Sea Front Fire Site - What Is Going On?

It is now nearly 4 years since the fire that destroyed the buildings opposite the Embassy complex and we still have a hole where a building could be. Part of the site has been re-built and, depending on your taste, the new building is an improvement on the last one. I think the question now is how much longer will we have to wait before we see some action on the remaining area?

To be honest the hoardings there certainly detract from that area of the seafront, which to be honest is a real pity as that is the busiest part of town in the height of the summer. The use of the area for travelling attractions and the "Bargain Trailer" enterprise last year only added to the problem.

Planning permission, which has been a long process as I understand it, was granted by ELDC prior to last summer season and now it could be all systems go but there is no sign of any movement.

One of the owners of the site, Mr Taj Bola, having stated on a local forum that the building work would begin in November of last year has now stated that there is a hold-up which is down to a legal matter.

I hope this legal matter can be resolved quickly as the plans for the "Sky Pier" look both exciting and inovative.

We, as a town, just need those plans to be put into operation and quickly.

Yorkshire Trading To Close!!!

It appears that the recent rumours circulating about the future, or lack of it, of Yorkshire Trading Company on Lumley Road are true.

Apparently, not seen it myself, there is a sign in the window stating that the store will be closing.

Following hard on the heels of the closure of Marks and Spencers this is far from good news.

So what is happening with Skegness and large shops? Is the town not big enough to support these businesses, are they the wrong businesses for the town? What is going on? Is this a case of not enough people using the store, a "use it or lose it" scenario?

Is it a case that the rents the landlords are charging are too high to allow the survival of the stores? There are many possibilities I suppose.

Whatever the reason, two of the largest store-fronts on Lumley Road being empty is not a great advert for the town is it?

Is there anything that can be done?

Expectations of Our Town Council - Not Met!!!



Need a referendum? - Don't need a Referendum?
20% Increase last year? Yes and imposed -
20% Increase this year, better ask the residents.


What should we be expecting from our Town Council when they are making decisions, or not in the case of the Church Farm Museum funding, on our behalf. How about logic, consistency and leadership? All of those things would appear to be pre-requisites to me but in the case of Church Farm Museum funding none appear to be present.

Let's look at them individually. Logic first. How can it be logical for the Town Council to go to the population of Skegness with a referendum when the council themselves have not satisfied themselves that the business plan they are working to, provided by the Church Farm Organisation, is sufficient for them to make a decision. They are going to spend thousands of pounds on a referendum when they may not wish to accept the outcome of it. If the residents say yes and then the council say no because of their worries about the business plan it will have been a total waste of time and more importantly, money. Is not having a referendum based on a business plan that concerns the council so much that they cannot make a decision on it putting the cart before the horse?

Next consistency. Where is there any in this decision? Not too long ago the council spent circa £80,000, I am informed that was the cost, on the Sunshine Play Area, an attraction for Skegness. Did they ask the residents if they should do that through a referendum? The plain answer is no, they did not. They went ahead and did it. Not a bad decision in my opinion but one that, given their lack of decisiveness over the Church Far Museum spending, would lead me to say that a referendum should have been put in place for it? After all it was twice as much of tax-payers money being spent? Why the ability to make the decision on one and not the other? Why no referendum required in that instance? Perhaps there is not the will to spend the money on Church Farm Museum that there was on the Play Area. Is that the case?

Again when we think of consistency, where is there any in the statement in the Skegness Standard by one of our Labour Town Councillors. Talking about our council tax he asked, "Will the ordinary residents agree to a hike of nearly 20 per cent?" Why on earth ask that question now? The councillors, he was one of them, who voted for a bigger increase last year did not ask the question. They just went ahead and made the decision that they would impose the increase. You can check your Council Tax bill from year 2010/2011 to see how much the increase was for you in percentage terms. Again this was as a result of the spend on the Sunshine Play Area.

Finally we come to the issue of leadership. Quite simply the councillors have not shown any. To not make a decision on this or to not put themselves in the position to be able to do so really is a "cop out". To ask the residents of the town to make the decision, when the councillors are in a much better position to do so, with the facts and figures at hand is the easy way out, the wrong way out. That is not to lead the community they represent but to stand behind it. Yes, no, or "we need more information" as decisions would be acceptable, a referendum with all the cost and delay that will bring is not, especially when the decision of the residents cannot be viewed as binding on the council who have yet to accept that the business plan is viable.

In the meantime, nothing happens. Church Farm Museum remains under threat and the people trying to keep it alive as a charitable company are left in limbo. Skegness needs it's attractions. Church Farm Museum is unique amongst them and should be allowed to continue into the future, bigger and better!! It will be a crying shame if the delays and uncertainties caused by Skegness Town Council not making a much needed decision on this, stops that from happening.

