Parish News from Boston Borough Council - July/August 2025

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Welcome to Parish News from Boston Borough Council. If you have any enquiries about any of the articles, please feel free to contact the communications team at communications.unit@boston.gov.uk

Local Government Reorganisation

Thank you to all members of the public, and town and parish councils, who have attended our Local Government Reorganisation engagement events about A Greater Lincolnshire For All.

information about Local Government Reorganisation, including our public pledges, is available here: www.greaterlincolnshireforall.org/  

Engagement survey for A Greater Lincolnshire For All: https://online1.snapsurveys.com/Interview/763e77ef-b5df-48e5-840c-3cab6dc5cd86

Email: hello@greaterlincolnshireforall.org

Events:

 

Events are also being planned for Mablethorpe, Louth and Skegness.

 

Cllr Helen Staples shows her gratitude for the Boston community

Cllr Helen Staples has thanked the community of Boston for supporting her chosen charities during her time as Mayor.

Cllr Staples has now presented £1,500 to:

  • Local Hope - who champion causes that mean a lot to the community. They will use this donation to have a mural painted along the wall of a ward in Pilgrim Hospital to brighten the days of staff, patients and visitors.
  • Boston Gateway - supports adults with learning disabilities, this donation will be used to take them on an outing.
  • Boston Framework and Floating support Team - a charity that supports the homeless within the Borough of Boston and, as the name suggests, builds a framework around them to help rebuild their lives.
  •  

Fundraising in today's economic climate is difficult, so Cllr Staples is extremely grateful to those who attended her fund-raising events and gave so generously.

She said: "To have raised £4,500 would not have been possible without the amazing support of Jennifer Oglesbee who was Mayoress, Suzanne and Jade Welberry who were Deputy Mayor and Mayoress and current Mayor Cllr Barrie Pierpoint, they worked tirelessly and l cannot thank them enough.

"It was a great honour and privilege for Jennifer and l to be Mayor and Mayoress we had a very special and memorable year. It was wonderful for us to meet so many people who work so hard for the benefit of others within the borough of Boston, they reinforced to me that they are the backbone of our community.

"Once again heartfelt thanks to everyone who gave their support."

 

Community Governance Review

Please can parishes share the Community Governance Review consultation with residents in your wards and with your networks.

This is asking residents whether a town or parish council should be created for the unparished area of Boston, currently served by BTAC.

The deadline for responses is Tuesday 26th August.

More information about the review can be found here: www.boston.gov.uk/CGR?fbclid=IwY2xjawL5qahleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBocHlSTTdyU0R0NVdRWkR0AR5-38yGM3Dz9BZSYJ7ZV0Vy466A9bpHmKotgFPHTsACugUSgTGv_wi3MLhEsQ_aem_E8ps-ldZOEXwS2hb9846BQ

The link to the survey is here: https://online1.snapsurveys.com/Interview/15252450-6ba5-44a1-9281-755f3516ab45

 

The Boston Borough Calendar Competition is back

We’re thrilled to announce the return of the Boston Borough Calendar competition for 2026!

Whether you're a seasoned photographer, a budding artist, or simply someone who loves capturing the charm of our borough, this is your chance to shine.

We’re inviting residents to submit stunning photos that showcase the beauty, character, and spirit of Boston Borough.

Photos must be taken between 1 October 2024 and 30 September 2025.

Send your entries to: communications.unit@boston.gov.uk

Full details here: /www.boston.gov.uk/article/28843/Boston-Borough-Calendar-Competition-set-to-return-for-2026?fbclid=IwY2xjawMGjmBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBhWWZKcTFPcUhUdWt3SHczAR5TdsXxkDZouESsusgwXILJiPmRNLaRcz1IMwZpqM0tg0HneCigsoESZ6fcGg_aem_4jTHIOzeHvFzumZdVTGxwQ

 

More than £100,000 awarded to Boston area community projects through UKSPF funded LCF GRASSroots scheme

More than £100,000 has been awarded to several community projects through the Lincolnshire Community Foundation GRASSroots Scheme, funded by the UK Shared and Rural England Prosperity Funds.

