Lynn Sykes

About Lynn

Councillor Lynn Sykes is one of two Deputy Cabinet Members for Children & Young People's Services. Her remit includes a particular focus on Youth Services.   

Lynn was born and educated in Devon and studied Business Studies in Hampshire. After working in retail and travelling, she moved to Reading in 1979 where she first became involved in local politics during the 1980s. 

She then moved around the country for a few years before finally settling in Nottingham in 1994, but it wasn’t until she joined the Conservative Party 7 years ago that she became involved in politics again. She ran for the Rushcliffe Borough Council Elections in 2003 and followed this with a stint as a Keyworth Parish Councillor before running successfully for the Soar Valley seat on Nottinghamshire County Council in 2005. She retained this seat in 2009. 

Lynn is also a governor of both the Gotham and Harry Carlton Schools. She has worked for many years in various industries including recruitment, advertising, IT and finally as a part-time lecturer at People’s College. Now she is a full-time councillor.  

Lynn is delighted to have been appointed as a Deputy Cabinet Member and looks forward to mastering her new role. She says,  "It is a very exciting opportunity to learn a new portfolio and make a positive contribution."

Lynn's latest news...

Chairman's Summer Event

On 17^th July I was pleased to attend a special Summer Event held at County Hall by the Chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council, Councillor Tom Pettengell.

The Chairman's Summer Event is organised to allow councillors to invite guests who have made an outstanding contribution to their local communities. In keeping with the new Government's vision of the Big Society, it is an opportunity to say thank you to volunteers and community leaders who work hard to make Nottinghamshire a better place.

My guests for this very enjoyable evening were the Headteacher of Gotham Primary School, Sue Lymn-Brewin and her husband Nick; and Stuart Nobles, Chairman of Governors at the Harry Carlton School, who was accompanied by his wife Pam. 

(Posted 30/7/10)

Gotham Memorial Hall & Kingston Village Hall

Gotham Memorial Hall received a grant from the Rushcliffe Members' Forum to provide heating in the main hall, which will be used as a youth facility. Kingston Village Hall has also received a grant towards improving the car park at the village hall.

(Posted 22/3/10)

County Council Budget 2010/11

At the Nottinghamshire County Council Annual Budget meeting on Thursday 25^th February 2010 I joined my Conservative colleagues in voting for a freeze in council tax for the forthcoming financial year 2010/11.

My colleague Councillor Reg Adair, Cabinet Member for Finance & Property, presented the first budget of the new Conservative administration which included a range of management and efficiency measures to save £30 million. This money will be re-directed into frontline services including key priority care services: -

• £3 million more to provide specialist placements for young people

• £1.7 million more to meet additional costs of Safeguarding Children at risk

• £6.1 million to meet the growth in services for people with mental health and learning disabilities 

• £1.9 million more towards the costs of services for people with physical disabilities

• £2.3 million more to meet additional costs of care home fees for service users living in independent sector homes

• £2 million more towards increased costs of care for people living independently in their own homes

• £700,000 more to meet costs arising from the provision of services as a result of the reduction in the Supporting People Grant and

• £2.5 million more to account for the ever growing numbers of older people requiring some form of care.

In Councillor Adair's speech introducing the budget proposals he pointed out that even with a council tax freeze, Nottinghamshire County Council will still be spending £11 million more in 2010/11 than in the previous year.

(Posted 8/3/10) 

Improvement Programme

Like every council in the country, Nottinghamshire County Council faces ongoing, significant and unavoidable increases in demand for key services. At the same time, it faces an unprecedented and long-term reduction in the resources available to it. Present forecasts are that the Council must reduce its current expenditure by at least £88m, or 18% of its revenue budget, over the next three financial years. Most of this reduction will be used to fund increased demand in other service areas. £30m of reductions have already been identified for 2010/11, leaving a further £58m to be found in 2011/12 and 2012/13.

In the past, reductions have been achieved through a process of allocating savings targets across departments. However, the scale of the financial challenge is now such that a more strategic approach is needed to achieve reductions in a structured and consistent way.

At the County Council meeting on 25^th February 2010 the Deputy Leader of the Council, Cllr Martin Suthers gained approval for a new Improvement Programme to deliver these aims, called ‘One Council - One Business - One Plan’. This will involve an estimated investment of £21 million over five years to deliver total aggregated savings of over £200m over a five year period.

The Improvement Programme will include: -

• a complete overhaul of the Council’s approach to procurement

• implementation of an integrated Business Management System and changes in processes

• rationalisation of the Council’s property portfolio and improvement in flexible ways of working

• a fundamental review of all services followed by a comprehensive programme of organisational redesign

• departmental improvement programmes that deliver service-specific developments and

• the Chief Executive’s own programme to deliver improvements in partnership working, communications and organisational development. 

