Category Archive News

North East Lincolnshire Council is consulting on the proposal of a new public space protection order (PSPO) covering parks, beaches, the sea front and other council land.

The new PSPO will allow the Council to place restrictions in specific areas to manage behaviour that could be detrimental to the environment or other people.

Many of the activities covered by the proposed PSPO are behaviours that damage parkland or could harm the protected environmental habitat along the coast or put wildlife at risk.

If it is introduced, the new PSPO would restrict activities on council land such as fires and barbecues, unauthorised fishing and camping, metal detecting, paragliders, fishing, jet skis and sky lanterns.

To find out more and complete the survey, visit www.nelincs.gov.uk/have-your-say/

Paper copies are also available upon request.

Cllr Ron Shepherd, portfolio holder for Safer and Stronger communities at North East Lincolnshire Council, said:

“We’re fortunate to have so many parks and open spaces to visit and enjoy in North East Lincolnshire.

“In Cleethorpes, we also have an internationally important habitat for wildlife and we need to look after it.

“These places are precious, and most people respect them, but some activities can harm the environment and wildlife or put people at risk.

“We have PSPOs in place to tackle problems such as dog fouling, cycling in the pedestrian zone and anti-social behaviour.

“With this new proposal, we want to introduce new measures to curtail activities that put others at risk or could damage the environment we look after.

“Please take the time to give us your views during the public consultation, the survey only takes a few minutes.” 

Complete the survey at www.nelincs.gov.uk/have-your-say/

Paper surveys are available if needed, please email consultation@nelincs.gov.uk or telephone 01472 313131 and ask for the research and engagement team.

What is a PSPO?

The Council can make a PSPO on any public space within the area if it is satisfied that the activities carried out, or likely to be carried out, in a public space:

• have had, or are likely to have, a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality
• is, or is likely to be, persistent or continuing in nature
• is, or is likely to be, unreasonable
• justifies the restrictions imposed.

The PSPO can prohibit people from doing certain things in an area, requires specified things to be done by persons carrying on specified activities in an area, or do both of those things.

A PSPO can last for up to three years, but this time period can be extended if necessary.

It is an offence for a person, without reasonable excuse, to:

• do anything that the person is prohibited from doing by a PSPO; or
• fail to comply with a requirement to which the person is subject under a PSPO.

A fixed penalty notice (FPN) may be issued to a person who breaches this order by acting in a way that prohibited. The FPN will be offered an opportunity to avoid prosecution in the Magistrates’ Court by paying a Fixed Penalty of £100.

Should anyone fail to pay or wish for the breach to be challenged in court, the matter will be dealt with through Magistrates Court. A person who is found guilty of an offence, is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the court’s standard scale of fines (currently £1,000).

Article from NELC.

NAViGO has been appointed as the new provider of emotional wellbeing and mental health services for children in North East Lincolnshire.

The award-winning social enterprise is to deliver the Young Minds Matter (YMM) contract locally from April 2023.

The service, which offers children and young people up to the age of 19 support with their emotional wellbeing and mental health, has been delivered by Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

The way that the NHS commissions other organisations to deliver services to local people has changed in recent months and as a result of this, the contract has been awarded to the local provider.

Councillor Margaret Cracknell, portfolio holder for children and education at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “One of our priorities is for children and young people living in North East Lincolnshire to be happy, healthy and prosperous, and some of this starts with taking care of mental health.

“Having excellent services to support our young people with their emotional wellbeing and mental health is vital in achieving this goal.

“I’d like to thank Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust for delivering the service over many years, and to welcome our partners at NAViGO.

“The first step to solving any problem is to seek help, and I would take this opportunity to urge parents to have conversations with their children about their mental health – ask your child how they’re doing, and familiarise yourself with places that they can get support if they need it.”

Simon Beeton, NAViGO Chief Executive said: “We are excited to embrace this opportunity to become an all-age mental health services provider.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming new staff to our organisation, building on the good work of Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and using our experience and knowledge to deliver an excellent service that supports the mental health of young people across North East Lincolnshire.”

The service will remain the same and can be accessed in the usual ways. Current staff and existing service users have been notified and it is planned they will move across to NAViGO.

