Monthly Archive 7 October 2024

Investment and regeneration in Grimsby and Cleethorpes is booming – including new housing, and a development that will completely transform the look of Grimsby town centre’s south side.

The good news was outlined by Council Leader Philip Jackson in his latest update to council members at a recent meeting at Grimsby Town Hall.

He highlighted a deal signed with Keepmoat to deliver 130 homes on Alexandra Dock, rejuvenating a 6.25-acre brownfield site in the heart of Grimsby town centre. “It is the first town centre housing in a generation, working in partnership with Homes England, part of the masterplan to diversify use of town centre,” said Coun Jackson. “It will open up the waterfront; £7.8 million of Towns Fund monies, plus brownfield land release funding to make site viable.”

He also outlined the recent news of the demolision of Abbey Walk multi-storey car park for structural reasons. As reported, it is to be replaced with a 120-bay surface car park, and Burgess Street car park is set to be developed into a Transport Hub. “This is in the early stages, using BSIP monies and brownfield land release funding – on land purchased by council 3 years ago – to demolish ugly buildings on Osbourne Street,” said Coun Jackson. “There will be further stages as more funding becomes available, and this will completely change the look of the south side of town centre.”

In Cleethorpes, work is ongoing on site at Sea Road to prepare it for a new, iconic building. “There has been renewed interest from potential operators and an announcement is coming soon,” he said.

Coun Jackson also updated members about the Greater Lincolnshire devolution deal, describing it as a “massive strategic opportunity” for North East Lincolnshire and the wider area.

He then went on to say that two early Labour Government decisions have been bad news for the borough.

“Scrapping winter fuel payments means more than 26,000 pensioners in North East Lincolnshire will lose out, meaning a £5 million to £8 million loss to the local economy,” he said.

He also outlined implications of the National Planning Policy Framework reforms. “We need more homes nationally, but a top-down directed approach is not right,” he added.

Finally, Coun Jackson said following a recent Ofsted monitoring visit, inspectors were assured that “clear progress and improvement continues to be made, though there is still work to do.”

Artwork created by a group of young people is brightening up St. James’ house as it undergoes a complete renovation.

The building will soon be used as a new thriving business hub by E-Factor, making up part of the town centre regeneration project.

In the interim, the artwork, produced by eight young people who visit the Haven youth centre on Osborne Street, Grimsby, will be presented on the surrounding hoardings.

Created as part of the centre’s Summer holiday project, 14 boards depicting landmarks and vibrant scenes from across the borough including the likes of the Dock Tower will be displayed across the site’s hoardings.

The project has been funded through the High Street Accelerator fund, working hand in hand with the 2025 Group. The project is set up by Grimsby Retailers in Partnership CIC, dedicated to helping improve and celebrate the town centre during its period of regeneration.

The boards will stay in place until completion of the business hub after which they will be put on display at various locations across the borough.

Jose Stewart, Chair of the 2025 Group, said: “The 2025 Group are delighted to see some colour and creativity brought to the town centre through this fantastic project. It’s wonderful to see local children getting involved and showcasing their talent, and we’re proud to support their efforts in brightening up the area for the whole community to enjoy.”

Caitilin, 12, worked on the hoarding depicting St. James’ Minster and loved being part of the project. She said: “I’ve only been going to the Haven Centre for about a month. I started coming because my brothers, who had been going for some time, thought I might like to help with the art as it’s something I enjoy.

“The whole thing was amazing. It was really fun and a great way of getting us all out the house.” Caitlin decided on the Minster due to her skills at drawing buildings and is really pleased with how all the hoardings have turned out.

“I think they look amazing. The idea was brilliant and it’s definitely something I would get involved with again if there was an opportunity to.

“The Haven Centre itself was full of kind staff and was such a welcoming atmosphere. Going there was something I looked forward to.”

