Long Sutton Parish Council looks set to abandon its plan to create a cemetery in Seagate Road and instead extend the existing cemetery into Cinder Ash Park.

Planning consent was given for the Seagate Road site in 2013, but some 14,000 tonnes of topsoil – 700 lorry loads – would have been dumped to raise the height of the land so the dead could be buried 1.1m above the water table.

The parish council has made a fresh planning application for the London Road cemetery to be extended onto a little-used part of the park at “a modest cost”, saying the Seagate Road site was too remote for public access and would cost more than £450,000 to develop.

Sport England has objected to the park plan, but parish clerk Karen Treacher says on her council’s behalf that use of the land does not reduce any sports provision.

In support of the planning application, she says the land intended for the extension is now used for siting soil and tree branches while the remainder is occasionally used by dog walkers.

She says: “The town has two park areas and in comparison to the size of the town the parks provision is much larger than in the other nearby towns and the council feel that utilising what is a small part of the parks to provide a burial ground easily accessible to all is acceptable.”

If South Holland District Council gives planning consent, the parish council would put up nets behind the goalposts to prevent footballs being kicked into the cemetery.

Sports provision in Long Sutton includes a cricket club, leisure centre, artificial turf sports ground, outdoor bowls club, gymnastics club, indoor bowls club and hockey club, all independent of the parks.

In 2013 ...

Dead to be buried with ‘cabbages and cauliflowers’

A wide-ranging strategy to boost businesses and South Holland’s economic growth has been welcomed by the district council’s cabinet.

South Holland District Council chief executive Anna Graves is pointing the way to the district being “open for business” as well as identifying some key projects for investment through work with partners.

Projects listed are:

1 Spalding Western Relief Road

2 A151/A17 Peppermint Junction Interchange (a roundabout to replace the T-junction)

3 Additional grow-on units at Crease Drove, Crowland

4 Agri-food centre of excellence at Holbeach

5 Better broadband

6 Directly delivering the council’s wider housing objectives

Last November, South Holland business leaders took their campaign to dual the A16 between Spalding and Peterborough to 10 Downing Street with a warning that fast growing food and haulage companies could die without improved infrastructure.

The delegation met the then transport minister John Hayes, the South Holland and The Deepings MP, who said there were no guaranteed outcomes and any steps “must be measured, thoughtful and considered”.

Dualling the A16 was a high priority for some business leaders when the district council held an Open for Business meeting in February – and now a district councillor says improvements to the road should move up the list of priorities.

Coun Bryan Alcock, an Independent from Crowland, told Tuesday’s cabinet meeting: “I would hope, if not in this paper (the chief executive’s report) but within a reasonable period of time, the authority could look at giving slightly more importance to the A16.”

He highlighted the business community’s support for dualling the road, which is detailed in the report, and also the “two dangerous junctions” at Crowland.

One council aim is to attract inward investment and – working with partners – deliver projects to support the growth of key industries.

Council deputy leader Nick Worth said of the report: “It sets the scene for how we intend to proceed over the next few years with businesses, making it much more of a whole council approach.”

HAYES IN THE HOUSE: By MP John Hayes

Britain recently marked the bicentenary of Waterloo, one of history’s greatest battles.

Led by the Duke of Wellington, a true national hero, British forces defeated Napoleon Bonaparte’s French army, so ending his dictatorship’s grip on Europe.

The conclusion of the Napoleonic wars cemented Great Britain’s place as an imperial power, established a peaceful order in Europe and paved the way for a golden British period which, arguably, lasted until the outbreak of the First World War.

Wellington –who later became a Conservative Prime Minister – attributed victory at Waterloo to “the best of all instruments; British infantry.”

Though we recognise the skill and bravery of our soldiers then, now some appear to take for granted the role played by the armed forces in continuing to keep us safe.

Britain is the 79th biggest country in the world, and the 22nd most populous, yet our armed forces continue to take a lead on the global stage, fighting our enemies overseas to protect our homeland’s peaceful way of life.

Despite some necessary savings to get the economy under control, our defence budget remains the fifth largest of any nation and the second biggest in Nato.

The assumption that, because of reductions in public spending and doubts over how to measure success in modern conflicts, it is somehow inevitable that Britain must settle for a smaller role in the world is misplaced.

That’s why I was delighted that the Government recently committed to increase defence spending year on year, confirming that the Nato two per cent spending target will be met for the rest of the decade.

Over the next 10 years, we will spend £160 billion on new aircraft carriers, helicopters, armoured vehicles and joint strike fighters.

In these uncertain times, with evident threats from ISIS, other Islamist terrorists and Russian unpredictability growing, it is vital that Britain’s status as a leading player on the world stage is maintained.

