Monthly Archive 30 September 2022

Working as one to unite our historic county; council leaders from across greater Lincolnshire have come together ahead of Lincolnshire Day on 1 October. Pictured above are (from the left): Cllr Stan Shreeve, the Deputy Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, Cllr Rob Waltham MBE, leader of North Lincolnshire Council and Cllr Martin Hill OBE, Leader of Lincolnshire County Council.

Political leaders, MPs, mayors and guests from across greater Lincolnshire came together today at Lincoln Castle for the annual Lincolnshire Day Civic Celebration Event.

Cllr Martin Hill (Leader, Lincolnshire County), Cllr Rob Waltham (Leader, North Lincolnshire) and Cllr Stan Shreeve (Deputy Leader, North East Lincolnshire) hosted the event at the 1,000 year-old castle in the heart of Lincoln to unite all of the historic county and strengthen ties between the three authority areas.

Lincolnshire’s Lord Lieutenant, Toby Dennis, opened the event with the raising of the Lincolnshire Flag above the castle’s Eastgate.

Now in its second year, the Lincolnshire Day Civic Celebration Event began as a ceremonial show of unity and pride in our great county. Hosting of the event rotates between the three local authorities to showcase different areas of Lincolnshire. The first event was held at Normanby Hall County Park near Scunthorpe on 1 October 2021.

Cllr Martin Hill OBE, Leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said:

“It has been my absolute pleasure to welcome civic, political and other local leaders to Lincoln Castle today to mark Lincolnshire Day.

“We started the Lincolnshire Day Civic Celebration Event to show that the invisible lines of local government do not separate us; from the Humber to the Wash we are one Lincolnshire.

“For a number of years now, Lincolnshire County Council, North Lincolnshire Council, and North East Lincolnshire Council have been working together towards common goals; to see Lincolnshire as a place to invest, a place to visit, and a wonderful place to live. Coming together on our county day is a chance to reflect on those goals and make plans to strengthen our ties into the future.”

Cllr Rob Waltham MBE, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said:

“Lincolnshire Day is all about celebrating and showcasing everything that is great about our region, from Barton to Boston, Crowle to Cleethorpes.

“There is so much that unites us, and we are looking forward together to a future of well paid, sustainable jobs, opportunity and investment that will improve the lives of everyone in our great county, now and for generations to come.”

Cllr Stan Shreeve, the Deputy Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, was co-hosting the event on behalf of Leader Cllr Philip Jackson. He said:

“The opportunity for us all to share a regional vision and move forward with united plans is one that we must grasp.

“As we plan for the future, we must look at ways in which we can continue to improve for the benefit of our businesses, our young people and families, and our communities as a whole.”

Tomorrow, the Lincolnshire Flag can be seen flying over Grimsby and Cleethorpes Town Halls, Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre, Grimsby Minster and Immingham Civic Hub.

Why 1 October?

Lincolnshire Day is celebrated every year on 1 October and marks the anniversary of the ‘Lincolnshire Rising’, a revolt by Catholics against the establishment of the Church of England by King Henry VIII in 1536.

Article and image from NELC.

North East Lincolnshire is going through major changes in the way the physical space across the borough looks and feels.

With improvements to public spaces in Grimsby and Cleethorpes, completed, under way and planned, the opportunity has come to review the way that we think about art in public spaces.

Cllr Tom Furneaux, Cabinet member for culture, said: “Public art can be many things to many people. Take the brilliant public art in St James’ Square, for example: Annabel McCourt’s Murmuration piece on Wilko’s wall was the result of directly working with local people; Adrian Riley’s ‘Come Follow Me’ etched paving is unique to Grimsby, taking in our sayings, our history and our culture.”

There has been significant investment in cultural activity recently, particularly in the last few years through the Grimsby Creates programme, and North East Lincolnshire is a “Priority Place” for Arts Council England and an “Area of Focus” for National Lottery Heritage Fund.

This investment has seen the likes of the Festival of the Sea, Edible Grimsby,Paint the Town Proud, Our Future Starts Here and MyFishGY projects as well as a raft of others delivered in recent years.

Now, the Council is looking for expert support to help us draw together existing public art knowledge, advise on a cohesive way to consider what we have, and to present a way forward for the future in line with our newly adopted Creativity Strategy.

