View source for West Lindsey

{{original research|date=October 2010}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name              = West Lindsey
|type              = District
<!-- images and maps  -----------> 
| image_skyline                  = {{multiple image
| border = infobox| perrow       = 1/2| total_width = 240|align=center
| image1 = Gainsborough Old Hall, Gainsborough - geograph.org.uk - 3760808.jpg
| image2 = Market Rasen - the racecourse - geograph.org.uk - 4436189.jpg
| image3 = Church of St Peter and St Paul, Caistor - geograph.org.uk - 4864710.jpg
| image4 = St Mary's, Stow Minster - geograph.org.uk - 4070870.jpg
| image5 = RAF Scampton. 015.jpg}}
| image_caption = {{ubl|From left to right|Top: [[Gainsborough, Lincolnshire|Gainsborough]] [[Gainsborough Old Hall|Old Hall]]|Middle: [[Market Rasen]] [[Market Rasen Racecourse|Racecourse]] and [[Caistor]] parish church|Bottom:[[Stow Minster]] and the [[Red Arrows]] at [[RAF Scampton]] (now closed)}}
|image_blank_emblem= 
|blank_emblem_type = Coat of Arms
|image_map         = West Lindsey UK locator map.svg
|map_caption       = Shown within the [[ceremonial county]] of [[Lincolnshire]]
|subdivision_type  = [[List of sovereign states|Sovereign state]]
|subdivision_name  = United Kingdom
|subdivision_type1 = [[Countries of the United Kingdom|Constituent country]]
|subdivision_name1 = England
|subdivision_type2 = [[Regions of England|Region]]
|subdivision_name2 = [[East Midlands]]
|subdivision_type3 = [[Ceremonial county]]
|subdivision_name3 = [[Lincolnshire]]
|seat_type         = Admin.&nbsp;HQ
|seat              = [[Gainsborough, Lincolnshire|Gainsborough]]
|leader_title2     = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MPs]]:
|leader_name2      = [[Edward Leigh]]
|leader_title3     = 
|leader_name3      = 
|established_title = Founded
|established_date  =
|founder           =
|area_rank         = [[List of English districts by area|{{English district area rank|GSS=E07000142}}]]
|area_total_km2    = {{formatnum:{{English district area|GSS=E07000142}}|R}}
|latd= |latm= |lats= |latNS=
|longd= |longm= |longs= |longEW=
|population_as_of  = {{English statistics year}}
|population_total  = {{formatnum:{{English district population|GSS=E07000142}}|R}}
|population_rank   = [[List of English districts by population|Ranked {{English district rank|GSS= E07000142}}]]
|population_density_km2 = auto
<!-- demographics (section 1) -->
| demographics_type1      = Ethnicity <span style="font-weight:normal;">([[2021 United Kingdom census|2021]])</span>
| demographics1_footnotes = <ref name="2021 Nomis">{{NOMIS2021|id=E07000142|title=West Lindsey Local Authority|access-date=5 January 2024}}</ref>
| demographics1_title1    = [[Ethnic groups in the United Kingdom|Ethnic groups]]
| demographics1_info1     =
 {{Collapsible list
 | 97% [[White people in the United Kingdom|White]]
 | 1.2% [[British Asians|Asian]]
 | 1.1% [[Mixed (United Kingdom ethnicity category)|Mixed]]
 | 0.4% [[Ethnic groups in the United Kingdom|other]]
 | 0.3% [[Black British people|Black]]
 }}
<!-- demographics (section 2) -->
| demographics_type2      = Religion <span style="font-weight:normal;">(2021)</span>
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref name="2021 Nomis"/>
| demographics2_title1    = [[Religion in England|Religion]]
| demographics2_info1     = 
 {{Collapsible list
| 58% [[Religion in England#Christianity|Christianity]]
| 40.2% [[Irreligion in the United Kingdom|no religion]]
| 0.4% [[Islam in England|Islam]]
| 1.4% [[Religion in England|other]]
 }}
|timezone          = [[Greenwich Mean Time]]
|utc_offset        = +0
|timezone_DST      = [[British Summer Time]]
|utc_offset_DST    = +1
|postal_code_type  = Postcode
|postal_code       = <!-- [[XX postcode area|XX]] -->
|area_code         =
|blank_name        = [[ISO 3166-2:GB|ISO 3166-2]]
|blank_info        = <!-- GB-?? -->
|blank1_name       = [[ONS coding system|ONS code]]
|blank1_info       = 32UH (ONS)<br />E07000142 (GSS)
|blank2_name       = [[British national grid reference system|OS grid reference]]
|blank2_info       = <!-- {{gbmappingsmall|####}} -->
|blank3_name       = [[Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics|NUTS]] 3
|blank3_info       = <!-- UKG## -->
|blank4_name       =
|blank4_info       = 
|module =
}}

