Hop to it with Easter activities for all the family – centre page pull-out
Spring into action for a garden waste takeaway – page 14
Options for Covid-safe voting in May – back page
NEWS NK
The newspaper for all North Kesteven residents
SPRING / SUMMER 2021
Supporting communities in their pandemic recovery As lockdown restrictions ease and aspects of our daily lives begin to re-open – such as more shops, leisure centres and pubs – we continue to work hard to support you, your families, your communities and your businesses. This is a welcome return to a sense of normality but also a period of ongoing caution. It can only happen if we each ensure we are all doing the right things at the right time and continuing to take personal responsibility to keep the virus down – whilst also embracing greater freedoms. Be assured that your Council is here, playing a central role in shaping and delivering the evolving and ongoing county-wide response to Covid-19. All this whilst promoting the economy and supporting community life in re-opening
in line with the Government’s recovery roadmap – outlined on page 5. From licensing and planning to grant administration and advice on re-thinking business practice, via food hygiene checks and public protection, our roles and responsibilities are critical in ensuring the safe, confident and compliant bounce-back of many parts of normal activity. With roles to play in engaging and explaining, we also have an important part to play in enabling, encouraging and enforcing. And your understanding and participation is equally critical as we all move forward with the easing of restrictions. Currently we are also busy planning for the May 6 elections, ensuring it is as safe as possible to vote in person and promoting postal and proxy voting alternatives.
» Environmental Health – food hygiene checks and ratings, and water safety checks helping pubs, restaurants, takeaways and cafés » Public protection – support of testing facilities and businesses’ Covid-compliance » Economic Development – helping businesses to re-think and recover, administering grants and enabling safer high streets » Elections – ensuring voting on May 6 is a safe as possible » Leisure – enabling the re-opening of gyms, pools and sports facilities » Licensing – ensuring the lawful sale of alcohol, events and entertainment » Tourism – promoting the safe re-opening for venues and businesses » Countryside – enabling safe access to open spaces for physical and mental wellbeing » Benefits team – supporting access to hardship funds, benefits and self-isolation payments » Covid ambassadors – ensuring business compliance and public confidence » Partnership response – ongoing contribution to pandemic response and community resilience » Finance – ensuring the Council’s resilience to maintain services.
For updates and further information visit: www.n-kesteven.gov.uk
www.n-kesteven.gov.uk
@NorthKestevenDC
/NorthKestevenDC