Category Archive News

PEOPLE in North East Lincolnshire are being encouraged to air their views on future development across the borough during a series of public events later this year.

The area’s Local Plan is currently being updated and is the most important document of its kind when it comes to shaping what the area will look like between now and 2042. As part of that update people will have the chance to see the proposed review at a series of public events this autumn.

Every Local Authority must have a government approved Local Plan, which sets out the future vision, covering themes including the environment, the health and wellbeing of residents, access to work and job creation, meeting local housing need, and ensuring access to education for children and young people. Adopted plans are reviewed based on a five-year cycle. This authority’s latest Local Plan was approved in 2018.

At a North East Lincolnshire Council meeting this week, Cabinet members heard how a first ‘informal’ stage of the review had been completed. This had included public displays and consultation across the borough. A total of 641 views were recorded which included a range of comments including support for affordable homes, priority for brownfield development, green space protection and light pollution, village and heritage protection, and the importance of the green agenda, improvements to roads and vital services, and the regeneration of the town centre.

These views are being fed into further analysis ahead of the preparation of a draft Local Plan going out for full public consultation later this year.

Reflecting on how the updating of the Local Plan will progress, North East Lincolnshire Council leader, Cllr Philip Jackson said:

“The views of people who live in North East Lincolnshire, or who work here, or have a business interest here, are extremely important. Ideas that may not have been considered, suggestions, along with opportunity and challenge, is welcome as we look to support the development of a stronger and improved borough for us all.

“As we move forward, we want people to continue to be involved and to also understand just how important it is for future generations in particular, that we make the right choices with regard to both economic and domestic opportunities,” he said.

Cllr Jackson explained how industrial growth would also form an important part of the Plan. Figures already reported suggest how the low carbon and energy economy across the whole of Greater Lincolnshire is worth £1.2bn, with more than 12,000 people employed. Meanwhile it is predicted that the Humber Freeport development will be a driving force in the attraction of new industry in North East Lincolnshire.

“We are standing on the cusp of real and true opportunities here and we need to ensure we match the predicted business growth in other areas too. Our housing, schools, health, and green offers must live up to the expectations that young people and families have. This means developing with consideration – providing the right balance of new homes and improving our urban areas whilst enhancing the natural environment,” said Cllr Jackson.

He added how work currently on-going was already in-sync with issues that were likely to come up. This work included planned new primary schools in Scartho and Waltham, unique wildlife sites along the Humber bank to offset development, and an £800,000 investment into some of the 150 acres of green space in the borough, which includes 50 managed parks and open spaces.  The successful Cleethorpes LUF bid will also see a significant environmental investment with the regeneration of Pier Gardens, revamped green and activity space, and improved biodiversity. And in Grimsby Town Centre the £20m successful LUF bid is supporting the new Freshney Place Market Hall and Leisure development.

Details of where and when you can view and comment on the revised Local Plan will be widely published later this year. Please look out on Local Plan Review | NELC (nelincs.gov.uk) or any of the council’s social media channels.

Article and image from NELC.

Following a council decision on Thursday 25 May, the authority is carrying out a review of all Town/Parish Councils in North East Lincolnshire. 

This will consider:

• Creating, merging, altering or abolishing parishes, including reviewing parish boundaries;
• The naming and style of parishes (e.g., town/parish/village council);
• The electoral arrangements for parishes (e.g., ordinary year of election; number of parish councillors; and parish warding);
• Group or ungroup parishes.

The council is now inviting residents and other interested persons/organisations to submit their views on the current arrangements between 2 June and 28 July 2023.  A second stage of consultation on any proposed changes to the current arrangements will be held between 8 September and 3 November 2023.

The council is also seeking views from residents and other interested persons/organisations on the frequency it should hold future council elections.  The council currently elects its councillors by thirds (holding elections three out of every four years).  The alternative is to hold all-out elections, whereby the council would hold elections for all councillors every four years.  You can submit your views on this proposal between 2 June and 28 July 2023.

To take part in either consultation please go to Have your say | NELC (nelincs.gov.uk)

Meanwhile further information about both reviews can be viewed at www.nelincs.gov.uk/your-council/elections-and-voting.  You can also submit comments through this webpage, or write to the Elections Manager, North East Lincolnshire Council, Town Hall Square, Grimsby, DN31 1HU or email elections@nelincs.gov.uk during the consultation periods set out above.

