Councillor Rob Kendrick provides updates on Lincolnshire County Council matters in August 2021
Have your say - Bus Service Improvement Plan Engagement Survey
The County Council has launched a survey asking views on bus routes. This is to provide evidence to support a bid for funding under the new National Bus Strategy. Local transport authorities are asked to enter into an Enhanced Partnership with local operators and to produce a Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) by the end of October 2021. This will be considered by the Department for Transport (DfT) to determine how much funding we will receive.
The survey is designed to be completed by individuals and representatives of organisations. The survey asks different questions depending on how you answer.
The survey can be completed online at: https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/engagement
We are encouraging as many people as possible to complete the survey on-line but if any residents cannot they can ring 0345 456 4474 Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm and the council will arrange a postal copy of the survey to be sent to them.
The survey close on Monday 30th August.
More improvements to schools for children with special needs
Last month the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee gave it’s backing to several projects designed to upgrade schools for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. This is part of a continuing programme to ensure children can access facilities not too far from home. Prior to the programme some children had to travel long distances to get the help they needed.
Remembrance Training
You may be aware that Lincolnshire County Council Highways and Lincolnshire Police have delivered awareness training for organisers of Remembrance / Constitutional Parades (e.g. St Georges Day) for the past few years. At the training, advice is given regarding responsibilities as an event organiser, safety and legal advice, the required Traffic Order processes and signs and equipment are provided to allow organisers to deliver these important events in a legal and safe manner. The training was unfortunately cancelled last year due to Covid-19, and it is therefore our intention to deliver training this Autumn – provisional date of 20th October 2021. This will cover refresher training for those who have attended in the past and also we would welcome any new organisers who have not yet attended.
Further details and an invitation to book these courses will be sent out soon to organisers of such parades (who we are aware of). The courses will be approximately 3 hours long.
Covid vaccination programme
The Lincolnshire COVID Vaccination Programme continues to make excellent progress in vaccinating the population across the county.
The headline position is that we have recently passed the 1 million vaccines milestone in Lincolnshire which is an amazing achievement by our teams. Approximately 550,000 firsts and 450,000 seconds.
Lincolnshire met the national target of ensuring that all adults were offered a first dose by 19th July 21. Latest data indicates the uptake of first doses across our total adult population is 85%, and of both doses is 70%. Within this, we have exceeded the national target of 85% of those aged over 40 receiving both doses by 19th July 21 (Lincolnshire achievement = 86.5%). The total adult population (GP registered) in Lincolnshire is 651,000.
Of our most vulnerable population, currently 95% of all over 80s have been fully vaccinated, as have 95% of 75-79 year olds, 96% of 70-74 year olds, and 93% of all Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) people aged 16-69. Small numbers of these groups are still coming forwards for a vaccine with for example a 3% increase in the CEV group within the last month.
The level of performance of the Lincolnshire Vaccination Programme compares very well with all other health systems in the Midlands Region, and against the national position. The continued dedication and hard work of NHS staff, volunteers, and partners is hugely appreciated.