Agenda item

The Chairman advised the meeting that two questions pursuant to Council Procedure Rule No.9 had been submitted to the meeting.  These had been circulated separately to the agenda.

The Chairman invited Councillor Anne Welburn, Ward Member for the Cherry Willingham Ward to put her question to the meeting, as follows: -

“Leader - The Rural Economy in Lincolnshire needs a comprehensive national-level rural strategy, to be delivered locally via communities, councils, and businesses to ensure that no resident or business should be disadvantaged unreasonably by their rural location.

The Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) provided money for projects to improve agriculture, the environment and rural life. It supported Schemes that improved the environment; increased the productivity of farming and forestry; or which grew the rural economy.

I understand that the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) is now closed, because it is a European Fund, part of the 2014-2020 programme and this programme is ending.

Please could the Leader advise if there have been any positive developments in this area, is the Government still hoping to deliver a fairer funding scheme for rural areas?  And what funding, if any will replace the RDPE?

Thank you”

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Owen Bierley, responded as follows: -

“Thank you for your question Councillor Welburn

You are correct that the RDPE is now closed. However it is has been announced that the UK Shared Prosperity Fund will replace the EU funding programme and in the November 2020 Spending Review the Chancellor confirmed ‘The planned fund will target the places most in need across the UK,  including ex-industrial areas, deprived towns and rural and coastal communities, and “help to level up and create opportunity across the UK for people and places”. 

It is expected that this funding will be administered by the Local Enterprise Partnerships, although it is not anticipated to be available until 2022.

We are working with the LEP on the Local Industrial Strategy and the Medium Term Recovery Plan and this is where we will articulate our priorities and continue to champion the need for funding and programmes that support rural issues.

The draft medium term recovery plan has a priority ‘Rural Heartland’ with the following priorities for action:

•     Delivering cycling upgrades, along with a targeting marketing programme to ensure Greater Lincolnshire is recognized as a UK centre for cycling.

•     Facilitating start-up enterprise locally

•     Achieving full coverage of 4G mobile to ensure no 'not spots' remain

•     Facilitating start up enterprise

•     Identifying the scope for local trading

•     Repurposing of existing business spaces and the prospect of local hubs

In parallel, the Rural Services Network has included each of these points as central, crucial, ‘asks’ in its’ Revitalising Rural campaign, which is to be officially launched in the next few weeks.  Revitalising Rural arises from RSN’s ‘Time for a Rural Strategy’ call upon Government that we fully supported as a Council.  

Please be assured Councillor Welburn the prosperity of rural communities is both a Council priority and a personal passion of mine and I will continue to ensure WLDC takes every opportunity available to it to influence strategic priorities for funding in rural areas.”

Having heard the response Councillor Welburn posed the following supplementary question: -

“Will the Leader ensure that anyone who is eligible for this new funding be made aware?”

The Leader responded accordingly.

“Yes, promoting funding and assisting residents and businesses to access available funds, is a key role of our Economic Development Team”

Councillor Welburn thanked the Leader.

The Chairman then invited Councillor Trevor Young, Ward Member for the Gainsborough South-West Ward, to put his question to the meeting as follows: -

“Leader - Have Lincolnshire Police ‘ Shut Up Shop ‘ in Gainsborough during this Covid Pandemic?

This might sound flippant but this is what some of the residents of the Gainsborough South West Ward are saying.

During the Pandemic there has been a ‘spike’ in theft, burglaries and crime yet a lack of police response. Some residents have reported 20-30 different thefts from their properties leaving them living in complete fear.

Residents duly pay a high precept towards Policing and should be able to feel safe in their own homes.

Why is it in parts of West Lindsey we receive such a poor service from the Police?

Are Gainsborough Residents less deserving than other parts of Lincolnshire regarding Crime & Disorder.

Thank you”

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Owen Bierley, responded as follows: -

“Thank you Councillor Young for your question.  I have regular briefings and update meetings in my capacity as Chairman of the Prosperous Communities Committee with our local police representatives. This increase in theft and burglaries you report is not something that has been brought to my attention.

Please be assured I will be raising this matter at my next such meeting and will feedback through the matters arising to Council in due course.

The safety of all our District residents is of paramount importance.  Thank you”

Having heard the response Councillor Young made a supplementary statement.

Thank you. There is a lack of confidence amongst residents around Police statistics and I would like this fact be brought up with them.  We have been informed that across West Lindsey there is to be further cuts in policing and PCSOs moving out of West Lindsey into other parts of Lincolnshire due to reductions in Government funding, this is totally unacceptable. The reality is that thieves and criminals are going unpunished because of reduced Police numbers in our area and we need those urgent discussions with the Police and assurance that Gainsborough will be policed at a level required and that people can live safely.  I trust in you Chairman.

The Leader thanked Councillor Young for his comments and again re-iterated that he would raise issues brought to Council’s attention.