'''West Lindsey''' is a [[Non-metropolitan district|local government district]] in [[Lincolnshire]], England. Its council is based in [[Gainsborough, Lincolnshire|Gainsborough]], the district's largest town. The district also includes the towns of [[Caistor]] and [[Market Rasen]], along with numerous villages and surrounding rural areas. The east of the district includes part of the [[Lincolnshire Wolds]], a designated [[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty]].

The neighbouring districts are [[North Lincolnshire]], [[North East Lincolnshire]], [[East Lindsey]], [[North Kesteven]], [[Lincoln, England|Lincoln]], [[Newark and Sherwood]] and [[Bassetlaw District|Bassetlaw]].

==History==
The district was created on 1 April 1974 under the [[Local Government Act 1972]], covering five former districts which were all abolished at the same time:<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan District (Definition) Order 1972|year=1972|number=2039|access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref>
*[[Caistor Rural District]]
*[[Gainsborough Rural District]]
*[[Gainsborough Urban District]]
*[[Market Rasen Urban District]]
*[[Welton Rural District]]

The new district was named West Lindsey, reflecting its position within [[Parts of Lindsey|Lindsey]], one of the three historic [[Parts of Lincolnshire]], which had been an [[administrative county]] between 1889 and 1974.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Names) Order 1973|year=1973|number=551|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref>

==Governance==
{{Infobox legislature
 | name               = West Lindsey District Council
 | native_name        = 
 | transcription_name = 
 | legislature        = 
 | coa_pic            = 
 | coa_res            = 
 | logo_pic           = West Lindsey District Council logo.svg
 | logo_res           = 250px
 | house_type         = Non-metropolitan district
 | body               = 
 | houses             = 
 | leader1_type       = [[Chairperson|Chair]]
 | leader1            = Matthew Boles
 | party1             = <br/>[[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]]
 | election1          = 12 May 2025<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hubbert |first1=Andy |title=Outgoing chairman reflects on 'fantastic' second year in office |url=https://www.lincolnshireworld.com/news/politics/council/outgoing-chairman-reflects-on-fantastic-second-year-in-office-5135464 |access-date=20 June 2025 |work=Lincolnshire World |date=19 May 2025}}</ref>
 | leader2_type       = [[Leader of the council|Leader]]
 | leader2            = Vacant
 | party2             = 
 | election2          = 7 July 2025
 | leader3_type       = [[Chief Executive|Head of paid service]] (interim)
 | leader3            = Bill Cullen
 | party3             = <!-- Non-political role -->
 | election3          = 2025<ref>{{cite web |title=Ian Knowles steps down as Chief Executive of West Lindsey District Council |url=https://www.west-lindsey.gov.uk/council-news/2025/06/ian-knowles-steps-down-chief-executive-west-lindsey-district-council |website=West Lindsey District Council |access-date=8 July 2025 |date=30 June 2025}}</ref>
 | members            = 36 councillors
 | structure1         =West Lindsey District Council composition.svg 
 | structure1_res     = 250px
 | political_groups1  =
;Administration (17)
:{{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]] (16)}}
:{{Color box|{{party color|Independent politician}}|border=darkgray}} [[Independent politician|Independent]] (1)
;Other parties (19)
:{{Color box|{{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] (13)
:{{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Lincolnshire Independents}}|border=darkgray}} [[Lincolnshire Independents|Lincolnshire Ind.]] (2)}}
:{{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Independent politician}}|border=darkgray}} [[Independent politician|Independent]] (4)}}
 | last_election1     = [[2023 West Lindsey District Council election|4 May 2023]]
 | next_election2     = 6 May 2027
 | session_room       = Marshall's Yard - geograph.org.uk - 686527.jpg
 | session_res        = 250px
 | meeting_place      = Guildhall, Marshall's Yard, Gainsborough, DN21{{nbsp}}2NA
 | website            = {{URL|www.west-lindsey.gov.uk}}
 | footnotes          = 
}}

