Yearly Archive 10 November 2022

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.

Choosing a school for your child is one of the most important decisions a parent or carer can make.

PLANS to set up warm spaces across North East Lincolnshire are being made as people look at ways to support each other this winter.

On 26 September 2022 the review of the borough’s Local Plan opened for informal public engagement.

No 41, Alexandra Road, also known as Woodliffe Villa, Cleethorpes is the latest building to receive a facelift as a result of Townscape Heritage funding.

North East Lincolnshire Council has just been awarded a prestigious national award after winning the best in region in England for its support for the local small business community.  

In August this year, the Council completed the purchase of Freshney Place shopping centre in Grimsby.

At the time, Council leader, Cllr Philip Jackson, confirmed that the Council would not be running the shopping centre itself, but it would seek to appoint external professional partners to undertake this on its behalf, subject to appropriate governance by the Council.

The economics, finances and long-term strategy of the shopping centre will all be scrutinised by members of the Council through various panels as part of the annual programme of work.

Given the significance of the asset, an additional Council Panel, the Freshney Place Cabinet Committee, will be introduced to have oversight of the annual plan, investment plans, and have the ability to discuss things like significant lettings.

“It’s important that we maintain overall control of the strategic direction of the shopping centre,” Cllr Jackson said. “This is a significant town centre asset, with a huge footprint. By buying the shopping centre, it has allowed us to encompass it within our regeneration plans rather than working alongside it.”

There are two core functions the Council needed to run the shopping centre:

Asset Management: dealing with leases, tenancies and commercial use of the space. Queensberry Retail has been appointed to undertake this element.

Property Management: dealing with the day to day running of the infrastructure, including things like security, maintenance etc. Montagu Evans have been appointed to undertake this element.

Both appointments are on a temporary short-term basis after which longer-term arrangements will be procured.

Article and image from NELC.