Article and image from NELC.

A primary school in Grimsby is set to open some new school places offering specialist support to children with additional needs.

Littlecoates Primary Academy, part of Wellspring Academy Trust, is working with North East Lincolnshire Council to launch the new 12-place provision from September, specifically for children with communication and interaction needs.

The new provision – called Launch Pad – will be the first of its type in North East Lincolnshire, and will be specially designed to be a ‘turnaround provision’ for early years children and those in Key Stage 1 (aged 4, 5 and 6).

Turnaround provision is aimed at those children who have low level additional needs, where some short-term support can help them to adjust to mainstream school.

Councillor Margaret Cracknell, portfolio holder for children and education at North East Lincolnshire Council, welcomed the move:

“I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to work with the team at Littlecoates Primary and the wider Wellspring Academy Trust to make this a reality, and would like to thank them for their support with this initiative. This is the first of its kind in our area.

“Launch Pad is by no means a catch-all solution. Launch Pad will be a very small, focussed provision that can make a difference, over time, to a good number of students.

“There are a lot of children in our area who have some additional needs, but can continue successfully in a mainstream school provided that they receive some targeted support at a key point in their education journey.”

Neville Wilkinson, Principal at Littlecoates Primary, added: “At Littlecoates, our philosophy is all about creating an inclusive, innovative and exciting school environment where every child can learn, play and achieve together. The new Launch Pad initiative fits with that ethos perfectly and we’re looking forward to playing an important role in supporting more children with SEND and enabling them to stay in mainstream settings. Specialist support is essential in helping children with additional needs meet their potential and enjoy their school life. This new specialist service is going to be a fantastic asset for the whole community.”

North East Lincolnshire SEND team will manage admissions to this provision in line with the SEND Code of Practice (2015) via annual reviews of EHCPs. Parents and Professionals are advised not to contact the setting directly at this moment in time due to ongoing building works and mobilisation of this provision.

There will be opportunities to see the provision via the school and SEND Local offer website, as well as open days during the summer term.

Article and image from NELC.

SCARTHO Ward Councillor, Ian Lindley, has been sworn in as Mayor of the Borough of North East Lincolnshire during a special ceremony late last week.

The Worshipful The Mayor of the Borough of North East Lincolnshire, Councillor Ian Lindley, was elected following his term as Deputy Mayor from May 2022 to May 2023.

The Mayor has appointed Mrs Helen Lindley as his Mayoress.

Outgoing Mayor and Ward Councillor for the East Marsh, Councillor Steve Beasant, was elected to the position of Deputy Mayor of North East Lincolnshire during the same Special Council Meeting. Mrs Carol Beasant has been appointed as his Deputy Mayoress.

Dignitaries, Councillors, members of the local community, friends and family members gathered at the Mayor Making ceremony on Thursday 18^th May 2023 to witness the election of the new Mayor and the exchanging of the official chains of office.

The Mayor is the first citizen of North East Lincolnshire and undertakes an important ceremonial role in and outside of the borough.

Shortly after being elected to the role, Councillor Ian Lindley expressed his joy and gratitude for the nomination:

“I’m incredibly grateful to Councillor Shepherd for his nomination and to my fellow Councillors for electing me.

“I first came to Grimsby during the early 1990s with work, and have stayed ever since. I am really passionate about this place and its people and I look forward to spending my Mayoral year getting out and meeting people in our community.”

Born in Nottingham, Cllr Lindley came to Grimsby on a 3-week contract as an Operating Department Practitioner in the 1990s and stayed on to continue working at the Diana Princess of Wales hospital.

Councillor Lindley has represented Scartho Ward since 2015.

The Mayor is not directly elected by the people and therefore holds no direct power. They are politically neutral in carrying out their Mayoral duties, and act as the Chair of Council meetings.

His Mayoral Year will run until May 2024, when a new Mayor will be elected. Councillor Lindley has chose Sunflowers Children’s Action Group and the Pink Rose Suite at Diana Princess of Wales Hospital as his Mayoral charities, and will be undertaking fundraising activities throughout his Mayoral year for these causes.

Article and images from NELC.

“We have listened to people’s concerns and want to come up with a solution that works for everyone.”

This is the message from council leader Philip Jackson to the metal detecting community, who have expressed disquiet over restrictions to their hobby on Cleethorpes beach.