West Lindsey District Council provides [[Non-metropolitan district|district-level]] services. [[Non-metropolitan county|County-level]] services are provided by [[Lincolnshire County Council]]. The whole district is also covered by [[civil parish]]es, which form a third tier of local government.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government Act 1972|year=1972|chapter=70|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Election Maps |url=https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/election-maps/gb/ |publisher=Ordnance Survey |access-date=21 September 2023}}</ref>

===Political control===
The council has been under [[no overall control]] since 2021. Following the [[2023 West Lindsey District Council election|2023 election]] the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]] had exactly half the seats on the council, and managed to form an administration with the support of one of the independent councillors.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bryson |first1=Julia |last2=Turner |first2=James |title=Lib Dems take control of West Lindsey District Council |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-65681944 |access-date=2 December 2023 |work=BBC News |date=23 May 2023}}</ref>

The first election to the council was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until the new arrangements took effect on 1 April 1974. Political control of the council since 1974 has been as follows:<ref name=compositions>{{cite web |title=Compositions Calculator |url=https://www.electionscentre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/composition_calc.html |access-date=21 May 2025 |website=The Elections Centre |publisher=University of Exeter}} (Put "West Lindsey" in search box to see specific results.)</ref><ref name=hold>{{cite news| url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/vote2007/councils/html/32uh.stm | title = West Lindsey | access-date = 2009-09-26 | work = [[BBC News Online]]}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan=2|Party in control || Years
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Independent politician}} || 1974–1979
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 1979–1987
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} ||1987–1988
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 1988–1996
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} ||1996–1998
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 1998–2004
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || 2004–2006
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} ||2006–2008
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || 2008–2021
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 2021–present
|}

===Leadership===
The [[leader of the council|leaders of the council]] since 2004 have been:

{| class=wikitable
! Councillor !! colspan=2|Party !! From !! To
|-
| Bernard Theobald<ref>{{cite news |title=Council at a 'watershed' |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0001075%2F20040630&page=1 |access-date=21 June 2025 |work=Market Rasen Mail |date=30 June 2004 |page=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Smulian |first1=Mark |title=Leader quits over planning allegation |url=https://www.lgcplus.com/archive/leader-quits-over-planning-allegation-03-12-2009/ |access-date=21 June 2025 |work=Local Government Chroncile |date=3 December 2009}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|28 Jun 2004 || align=right|2009
|-
| Adam Duguid<ref>{{cite web |title=Adam Duguid |url=https://www.gainsboroughconservatives.org.uk/people/adam-duguid |website=Gainsborough Constituency Conservative Association |access-date=21 June 2025}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|2009 || align=right|2010
|-
| Burt Keimach<ref>{{cite news |title=Lincolnshire councils to share services centre |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-11685112 |access-date=21 June 2025 |work=BBC News |date=3 November 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=New leader for West Lindsey |url=https://www.worksopguardian.co.uk/news/new-leader-for-west-lindsey-2340239 |access-date=20 June 2025 |work=Worksop Guardian |date=24 May 2013}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|2010 || align=right|20 May 2013
|-
| Jeff Summers<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 20 May 2013 |url=https://democracy.west-lindsey.gov.uk/Data/Council/20130520/Agenda/Annual%20Council%20Minutes%20-%2020%20May%202013.pdf |website=West Lindsey District Council |access-date=20 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Robinson |first1=Calvin |title=New leader appointed for West Lindsey council |url=https://thelincolnite.co.uk/2019/05/new-leader-appointed-for-west-lindsey-council/ |access-date=20 June 2025 |work=The Lincolnite |date=7 May 2019}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|20 May 2013 || align=right|20 May 2019
|-
| Giles McNeill<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 20 May 2019 |url=https://democracy.west-lindsey.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=132&MId=2322 |website=West Lindsey District Council |access-date=20 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Jaines |first1=Daniel |last2=Whitelam |first2=Paul |title=Council leader quits following his arrest in connection with alleged fraud |url=https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/local-news/giles-mcneill-arrested-councillor-nettleham-4606859 |access-date=20 June 2025 |work=Lincolnshire Live |date=14 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Giles McNeill: Ex-West Lindsey Council leader stole £30k to fund gambling habit |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-59420527 |access-date=11 August 2022 |work=BBC News |date=25 November 2021}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|20 May 2019 || align=right|2 Nov 2020
|-
| Owen Bierley<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 2 November 2020 |url=https://democracy.west-lindsey.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=132&MId=2389 |website=West Lindsey District Council |access-date=20 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bryson |first1=Julia |last2=Turner |first2=James |title=Lib Dems take control of West Lindsey District Council |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-65681944 |access-date=20 June 2025 |work=BBC News |date=23 May 2023}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|2 Nov 2020 || align=right|May 2023
|-
| Trevor Young<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 22 May 2023 |url=https://democracy.west-lindsey.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=132&MId=3391 |website=West Lindsey District Council |access-date=20 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Waller |first1=Jamie |last2=Modak |first2=Naj |title=Council leaders ousted during fiery debate |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjwnyq4qn0po |access-date=8 July 2025 |work=BBC News |date=7 July 2025}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} || align=right|22 May 2023 || align=right|7 Jul 2025
|}