The aim of ‘One Council-One Business-One Plan’ is to drive out inefficiency, target resources, minimise the impact on service delivery and create an organisation that is fit for purpose and financially sustainable in the long term. 

(Posted 8/3/10)

New Stategic Plan

Nottinghamshire County Council's new Strategic Plan 2010-2014 sets out our promise to the people of Nottinghamshire; our priorities for the next four years; and how we aim to support the people of our county to be aspirational, independent and to share with us responsibility for the future.

This Plan complements the wider Nottinghamshire Sustainable Community Strategy which is the collective plan that outlines how organisations in the county will work together to promote and deliver a better Nottinghamshire.

Our plan is ambitious. It is a plan based on what local people tell us they want, and what they want to see happen. The success of our plan relies on us working well together with local people and organisations. Whilst we face challenging financial times, nevertheless we have opportunities to promote and deliver a better future for Nottinghamshire.

(Posted 8/3/10)

Gritting

The exceptionally cold weather which affected Nottinghamshire and most other parts of the UK between December and February led to unprecedented pressures on local authority gritting supplies. Nottinghamshire County Council possessed stockpiles far exceeding Government recommendations and was able to keep its priority routes gritted even when other councils had exhausted their supplies. The biggest difficulty was obtaining replacement supplies, given the exceptional pressure on the two national companies who supply the country’s salt. 

Taking these events into account, it was agreed at the recent County Council budget meeting to increase the gritting budget by £50,000 for 2010/11. It is also intended to use 6mm rather than 10mm salt, which will improve spread rate and increase our gritting capacity still further. 

(Posted 8/3/10)

Youth travel petition

Early in November I had the pleasure of meeting Scott Beasley, the Youth Mayor of Mansfield 2008/09 and Natalie Smith, Mansfield Youth Assembly Member, to receive a petition requesting the introduction of a discounted transport card for young people in Nottinghamshire.

The petion highlighted a number of issues that young people face with local transport: -

• prices too high - especially when making daily journeys to school/college

• bus drivers not accepting current student discount cards

• drivers (not) believing a young person's age

It was suggested that a card be made available for 11-13 year-olds to prove their age when using public transport, and then a card for 14-19 year-olds that would allow discount off their transport fees. It was also suggested that the card could double up as a library card.

Councillor Philip Owen, Cabinet Member for Children & Young People's Services, joined me in receiving the petition. We will give these ideas careful consideration with our colleagues Cllr Richard Jackson, the Cabinet Member for Transport & Highways and Cllr John Cottee, Cabinet Member for Culture & Community.

(Posted 24/11/09) 

Tram

On 24th September 2009 Nottinghamshire County Council voted to withdraw its financial support for the NET Phase Two transport scheme. As a Conservative County Councillor I was elected on a manifesto which stated: "We will avoid spending a small fortune on tram extensions which few people in the county will be able to use."

During the Council debate, several Conservative Members presented the argument for this change of policy. Some referred to the increasing costs of the scheme, whilst others supported the Cabinet Member for Transpoprt & Highways' assertion that flexible bus services, rather than a fixed tram line, represent the most suitable public transport solution to serve the whole of Nottinghamshire. 

Some of my colleagues took the opportunity to state that, contrary to some media reports, the Conservative position on the proposed tram extensions has not changed. They pointed out that the previous Labour administration had entered into certain legal agreements in relation to NET Phase 2 which must be respected to protect the interests of the County taxpayer, but the new Conservative administration is quite clear that it does not support the proposed tram extension routes. 

(Posted 5/10/09)

Workplace Parking Levy (WPL)

Also at the Nottinghamshire County Council meeting on 24^th September 2009, the Cabinet Member for Transport & Highways, Councillor Richard Jackson stated that the new Conservative county administration is opposed to Nottingham City Council's proposals for a Workplace Parking Levy (WPL). He expressed concern about the financial impact such a Levy could have on County residents who work in the City and stated his belief that the WPL would be unlikely to cut congestion. Councillor Jackson argued that the scheme could lead to significant parking problems in the County area, frighten off economic investment in the City and County and hit business confidence at a time when it needs to be nurtured. 

(Posted 5/10/09)

Sutton Bonington Footpath

A grant from Nottinghamshire County Council's Building Better Communities Fund (BBC) has enabled the Parish Council to resurface the footpath across the playing fields in Sutton Bonington which has improved access for all. BBC has awarded grants to many communities which have enabled them to improve their surroundings and facilities. This is one of several projects in the Soar Valley.

(Posted 5/10/09) 

Gotham Wednesday Club

On 12^th August, I attended the Gotham Wednesday Club Summer Lunch at Gotham Memorial Hall. It was a fabulous lunch cooked by Barbara and her colleagues and we all had a great time. I was delighted a little while ago to give them a grant towards their outings.