Specifically, the aims and outputs of the tender are:

• Engage and consult with various stakeholders to develop a Public Art Approach that provides legacy for the Grimsby Creates programme.
• Articulate a vision for public art across North East Lincolnshire within the context of the Council plan and commissioning outcomes, planning policy, creativity strategy and masterplans for Grimsby and Cleethorpes.
• Describe what public art is (and is not), how public art can manifest itself, the opportunities of developing strong public art principles that are embedded in the place and the benefit/impact of public art for residents, visitors, business and creatives.
• Provide practical solutions on commissioning, management, maintenance and funding protocols in a fun, dynamic and engaging way that reflects Arts Council England’s Let’s Create strategy and the Grimsby and Cleethorpes Masterplans.
• Make recommendations and provide guidance, recommendations and action plan for the implementation of the Approach to enable & facilitate high quality public art that is accessible to all to enhance engagement and awareness.
• To support local creatives and creative organisations to develop understanding of public art, commissioning processes, opportunities and constraints.

If you think you have the know-how and knowledge to support us in this journey, visit the Grimsby Creates website, www.grimsbycreates.co.uk- external site (opportunities section) for more information. This tender opportunity closes on 11 October 2022.

Article and image from NELC.

Earlier this year, the Council submitted an investment plan to the Government to say how it would deliver the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) over the next three years.

The UKSPF is a mixed revenue and capital allocation aimed at building pride in place and increasing life chances across the UK and replaces European and other funding streams which end in 2023.

The Council has already asked businesses, community groups, and residents to tell us what is important to them across the three core strands of Communities & Place, Supporting Business and People & Skills.

Now, there is the opportunity to attend an information event on 12 October at 10am to 1130. You can either attend this in person at Grimsby Town Hall, or attend via a “Teams” meeting. If you would like to attend, you can book you place on Eventbrite: UK Shared Prosperity Fund Information Sessions Tickets, Wed 12 Oct 2022 at 10:00 | Eventbrite- external site.

The session will give details of how organisations, community groups and individuals can bid for a share of this fund in the coming months, with projects being delivered from April next year. It’s not a requirement to attend the webinar to bid for the money, and all information will be published on our website, along with Frequently Asked Questions.

Cllr Philip Jackson, Leader of the Council, said: “There’s lots going on in North East Lincolnshire at the moment, and we want to do our bit to help businesses and organisations grow. As long as your plan fits in with the themes, you are based in North East Lincolnshire and deliver activities in the borough, you can bid for the money. We particularly want to hear from businesses and organisations that support others in the community to help promote growth.”

The UKSPF is allocated to local authorities to replace the “European Structural Funds” programmes, ERDF and ESIF which this area has previously benefited from.

North East Lincolnshire has been allocated £6,244,819 in the UKSPF, of which £962,714 is ringfenced adult numeracy skills in a scheme called “Multiply”.

The remainder of the UKSPF allocation will be split between the three core areas, as defined by Government: Communities & Place, Supporting Business and People & Skills, and the Investment Plan will outline the interventions which best meet the needs of the area.

These interventions cover:

Community and Place

• Strengthening our social fabric and fostering a sense of local pride and belonging.
• To build resilient and safe neighbourhoods.

Supporting local business

• Creating jobs and boosting community cohesion by supporting local businesses.
• Promoting networking and collaboration and stimulating innovation and growth.
• Targeted support to help businesses grow – for example, innovation, productivity, energy efficiency, low carbon and exporting.

People and skills (available in year 3 of the scheme)

• Boosting core skills and support adults to progress in work.
• Supporting disadvantaged people to access the skills they need.
• Funding local skills needs and supplementing local adult skills provision.
• Reducing levels of economic inactivity and supporting those furthest from the local labour market.

Further details about the fund can be found on the council’s website.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit UK Shared Prosperity Fund: prospectus.

Article and image from NELC.

YOUTH Justice services in North East Lincolnshire have been rated as ‘Good’ in an inspection by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP).

The services, managed by North East Lincolnshire Council’s children’s services, underwent a thorough inspection in May this year, and the report has now been published.

In the report, inspectors praised managers and staff for being “dedicated and motivated to achieve the best outcomes for children, families, and victims.”

Inspectors found that children going through the youth justice process were supported, had personalised interventions and access to opportunities to gain qualifications from work that they complete, as well as having access to out-of-ours support in the community.

