COST-CUTTING measures affecting local government will not put the damper on ambitious council plans to regenerate towns and villages in West Lindsey.

Government-imposed financial restraints are threatening a new era of austerity – but West Lindsey District Council's Conservative administration has claimed that it has reserves to proceed with priority projects.

They include massive investment in Gainsborough – where the go-ahead for the new eastern neighbourhood is predicted to create up to 1,500 construction jobs.

And the prospect of another 2,500 houses on the Gainsborough fringe has meant that the council is considering both a crematorium serving Gainsborough and a composting plant to serve the Lincoln fringe villages.

The authority has also affirmed its commitment to a swimming pool in Market Rasen.

Uncertainty is rife, but the coalition Government is expected to announce grant cuts of between 20 and 40 per cent for local authorities in October.

But West Lindsey District Council chief executive Manjeet Gill, who was appointed in March, has claimed that the council was in a "strong" financial position to continue with its planned building projects.

"We already have a lot of excellent services and we are saying what are the different opportunities for income?" she said.

"It's about producing something with a community need. For example, a crematorium for Gainsborough.

"The town is going to double in size and the closest ones at the moment are in Scunthorpe and Lincoln.

"A Gainsborough crematorium could also be the state-of-the-art offering. It's the same for Market Rasen swimming pool.

"The main thing is, there are financial challenges ahead. We are looking at the effect of that, but also at income and the big things we want to do.

"We have a very ambitious administration and they have a good relationship with officers, giving them room to be creative."

Council leader Burt Keimach said: "We are proceeding with our capital projects and providing and delivering services in a way that will see no rise in taxes.

"This is not because we are forbidden, but because we don't have to raise them.

"We will deliver a swimming pool in Market Rasen. It's something that is a top priority."