===Composition===
Following the [[2023 West Lindsey District Council election|2023 election]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-interactive/2023/may/04/elections-2023-results-live-local-council-england#le-full-results|title=Local elections 2023: live council results for England|work=The Guardian|date=9 May 2023 |last1=Voce |first1=Antonio |last2=Leach |first2=Anna |last3=Hoog |first3=Niels de |last4=Torpey |first4=Paul |last5=Clarke |first5=Seán }}</ref> and subsequent changes of allegiance up to May 2025, the composition of the council was:<ref name=Thorncliffe>{{cite web |title=West Lindsey |url=https://www.localcouncils.co.uk/councils/?council=west_lindsey |website=Local Councils |publisher=Thorncliffe |access-date=20 June 2025}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
! colspan=2| Party
! Councillors
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} || align=center|16
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=center|13
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Lincolnshire Independents}} || align=center|2
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Independent politician}} || align=center|5
|-
! colspan=2|Total !! align=center|36
|}

One of the five independent councillors sits with the Liberal Democrats as the "Liberal Democrat Administration Group", which forms the council's administration. Another independent councillor sits with the Conservatives as the "Opposition Group", and the other three independents form the "Consensus Independent" group.<ref>{{cite web |title=Your councillors by party |url=https://democracy.west-lindsey.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?FN=PARTY&VW=LIST&PIC=0 |website=West Lindsey District Council |access-date=20 June 2025}}</ref> The next election is due in 2027.<ref name=Thorncliffe/>

===Elections===
{{also|West Lindsey District Council elections}}
Since the last boundary changes in 2015 the council has comprised 36 [[councillor]]s representing 20 [[Wards and electoral divisions of the United Kingdom|wards]], with each ward electing one, two or three councillors. Elections are held every four years.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The West Lindsey (Electoral Changes) Order 2012|year=2012|number=1|access-date=2 December 2023}}</ref>

In the 2016 EU referendum, West Lindsey voted 61.8% leave (33,847 votes) to 38.2% remain (20,906 votes).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/eu_referendum/results/local/w|title = EU Referendum local results - W - BBC News}}</ref>

===Premises===
[[File:Gainsborough Guildhall.jpg|thumb|Old Guildhall, Caskgate Street, Gainsborough: Council's headquarters until 2008, since demolished.]]
The council is based at the Guildhall in Marshall's Yard in Gainsborough, which is a modern office building within a retail development.<ref>{{cite web |title=Contact us |url=https://www.west-lindsey.gov.uk/council-democracy/contact-us |website=West Lindsey District Council |access-date=2 December 2023}}</ref> The council moved there in 2008 from its former headquarters, also called the Guildhall, on Caskgate Street in Gainsborough. The old Guildhall had been built in 1966 for the former Gainsborough Urban District Council, one of the council's predecessors. It has since been demolished.<ref>{{cite news |title=End of the road for iconic town building |url=https://www.lincolnshireworld.com/news/end-of-the-road-for-iconic-town-building-2765075 |access-date=2 December 2023 |work=Lincolnshire World |date=19 March 2012}}</ref>

==Geography==
West Lindsey borders [[North Lincolnshire]] and [[North East Lincolnshire]] to the north, [[East Lindsey]] to the east, [[North Kesteven]] and the city of Lincoln to the south, and the county of [[Nottinghamshire]] to the west.