National security will always remain the first priority of Government, and this increased defence spending is an investment in our long-term interests.

Our island nation has always outperformed expectations in the theatre of warfare; from Waterloo to defeating the Nazis.

We should be proud of our glorious history, confident that we will face the future with the same righteous determination.

Previously...

Budget rewards working hard

Hundreds of police officers from across the UK have been convicted of offences in the last three years including sex crimes, assaults and possessing indecent images of children, new figures have shown.

But Lincolnshire Police refused to answer the request, arguing it would cost too much to retrieve the information.

The Press Association sent freedom of information requests to every police force in the UK asking how many police officers and PCSOs had been convicted of criminal offences since 2012 and the total number of serving officers with criminal convictions.

Forces revealed 309 police officers and police community support officers (PCSOs) were convicted of offences from 2012 to June this year.

But the number of convicted officers is thought to be much higher, as only 25 out of 45 forces provided figures following an investigation by the Press Association.

Currently at least 295 police officers and PCSOs with convictions are serving with the police, according to separate figures from 18 forces.

Most forces refused to reveal how many of their officers had previous convictions because of the cost of retrieving the information.

Police also refused to disclose the names of the officers involved in crimes, arguing that identifying them would breach data protection laws.

Here is a breakdown of their responses by force:

:: Bedfordshire Police said it would exceed the fee limit set out under the Freedom of Information Act to retrieve the data.

However it said searches within the force’s Professional Standards Department found no serving officers had criminal convictions.

:: Cambridgeshire Police refused to answer the request. The force said the amount of time required to respond would be over the limit set out by the Freedom of Information Act.

:: Cheshire Constabulary said eight officers had been convicted of criminal offences since 2012.

A male detective constable was convicted of possession of a class A drug and misconduct in public office in December 2012, the force said.

A male police constable was cautioned for misconduct in public office for “sexual activity” in 2013, while another was cautioned for forging a prescription in 2014.

Also in 2014, a female detective constable was given a restraining order and fined for harassment for sending threatening text messages, a male detective constable was cautioned for a public order offence after getting involved in a fracas, a male PC was convicted of criminal damage and another PC was convicted of shoplifting.

In 2015, a male Pc was convicted of misconduct in public office for “sexual advances”.

Cheshire Constabulary refused to name the officers because it would breach data protection laws.

The force said 21 serving officers and PCSOs have convictions.

:: Cleveland Police said no serving police officers had been found guilty of a criminal offence in the last four financial years.

The force said there were 11 serving police officers and six PCSOs with a conviction, as of June 8 this year.

:: The Press Association did not receive a response from Cumbria Constabulary.

:: Derbyshire Constabulary said it would cost too much to retrieve the information.

:: Durham Constabulary said a male police constable was convicted in 2012 for possessing indecent images of children on a personal computer. A male PCSO was also convicted of common assault on a female member of the public while on duty in 2013.

The force refused to disclose the names of the convicted officers because it would breach the principles of the Data Protection Act.

Durham Constabulary said eight serving police officers and one PCSO had criminal convictions.

:: Greater Manchester Police said 12 police officers and five PCSOs have been convicted of criminal offences since 2012.

A male sergeant was convicted of misconduct in public office, a male inspector was convicted of fraud and a male Pc was convicted of possession of class B drugs.

Other offences included perjury, theft, harassment, possession of offensive weapons, perverting the course of justice and driving offences.

GMP refused to disclose the names of the officers convicted of offence because it would breach the principles of the Data Protection Act.

Five police officers and five PCSOs currently serving with the force have criminal convictions.

:: Hampshire Constabulary said a male police officer was convicted for urinating in a public place in 2012. A male police officer was also convicted of animal neglect in 2013.

The force did not name the officer because it would breach the Data Protection Act or publish the total number of officers with convictions in its response.

:: Hertfordshire Constabulary said it only held records of officers convicted while serving, not for those with a historic conviction prior to joining the force.

The force said it would exceed the cost and time limits under Freedom of Information laws to retrieve the relevant information.

However, a search of the Professional Standards Department database found that three officers had been convicted of a criminal offence since 2013 but none of them continued to serve.

One male officer was convicted of common assault in 2013, another was convicted of driving with excess alcohol in 2014, and a female officer was convicted of failing to provide a specimen of breath.

:: Humberside Police said four police officers had been convicted of criminal offences since 2012.

A male PCSO was convicted of sexual offences in 2012, a male special constable was convicted of a traffic offence in 2012, a male Pc was convicted a traffic offence in 213 and a male Pc was convicted of assault in 2015.

Humberside Police said two officers serving with the force had criminal convictions for traffic offences.

:: The Press Association did not receive a response from Lancashire Police.