Youth justice teams work with children aged 10 to 18 who have been sentenced by a court, or who have come to the attention of the police because of their offending behaviour, but have not been charged – instead, they are dealt with out of court. HM Inspectorate of Probation inspects both these aspects of youth offending services.

The anti-social behaviour section of the Youth Justice service support children who are below the age of criminal responsibility to make sure that vulnerable children are identified from a young age and supported to reduce the risk of them becoming involved in criminal activity. This team’s work was commended by HMIP.

In North East Lincolnshire, the service is managed by the Council, with substantial support from partners including Humberside Police, the Probation Service, Humber & North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, We Are With You, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Yorkshire and Humber Probation Service and CPO Media.

Councillor Margaret Cracknell, portfolio holder for children, education and young people at North East Lincolnshire Council, hailed the findings of the report:

“I’m really pleased that our youth justice services have been recognised by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation for their commitment to changing the lives of young people.

“Some of the key challenges facing areas like ours right now include county lines and child criminal exploitation. The inspectors noted that we have specialist services available for those who become embroiled in these types of issues and that includes services outside of normal hours.

“It’s all too easy to see these children as troublesome, but what people don’t often see is that many who come through the Youth Justice Service have been through significant trauma, neglect or exploitation.

“It’s absolutely vital that they have the chance to find their way back and rebuild their lives, and have the support to do that, and that is what the inspectors have recognised in North East Lincolnshire.

“There is always more work to do and areas that we can improve on, but this is a great basis to move forward.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Evison said:

“I’m very pleased to see this positive review, it is vital that services work with our young people from an early age to reduce the risk of them becoming involved in criminal activity or being exploited by organised crime groups.

“The Youth Justice Service in North East Lincolnshire is working hard with young people to turn their lives around and they are showing excellent progress in doing so.”

Michelle Thompson, Assistant Director – Families, Mental Health and Disabilities with the Health and Care Partnership in North East Lincolnshire, said:

“I am really pleased with the outcome of the inspection and whilst there are still some areas of development, it is a testament to the dedication, hard work and passion of the team who always put the outcomes for children and young people at the centre of their work. It is also reflective of the great partnership working we have in North East Lincolnshire.”

Article and image from NELC.

North East Lincolnshire Council will distribute £4.5-million to eligible local businesses as part of the Government’s Covid-19 Additional Relief Fund.

The Government created the £1.5-billion fund to support businesses affected by the pandemic but not eligible for existing business rate support.

Cabinet members met on 8 September to discuss a report about the fund and how it will be distributed.

Now that it has been approved, North East Lincolnshire Council (NELC) will distribute the money in the form of business rate relief refunds for the tax year 2021/22.

The relief will be paid to businesses outside the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors (who have already benefited from other types of relief).

Guidance from the Government sets the criteria the Council must follow when allocating the fund.

Councils must:

• Provide direct support to business ratepayers who have been adversely affected by the pandemic and have been unable to adequately adapt to the impact.
• not award relief to ratepayers eligible for other certain reliefs
• not award to unoccupied properties (unless temporarily closed due to Covid).

There is no need for businesses to apply for the funds. The Council will use data from the Office for National Statistics, the Valuation Office Agency and its own records to identify the businesses most affected by the pandemic and apply relief directly to their business rates accounts.

Councillor Stephen Harness, portfolio holder for Finance, Resources and Assets, said:

“This additional support is excellent news for businesses in our area who were hit by the pandemic but weren’t eligible for other types of business rate relief.

“We expect 770 businesses in North East Lincolnshire will benefit from the £4.5-million support package.

“More information will be made available to eligible businesses in the coming weeks.”

Article from NELC.

North East Lincolnshire Council is reviewing and updating the Local Plan, the document which sets out how the borough will develop over the next 20 years.

The Local Plan provides the planning framework for development of the borough, setting out land for specific uses including housing, employment and retail as well as covering issues such as the environment, and access to education and healthcare. Importantly, it sets the basis for decisions on planning applications – achieving a blueprint to develop a borough where people will enjoy living and working.

Between 26 September and 4 November 2022, the first informal public engagement on the Local Plan review will be held. Individuals, groups and businesses around the borough will have the opportunity to comment on the Local Plan providing the council with the thoughts and queries of local people.