The boundary of the district in the west borders the [[River Trent]], and meets Nottinghamshire (Bassetlaw) and [[North Lincolnshire]] at [[East Stockwith]], close to [[Wildsworth]]. On the other side of the Trent is [[Gunthorpe, Lincolnshire]]. It deviates from the Trent, to the east along the [[River Eau]] at [[Scotter]], where it meets [[Messingham]] in North Lincolnshire. The boundary deviates southwards near [[Scotton, Lincolnshire|Scotton]], then at [[Northorpe, West Lindsey|Northorpe]] follows the B1205 eastwards, crossing the A15 at [[Waddingham]]. It follows the Sallowrow Drain to the Old [[River Ancholme]] at [[South Kelsey]], which it follows northwards. At [[North Kelsey]], it deviates from the Old River Ancholme, following the North Kelsey Beck eastwards. This crosses the B1434 then the Newark-Grimsby railway line, where at [[Searby cum Owmby]] it follows a drain parallel to the railway line northwards, and at [[Bigby, Lincolnshire|Bigby]] it follows Kettleby Beck westwards across the railway line back to the Old River Ancholme, which it follows for almost a mile towards [[Brigg]]. The Bigby parish is the northern part of West Lindsey that skirts the southern edge of Brigg, crossing the A1084 and the [[Sheffield to Lincoln Line|railway line]].

Also in Bigby, it crosses the Scunthorpe-Grimsby line, then three railway lines together at [[Wrawby Junction]]. North of Bigby village it crosses the western escarpment of the northern [[Lincolnshire Wolds]], then skirts the southern and eastern perimeter of [[Humberside Airport]]. It crosses the A18 and [[B1210 road|B1210]], then the B1211. The furthest north section of the district, and of the county, is where it meets a short section of the [[A180 road (England)|A180]], where a few hundred metres west of the [[A160 road|A160]] interchange it meets [[North East Lincolnshire]]. It follows the New Beck Drain south-east across the B1210, and at [[Riby]], the A1173 and A18. At [[Swallow, Lincolnshire|Swallow]] it crosses the [[A46 road|A46]]. It follows the Waithe Beck at [[Thorganby, Lincolnshire|Thorganby]]. At [[Swinhope]] it meets [[East Lindsey]], next to Scallows Hall (in East Lindsey), and crosses the B1203, then again at [[Kirmond le Mire]]. It meets the B1225 ''High Street'' at [[Tealby]], and for around two miles southwards is the district boundary, crossing the [[A631 road|A631]] at [[North Willingham]]. At [[Sixhills]] it deviates westwards from the B1225, next to the former [[RAF Ludford Magna]] (in East Lindsey). At [[Holton cum Beckering]] it crosses the B1202, then the [[A158 road|A158]] at [[Goltho]], where it skirts the western edge of [[Wragby]] (in East Lindsey). It passes southwards in [[Bardney]] through Chamber's Farm Wood (mostly in East Lindsey); Chamber's Farm itself is in West Lindsey. It skirts the southern edge of the former [[RAF Bardney]], and crosses the B1190 near [[Tupholme Abbey]] (in East Lindsey). East of [[Southrey]] (also in Bardney parish) it meets the [[River Witham]] and [[North Kesteven]]. It follows the River Witham westwards until [[Greetwell, West Lindsey|Greetwell]] where it meets the City of Lincoln, deviates northwards, crossing the Lincoln - Market Rasen railway line. It follows the outskirts of Lincoln, crossing the B1182 (former A46) at Nettleham. It crosses the A15 north of the Riseholme roundabout, and follows a short section of the [[A57 road|A57]], then crosses it, near Bishop Bridge. A few hundred metres west it meets the [[Foss Dyke]], which from there a mile north-west is the boundary with [[North Kesteven]]. At [[Saxilby|Saxilby with Ingleby]] it deviates westwards from the Foss Dyke, and at [[Broadholme]] (former Nottinghamshire until 1989) at the B1190 (''Tom Otters Lane''), it meets Nottinghamshire ([[Newark and Sherwood]]). It follows a half-mile section of Ox Pasture Drain north to the A57, which it briefly follows westwards until [[Kettlethorpe, Lincolnshire|Kettlethorpe]] ([[A156 road|A156]] junction). It crosses the A1133 at [[Newton on Trent]], and under a mile westwards it meets the [[River Trent]] and [[Bassetlaw District|Bassetlaw]], a mile north of the former [[High Marnham Power Station]].