As recently reported in the media, all of North East Lincolnshire’s coastline is protected by SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) status, which covers the Humber Estuary, and as such, the council announced the introduction of Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) to cover it, making it an offence to use a metal detector without prior permission and therefore subject to a possible fine.

Coun Jackson said today: “The metal detecting community have expressed concern and provided feedback in recent days, and this has been listened to. We recognise that this issue is a controversial one and we want to come to a compromise that suits everyone – and protects the natural habitat the SSSI encompasses. 

“Following discussions with Natural England this week, we have submitted a proposal to the body to trial a free metal detecting permit scheme on the section of Cleethorpes beach, from the leisure centre up to the rock groyne at Wonderland on North Prom.

“It is important that we do what we can to protect the unique environment of the SSSI, but we do want to take positive steps forward to resolve the detectorists’ concerns. As such, Natural England has said it will consider our proposal, which could lead to a permanent solution.

“The permit trial will apply only to the stretch of beach outlined above, and restrictions will remain in other areas. Those who have already contacted the council to register interest will be contacted once the permit system is in place. In the meantime, no enforcement action will be taken against metal detectorists.”

Wetlands along the east coast of England, from the Humber to the Thames, have successfully been added to the UK’s Tentative List of World Heritage sites.

England’s east coast wetlands will be added to the UK’s Tentative List of World Heritage sites along with just five other new sites, government announced on 10 April 2023. Inclusion on this exclusive list is the first stage towards joining UNESCO’s (United National Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) World Heritage List, which recognises cultural and natural heritage across the globe that is considered to be of outstanding universal value to humanity. If accepted by UNESCO the east coast wetlands could join a list of some of the world’s most iconic sites, such as the Great Barrier Reef, the Galapagos Islands and Mount Kilimanjaro.

The proposed site receiving backing from government brings together a coastal network of wetlands covering the same size as two New York cities (170,000 hectares), from the RSPB’s Blacktoft Sands reserve on Humber estuary in the North to RSPB Wallasea Island, Essex and coastal Kent reserves along the River Thames in the South. Well-known sites such as RSPB Minsmere, Suffolk and the National Trust’s Blakeney National Nature reserve, Norfolk have both recently been featured in BBC’s Wild Isles series and would also be included.

The application was initiated in 2022 by the RSPB, National Trust and Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT), with endorsement from Local Authorities and The Crown Estate following a report authored by marine and coastal habitat consultants ABPmer which highlighted the area as one of the world’s most important places for nature.

An independent expert panel recruited by government described the east coast wetlands proposal as presenting “a clear and convincing case for the potential to demonstrate Outstanding Universal Value” both through the role the wetlands play in supporting migratory birds along the East Atlantic Flyway migratory route, as well as the globally leading examples of coastal adaptation in the face of a changing climate.

Michael Copleston, RSPB England Director, said:

“We are absolutely thrilled that the global importance of England’s east coast has been recognised by government and that the east coast wetlands will now be part of the UK’s Tentative List of World Heritage sites. These diverse places provide an essential refuge for over 155 bird species as well as world-leading examples of how we can manage our coastlines in the face of a changing climate, with true value for nature and people.”

The east coast of England is one of the most vulnerable coastlines in the UK. Sea levels are expected to rise due to climate change, threatening many habitats and communities. Along this coast, world-leading projects are delivering flood defence adaptations and conservation side-by-side. Wetlands provide a cost-effective and nature-friendly solution to reduce erosion and flood risk, as well as being rich landscapes for people and businesses, providing nursery grounds for fish, carbon storage, and space for recreation.

Currently there are just two Natural World Heritage sites in the UK; Dorset and East Devon Coast and the Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast. In addition to two UK overseas territories in the Gough Islands in the South Atlantic and Henderson Island in the South Pacific.

Article and image from NELC.

Face-to-face engagement sessions are now taking place around North East Lincolnshire to find out your views and experiences of crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.

Council leader Philip Jackson again reiterated the authority’s position regarding the Freshney Place Leisure Scheme at the recent Full Council meeting at Grimsby Town Hall.

The topic formed part of a public question posed by resident Paul Henderson, which also asked Cllr Jackson to discuss a ‘decline in local health’.

“It’s easy to snipe from the side lines,” said Cllr Jackson in response to the tone of the question, “but he offers no alternative, other than the continued managed decline of the town centre. In what way would that benefit Grimsby?”

