Happy New year, as we welcome in 2025, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the last 12 months.
As a district council leader, I am filled with immense pride and joy at all we have achieved together as a council and a community.
The hard work, dedication, and unwavering support of our staff, members, and residents have truly made a difference, ensuring West Lindsey continues to thrive and grow.
2024 brought its share of challenges but it also brought countless reasons to celebrate as we marked the 50th anniversary of West Lindsey District Council.
We’ve made significant strides in supporting local businesses and communities, thanks in part to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) grants. These grants have helped businesses implement green strategies, reducing their environmental impact, and supported vibrant community events that brought people together including the much-loved Illuminate Parade, Go Festival, Christmas festival, and a variety of farmers’ and craft markets.
Our local economy continues to grow, with new businesses opening and existing ones expanding, creating jobs and opportunities for our communities. Myself, the deputy leader of the council and chair of the council have been privileged to visit many businesses in the district and we look forward to meeting more this year.
Our district has continued to improve and innovate, with exciting developments in Gainsborough’s Market Place as part of the Townscape Heritage Scheme, which has beautifully restored historic shopfronts, breathing new life into this vibrant area. We’ve also been working on creating new open spaces, further enhancing the attractiveness of our towns and we can’t wait to see the official opening of our brand-new Savoy cinema in the town this year.
In Market Rasen, the opening of a new banking hub has been a game-changer, offering vital financial services to residents and businesses, and strengthening the town’s economy.
West Lindsey offers an abundance of places to visit and explore, with scenic walks and attractions that continue to draw people in – especially the fabulous Lincolnshire Show and the Lincolnshire Wolds.
Several businesses across West Lindsey have been shortlisted for the highly coveted Tourism Excellence Awards, organised by Destination Lincolnshire. This includes our very own Trinity Arts Centre which has hosted a number of sell-out shows and the STEP programme launched its new branding there, which showcased the incredible creative and economic potential of our area.
Our operational services teams have excelled, delivering an outstanding service in all weather conditions. Their efforts earned us the Best Refuse Performer Award for the third consecutive year at the Public Service Excellence (APSE) Performance Networks Annual Awards. This is a testament to their dedication and professionalism.
The council-owned and run Lea Fields Crematorium has continued to support the community in meaningful ways. Through its metal recycling scheme, made possible by the generosity of bereaved families, we’ve been able to give back to local charities. The crematorium also received the prestigious Greener Globe Award, further reflecting our commitment to sustainability and community care.
As we welcome 2025, we are faced with a government’s financial settlement that fails to reflect the growing challenges and demands facing councils like ours. However, we will be lobbying hard during the consultation period to secure a fairer funding settlement for West Lindsey. Our district deserves equitable support that matches the needs of our community and enables us to plan effectively for the future.
I am confident in our ability to rise to the challenges ahead and together we will continue to innovate, collaborate, and build on the successes of the past year.