(Posted 5/10/09)

Lynn's latest Councillors' Divisional Fund awards...

Following a decision taken by Cabinet on 8th July 2009, each County Councillor now has an annual fund of £10,000 to support worthy initiatives in the division they represent. 

CDF aims to make use of each councillor's 'grass roots' knowledge to identify projects, events, people and clubs that work hard to benefit and promote their local area, but often lack access to resources. Even a small amount of funding can sometimes make a huge difference. 

If you know of a deserving initiative in the Soar Valley division that might be eligible to receive a CDF grant, please contact me. 

Here are some of the projects I've been able to help so far: -  

East Leake Meadow Park and Village Hall

A grant from my fund will provide a leaflet describing two walks around Meadow Park for residents to enjoy.

I was also delighted to be able to fund the bespoke new steps for the stage at East Leake Village Hall. They now also have handrails ensuring that they are safe for people to use.

Gotham Ranger FC

In my role as Portfolio Holder for Youth Services, I am always pleased to be able to support local youth groups.  A grant from my CDF will provide a line marker and two pairs of full size nets for Gotham Rangers. 

Gotham Scout Group

Once again, I have been able to give a grant to the Gotham Scout Group to help towards their annual pantomime.

Gotham Primary School

A grant was awarded to Gotham Primary School towards a waterproof shelter so that the children can explore lessons outside the classroom all year round.

Kingston Vale Gymnastics Club

This boys group now have tracksuits/display outfits thanks to a grant from my CDF.

Normanton on Soar Tea Break

I am pleased once again to be able to help the Normanton on Soar Teabreak to continue to offer this facility to the older people of Normanton on Soar who get together once a week at the Village Hall.

Thrumpton Cricket Club

A grant from my CDF has gone towards the reconstruction of the guttering for the mobile covers at Thrumpton Cricket Club.

New curtains for Barton Village Hall

There is no pub in Barton so the Village Hall is a key focal point for local people and visitors. I am pleased to have been able to help ensure that this continues to be an attractive and welcoming venue.

Refurbishment of St Mary's Church, East Leake

I was delighted once again to be able to contribute to the St Mary's Church heritage conservation fund. Money is being raised by the community to ensure the Church and it's treasures are well maintained.

Improvements to St Lawrence Church, Gotham

A massive fund-raising effort is taking place to make this church building in Gotham more accessible and suitable for child and youth activities. I am delighted to have secured a CDF grant to assist this cause, especially as youth services will be the main focus of my new role as a Deputy Cabinet Member. 

Refurbishment of Gotham Memorial Hall 

A considerable amount of money has been raised by The Gotham Memorial Hall and Recreation Ground Trust for the major refurbishment of the Hall which started on 6^th July 2009. I am pleased to have been able to make another contribution from my CDF to further this excellent work.

Transport costs for The Wednesday Club in Gotham 

A grant from my CDF will help towards the transport cost of outings for the members of the Wednesday Club.

Modernisation of the church clock of The Parish of St Michael and St Anne, Sutton Bonington 

Historic church clocks are significant source of pride for many parish communities but it is becoming increasingly difficult to find volunteers to climb the church towers to wind or restart them when problems occur. A contribution from my CDF towards the modernisation of this clock will hopefully resolve such problems.

West Leake Parish Book by David Clarke 

David has updated his book on the Parish of West Leake and I am pleased to have made a small contribution towards the publishing costs. I am now looking forward to reading it.

East Leake Methodist Church Picnic 

I attended a picnic at the Methodist Church on Saturday 11^th July. This was to say thank you to all the people who were involved in fundraising for the refurbishment of the church. I was delighted to have been able to contribute a small grant from my CDF towards this fantastic project. 

East Leake Methodist Church Picnic 

I attended a picnic at the Methodist Church on Saturday 11^th July. This was to say thank you to all the people who were involved in fundraising for the refurbishment of the church. I was delighted to have been able to contribute a small grant from my CDF towards this fantastic project. 

St Winifred's Church Clock in Kingston on Soar 

Another church fundraising success story. For 35 years, David Elliot has wound the church clock manually and now, thanks to fundraising by the supporters of the church, the clock will be wound automatically. A party was organised to celebrate the automatic winding and a big thank you goes to David (see right) for all those years of climbing the church stairs!

West Leake Manor WI

I was invited to the WI Coffee Evening held at West Leake Manor which was a very well attended and successful fund raising event. I was delighted to be able to give them a small grant from my CDF last year and hope to do the same this year. It was a most enjoyable and well organised evening in beautiful surroundings and even the weather was kind to us.

Lynn's committees...

Councillor Lynn Sykes currently serves on the following committees:-

Personnel

Corporate Parenting

Learning & Disability Partnership Board

Nottinghamshire Fire Authority