Village halls, parish councils, sports clubs and community initiatives across Boston Borough are the latest to be awarded grants from the scheme, which has supported almost 200 projects across South and East Lincolnshire since it began in July 2023.

In this round, with match funding, more than £750,000 has been invested across the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership area (Boston, East Lindsey and South Holland).

Find out about the projects involved here: www.boston.gov.uk/article/28861/More-than-100-000-awarded-to-Boston-area-community-projects-through-UKSPF-funded-LCF-GRASSroots-scheme

 

Works set to begin on the Crown House area of Rosegarth Square redevelopment site

The transformation of Crown House within the wider Rosegarth Square redevelopment site in Boston is now moving forward, with foundation works set to begin next week, marking a significant step forward in the town's regeneration journey.

Plans were formally submitted to the council's own Planning Committee back in November of 2024, permission was then granted by the committee in January of this year and demolition works to the old Crown House building began in March, signalling the start of a bold new chapter for the site.

In July, Lindum Group was appointed as the main contractor for the works. They are now delivering both phases of the Rosegarth Regeneration scheme in tandem, ensuring a seamless and efficient approach to revitalising Boston's town centre.

The construction of this space will deliver a modern new building featuring flexible retail space on the ground floor and modern apartments across two upper levels.

As part of the scheme, modernised public toilets will be introduced on site, whilst the existing Changing Places facility will be relocated to a more central and easily accessible location within the wider Rosegarth Square development.

Read more: Works set to begin on the Crown House area of Rosegarth Square redevelopment site - Boston Borough Council

 

 

Boston Borough welcomes Community RePaint Store – shared on behalf of Lincolnshire County Council

Boston Borough residents have another opportunity to live sustainably, through a new Community RePaint Store opened at the Bittern Way, Household Waste Recycling Centre.

The store, which opened today (Friday 8 August 2025), gives residents access to free, reusable paint.

The Community RePaint initiative collects unused and leftover paint that would otherwise go to waste and makes it available to local people completely free of charge. Whether you're refreshing a room or tackling a creative project, the store offers a wide variety of paints in different colours and finishes.

Residents wishing to take advantage of the Community RePaint scheme — whether to drop off paint or collect some — simply need to speak to a member of staff on site.

The types of paint available depend on what has been brought in for disposal, but most types are accepted.

The Community RePaint Store is open to all recycling centre visitors from 8am to 4pm, Friday to Tuesday.

Community RePaint is a UK-wide paint reuse network, sponsored by Dulux, with over 80 schemes operating nationally.

For more information on the Community RePaint scheme in Lincolnshire and other ways the county supports waste reduction, visit:
www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/reducing-waste

 

Home Energy Advice Service expanded to residents of Boston Borough

Following a very successful pilot project in East Lindsey over the past two years, the Home Energy Advice and Retrofit Team (HEART) are pleased to now expand our service to residents in Boston and South Holland. The team has four energy advice officers that provide free, impartial advice centred around reducing household energy bills and supporting residents to be more comfortable in their homes, as well as assisting in wider social and wellbeing concerns. This support can be provided both in-person at home visits or events, and over the phone.

The team has been active in attending community events alongside our energy van ERIC (Energy and Retrofit Information Clinic). ERIC is a fully-electric, mobile clinic with multiple displays showcasing information on clean energy systems, insulation and grant funding opportunities. 

You can find a list of all upcoming events that the team is planning to attend here: Home Energy Advice and Retrofit Team (HEART) - East Lindsey District Council (e-lindsey.gov.uk)

If you would like to contact us to suggest or request our attendance at any community events, you can email us at heart@e-lindsey.gov.uk or please call us on 01205 31422.

 

Thousands attend Boston's first ever Pride event to celebrate joy and inclusivity across the Borough

Boston was filled with colour, joy and inclusivity on Saturday as the town's first ever Pride event took place.