:: The Press Association did not receive a response from Leicestershire Police.

:: Merseyside Police said it needed more time to respond to the request.

:: The Metropolitan Police said it would exceed the fee limit set out under freedom of information laws to find out the total number of serving officers with convictions.

However the force provided previously published data which showed 178 police officers had been convicted of offences from 2012 to March 31 2005. Fifty four of the officers were still serving with the force, including 10 who were awaiting the conclusion of misconduct review hearings.

Convictions involving Met police officers last year included two sexual offences, four violence against the person offences, three thefts, six offences of misconduct in public office and 19 traffic offences.

:: Norfolk Police said a male constable was convicted of fraud in 2014, a male constable was convicted of harassment in 2014 and a female constable was convicted of a public order offence in 2013.

The force refused to disclose the names of the officers because it would breach the Data Protection Act.

Four serving police officers within the force have criminal convictions.

:: North Yorkshire Police said the cost of retrieving the relevant information exceeds the “appropriate level” set out by Freedom of Information laws.

:: Northamptonshire Police said none of its officers have been found guilty of a criminal offence at court since 2012.

The force said it would exceed the cost and time limits under Freedom of Information laws to establish the total number of serving officers with a criminal conviction.

:: Northumbria Police refused to answer the request, arguing it would exceed the cost limit set out by the Freedom of Information Act.

:: Nottinghamshire Police said four officers had been convicted of criminal offences since 2012. Two were driving offences, another was a traffic offence and a male police constable was convicted of common assault.

The force did not give a reason why it had not disclosed the names of the convicted officers.

Six serving officers and three PCSOs had criminal convictions, Nottinghamshire Police said.

:: Police Scotland refused to answer the freedom of information request on cost grounds.

:: The Press Association did not receive a response from the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

:: The Press Association did not receive a response from South Yorkshire Police.

:: Staffordshire Police refused to answer the requests, arguing it would exceed the time and cost limits under Freedom of Information laws to retrieve the information.

:: Suffolk Police said a male sergeant was convicted of harassment in 2013 and a male constable was convicted of a Data Protection Act offence in 2013.

The force refused to disclose the names of the officers because it would breach the Data Protection Act.

Six serving police officers and PCSOs have criminal convictions, the force said.

:: Sussex Police said four male police constables and a male police sergeant had been convicted of driving offences since 2012.

It refused to name the convicted officers. A force spokesman said: “To disclose the identity of the officers would be a breach of the First Principle of the Data Protection Act 1998.”

Sussex Police said it was unable to provide information prior to 2013 as it would require a manual search of every officer’s personnel files.

:: Thames Valley Police refused to answer the Freedom of Information request on cost grounds.

:: The Press Association did not receive a response from Warwickshire Police.

:: West Mercia Police said six police officers had been convicted of offences since 2012.

A male sergeant was convicted of drink driving in 2014, a male Pc was convicted of using threatening/abusive/insulting words/behaviour with intent to cause fear of/provoke unlawful violence in 2013 and a male Pc was convicted of misconduct in public office in 2013.

In 2012, a male Pc was convicted of sexual assault on a female, another was convicted of theft from a motor vehicle and a female Pc was convicted of drink driving.

The force refused to disclose the names of the officers because it would breach the Data Protection Act. It also refused to say how many serving police officers had criminal convictions because the cost of retrieving the information would exceed the fee limit set out by the Freedom of Information Act.

:: West Yorkshire Police said it could provide information from 2013 onwards and in that time 10 police officers and one PCSO were convicted of criminal offences.

They included Detective Chief Superintendent David Knopwood, who was sacked for gross misconduct last year after admitting driving while twice the legal alcohol limit.

Two male officers and a female officer were convicted assaults, three male officers were convicted of drink driving, two male officers were convicted of drink driving and one male officer was convicted of fraud. A female PCSO was also convicted of theft.

The force did not name the officers who were convicted of offences. It also refused to say how many officers in the force had a criminal conviction because retrieving the information would exceed the time limit set out under freedom of information laws.

CABINET CALL: By Coun Sally Slade

This is my first column for The Spalding Guardian, after joining the cabinet following the elections in May.

I now have the rather longwinded title of Portfolio Holder for Legal, Performance and Democratic Services, so what does this actually mean?

As the name suggests, it’s a wide ranging list of responsibilities, but the key word is ‘Performance’.

I am responsible for ensuring that the council is performing and functioning at its most effective and efficient level.

This includes the performance of all council employees, both officers and councillors.

It also means providing our staff with the necessary skills and equipment to do the job.

As far as skills are concerned, all councillors are currently taking part in an extremely thorough induction programme.

Although it has been designed primarily for new councillors, I have attended many of the sessions, as have several other returning councillors.