Mr Henderson’s question in full read: “In a Guardian article dated December 5, 2022, Philip Jackson argued that the decline in local health was not due to Government cuts in spending or a lack of funding. This leaves me wondering what the cause could be and how much of the responsibility for this lies with NELC. However, the article reports that £60 million has been taken out of the budget, since 2010, and quotes council sources as saying our inadequate-rated children’s services are £8 million over budget. Councillor Jackson does point out that we can always sell off our assets to fund an overspend and makes a virtue of the disposal of local buildings, just as he is buying Freshney Place. So, would Councillor Jackson explain why services are inadequate and need borrowing/asset stripping to remain viable, if there is enough money?”

Cllr Jackson replied: “Regarding The Guardian article, there is some debate to be had over the statistics they used, and I would contend that the health of the local population has not declined in the way they alleged. However, they had their own agenda.

“My view is that the health of the local population, or groups within in, is a complex issue and is determined by many different factors. It is certainly not wholly the responsibility of the Government nor the council – to suggest that is very outdated thinking. People themselves have a large part to play in the determination of their own health outcomes. We also must be careful not to confuse correlation and causation.

“Turning to the council budget, while there has been a reduction in funding from central government, there has been a significant increase in funding through local taxation – council tax and business rates. For example, business rates retention was £34.7 million in 2013 but has risen to £48.6 million in 2023. The Adult Social Care precept will raise £11.8 million in 2023. The actual reduction in the council’s overall spending power is therefore much less than the 60% quoted.  This is demonstrated by the fact that the council has continued to provide a comprehensive range of services and reported a balanced financial position since 2010.”

Cllr Jackson went on to outline “significant additional grant streams received by the council over past few years that recognise demand and service pressures”.

These include:

• Covid support grants of more than £15 million in total, in 2021/22 and 2022/23.
• Social care support grant: £13 million in 2023/24 and £15.2 million in 2024/25.
• Improved Better Care Fund: £8 million 2023/24 and in 2024/25.
• Services grant: £1.6 million – 2023/24.

“The property rationalisation programme isn’t just about generating capital receipts to support the transformation programme in Children’s Services,” he said. “It will also reduce our carbon footprint, support new ways of working to reflect changing working practices, drive footfall within Grimsby town centre and support delivery of new housing within the borough.

“As at March 31, 2022, the council held total physical assets of more than £320 million. Planned disposals of £5 million and £4 million in 2023/24 and 2024/25 represent less than 3% of the council’s total assets. These are assets surplus to the council’s requirements – there is no asset stripping taking place. Disposals are to be used to support the transformation of children’s services as opposed to funding an overspend.”

Cllr Jackson then turned to the topic of Freshney Place. “It wasn’t me personally who decided to buy Freshney Place, as the questioner implies,” he said. “It was a decision of this Full Council, acting in its place leadership role. I would also remind Mr Henderson that the Government gave us the money to purchase Freshney Place, as an asset to help us drive regeneration in Grimsby town centre.“

He went on to reiterate the same information he gave in response to another public question, from resident James Brooks. “The Government further demonstrated its support for, and confidence in, our Grimsby Town Centre Strategy. In the budget, we received a second tranche of round two Levelling Up funding – £20 million towards the redevelopment of the western end of Freshney Place to include a five-screen cinema, a new market and food hall, improved public open space and other leisure facilities,” he told the chamber.

“Freshney Place actually generates a positive financial return for the council, nett of all associated costs.  In 2023/24, it will contribute £1.5 million to the council’s coffers. The income from Freshney Place and its redevelopment more than offsets any borrowing costs for the new development. This positive financial position is further enhanced by the additional £20 million Levelling Up monies towards the redevelopment and is based upon detailed financial due diligence and modelling from our professional advisors which suggests that the yield will grow over time. Importantly, there will be no burden for the council taxpayer in North East Lincolnshire; quite the opposite in fact.”

Cllr Jackson went on to add: “I know Mr Henderson was against the purchase of Freshney Place and does not support the new leisure scheme. It’s easy to snipe from the side lines but he offers no alternative, other than the continued managed decline of the town centre. In what way would that benefit Grimsby? In contrast, this Conservative administration has an ambitious strategy for the development and repurposing of the Town Centre, a strategy backed up by the Town Centre Masterplan and supported by Government via the Future High Streets Fund, the Towns Fund and, as of recently, the Levelling Up Fund.”