Anyone with questions about the new arrangements are being encouraged to contact Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust via email to: lpft.ymmtransfer@nhs.net.

The new contract will begin on 1 April 2023.

Article from NELC.

ONE of the East Marsh’s grandest buildings, which remains under council ownership, will be the focus of a new plan to look at options for its future.

The former Holme Hill School, (pictured) most recently known as the Education Development Centre, is Grade II Listed with the centre piece being its clock tower and sits on the corner of Heneage Road and Wellington Street.

At a North East Lincolnshire Council Cabinet meeting this week, members agreed to support the start of further investigative work to determine what happens to the premises now.

A report considered by Cabinet stated how there were two separate business cases that were set to run in parallel. The focus of the Cabinet report was the main buildings, with an independent case for the clock tower already underway as part of North East Lincolnshire Council’s ‘Heritage at Risk’ programme. 

The report detailed how an ideal plan for the main building would be to combine services, with a focus upon children and families, from five buildings – some currently leased – into one central ‘hub’ at Holme Hill. The process now needs to move on, to look at the finances surrounding the cost of renovation against the proposed savings and borrowing costs to achieve the aim.

The report added how the success of this plan would “allow investment into a Council owned Grade II Listed Heritage building, leading by example in regenerating the local area and improving the street scene.”

It further said: “This could also act as a catalyst for other property in the vicinity, owned by others, to be improved and used, which will result in a positive reflection to the street scene within this part of the borough. The use of the site will reduce miss-use, vandalism and/or antisocial behaviour and will ensure there is the opportunity for co-location of Council Services as well as partner, Third Sector and community use, all located within the East Marsh.”

It also stated how ward councillors would be involved in any process, and risks identified included the current spiralling costs of materials and labour. To mitigate that risk any approved plan would be reviewed at each stage.

Following the decision, North East Lincolnshire’s Portfolio Holder for Finance, Resources and Assets, Cllr Stephen Harness, said: “As with a number of other projects across North East Lincolnshire, we have already shown how we can work with partners to successfully restore some of our buildings and structures, often attracting grant funding and support to do so. I was delighted, for example, to see the recent result of continued work to restore the retail fronts and balconies along Alexandra Road in Cleethorpes.

“These projects can take a long time to plan, to arrange the funding and to execute but we are determined to do all we can to look at our options and support where possible, but we do so however being mindful of our overall council responsibilities with regard to the people of our borough and our priorities.”

Article and image from NELC.

North East Lincolnshire Council has been awarded a share of £6.7m to develop innovative solutions to flood and coastal resilience in the community.

North East Lincolnshire Council’s Cabinet roadshow is back with residents invited to meet their six Cabinet members and chat over issues and ideas from across the borough.

People are invited to Grimsby Auditorium on Tuesday, 22 November between 5pm and 7pm. On a first come, first served basis they can meet the leading councillors to share any issues or ideas they have about North East Lincolnshire.

After a series of such events pre-COVID, they were re-instated after lockdown in 2021 with the most recent one held last month at Grimsby’s Central Hall. It was well attended with topics discussed ranging from culture and the arts to highways, the development of the East Marsh and CCTV, littering and traffic issues.

Council leader, Cllr Philip Jackson, (pictured) encouraged people to go along, saying: “As with the other sessions, this won’t be any sort of decision-making forum, but we’re keen to make sure we’re accessible to the public and we hope people will continue to take the opportunity to come and discuss some of the key things either already going on or planned for the area.”

Cllr Jackson also emphasised the events would not replace or impact on ward surgeries currently held by councillors from across all the area’s political parties.

“Ward surgeries are very important for allowing residents to talk directly and raise specific issues with their local councillor to take up on their behalf and are a key part of a councillor’s work,’’ he said.

“These listening events are more of an opportunity for the public to come and talk to us about borough-wide matters – and also share some of their ideas with us if they want – so we can continue to work with them to realise the ambition and aspirations we all have for North East Lincolnshire.’’