Inevitably, some of the sessions cover ground that we already know, but I have found it to be a very interesting refresher course.

As a result, I am confident that the latest intake of councillors will be well prepared for whatever public life throws at them over the next four years.

The next step will be to review the induction course and to incorporate improvements into future sessions.

Councillors are rarely reticent with their opinions, so their feedback is generally frank and useful!

Councillors will also be offered ongoing training during their time in office, some of which is tailored to suit their specific needs.

Some training is compulsory – for example you cannot be on the planning committee without first having undertaken the necessary training.

The new councillors are currently finding their feet and, being new to the 
cabinet, I am in the same boat.

I have already had several introductory meetings with officers and other cabinet members and have more to come.

I am particularly looking forward to spending an afternoon with our Customer Services team, learning how we help residents on a daily basis, and will report back on that next time.

Previously...

We must find new income to fund services

An estimated 2.1 million British holidaymakers are set to head overseas for their summer holidays this weekend (24-27 July).

The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) says millions of people will mark the start of the six-week school break with a trip abroad, with the Mediterranean still dominating the market for families.

Spain remains the number one destination for the UK holiday market, with the Canary and Balearic Islands continuing to be popular. Other Eurozone destinations, including Cyprus, France and Greece, are also proving particularly popular this summer with holidaymakers attracted by the strong exchange rate - the pound is currently at an eight year high against the Euro.

For those heading further afield, the Dominican Republic and Mexico have sold well, with Florida remaining the number one long haul choice for families.

Domestic bookings are healthy with travel agents and tour operators reporting strong demand. As well as city and country breaks in the UK, shorter holidays to Barcelona, Amsterdam, Rome, Dublin and New York also feature as some of the top picks for summer 2015.

Airports in the South East are expecting a very busy weekend with 450,000 passengers departing from Heathrow, 310,000 from Gatwick, 160,000 from Stansted and 90,000 from Luton. More than 100,000 will be leaving from Scottish airports, with 50,000 from Glasgow alone, and 171,000 are due to depart from Manchester, 73,000 from Birmingham and 50,000 from Bristol.

Other regional airports, ports and the channel tunnel will also be extremely busy over the weekend with hundreds of thousands leaving the country. Around 71,000 holidaymakers will be heading off to Paris and the South of France on the Eurostar over the weekend.

Mark Tanzer, ABTA chief executive, said: “This weekend sees the great summer getaway in full swing with all of the schools in the UK having broken up for their summer break and hundreds of thousands of UK holidaymakers heading off for a break.

“Destinations around the Mediterranean remain the firm favourites for British families with Spain and Greece leading the way.

“Many ABTA Members are reporting an increase in late bookings to Greece following the recent progress in securing a bailout, with customers taking advantage of some exceptional deals.

“For those flying long haul, Florida and Dubai are very popular this year, with families benefitting from the cut in child air taxes that was introduced in May.

“Holidaymakers will also see their spending money going further with the pound having increased in value against a wide range of currencies, particularly the Euro, over the last twelve months.”

The following decisions have been made by magistrates at court hearings. In all drink-drive cases the legal limit is 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, 80 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood or 107 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of urine. Addresses of defendants published here are taken from the legal records held by the magistrates’ courts.

Boston Magistrates’ 
Court

June 15

Marta Alves (22), of New Road, Spalding. Drink driving (Spalding). £240 fine, £24 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c, disqualified from driving for 19 months.

Ashleigh Hubbard (20), of Chestnut Avenue, Spalding. Stole £808.10 cash belonging to Oasis Beauty and Hair (Swineshead). Community order with 100 hours unpaid work, £808.10 compensation, £60 v/s.

Barry Mitchell (41), of Seagate Terrace, Long Sutton. Criminal damage (Long Sutton). 12 months conditional discharge, £50 compensation, £15 v/s, £40 costs, £150 c/c/c.

Joseph Evling-White (28), of Langwith Gardens, Holbeach. Being the owner of a dog which was dangerously out of control and injured a person (Holbeach). Unless the dog is kept under proper control by keeping the dog on a lead when there are visitors to the property and the dog is supervised when in the garden, it must be destroyed, £75 fine, £50 compensation, £20 v/s, £85 costs.

June 17

Stephen Briggs (48), of Park Mead, Malmesbury, Wiltshire. Drink driving (Cowbit). £400 fine, £40 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c, disqualified from driving for 20 months.

Aleksejs Korcagins (28), of Harveys Close, Spalding. Drink driving (Quadring Eaudyke). £260 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c, disqualified from driving for 20 months.

Mateusz Pietka (27), of Riverside, Spalding. Drink driving (Spalding). £295 fine, £29.50 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c, disqualified from driving for 20 months.

