Supporting out community and continuing to deliver despite the obstacles put in our way.
Normally at this time we reflect on the events of the previous year.
It has been incredibly challenging, the events we have faced together have affected all in our community. Another year has passed with so much uncertainty for many but as an authority we have had to continue to make changes in the way we work and face many tough decisions along the way. Despite this our teams have delivered consistently with our partners, both in delivering our core services and continuing from last year in supporting our community through COVID-19.
Here are just a few of those things we can look back on:
Our Partnership with East Lindsey District Council has evolved further, South Holland District Council has joined we are now “South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership”. A UK first. Boston previously worked with the Local Government Association on a Peer Review with a programme that now includes our extended Partnership.
Transport consultations have taken place with Lincolnshire County Council and with local industry we look forward shortly to an updated Transport Plan.
We received additional funding to prevent homelessness and support during the pandemic with this work ongoing both with us and our partners and consultations began on a Climate Change Strategy and a policy is now in place, this ties in with our Corporate Strategy for 2020 to 2024 and we are working with the Carbon Trust looking at practical ways to achieve our commitments.
We bid for levelling-up funding, narrowly missing but leaving ourselves in a position to submit positively in the future and pledged support on the Governments Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy. Not forgetting the amazing work that went into the recent City Status application for the Queens Jubilee Event in 2022. This application has received praise from many of our residents and we now await the announcement which will come out around Spring/Summer of next year.
A £494,800 funding boost to deliver an ambitious health and wellbeing programme to support communities in Boston Borough, the Empowering Healthy Communities Fund. This included the most recently the #BeBoston campaign, Boston Heroes and the new Boston Monopoly UK launch. Not forgetting the support it has given to the Language Lab at Haven High Academy, Councillor Grant Schemes, #CovidClever campaign, and the continuation of cracking down on fly-tipping including free bulky waste collection period. A new Young Ambassadors Scheme in partnership with Lincolnshire Community and Voluntary Service (LCVS) and Heritage Lincolnshire giving young people the chance to have their say in shaping Boston’s future and the launch of the #BIG Boston Survey which was launched with Social Change UK, to provide residents’ with the chance to share their honest opinions of those in positions of power, expressing thoughts on local amenities and public transport.
Not forgetting:
- A fantastic Boston in Bloom 6thGold award;
- Resilience to the area with the EA Boston Barrier and flood walls;
- Professor Jonathan Van-Tam to be awarded Honorary Freeman of the Borough in the New Year;
- Supporting the NHS, Community Rapid Test Centres, vaccination centre in Boston, PCR Testing. Covid-19, flu, vaccination and booster ongoing for the safety of our residents – with a temporary free shuttle bus service;
- Operation Clean Sweep a multi-agency project;
- A great Outdoor event back in August with Boston’s First Skate Jam;
- Huge business expansions including MetsaWood, Boston West, Plant and Bean;
- More new affordable homes;
- Supporting re-opening after last year’s Christmas and New Year Covid restriction tightened. Supporting the towns business with free parking and the Market;
- EU Settlement Scheme;
- Lightspeed Broadband rollout;
- £21.9m Towns Fund working in partnership with Town Deal Board delivering investment to Boston;
- Rollout of paper and card recycling bins and crackdown on recycling contamination;
- 3G pitch from Accelerated funding at Haven High.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Remember to ventilate; Hands, Face, Space, Be Safe.
Leader of the Council
Councillor Paul Skinner