Clean Up Volunteers Required - Up For It?

 



The Skegness Partnership incorporating local community groups such as Coastal Access For All and other local voluntary groups are planning week-long Clean Up Events over the coming season.  Skegness Partnership incorporating local community groups such as Coastal Access For All and other local voluntary groups are planning week-long Clean Up Events over the coming season.

The important dates are:


Spring Clean Up - Week of 11th April (Prior to Easter Bank Holiday)

Summer Clean Up - Week of 21st June.

Autumn Clean Up - Week of 7th September.

This is an opportunity for the community to get together for the good of Skegness.

It is hoped to have a BBQ at the end of each week so that all the volunteers can get together and have some fun.

These events are being co-ordinated by our Town Centre Manager. He is not only looking for volunteers to "do their bit" but is also looking for ideas as to which areas of the town, apart from our beaches and coastal walkways, residents would like to suggest the Clean Up concentrates on.

If you would like to volunteer, either as an individual or as a group, or you have an idea for a Clean-Up location, please contact Stefan by email at:

stefan.krause@e-lindsey.gov.uk

The more the merrier and the more volunteers there are the more that can be done. Please consider giving some of your time during the weeks.

Thank you.

Yesterday Was The Day - Oh No It Wasn't - Church Farm Museum

Well last night Skegness Town Council had the chance to decide to fund Church Far Museum (CFM) to the tune of £40,000. This would match the funding from Lincolnshire County Council and from the Friends Of Church Farm Museum. Unfortunately they did not take that opportunity. Why not? I don't think I can answer that question.

It could not be because of financial constraints as there is over £120,000 in the reserves. (Remember this figure as I will return to it later). If the £40k was donated to the CFM there would still be far more in the reserves than is recommended by the National Local Government Association, £80,000 when less than £60,000 is recommended, based on the precept.

So what did they decide? Well they have decided to ask us, the rate-payer whether this money should be donated. They are going to have a public consultation to see what we, the public want. Some might say this is a good thing and perhaps it is given that we are talking about £40,000, but the council has just decided how they are going to spend over £230,000 of our money next year without asking us. So why ask us about this? This public consultation better be quick as the Museum is due to open in April and it is now nearly February!!!!!

How much is the public consultation exercise going to cost? Probably several thousand pounds if they are going to contact every council tax payer in the Skegness Town Council area for their views, which they have to do to be fair to all.

As for the reserves. Well, I most certainly hope that if the money is donated to CFM, there is no plan to repeat the shocking rise in the Town Council share of the Council Tax that we saw last year. Then there was a rise of 23.5% simply to boost the reserves to where they are at the moment. As I have already stated, there is no real need for the reserves to be that high. I will certainly do everything I can to try and ensure that does not happen.

Personally I am at a loss on this one. A decision of either yes or no to the donation was really required and that decision has not been made. All seems very strange to me. I am sure this totally unnecessary procrastination will have upset those who have been working flat out to ensure that Church Farm Museum survives.

So what happens now. Well when the consultation is made the people of this town need to say a mighty YES to this funding. To do otherwise could very easily put the whole future of Church Farm Museum in jeopardy.

NHS Reforms - Why The Opposition Now?

a. Your local doctor, your GP, having the ability to buy the services that the local population need.
b.GPs making decisions as to who provides those services, NHS or Private Providers.
c.GP's controlling the major part of the NHS budget by forming groups.

Big changes. Will they work? The Labour opposition up in arms about all of this. They say it is dangerous and is going to ruin the NHS. The unions are up in arms. Break-up of the NHS. Privatisation by the back-door. Making a lot of noise to ensure that everybody is aware they are dead against this.

I cannot understand this. I cannot understand the opposition to it now. Why is that you may ask? Simple. Because the items listed at a., b. and c. above are not taken from the latest plans.
No indeed not. They are taken from the plans put into place by the last government in 2005. They are from a system called Practice Based Commissioning (PBC) that was introduced by them. This was the way forward for them 5 years ago.

Practices were told they could prioritise services, find savings by getting Private Providers to provide services that were cheaper than could be provided by NHS organisations. Go Private for their patients in effect. Lots of names were being bandied about as wanting to come in and take over GP practices that were not prepared to get involved. Boots, TESCOs, Virgin Health to name a few. This under Labour remember.

In Louth a PBC group The East Lindsey Group was actually set up and are still running today as far as I know. They were actively supported by the local Primary Care Trust who had the responsibility to do so. The group actually took over the running and funding for Louth Hospital from the United Lincolnshire Hospital Trust. As far as I am aware they are and were a success.