Ceividas Dalangauskas (27), of St Pauls Road, Spalding. Drink driving (Spalding). Community order with 200 hours unpaid work, £60 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 2 years. Taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent. Community order with 200 hours unpaid work, disqualified from driving for 12 months. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, no insurance and failing to surrender to custody.

Janette Edwards (67), of Willesby Road, Spalding. Drink driving (Spalding). Community order with requirement to participate in Drink Impaired Drivers Programme, £60 v/s, £85 costs, £150 c/c/c, disqualified from driving for 4 years.

Carol Peacock (49), c/o Hall Hill road, Holbeach. Assault and criminal damage to a police vehicle (Holbeach) . Community order with alcohol treatment requirement, £60 v/s, £150 c/c/c, £274.61 compensation.

Grantham Magistrates’

June 15

Manoj Ahluwalia (33), of East Elloe Avenue, Spalding. Driving while using a hand-held mobile phone (Kirton). £135 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Sidney Bell (86), of Ashtree Drive, Cowbit. Driving without due care and attention (Spalding). £75 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Glyn Edwards (35), of Cheviot Road, Leicester. Speeding (Whaplode). £265 fine, £26 v/s, £85 costs, 5pts.

Michael Emery (23), of The Crescent, Spalding. Driving without due care and attention (Spalding). £250 fine. No insurance. £800 fine, £80 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Joshua Sloan (21), of High Road, Wisbech. Speeding (Spalding). £155 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Boris Miakinkov (28), of Shannon Road, Hull. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Juskevicius Mindaugas (27), of Crocus Walk, Spalding. No insurance (Surfleet). £600 fine, £60 v/c, £85 costs, 6pts.

Andrew Ringsringsell (40), of Spalding Road, Pinchbeck. Speeding (Spalding). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Nicholas Smith (42), of Milton Road, Peterborough. Speeding (Spalding). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Scott Wilson (27), of Cliff Lane, Washingborough. Speeding (Billingborough). £135 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 4pts.

June 16

Laimonas Angelas (32), of Regent Street, Spalding. Speeding (Scampton). £65 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Mark Brown (41), of Dimsdale Grove, Birmingham. Speeding (Whaplode). £135 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs.

Norman Charumbira (51), of Camwood Crescent, Lincoln. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £55 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Sharon Hall (38), of Westside, Spalding. Speeding (Langtoft). £85 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Estelle Hayme (47), of Stainfield Road, Bourne. Speeding (Spalding). £35 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Kanwal Williams (48), of Collys Gate, Lutton. Speeding (Welby). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Bartosz Pappelbaum (34), of Rycroft Avenue, Deeping St James. Failing to give driver ID (Nettleham). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Adrian Forrest (57), of Wothorpe Mews, Stamford. No insurance (Bourne). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 6 months.

Jamie Howard (33), of Stennet Avenue, Spalding. Speeding (Whaplode). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

James Scotney (38), of Bryony Gardens, Bourne. Failing to give driver ID (Nettleham). £550 fine, £55 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Girts Vilcans (31), of Cowbit Road, Spalding. No insurance (Spalding). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 6 months. No separate penalty for no MOT.

John Baker (57), c/o Heron Cottage Caravan Park, Holbeach St Johns. Made a threat to kill (Tydd Gote). 12 weeks prison sentence suspended for 12 months, 50 hours unpaid work, £80 v/s, £400 costs.

Lincoln Magistrates’ Court

June 12

Petru Salageanu (52), of Hide Close, Boston. Assault (Swineshead). 18 months conditional discharge, £85 fine, £15 v/s.

With the combines starting to roll across the region’s fields for this year’s harvest, the CLA is appealing for the public to not release Chinese lanterns.

The CLA fears that standing crops and straw stacks will be at risk because of an expected upsurge in lantern sales and use fuelled by the holiday and wedding seasons.

CLA East regional director Ben Underwood said: “We don’t want to spoil people’s fun, but people should be aware that these lanterns are serious fire hazards.

“They also endanger the lives of grazing livestock as well as other wildlife, and create unnecessary litter.

“Releasing a naked flame with absolutely no control over where it will land poses a serious threat to rural businesses, wildlife and the environment.

“If one of these flying bonfires were to land in a tinder dry field or on a straw stack then the farmer could be facing a very costly blaze that would not only endanger his business, but potentially human lives too.

“There is also the real threat the remnants of the lantern could be cut up and end up in silage eaten by cattle, which would cause the unfortunate animal to suffer a slow and agonising death.”

A report published in 2013 on behalf of Defra that investigated the impact of sky lanterns on livestock and the environment estimated between three and eight million lanterns are sold each year in the UK. It concluded that ‘the fire risk associated with the use of sky lanterns is significant”.

