A Grantham Labour councillor has failed in her bid to get South Kesteven District Council to urge the government to review business rates and introduce other measures to boost the high street.

Coun Chairmaine Morgan (Lab- Grantham St Vincent's) put forward a motion to Thursday's 'full' meeting of South Kesteven District Council as a way to counteract the impacts of the pandemic and its lockdowns, though said many of the trends harming the high street were already underway.

As Nub News recently reported, her motion said: "This Council believes that healthy high streets are essential for community cohesion, civic pride, employment, shopping, services & leisure."

Cllr Morgan also asked that the Council "Sign up to the Co-operative Party's Unlock the High Street Campaign and explore what local action can be taken to revive our high streets now whilst business rates are reviewed."

However, Coun Kelham Cooke (Con- Casewick), leader of the Conservative-run council replied the SKDC Corporate Plan encourages growth, with improving town centres a priority.

"We have been supported by the Government on improvements to Grantham and our intention is to further develop Bourne, Market Deeping and Stamford," he told the meeting.

The Labour Party Conference earlier this week heard from Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves that a Labour Government, if elected, would scrap business rates and replace them with a 'fairer' system.