Cabinet members to attend:

Cllr Philip Jackson: Leader and Portfolio Holder for Economy, Net Zero, Skills and Housing – with responsibility for economic strategy, regeneration, inward investment and growth, business support and local enterprise, all aspects of housing, net zero, decarbonisation, the NEL Carbon roadmap and the green agenda, strategic economic collaboration, skills and employability.

Cllr Stan Shreeve: Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care – with responsibility for adult social care, health and adult social care commissioning and provision, public health and health inequality, health and care partnership, collaboration and integration.

Cllr Stephen Harness: Portfolio Holder for Finance, Resources and Assets – with responsibility for financial strategy and corporate governance, revenue budget and capital programme, digital strategy, inclusion and development, shared services and commercial development, financial inclusion, assets (corporate, commercial, community) and estate management.

Cllr Margaret Cracknell: Portfolio Holder for Children and Education.

Cllr Stewart Swinburn: Portfolio Holder for Environment and Transport – with responsibility for planning, development control, highways and transportation, traffic management, parking and regulation, waste, recycling and environmental management, neighbourhood services, street scene, parks, open spaces, climate change related policy implementation affecting the natural environment.

Cllr Tom Furneaux: Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and the Visitor Economy – with responsibility for tourism and the visitor economy, leisure, sport and recreation, including the playing pitch strategy, culture, Borough heritage, museums and the arts.

Cllr Ron Shepherd: Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger Communities – with responsibility for all aspects of local authority enforcement and regulatory services, environmental health, port health, food safety, pollution control, trading standards and licensing, community safety and anti-social behaviour, voluntary and community sector, equalities, diversity and inclusion, emergency planning and civil contingencies.

Article and image from NELC.

North East Lincolnshire has ranked above the national average for two year old take up of free childcare.

A major boost to arts, culture and heritage funding has been received in North East Lincolnshire with the latest funding announcement from the Arts Council.

This comes in the same week that the amazing art installation, Gaia has opened to the public in Grimsby Minster.

Culture House and Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre, working with the Humber Museums Partnership, have secured investment to help deliver activities and work over the coming years.

Grimsby-based Culture House has secured National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) status, which means that they will receive a 45% contribution to core and delivery funding from Arts Council England for the next three years, to produce cultural activities across North East Lincs.

Charlotte Bowen, Director of The Culture House, said: “The Culture House is a proud contributor to North East Lincolnshire’s cultural life, bringing events, festivals and other artistic activity to residents and visitors, with commitment and passion.

“We have worked hard over the years, along with many others, to ensure more people here are able to benefit from more cultural experiences and creative opportunities.

“Therefore, we are delighted to have secured this three-year investment from Arts Council England. This essentially enables us to plan further ahead and continue to play a part in the range of exciting developments currently happening in the area.”

Meanwhile, in a new three-year partnership with the Humber Museum’s Partnership, two new positions at Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre will be created to develop relationships with local communities and schools and develop new exhibitions and digital content.

David Ornsby, manager at Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre, said: “In recent years, through its varied exhibitions and role as a key tourism destination, the Grimsby Fishing Heritage has strengthened its links and partnerships with key stakeholders such as the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers in Billingsgate, the Icelandic Embassy, the fishing and seafood sector, and the local community.

“Receiving this boost will allow us to build upon this work create opportunities for further participation by our local communities and schools over the next three years through projects, exhibitions and workshops.”

Cllr Tom Furneaux, Cabinet member for culture, said: “I’d like to send my heartfelt congratulations to The Culture House on achieving National Portfolio Organisation status, and to Grimsby’s own Fishing Heritage Centre. Both of these awards are the result of significant work in the background.

“Through the Grimsby Creates programme, we have supported the local creative sector to flourish and Culture House has taken the opportunity to continue their brilliant work bringing excellent arts activities to North East Lincolnshire engaging with thousands of people over the years.

“We must all value our arts, culture and heritage, and this will help Culture House grow and help us celebrate what we have here in North East Lincolnshire.”

Article and image from NELC.

The planning application for a new market hall, a cinema and other leisure facilities at the Western end of Freshney Place have now been submitted into the planning system.

Funding to boost community safety in the East Marsh area has been opened up for applications from community groups, thanks to the North East Lincolnshire Community Safety Partnership.