While many local authorities have decided to ban lanterns from being sold or released from their land and property, the Government has not yet ordered a ban.

A purpose-built respite centre in Spalding for people with both physical and learning disabilities is celebrating some good news from government health and social care inspectors.

Cedar House in Pinchbeck Road has been rated good by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in a report published this month.

The centre, part of Lincolnshire Respite Service, provides short-term care, day services and outreach support for people with learning disabilities and complex physical disabilities.

In its report, published after an unannounced inspection three months ago, the CQC praised staff for knowing “how to recognises and report any concerns so that people were kept safe from harm”.

“Staff had been supported to assist people in the right way, including help for them to eat and drink enough to stay well,” the report said.

“People had received all of the healthcare assistance they needed, (they) were treated with kindness, compassion and respect, Staff recognised people’s right to privacy, respected confidential information and promoted people’s dignity.”

However, CQC inspectors found that Cedar House had “no overall written plan in place” for staff refresher training, reviews of their performance and supervision.

There was also a concern as to whether staff training was “up to date in line with the provider’s policies” so that a record could be kept of when retraining was due.

An extract from the centre’s prospectus said: “Service users are encouraged to take an active role in the day-to-day lives and supported in making informed choices which lead to experiences that are meaningful, fulfilling and valuable.”

A Spalding man who admitted a dozen sexual offences against young girls as young as six in Peterborough and across the east of England has been jailed for six years.

Robert Parrish (50), preyed on girls across the country, including in Peterborough, Whittlesey, Sutton Bridge in Lincolnshire, Milton Keynes, Hull and Stevenage between July 1 and September 30 last year.

Parrish, whose address was given in court as HMP Hull, was sentenced at Peterborough Crown Court yesterday (Thursday) by Judge Tina Landale.

The electrician , who worked at holiday homes across the country, was jailed for six years, with an extended sentence of five years.

He had pleaded guilty to four counts of exposure, five counts of sexual assault of a child aged 13 or under, two counts of voyeurism and one count of sexual assault of a girl aged under 13.

Three of the assaults happened in Peterborough, with the victims aged six, seven and 10. There were two victims in Whittlesey, aged eight and 10.

Speaking after Parrish pleaded guilty, DC Ralph King said: “This is a positive result for a man who offended across several counties against very young children - children who showed great courage coming forward to provide the evidence.”

It was reported in the Hull Daily Mail Parrish assaulted a nine year old girl as she played in the front garden of her home in Hull.

Just a few hours later, he attacked an eight year-old girl elsewhere in the city.

Tourism is booming in Lincolnshire, bringing billion-pound benefits to the county economy.

The 2014 STEAM figures for the county show almost a 6% increase in the value of tourism compared to the previous year, rising from £1.2bn to £1.3bn.

Historic Lincoln has been one of the most successful areas with more than 1.5m people visiting in 2014, causing direct expenditure to rise from £54.5m in 2013 to £58.8m – almost an 8% increase.

Cllr Colin Davie, Executive Member for Economic Development at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “This is fantastic news for the county. Tourism is a key industry for Lincolnshire’s economy, and we’re working hard to attract even more visitors.

“These figures show that our efforts, and those of our partners, are paying dividends.

“I’m confident this trend will continue, and that next year’s figures will be even better as we see the impact of the new-look Lincoln Castle and Magna Carta 800 celebrations.

The news follows Prime Minister David Cameron’s announcement of the Government’s new Five Point Plan to boost tourism across the UK - spreading the benefits of one of the fastest growing sectors beyond the capital, helping to create jobs and rebalance the economy.

Cllr Davie added: “We welcome the Government’s commitment to strengthening the UK’s tourism economy and are determined that Lincolnshire will be at the forefront.

“One of the key opportunities coming up is the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower in 2020.

“We’ll be working closely with partners to showcase the county’s connections to this important event, bringing new visitors in from across the globe.”

For more on all Lincolnshire has to offer visitors, go to www.visitlincolnshire.com .

Drivers on the A16 in Spalding are watching the Lincs Gateway business park taking shape.

Some of the steelwork is already in place as workmen construct buildings including a Premier Inn hotel, Brewers Fayre Restaurant, petrol filling station and 550 capacity, purpose-built conference centre. Lincs gateway, which could have up to 500,000sq ft of commercial space, is seen as a key business hub that will strengthen the county’s economic base and encourage inward investment into the area.

The development is by Ashley King Developments in partnership with Moran Asset Management.

SG210715-123TW

I write on behalf of Long Sutton Parish Council, which has seriously reviewed the situation in relation to proceeding with a judicial review against the Sutton Park development on the former Butterfly Park site.