More than 3,100 visitors and residents attended the free family-friendly event in Central Park, driving a significant increase in visits to the town centre while celebrating the Borough's LGBTQIA+ community.

From circus workshops and glitter fairies to DJs, drag artist and dance groups, there was something for everyone to enjoy at the town's inaugural Pride event.

All of the activities were free, meaning everyone could get involved in the fun which included the Blackfriars Theatre area, Pride Beach, craft area and bubble workshops.

Meanwhile, a wide variety of acts took to the main stage, including The Biz, Roch Choir, Ken Lambert and BOS Musical Theatre Group. Hear4Lincs was on hand to offer BSL supported announcements and performances throughout.

Away from the main stage, the support services hub became home to organisations including Lincolnshire Recovery Partnership, Bloodbikes and Unison who were on hand throughout - and the Pride Nest provided a safe space for anyone who needed it.

Visitors were encouraged to bring a picnic or to make the most of a number of food and drink stalls.

 

Safety Advisory Group

If you’ve planned or helped organise events in the past, you may have come across the Safety Advisory Group (SAG). The SAG is a nationally recognised coming-together of multiple agencies to help and support organisers in planning, running, and reviewing events. There are two SAGs which cover the Partnership, East Lindsey and Boston/South Holland, and access to this group for help with planning your event is free.

The current members of the Safety Advisory Group include the following, and more:

  • Environmental Health
  • Licensing
  • Building Control
  • Police
  • Fire and Rescue
  • the Ambulance Service
  • Highways
  • Emergency Planning

 

If you are organising an event, it is always a good idea to contact the Licensing Team to discuss your event and the planned activities, to establish whether or not licences are required. It is advisable to make contact early in the planning stages, to be sure the licence is granted before spending anything.   

If a Premise Licence is required, the application process could take up to 3 months, depending on what is being applied for, consultations with responsible bodies (Police, Trading Standards, Environmental Health, Health & Safety etc.), and if a licensing hearing is required. As a result, early communication with the team is essential! 

A critical element of any event is getting members of the public to and from the event, usually via roads in the surrounding area.  Despite its importance, many event organisers do not notify LCC Highways of the event taking place.

If the access/egress of your event is using the public highway, roadworks or booked road closures may lead to your event being cancelled due to there being no or limited access.

To prevent this happening, you can register events you organise with LCC highways on this website: www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/traffic-management/register-event-affecting-highway.

Once LCC Highways receives your notification, they can check of any known road closures, parking restrictions, or pathway closures around your event and if there are any implications, they will inform you.  If you are requesting road closures, there is a 13-week consultation period to ensure that all interested parties who are affected by your plans are aware, and they will pass any relevant information on that may have implications on your event.

Emergency road closures can still happen, such as if underground pipes burst, but if this does occur, Highways can help support you in discussing your contingency plans, and work with you in looking at alternative routes to your event.

Further information on Safety Advisory Groups can be found on the following Council webpage: www.boston.gov.uk/SAG

 

Boston’s Historic Lanes shine again

A huge shoutout to our incredible Street Scene crew for their dedication and hard work in giving Boston’s medieval lanes a much-needed deep clean.

Over the past few months, they’ve transformed:

  • Emery Lane
  • Shodfriars Lane
  • Cornhill Lane
  • Grants Lane
  • Still Lane
  • Sibsey Lane
  • Craythorne Lane

 

 

Rosegarth Community Dig finds

Boston Borough Council is pleased to announce that the community dig finds from the Rosegarth Development project are going to be displayed at Boston Guildhall Museum from 11am – 2pm on Friday 29th August.

Come along to view some of interesting items found during the dig, and more about the process and its importance for the new development and Boston and its history.

More information will be shared on the event closer to the time.