So why now are the Labour Party and the Unions up in arms about this? What is the difference between bringing this in now or in 2005. Why were the Unions not up in arms 5 years ago? They had big concerns about it then but did we hear anything about it then? Did the Labour Party think it was a bad idea then?

How about political expediency?

Have a read of this document from 2005 which is freely available on the internet and was found by a simple search. It is from the Union Unison.
http://www.unison.org.uk/acrobat/A2184.pdf

I was not sure this was the way forward in 2005 and I am still not sure in 2010. At least that is a cosistent view though.

Today's The Day

That the Town Council holds it's meeting to decide on the funding application for Church Farm Museum. I am aware that three of our Town Councillors, Cllr Phil Kemp, Cllr Gary Ellis and Cllr Steve Kirk have been very much involved in all of the efforts to ensure the continuation of this very important cultural and heritage institution. I hope that their colleagues on the Town Council support them in their efforts and grant the one-off funding that is being asked for.

Come on councillors - DO IT FOR SKEGNESS!!

Wind Substation On Hold - Marvellous News!!!

What a wonderful piece of news that the Substation plans are now on hold. Those who have campaigned tirelessly to stop the building of this facility must be "over the moon" and a hearty well done to them for their campaign and their efforts.

I am not against progress, nor am I against Windfarms. I have no problem with the turbines that stand off the Lincolnshire coast, which I feel now add to the vista. Perhaps a case of "Beauty in the eye of the beer holder"?? We need to develop alternative energy supplies. I am, however, very much against the ruining of an area whose health and well-being, whether some like it or not, is most definitely dependent upon tourism and agriculture. This is what the huge substation would have done.

Having said all of that; campaigners do not let your vigilance slip. It is not yet a done deal that the substation will not be built in our locale, although it is now much less likely. Keep your ears to the ground and your eyes sharply peeled. Only when it is certain that the substation is to be located somewhere far more suitable and not in a tourist area should you relax.

Well done to all, from the County Council to the person who has put a placard in their garden. A mighty fine job, nearly finished.

Definitely Not A Labour Of Love!!!

Those of you who read my previous posts on my original blog site will know that I am always banging on about Skegness Town Councillors having the ability and the desire to liaise with each other across the local authorities, i.e. East Lindsey District Council and Lincolnshire County Council. It is extremely important that this liaison is carried out for the good of Skegness as a whole.

I have long accused the Labour Councillors (some very much more than others) on Skegness Town Council of not wishing to do this for their own political ends and have said that this attitude does absolutely nothing to enhance the town or it's residents. Indeed, in my view, having such an insular outlook actually damages the prospects of the town and it's residents.

Last night proved my point. Let me explain.

Last night was the scheduled meeting of the Skegness Area Committee. This is a meeting which brings together councillors from our three local councils to hear of and discuss the important happenings that are directly affecting our area. This is an opportunity to exchange ideas based upon the agenda items and to hear what others think. A meeting of the minds and of opinions. To have your say and to help influence the policies of the future relating to our area. Very unfortunately, the local Labour councillors representing Skegness wards on both Skegness Town Council and also East Lindsey District Council were conspicuous by their absence. It is reliably reported to me that not one of them managed to attend. NONE. The Labour Party has the largest contingent of any one party on Skegness Town Council and none of them turned up last night. Now it is very much accepted that, on occassion, councillors cannot make it to meetings and committees, but for none of them to turn up is very much beyond the pale.

Perhaps the construction of an enormous eye-sore building on our beautiful coast relating to the wind turbines was not of interest to any of them? Perhaps there was not any real need for them, nor a desire, to receive a presentation regarding the local Youth Council, perhaps nothing else on the agenda tickled their fancy?

I am sure if they do need to find out what went on they can always ask any of their Conservative councillor colleagues from all three local authorities who did manage to attend. They will, I am sure, be more than happy to liaise with them to bring them up to speed. Working together for the good of the town does not appear to be a problem to them.

Cricketers Required - Come And Join Us

As some may know I am the Captain of Skegness Cricket Club Second XI. Like all clubs at this time of the year we are looking to recruit players for the forthcoming season. This is not just for the Second XI but throughout the club.

We have a tremendous ground with excellent facilities. Our First XI plays in the Lincolnshire ECB League, and over the last couple of years, since their promotion, they have exceeded all expectations, challenging for the top spot for much of the season. Our Second XI plays in the South Lincs And Border League Division 2. The team has not performed up to expectations over the last couple of years, for several reasons, but I am looking forward to more success this year.

If you fancy giving us a go then please contact me via this blog or go to our club website at
http://www.skegnesscricketclub.co.uk/sports.php to find the contact information for the club.

OUR PAVILLION

If you would like to consider a season at Skegness then please contact us. You will be made most welcome.