Due to the potential costs of between £30,000 to £45,000 to pursue the matter further, councillors have, reluctantly, come to the decision that it is not financially feasible to proceed with any claim.

That said, they remain of the view that the granting of planning permission for the Sutton Park development was flawed and are disappointed that South Holland District Council and its members maintained their support for the development, despite vociferous opposition from the residents of the town.

It is even more disappointing that the conditions and amendments to the development will now be dealt with by building control regulations and that the quality of the development will not be to the high specifications which the district council based its decision on when granting permission outside of the present planning boundary.

The council also advises that, if the claim had proceeded, it would not have been possible for the developer to recover any losses allegedly incurred in connection with the judicial review (apart from the normal rules on costs).

That is not provided for in the rules or by way of precedent as it would be contrary to the public interest in challenging unlawful decision-making and this should be noted by anyone wishing to challenge future planning applications and are confronted by developers who intimate they may take legal action against them.

The council also remains disappointed that its complaint to the district council was not upheld and the support of a local ward member was not forthcoming and whose vote was in favour of the developer.

If he had supported his ward, the amendments to the application would not have been granted and may have resulted in a very different outcome.

It should also be noted that the Localism Act and neighbourhood plans can only be used as documents to attempt to enhance any future development that may be thrust on your community, not tools to oppose it.

The consultations for the new draft strategic local plan will be later in the year and it is important that all parishes and residents take part in the consultations in an attempt to have their voices heard with regard to their communities and their environments.

It is also important to note that the strain on infrastructure, such as schools, health centres and dentists, are also not considered a factor when applications are considered.

I read with interest Mr Dalley’s objection to tasers and his impression of life in the East End of London when the Krays strutted the streets.

I was a sergeant at Bethnal Green at that time and the reason the Krays and others were able to engage in criminal activities for so long was partly because we were often under equipped.

A truncheon, a whistle and a smile is ineffective when facing a sawn-off shotgun or the ‘razor boys’ wearing flat caps with razors in the peaks or carrying guns.

If he thinks we were managing to keep law and order with a smile with these type of criminals able to rob and intimidate the community for so long, he was in a different East End to where I walked the streets for four years.

It was like a war zone and while it was satisfying to have successes working crime cars, our ability to make arrests or protect the pubic was often restricted by the fact that the criminals were better armed and very dangerous.

Following years of witnessing violent crime, I had the pleasure of being on duty on the day both Krays were arrested and locked in the cells.

Every police officer regrets having to carry all the cumbersome equipment they now need, but if we as members of the community need urgent assistance, we will all want officers to arrive with more than a smile.

Spalding is not a violent town but policing any area is so unpredictable that it is reassuring to see officers well prepared to protect the public should the need arise.

As a Metropolitan officer, if I made the right call, the response was immediate and back-up was fast and not far away. Lone county officers do not always have that luxury, hence the need to be well-trained and equipped with items such as tasers.

There have been tragic accidents, but Mr Dalley fails to take any account of the loss of life and serious assaults that have been prevented by the proper use of this equipment.

His comment that he would not like to approach an officer equipped as such for fear of being shot is not realistic.

Providing he does not creep up from behind and say boo, he is in no danger and would, in fact, find chatting with an officer committed to serving and protecting the public a worthwhile experience.

I see that David Cameron and the Conservative Party wish to repeal certain aspects of the fox hunting ban.

In light of this, I would like to know the thoughts of MP John Hayes on this particular issue and how he intends to vote.

My personal opinion is that we apparently live in a civilised society and one where many millions of UK citizens donate regularly to animal charities.

Cruelty of any kind, whether it be to humans or animals, is just that – cruel and distressing.

Those who like to hunt claim on the one hand that they very rarely used to catch a fox with their hounds and yet on the other say that hunting provides a useful way of keeping the fox population in check.

So, which is it to be? I am sure that if you drive regularly on the country lanes around Spalding, you will see, as I do, many dead foxes which have been hit by cars. Foxes are already dying in sufficient numbers for their population to be kept in order, without the need to cruelly chase a fox to exhaustion before allowing a pack of hounds to tear it apart.

Dog baiting is illegal and yet a pack of hounds tearing into another species of the dog family, a fox, is somehow OK.

In the years since the ban, I do not recall there being any reports of large increases in the fox population.

I do firmly believe that those who hunt with hounds are trying to keep alive an ill-conceived tradition on the grounds that they are doing us all a favour by keeping the fox population down when, in fact, it is just a desire to rekindle a most nasty and cruel bloodthirsty chase, with all the pomp and ceremony of a bygone age.