Mark Webb, Managing Director of E-Factor, said: “E-Factor and The Business Hive along with our Contractors GELDERS are really pleased to be able to provide our hoardings as a place to display this incredible artwork.

“Having watched the progress of this group of local young people, and the effort they have put into these wonderful works of art, I am so proud that our new building project is the first to be able to show off what they have created.

“They, their families, and the whole community  should be proud to have  be home to such talented and determined young people.”

Celebrating the young people’s artwork, Councillor Ron Shepherd, Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger communities, said: “This initiative is a brilliant idea.

“It helps our young people express themselves in a different format and shows just how skilled they are to the rest of the borough.

“The young people and the youth workers who have supported them should be proud of what they’ve achieved and I look forward to seeing the paintings on display elsewhere upon completion of the new business hub.”

Speaking about town centre projects, he added: “With Riverhead Square already complete and other developments underway, we are starting to see a real difference in the area as our vision of a welcoming and thriving centre becomes reality.”

Article and image from NELC.

From August 2024, the fine for parents whose child has unauthorised absences has changed in line with new government legislation.

In a bid to discourage repeat absences and families taking holidays during term time, the fine for school absences across the country has been increased.

If a child misses 10 sessions during a 10-week period and those absences are unauthorised, a fine of £80 may be initially given. If not paid within 21 days, the fine will increase to £160 for a first offence.

If a second offence happens within 3 years, the fine will rise to £160. Families with children who have persistently poor attendance could be fined up to £2,500 per child and may be expected to attend court.

To help understand how this may affect the parents and children in our area, a guide to what this means can be found below.

What is classed as a session?

The school day is split into two sessions – one session counts as a morning or afternoon spent in school. Children will receive a mark of attendance for each session. The 10 sessions stipulated equates to 5 full days.

What if my child needs to miss school?

Your child must attend every day that the school is open, unless: 

• If their illness is serious enough to miss school, evidence of a GP appointment would evidence this.
• You have asked in advance and been given permission by the school for your child to be absent on that day due to exceptional circumstances. 
• Your child cannot attend school on that day because it is a day you are taking part in religious observance. 
• Your local authority is responsible for arranging your child’s transport to school and it is not available on that day or has not been provided yet. 
• You are a gypsy/Roma/traveller family with no fixed abode, and you are required to travel for work that day meaning your child cannot attend their usual school. 

Absences will be recorded on a rolling 10 week basis

The 10-week period is always live. Any block of 10 school weeks, starting at any point, can count towards the absence period. This also spans across the start and end of terms and school years If you have received a fine relating to a child in your care this will remain on the child’s record for 3 years.

How much are the fines?

The first time a penalty notice is issued for term time leave or low attendance will be £80 per parent per child if paid within 21 days or £160 per parent per child when paid within 28 days.

Fines per parent will be capped to two fines within any three-year period. Once this limit has been reached, other action like a parenting order or prosecution will be considered. 

In the case of repeated fines, if a parent receives a second fine for the same child within any three-year period, this will be charged at the higher rate of £160. 

If you’re prosecuted and attend court because your child hasn’t been attending school, you could get a fine of up to £2,500. Cases found guilty in Magistrates Court can show up on parents and step-parents future DBS certificates as a failure to safeguard a child’s education.

Good to know

The school is responsible for monitoring and reporting attendance records. North East Lincolnshire council will issue the fines as per recommendation from the school.

Money raised via fines is only used by the local authority to cover the costs of administering the system, and to fund attendance support. Any extra money is returned to the government. 

Schools have a duty to build relationships and work jointly with families, listening to and understanding barriers to attendance and working in partnership with families to remove them

Councillor Margaret Cracknell, portfolio holder for Children and Education at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “Children learn, grow and develop best when they are able to take advantage of what schools have to offer, and therefore it’s imperative that children go to school and stay in school.

“The Government’s new measures place the responsibility firmly at the feet of parents, and we’re keen to get the message across so people are aware of the rules.”

Article and image from NELC.