===Towns and parishes===
{{further|List of civil parishes in Lincolnshire}}
{{multiple images
|total_width=300px
|perrow=2
|header=Notable Towns and Villages of West Lindsey
|image1=St Botolph's church, Saxilby - geograph.org.uk - 3093711.jpg
|image2=Pathway along the beck in Nettleham.jpg
|image3="The White Hart" and war memorial, Caistor - geograph.org.uk - 3257592.jpg
|image4=St Chad's Church, Dunholme - geograph.org.uk - 2142519.jpg
|image5=Market Place, Market Rasen - geograph.org.uk - 2826246.jpg
|image6=Bardney Heritage Centre - geograph.org.uk - 3180443.jpg
|image7=All Saints Church, Gainsborough - geograph.org.uk - 3638626.jpg
|caption1=[[Saxilby]]
|caption2=[[Nettleham]]
|caption3=[[Caistor]]
|caption4=[[Dunholme]]
|caption5=[[Market Rasen]]
|caption6=[[Bardney]]
|caption7=[[Gainsborough, Lincolnshire|Gainsborough]]
}}

It covers [[Gainsborough, Lincolnshire|Gainsborough]], [[Market Rasen]], [[Sudbrooke]], [[Fiskerton, Lincolnshire|Fiskerton]], [[Reepham, Lincolnshire|Reepham]], [[Cherry Willingham]], [[Nettleham]], [[Welton, Lincolnshire|Welton]], [[Caistor]], and [[Keelby]].

The whole district is divided into [[civil parish]]es. The parish councils for Caistor, Market Rasen and Gainsborough have declared their parishes to be towns, allowing them to take the style "town council". Many of the smaller parishes have a [[parish meeting]] rather than a parish council.<ref>{{cite web |title=Parish Clerks |url=https://democracy.west-lindsey.gov.uk/ecSDDisplayClassic.aspx?NAME=Parish%20Clerks&ID=370&RPID=11164378&sch=doc&cat=13280&path=13280 |website=West Lindsey District Council |access-date=2 December 2023}}</ref>

==Education==
The district, similar to North and [[South Kesteven]], has a mixture of comprehensive schools in the south-east of the district and selective schools in Gainsborough ([[Queen Elizabeth's High School]], The Gainsborough Academy) and Caistor. Both grammar schools are in the top ten for [[Advanced Level (UK)|A level]] results in the East Midlands, with [[Caistor Grammar School]] getting the best results in this region consistently year on year. It also gets some of the best results in England. These schools offer a standard of state education from ages 11–16 not available in the regions of Lincolnshire directly north of the district (former [[Lindsey (government district)|Lindsey]] before 1974). Pupils from outside of the district may travel to be educated in Gainsborough from [[Scunthorpe]] (12–15 miles via the [[A159 road|A159]]), and (in greater number) to Caistor from [[Grimsby]] and [[Cleethorpes]] (10–12 miles via the [[A46 road|A46]]). The situation is reversed in the [[sixth form]], with Lincolnshire pupils studying at the [[John Leggott College]] in Scunthorpe and the [[Franklin College, Grimsby]]. The best comprehensive in this district (and the county) is the [[William Farr School]] in Welton, which gets A level results similar to a [[Grammar schools in the United Kingdom|grammar school]].

==Transport==
Large parts of the district can be accessed from the [[M180 motorway|M180]], to the north of the region. The [[A1500 road|A1500]] (''Tillbridge Lane'') and [[A631 road|A631]] are the main east–west routes, and avoid busy town centres. The A631, further west, allows passage (through [[Bassetlaw District|Bassetlaw]]) to [[Doncaster Sheffield Airport]] in the nearby [[Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster]]. The north–south route is the [[A15 road (England)|A15]], officially the straightest road in the UK, following the [[Roman road]] [[Ermine Street]].