ULHT - 14 Million Pounds Overspent - Bad News For Local Hospitals?

It has been revealed that United Lincolnshire Hopitals Trust is to over-spend it's budget by £14 million pounds this financial year. Inevitably, this is going to result in staffing cuts and possible cuts in the health services provided by the Trust at it's three sites, Lincoln Hospital, Grantham Hospital and Pilgrim Hospital in Boston.

Thankfully, Skegness Hospital is not run by this organisation, but by Lincolnshire Primary Care Trust, although the Minor Accident Unit (A&E is at is euphermistically called) is provided by ULHT under contract and as such should not, in my understanding, be directly affected.

My concern is that we, as a town, rely very heavily on Pilgrim Hospital to provide normal hospital services and I cannot see how they cannot be damaged by this overspend. I can envisage a reduction in staff and a reduction in the capacity of clincial services as a result. This is bad news for all residents in this area!

I have had a look at the ULHT website to see what they have to say for themselves but there is nothing on there that I can find, giving any information about this overspend and the fall-out from it.

We can only keep our fingers crossed that those who have allowed this overspend to happen can now up their game to come up with a solution that will not impinge on the health of our local population. I am not holding my breath.

Me At The 2012 London Olympics. I Hope So!

I decided to volunteer as a Gamesmaker, bit of a twee name, really a volunteer to help out, at the 2012 Olympics and the Paralympics. I thought that this would be an opportunity of a lifetime to be involved in something like this. I signed up for this months ago, hoping that I would get selected as one of the 70,000 (I think) people that they would need to run the games. Having filled in the appropriate forms on-line, it was then a case of sitting and waiting to see a. If you get through the initial selection and b. To see what would be on offer. You are offered a specific role which is not negotiable, take it or leave it. As I understand it this could be just about anything from working in the stadium itself, helping out with the actual events, to being a car park attendant.

I was very pleased to receive an email yesterday inviting me to an interview at the Excel in London Docklands to become part of the Anti-Doping Teams. Really pleased with that. Sounds very exciting and dealing directly with the athletes it will put me at the heart of the action. I hate the use of drugs in sport as it turns the events from being the ultimate in human endeavour to being nothing more than a competition for the scientists producing the drugs and it has very little to do with the athletic ability of those that are using these products. Those that take the drugs are cheating not only their competitors but also themselves.

Just hoping now that I impress enough at the interview to be given the role. Only 3 weeks to wait before I attend so fingers crossed.

I will post an update when I have more to tell.

Get Well Soon George Saxon

 Attended a meeting last evening and was informed that well known local Councillor George Saxon had a "funny turn" yesterday morning and was unwell.

Just to wish you a  hearty "Get well soon" George.

£50,000 To Identify The Hullness In Hull?

Just seen on the news (Look North) that the National Lottery have given some organisation or other £50,000 to identify what makes Hull, Hull. They call it Hullness. What?

Is that really the best that can be done with the money raised by the National Lottery?
Sometimes I think that the National Lottery makes an art-form out of wasting it's resources.

HE WOULDN'T BE GRINNING IF HE KNEW HOW MUCH MONEY WAS BEING WASTED IN HIS NAME!!!

Skegness Town Council Must Support Church Farm Museum

As you all know Church Farm Museum is under threat. Thanks to the efforts of many, there is now a very good chance that it can be saved and go on to become a real tourist attraction in it's own right. This has been done by forming a brand new local organisation to run the Museum.

The County Council have promised £35,000 to the venture and will continue to provide suppot to it. East Lindsey District have agreed to continue to allow the use of their land and the Friends of Church Farm Museum have agreed to provide financial support. One of the final pieces to the jigsaw is for Skegness Town Council to match the funding provided by the County Council and it will be full-steam ahead. The Town Council has approximately £125,000 in it's reserves and so there is no real fiscal reason why they cannot provide the much required funding.
The Council have agreed a special meeting at the Town Hall on the evening of 19th January to discuss this matter and make a decision on it.
They really need to take into account the importance of this Museum in preserving the heritage of the area, the standing it has not only as a Museum, for which it holds prestigious awards, but also as a tourist attraction in it's own right. They also need to take into account the strength of feeling amongst the local population as displayed when the possible closure was announced in the autumn of last year.

Come on Town Council. Show the right commitment to the town and provide the funding for this. I urge a yes vote from all councillors when the time comes.Not to do so would be a travesty.

DO IT FOR THE TOWN.

Up And Running

Well here I am again. Different place, same old me. I will be commenting on the local goings on and the political situation and shenanigans in Skegness, the district of East Lindsey and the great county of Lincolnshire.
Free Speech For All And Not Just For Some.