WLDC Leader’s New Year message: 2021 - a year of recovery...

He says: “It is my sincere hope that by this time next year, I will have gotten used to attending meetings as leader of West Lindsey District Council in-person, and I will have had plenty of opportunities to engage with our local communities again.

I look forward with excitement to the day when I can attend and enjoy my lunch at the Keelby Lunch Club again, and when I can get out and about in communities across the whole of West Lindsey, which I very much intend to visit in my relatively new role as council leader.

It has been mentioned many times, but this year has probably been the most damaging to our country since the world wars. It isn’t just our district that has seen heartbreaking damage to businesses and tragic loss and suffering to those whom the virus has left a devastating mark. I am sure the recovery response to the pandemic will continue to be a strong, joint effort from the country as a whole.

On a local level however, our council will continue to be here for you as much as we can, as we have been throughout this pandemic, and we will still be here for you when the pandemic is over.

I hope many of you have taken the time over Christmas - and will over New Year - to celebrate and relax if you can, safely and responsibly. Christmas truly is a wonderful time of year, and although we still need one more surge of discipline in what is hopefully the home straight to the end of this dreadful pandemic. I hope you are all taking the time to enjoy yourselves, have some fun and help yourselves physically and mentally.

Don’t forget if you can’t be physically with loved ones, reach out and call them and check on loved ones who may have to spend this time alone.

West Lindsey is an excellent place to look after yourself physically and mentally. Going out for a good walk, run or cycle is never more than a few steps away, and getting out into the fresh air with a family member, or another household or two if the rules allow, and seeing the spectacular views around the district, the spectacular landmarks – or catching a few early-rising animals is never a bad thing, I find!

We have a spectacular amount of outdoor space in this district – and maintaining and strengthening that in 2021 is something I will be prioritising going into the New Year.

You may have already seen our plan to go carbon-neutral by 2050 – and I hope that, as I am, you will be immensely proud of the Council’s climate plans.

I sincerely hope that we can continue to invest in areas that make the most powerful impact in the lives of residents – particularly if it helps in the recovery from the pandemic. In 2021, the town of Gainsborough will continue to see significant regeneration, thanks in no small part to the National Lottery Heritage funding, which will see many buildings in the town centre rejuvenated.

Significant housing builds will reach completion in 2021 all over the district – as will the new depot near Caenby Corner which I am immensely proud of, and recently had the pleasure of going to the ground breaking ceremony.

2021 is also the year of the National Census – an incredible opportunity for us to get an insight into where best to put our resources, and of course, be a part of history.

Next year is also a local election year, with many seats up around the County – I hope that all residents will continue to play their part in an important local moment of democracy. Work is already underway with regards to polling stations and making them as safe as possible – but there is always Proxy and Postal voting, which residents can apply for now already.

Finally, I just want to wish all residents a very Merry Christmas.

To be appointed as Leader of the Council is a gift I will treasure from this year and I sincerely hope I do the council – and all of you – proud.

We are in tough times, but I hope that by prioritising communities, and working together, we can come back from this stronger – and as one mightily powerful district.”