Drop-in sessions will also be held, to give people the opportunity to speak with officers about the Local Plan and then post their feedback. People are invited to the following:

• Monday 10 October, Immingham Library, 8.30am – 12.30pm and 1.30pm – 5.30pm.
• Tuesday 11 October, Grimsby Library, 8.30am – 5.30pm.
• Wednesday 12 October, Cleethorpes Library, 8.30am – 5.30pm.

The revised Local Plan will need to go through several rounds of engagement during its preparation and once all appropriate revisions are made, it will be submitted to the Government for formal examination. The steps are as follows:

• September 2022: start engagement with local residents and stakeholders.
• 2023 to 2024: Draft Local Plan is developed. This includes two iterative rounds of statutory consultation on the Draft Local Plans.
• Late 2024: Submission to the Secretary of State for formal examination.
• Early 2025: New Local Plan adopted.

Announcing the start of the process, North East Lincolnshire Council leader, Cllr Philip Jackson, encouraged people to get involved: “The Local Plan is crucial to the future of the borough as it helps set the framework for development.

“Shaped by the feedback from local people, it will help us to build a future for North East Lincolnshire that sets the correct balance and blend of industrial, commercial and housing development, with environmental and green considerations at the fore. Together we want to build a better future for our young people and families,” he added.

To find out more about the Local Plan review and provide your feedback, please visit https://nelincs-consult.objective.co.uk- external site or pop down to one of our drop-in sessions.

Article and image from NELC.

Nominations are open now in the 2023 Civic Awards.

Cllr Stephen Beasant, Mayor of North East Lincolnshire, launched the awards during a ceremony at Grimsby Town Hall.

North East Lincolnshire Council’s Civic Office has partnered with HMT St Hugh’s Hospital to stage the awards and celebrate community spirit in North East Lincolnshire.

This year, there are seven categories and each one has a presenter who will champion their category, these include:

1. Mayor’s Community Impact Award (Mayor of North East Lincolnshire, Cllr Stephen Beasant)
2. Charity of the Year Award (Ashley Brown from St Hugh’s)
3. Environmental Impact Award (Jordan Brompton, myenergi)
4. Sporting and Wellness Impact Award (Jason Stockwood, Grimsby Town FC)
5. Business in the Community Award (Mark Webb from eFactor)
6. Inspirational Young Person Award (Mark Blundell from Onside Youth Zone)
7. Good Neighbour Award (Sam Delaney from Creative Start).

Say thank you to someone who is making a difference by nominating them at www.nelincs.gov.uk/CivicAwards

Article and image from NELC.

A DIFFERENT cinema for a different audience’.

As people are asked for their views on a redesigned Freshney Place, the owner of the Parkway Entertainment Group has spoken about the new cinema that will open within the development.

Richard Parkes is excited about the Grimsby venture, explaining how it will complement the company’s successful complex in Cleethorpes. As revealed earlier this summer, Parkway will be the anchor leisure tenant when the redevelopment of the western end of Freshney Place takes place.

“Our Cleethorpes cinema is the biggest independent cinema in the country, and is a real fun, family-focussed seaside style offer,” he said.

“What we’re planning for Grimsby is very different and we’re sure there’s an audience for a different choice and style,” added Richard, whose family business was founded by his parents and is now run by himself, his brother and their ‘amazing team’.

Three weeks of public consultation starts today (Monday 26 September from 9am), ahead of plans being finalised for the Freshney Place Market Hall and Leisure Development. Until Sunday 16 October people are being asked to visit www.freshneyplace.co.uk/markethallandleisuredevelopment- external site to view the initial artists’ impressions and give their feedback on the designs.

From Monday 10 October to Sunday 16 October, there will also be a static display in the window of a Freshney Place unit at Market Square, 1-3 Friargare, Grimsby, DN31 1ED (located in front of the Starbucks, facing the Top Town Market internal entrance). For three of those days – Monday 10, Thursday 13, and Saturday 15 October – the unit will be staffed between 10am and 3pm, for people to ask questions and complete the feedback forms.

Meanwhile, at a North East Lincolnshire Council meeting last week Cabinet members formally approved the scheme’s next stage – with actions supported to prepare for a full planning submission. The Cabinet report highlighted again the need for the town centre to diversify and lessen its reliance on retail so it can survive and thrive.