You can find out more about the Rosegarth Development here https://rosegarthboston.co.uk/

 

Five-star food premises in Boston

Congratulations to the following food premises in Boston Borough, all of which earned an amazing 5-star hygiene rating in July:

  • Butterwick Stores
  • Pinchin's Farm Shop
  • Sugar Times
  • Boston Rugby Club
  • White Hart Hotel
  • Evelyn’s Bakery
  • Central Market
  • Shan's Sweet Shack
  • Nik n Mix Ice Cream Van
  • Captain Cod Fish and Chip Restaurant
  • McDonald's
  • Red Lion Express
  • Centrepoint Outreach
  • K.K.S Sweets
  • Papa John's Pizza
  • Care Home
  • The Chain Bridge
  • The Food Bar (Denny's Cuisine)
  • Vincenzo's
  • Mon Ami Day Nursery
  • Meadows Edge Care Home

 

Lower Witham Flood Resilience Project

Please find attached the latest update on the Lower Witham Flood Resilience Project, Phase One: Grand Sluice. Find out the latest on the Environment Agency’s project including key progress, upcoming works and how it might affect the area.

 

Doodling what you do… in Boston

Lincolnshire illustrator Joanna Pass will be hosting a series of free, drop-in creative sessions at Boston Guildhall Museum, inviting the community to contribute to a large-scale doodle celebrating life in Boston.

The events will take place from 11am until 2pm on Wednesday 20 August and Saturday 23 August.

These sessions will be open to all ages and abilities and will encourage participants to express what Boston means to them through drawing, helping to fill the town with creativity and community spirit.

 

DASH Services event for landlords and agents

DASH Services will be hosting the East Midlands 2025 Housing Conference for Landlords and agents at the East Midlands Conference Centre on Friday 21 November, from 9am to 4pm.

This event is designed to provide critical updates and practical guidance on the Renters’ Rights Act, Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) and other pressing topics affecting private rented sector Landlords businesses.

The guest speaker will be David Smith, Partner at Spector, Constant and Williams author of books on various aspects of residential property, mediation and data protection law. He will take you through all aspects of the upcoming Renters’ Rights Act and take questions from the floor.

The agenda for the event is still in development, with further updates to follow soon.

Bookings can be made now for this free event via Eventbrite www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/east-midlands-2025-housing-conference-tickets-1505750382929?aff=oddtdtcreator  

Any questions can be directed to linda.cobb@derby.gov.uk.

 

Upcoming digital inclusivity sessions with Lincs Digital

Lincs Digital has announced extra sessions across the borough to help residents get online and access essential services more easily. The sessions promise one-on-one assistance, tips for staying safe online, as well as fun and interactive learning.

The next upcoming session is happening on Wednesday 10 September at Boston Centenary Church, from 9.30 to 11.30am.

For more information on future sessions, as well as local digital inclusion projects and support, please visit: Digital Inclusion - East Lindsey District Council

 

Volunteers needed for upcoming fete

The Old Leake Summer Fete events team are looking for volunteers!

They are looking for...

  • Car park stewards
  • Kitchen volunteers
  • Raffle ticket sellers
  • Litter pickers

 

All of these roles can be done in shifts, so if you have a few hours to spare on Saturday 13 September, please get in touch with oldleakecommunitycentre@yahoo.co.uk.

 

Newly updated Connect To Support Lincolnshire Website

The Connect to Support Lincolnshire (CTSL) website is now live with a new look, following its recent system upgrade and site redesign.

The site uses the same web address as the previous version: lincolnshire.connecttosupport.org/

The system upgrade and site redesign bring several improvements and new features, including:

  • Updated styling of pages across the site – fresh ‘look and feel’
  • Suggested search – results appear under the search bar as the user is typing their search term
  • Saved searches – user can save their search criteria to search again with it later
  • Updated My Booklet/Share Favourites functionality – emailable PDF and webpage link versions
  • Useful Links and Related Topics
  • ReciteMe accessibility toolbar – text to speech, translation, text styling and customisation, focus tools, and reading aids
  • ShareThis social media sharing widget – user can share content from the site via a range of social media channels

 

If you have any questions or encounter any issues when using the new site, please do not hesitate to contact our team via email at: AdultCareOnline@lincolnshire.gov.uk

Wednesday, 27th August 2025