I appreciate that the Government is falling short of allowing the pack to kill the fox but, away from prying eyes and on private land, I do not believe the fox will be spared.

I simply don’t believe that people who partake in this cruel pursuit give a damn about the fox and will have no hesitation in allowing the hounds to get it.

Indeed, how will they stop it and who will be policing them to make sure it doesn’t happen?

I would be very interested to hear how John intends to vote, if he is in favour of relaxing the fox hunting law and, if so, his reasons for this.

I am afraid that Ian Tarplee (Spalding Guardian, July 16) is incorrect to claim that there are ready alternatives to using animals in medical research – it has been illegal to use an animal if there is an alternative since 1986.

The Dr Hadwen Trust that he mentions is searching for alternatives to animals, as are many universities and pharmaceutical companies, because nobody wants to have to use animals, but in the majority of cases we simply do not yet have a replacement.

I don’t know who originally hoodwinked Mr Tarplee, but it sounds as if he spent his Saturday sharing his misconceptions with the people of Spalding. I would wish to make it clear that almost every medical research charity openly uses animals, and practically every medicine we have was discovered and developed uses animals.

The breast cancer drug Herceptin, for instance, is based on a mouse hormone, which is difficult to obtain without using a mouse.

Of course, nobody would use an animal if there was an alternative, but the fact that charities do at all points to the fact that, if we want to research and treat serious human and animal diseases, there is currently no other way.

Jemima Rose knows she has been very lucky in life, especially in having supportive parents.

The young woman, who grew up in Long Sutton, has also managed to fulfil an ambition many girls can only dream of and has a career in ballet.

Jemima (23) attended the prestigious Royal Academy of Dance, one of the world’s most influential dance education organisations, one of just 30 students to be accepted.

She achieved a BA Honours degree in ballet education and is now teaching a total of around 350 children a week at five London ballet schools.

One of those is her own school, the Rose School of Ballet, that she took over from someone who was retiring – all this within two years of graduating.

This summer it is her turn to give something back to the area that nurtured her childhood aspirations.

Jemima is running Dance Attack, a workshop of fun, fitness and creativity for boys and girls, from Monday to Friday, August 3 to 7.

It’s at the Peele School Leisure Centre in Long Sutton, where she plans to teach a variety of dance styles, from Bollywood to ballet, leading to a showcase for parents on the Friday.

She is running sessions for children as young as reception age, and Jemima wasn’t much older than that when she started dance lessons in local village halls in the district.

As she got older and her abilities increased mum and dad Mark and Karen would drive her to Wisbech and later to Ramsay for lessons that challenged her abilities.

She says: “I was really grateful to have parents that were fantastic and supportive of what my sister Hannah and I wanted to do.”

A couple of teachers at Spalding High School were also very supportive of Jemima’s ambitions, and when she earned her place at the Royal Academy it was announced in front of the school in assembly.

Although her degree was in ballet education, Jemima says: “I wasn’t doing any performances, but each day started with a two-hour ballet class at 9 o’clock and we were there five days a week, so it was very full on.”

The workshops are £15 for one day/£65 for a week – book on 07740 996808 or jemima.rose1@gmail.com

Ballet teacher Jemima Rose says one of the important things that dance gave her as a shy child was confidence.

That’s something she is passing on to the hundreds of children that pass through her classes each week – as well as youngsters who take part in her Dance Attack classes in Long Sutton.

Children as young as pre-school age can grow in ability with simple exercises, such as the “good toes, naughty toes” Jemima uses to encourage children to point toes up or down.

Jemima makes classes fun for the little ones, with imaginative play, such as looking for fairies or playing clowns.

From aged five, they start preparing for graded exams, right up to grade eight.

One of Jemima’s students has just secured a place at the Barbara Speake Stage School.

We have, at last, got a speed flashing sign along our road (Austendyke Road) in Weston Hills.

The big problem is where it has been located.

How stupid to put it near the crossroads, where people turning into the road will be slowing down anyway.

It should have been put towards The Bell pub.

This is the stretch where motorists of all vehicles go faster than the speed limit.

The head of a city digital marketing firm is the guest of Spalding Business Club when it meets next month.

Mark Timberlake, director of Peterborough-based SME Heroes, will be giving a talk on Writing Powerful Blogs That Get Results when the club meets at Bookmark Spalding on Thursday, August 6 at 7am.

SME Heroes was formed when two established businesses came together formally after working together on joint projects for many years, with the goal of creating an agency that helped businesses with their online marketing.

The talk will cover issues, including how to write an online blog that grabs people’s attention and how to maximise its potential to attract new customers and business.

Admission is £8 which includes breakfast and to book, call Ken Maggs on 01775 711333 and give your name, job title, employer and details of any guest(s).