The council, which now owns Freshney Place, has won significant grant monies for the transformation of its western end with the new cinema, more leisure opportunities, and a new Market Hall.  A Levelling Up Fund Bid has been submitted to central Government to support the scheme, however pre-secured monies from the Future High Streets Fund could be used if necessary.

Council Leader, Cllr Philip Jackson, said: “We have a unique opportunity here to offer Grimsby Town Centre a new future and that is what we are driving to achieve. People need a good, healthy, and vibrant town centre, which offers day and evening attractions.

“If you look at this project alongside other schemes planned, including the business use of St James’ House, the Horizon OnSide Youth Zone project and new housing in the Alexandra Dock and Garth Lane areas, there is wholescale change planned. We are determined to do our best to create a better environment and future for all – especially our young people in order that they see opportunity here and want to stay and achieve,” he added.

Development manager for the project is Queensberry, a market-leader in urban regeneration schemes. The company’s Senior Development Manager Mike Norris, said: “We are looking forward to engaging with residents and businesses during the consultation period. Each time we do these, we learn something new and it’s important we develop a scheme that is right for Grimsby that reflects the town’s personality. We will work closely with the council and the community  to restore civic pride and deliver a sustainable long term future for the town.”

Article and images from NELC.

North East Lincolnshire Council leader, Cllr Philip Jackson, today applauded his authority’s ambition to grow arts and culture within the borough.

In doing so, he wanted to highlight how that work would continue at a local level, meaning the authority would not be pursuing any partnership with other regional local authorities at this stage.

Commenting on reports that North East Lincolnshire Council was interested in partnering with two other district councils and one city council in Lincolnshire to work up a county City of Culture bid for 2029, he said:

“Of course we will watch with interest the progression of any such bid. However, the authority here is not in any position to actively take part at this stage. I wish to be clear too of the importance that North East Lincolnshire Council puts on considering the whole of Greater Lincolnshire when looking at future partnerships.”

Of the local North East Lincolnshire arts and culture sector, he added: “We have made great strides in our arts and culture offer locally in recent years and will continue to do so. I would like to take this opportunity to thank organisations, such as Arts Council England for their support.

“We have been successful in winning significant grant funding for projects that are changing our borough’s perception of art, heritage and culture. Grimsby Creates in particular, has done some fantastic work and it continues to do so. This is where our focus will remain presently – to change our cultural landscape within North East Lincolnshire.”

Events and activities across North East Lincolnshire recently have included The Festival of the Sea, the mural artwork across Grimsby (the Town Centre artwork is pictured), and this weekend’s Grim FalFest. Future events include Edible Grimsby, next month. For more about Grimsby Creates go to www.grimsbycreates.co.uk- external site and for more on all events across the borough go to www.discovernortheastlincolnshire.co.uk

Article and image from NELC.

North East Lincolnshire has been invited by Government to be part of early discussions on the creation of a new “investment zone”, designed to drive business growth, create jobs and increase wages.

The council is one of 38 areas listed by the Government following the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s budget statement delivered in the Commons this morning.

According to Government, these new investments zones will apply to specific land areas and will have more liberal planning rules to release land and accelerate development. 

The proposals could see a cut in taxes for businesses on these sites for the first ten years, with the Chancellor announcing a variety of benefits such as:

• accelerated tax reliefs for structures and buildings
• 100 per cent relief on qualifying investments in plant and machinery used on the sites
• no stamp duty on purchases of land and buildings for commercial or new residential developments
• no business rates on newly occupied business premises
• for every new employee the business will pay no national insurance on the first £50,000 they earn.

Cllr Philip Jackson, leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “Along with our other bids in to the Levelling Up Fund, the potential benefits for North East Lincolnshire are huge, and would make our industrial sites even more attractive to investors.

“Thanks to the support from Government, we have already invested a huge amount in our business community, and have lots of businesses interested in what we have here. To have the tax benefits on a potential range of sites in North East Lincolnshire as well would be highly desirable for any investing business.

“We are looking forward to having productive discussions with Government in the coming weeks and months to try to secure that Investment Zone status and boost business growth and wages for local people.”

Read more about the Government’s proposals for Investment Zones: The Growth Plan 2022: Investment Zones factsheet – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Article from NELC.