Chris
3/17/2025 10:09:03 AM
4 mins read
Elections latest for you
Elections will be held on Thursday May 1 to elect the first mayor for the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority and a number of Lincolnshire County Councillors.
The new mayoral position for the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority will oversee the use of funds and powers devolved to the area by Government. This includes £24 million a year for the next 30 years to invest in areas including transport, skills, economic growth and infrastructure. See the GLCCA website where the roles of the GLCCA, the mayor and (in time) candidate profiles of those standing for election as mayor can be found.
The elections for Lincolnshire County Council will see 11 County Councillors elected to the 11 County Electoral Divisions across North Kesteven.
Here are some of the key dates you need to know:
- Nominations for the Lincolnshire County Council elections open on Wednesday March 19, and for the mayoral election begin on Thursday March 20. For details of becoming a candidate in either elections, see: www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/elections2025
- The nomination deadline for paper submissions is 4pm on Wednesday April 2. Statements of persons nominated will be published on Thursday April 3. See: www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/elections2025
- You must be registered to vote, if eligible. The deadline to do this is midnight on Friday April 11. Visit the GOV.UK website to register.
- For deadlines on applying to vote by proxy or by post, or to amend/cancel a proxy or postal vote, see our webpage here.
- To vote in person at a polling station you must show an accepted form of photo ID. See the full list of accepted ID types here. This now includes (from May 1) the HM Armed Forces Veteran Card (MoD Form 100).
- The deadline to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate for use at elections, if you need one, is 5pm on Wednesday April 23 and you can apply here.
Did you know that it's also Welcome to Your Vote Week?
To help you get informed and involved – especially if you’re a new voter – there are resources HERE from the Electoral Commission to welcome you to your vote.
Funds to help fulfil a cinema
An additional £2.2 million has been put aside by North Kesteven District Council to fulfil its aspirations to deliver a much-anticipated cinema in Sleaford.
By dedicating this new allocation within its £310 million 10-year capital programme for targeted investments in projects District-wide, and adding to the £2.8 million already earmarked, the Council has built a total fund of £5 million. This ensures it can move forward as swiftly as possible when ongoing discussions with a potential operator are concluded.
See the news story HERE for other high-level sums included in the Council's 10-year plan, including investment in building new homes and job creation.
Council Tax for 2025/26
The District Council’s council tax charge for the coming year will increase by between £3.30 and £4.40 for most households, after councillors again voted to balance affordability and financial sustainability.
The government has allowed councils to increase rates for 2025/26 by 3% or £5 at Band D, whichever is the highest.
By taking a position of need, not want, North Kesteven District Council has chosen to pursue a lower increase of 2.61% on its portion of the overall bill. This is the lowest percentage rate increase in Lincolnshire, and North Kesteven’s remains the third lowest of all Lincolnshire charges.
At Band D the increase in the NKDC charge will be £4.95 for the year ahead, making the total paid to the District Council by a Band D household £194.40 for a full year of services. This equates to £3.74 a week – which is less than 10 pence more a week than last year. There's more HERE.
Clear out your e-clutter
We’re working with Sleaford Climate Action Network to run an E-Waste Action Week, with drop-off points for your e-waste.
Between March 10 and March 15 you can bring unwanted phones, tablets, laptops and cables which will be refurbished and donated to good causes. Collection points are Sleaford and Heckington Libraries (during opening hours), and Ruskington Methodist Church (March 15, 10am-midday).
You can also bring items to Sleaford Repair Café on Saturday March 15, 12.30-4pm, either for repair or donation. Please being repairs before 3pm, and there is also a cable swap here on this day. See: www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/e-waste
Hassle-free gardening for you
Green-fingered households can unlock a full year’s worth of hassle-free gardening by subscribing now to our 2025-26 garden waste collection service.
By signing up now you’ll enjoy the service as soon as it starts! Or if you’re already a current garden waste customer, signing up now gives a smooth continuation of collections.
Sign up at www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/gardenwaste or call on 01529 414155. Remember – there’s nothing to do if you’re already a garden waste customer paying by direct debit as you'll be automatically renewed for it.
It's frozen at the same price as last year - £45 for collections of a single brown bin you already have, and £8 each for collections of additional existing brown bins (up to four bins). The cost to buy a brown bin is £47 per bin, from April 1.
