleand compost more which is just what wewant.

Action inCaistorwhere thenewschemewas piloted