==Media==
In terms of television, West Lindsey is served by [[BBC Yorkshire and Lincolnshire]] and [[ITV Yorkshire]] (East) broadcasting from the [[Belmont transmitting station|Belmont]] transmitter which situated near [[Market Rasen]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Belmont|title=Belmont (Lincolnshire, England) Full Freeview transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|accessdate=17 April 2024}}</ref> However, western parts of the district such as [[Gainsborough, Lincolnshire|Gainsborough]] can also receive [[BBC Yorkshire]] and ITV Yorkshire (West) from the [[Emley Moor transmitting station|Emley Moor]] TV transmitter near [[Huddersfield]] in [[West Yorkshire]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Emley_Moor|title=Emley Moor (Kirklees, England) Full Freeview transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|accessdate=17 April 2024}}</ref>
 
Radio stations for the area are: <ref>{{cite web |url=https://lincolnshire.org/radio-lincolnshire-find-your-local-station/ |title=Radio Lincolnshire – Find Your Local Station |date=18 February 2015 |publisher=Lincolnshire.org |access-date=17 April 2024}}</ref>
*[[BBC Radio Lincolnshire]]
*[[Hits Radio Lincolnshire]]
*[[Greatest Hits Radio Yorkshire|Greatest Hits Radio Lincolnshire]] 
*Trentside Radio (serving Gainsborough)

The ''[[Lincolnshire Echo]]'' is the regional newspaper covering West Lindsey.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.britishpapers.co.uk/england-emids/lincolnshire-echo/ |title=Lincolnshire Echo |date=17 September 2013 |website=British Papers |accessdate=17 April 2024}}</ref> Publications with a focus on a particular area within the district include the ''[[Gainsborough Standard]]'' and the ''[[Market Rasen Mail]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.britishpapers.co.uk/england-emids/gainsborough-standard/ |title=Gainsborough Standard |date=13 November 2013 |website=British Papers |accessdate=12 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.britishpapers.co.uk/england-emids/market-rasen-mail/ |title=Market Rasen Mail |date=15 August 2013 |website=British Papers |accessdate=12 August 2024}}</ref>

==Tourism==
Attractions to the district include the [[Lincolnshire Wolds]]. The [[Lincolnshire Show]] is held in the district at the [[Lincolnshire Showground]], south of the former [[RAF Scampton]], which was previously the home for the [[Red Arrows]], the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team.

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
| percentages = pagr
| 1981|77700
| 1991|76500
| 2001|79513
| 2011|89250
| 2015|92812
|2021|95200}}

The district has seen steady population growth since 2001, with Gainsborough and the villages north of Lincoln particular points of growth. The population of the district now stands at 95,200 as of 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How the population changed in West Lindsey, Census 2021 - ONS |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/censuspopulationchange/E07000142/ |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=www.ons.gov.uk |language=en}}</ref>

The district ranked 161 out of 326 local authorities for amounts of deprivation. Part of the Gainsborough South West ward is in the top 5% for deprived areas ([[ONS coding system#Super Output Areas|Super Output Area]]) in the country.<ref>[http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/InspectionOutput/InspectionReports/2007/WestLindseyDistrictCouncil%20RegenerationInspection25Oct07REP.pdf Audit Commission]</ref> Gainsborough East and Gainsborough South West wards have the highest levels of unemployment, although the region as a whole has a below-average rate.

16% of employment is in manufacturing, and 6% in agriculture. There are around 3,220 businesses. There are few council houses and house prices are lower than the regional average.

==Arms==
{{Infobox COA wide
|escutcheon = Vert a fess Ermine of five spots between in chief the head of a Roman legionary standard between two garbs of barley Or and in base on water barry wavy of four Argent and Azure a Viking ship Or the sail set Argent.
|crest = On a wreath Argent and Vert on a mount an oak tree Proper fructed Or bound thereto by a circular steel chain Proper two anchors in saltire Or.
|supporters = On the dexter side a Lincolnshire Red Shorthorn Bull and on the sinister side a Lincoln Longwool Ram both guardant Proper each supporting a crosier Or.
|motto = Strive For The Gain Of All
|notes = Granted 15 November 1974<ref>{{cite web|url=http://civicheraldry.co.uk/east_midlands.html |title=East Midlands Region |accessdate=8 March 2021 |publisher=Civic Heraldry of England}}</ref>}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{commons category-inline}}
*[https://www.west-lindsey.gov.uk/ West Lindsey District Council website]
* [http://www.west-lindsey.public-i.tv/site/ Public district council meetings on video]
* [http://www.visitwestlindsey.com Visit West Lindsey]

{{West Lindsey}}
{{East Midlands}}
{{Lincolnshire}}

{{coord|53.35|-0.60|region:GB_type:adm3rd|display=title}}

[[Category:West Lindsey District]]
[[Category:Non-metropolitan districts of Lincolnshire]]
[[Category:Local government districts of the East Midlands]]