Yearly Archive 21 February 2024

Spatial Planning Manager Ian King (above) answers frequently asked questions as the public consultation into the draft North East Lincolnshire Local Plan Review continues – and if you have a question you can ask him!

PEOPLE across North East Lincolnshire are being given the opportunity to put questions to a leading officer as part of the on-going public consultation into the draft Local Plan Review.

The borough’s Spatial Planning Manager Ian King is answering some of the most frequently asked questions during a special video session, which will be going live on North East Lincolnshire Council’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/NELCouncil- external site  and YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bocsQycA3U8- external site  at 7pm tomorrow, Thursday 22 February. The video is 18-minutes long as it covers a lot of questions with thorough answers – so please do feel free to jump to the questions you are interested in or watch it in sections and send your questions in at any time as the comments sections will be monitored.

As reported, the proposed Local Plan Review is subject to public consultation until Friday 8 March. People are asked to take part to have their say on proposals to shape and develop North East Lincolnshire in the years ahead. All residents who take part will be entered into a draw with a chance of winning a £100 shopping voucher.

To explain parts of the Plan and its review, Ian, who works with the council’s delivery partner Equans, is on video explaining some of the queries that he and his colleagues have been asked during public sessions this month.

And when people watch the video, if their questions have not been answered then they can ask them by putting them in the comments feed of Facebook or YouTube or by emailing Spatialplanning@nelincs.gov.uk

Any questions submitted will be considered and replies will be posted onto the FAQs section on our special Local Plan Review page: www.nelincs.gov.uk/local-plan-review/

Ian explained: “Clearly there may be lots of other questions and points that people may wish to have explained. The Local Plan, by its very nature, is in parts quite technical and it often helps if people can directly ask questions to ensure they fully understand certain phrases or statements. Armed with that correct information they can then give valuable feedback.

“Our public events do give that opportunity, however we thought this video online session would also help,” he added.

North East Lincolnshire Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment and Transport, Cllr Stewart Swinburn, added: “We are very pleased that people are taking an interest in this review – at a recent public session in Immingham there were 22 people who attended to ask questions and discuss various topics. This is what we want, and we thank all those for taking part. Please do take the time to listen to what Ian says and ask questions.”

The easiest way for people to comment on the review during the consultation is via the web-based Consultation Portal Consultation Home – Keystone (objective.co.uk)- external site  This allows people to add comments directly alongside the relevant sections of the online document. It also ensures that no responses are lost in the post or missed.

However people can download a copy of the response form from the Consultation Portal Consultation Home – Keystone (objective.co.uk)- external site  or the council’s website Draft Plan with Options | NELC (nelincs.gov.uk) and follow the link that says ‘How to respond to this consultation’ complete the form, and then send it to us via email to: Spatialplanning@nelincs.gov.uk.

Paper copies of the response forms are available on request from the Planning Department at: EQUANS, Municipal Offices, Town Hall Square , Grimsby, DN31 1HU.

Previous stories, the frequently asked questions and a video can also be found on  www.nelincs.gov.uk/local-plan-review/

Article and image from NELC.

It is time to give the Council your views on everything that affects you in North East Lincolnshire. From children’s learning to health and wellbeing, growing the green economy or how safe you feel in your home or neighbourhood, let the Council know about it.

Our Place, Our Future aims to find out how it feels to live and work in this region. The survey is out now and runs until Friday March 15 2024.

If you ever find yourself moaning, having ideas for change or praising an aspect of your hometown then take part in this survey. It is easy to take part and the survey is split into five sections, centred around the five Council Outcomes, so you can skip any that do not interest you.

Under Learning and Skills, the council wants to hear your views on your children’s learning provision and your own aspirations in terms of work, education, and training so it can understand where priorities should lie in the years ahead.

Under Investing in Our Future, tell the council your thoughts on the growing green economy, the local environment and the things we all need to do to protect it. This includes, recycling, climate change, nature and more.

Vitality and Health concernsyour wellbeing and the services supporting everyone to stay well. This includes understanding the impacts of COVID-19, trends around smoking and alcohol, and mental health.

Economic Recovery and Growth gives you the opportunity to talk aboutyour views and aspirations about the local economy. This includes your ambitions for housing and culture and how the council can attract more visitors through tourism, and increase business investment.

Under Sustainable and Safe, the council wants to know how safe you feel in your home and local neighbourhood, and what it can do to address any concerns and vulnerabilities.

Responses to the survey will help the council to measure where people feel things are improving or getting worse, and understand how it can work better with residents to tackle challenges and make the most of arising opportunities.

You can have your say on Our Place, Our Future 2024 by following this link www.nelincs.gov.uk/ourplace

Councillor Philip Jackson, Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “It’s so important that people have the chance to share their views and we are here to listen to them.

“I really do encourage as many people as possible to fill in this survey so that they can have their say on what matters to them, what affects them and how we can make North East Lincolnshire a better place for people to live, work and play. It is so easy and you do not have to fill in every section, just let us know what matters to you.”

Article and image from NELC.

North East Lincolnshire Council is to develop a new delivery model for a range of key services currently delivered on its behalf by Equans.

The model will see the majority of services returning to Council operation, with an aspiration to continue work with existing sub-contractors and local supply chain to deliver high quality public services and support the local economy.

Equans, and its subcontractors, currently deliver several services on behalf of the council, including those around highways and transport (and related activities like enforcement, lollipop patrols etc), building control, security and facilities management, design services such as architecture, highways design and civil engineering, and the Planning service.

The current contractual arrangement with Equans comes to an end in June 2025 and the Council has had to consider options for future delivery.

Over the last six months, the Council has carried out an in-depth, service by service, review of current and potential future arrangements. The options from the review have been evaluated using HM Treasury five case model.  

It has considered options around re-procurement, bringing services in house, establishment of an arms-length delivery company (similar to the way Lincs Inspire operates) and partnership / joint venture with other organisations, including neighbouring councils.

The recommendation to pursue a hybrid model of future work, bringing most services back in house, and going to the market for specialist providers to get best value on others, was approved by Cabinet on 14^th February, after the paper was previously discussed by a Joint Economy and Communities Scrutiny Panel and Full Council over the last few weeks.

Cllr Philip Jackson, leader of the Council, said: “With the contract coming to an end next year, now is the right time for us to look at future arrangements for each of the services that Equans currently provide. We need to make sure that the arrangements that we put in place in the future are right to deliver our priorities for North East Lincolnshire.”

Article from NELC.

ACTION being taken by North East Lincolnshire Council this year will see the vast majority of its staff, and that of its partners, brought together to work in, and support, Grimsby Town Centre, says authority leader Cllr Philip Jackson.

Cllr Jackson was speaking after an update report was considered by the council’s Cabinet on the Doughty Road Depot project, when a recommendation for further investment to complete the scheme was approved.

When the refurbishment of Doughty Road is complete, in late summer this year, 300 council and partner staff will be working from the completely refurbished major works depot.

It sits just 0.2 miles from the town centre and neighbours the Town Hall, the Municipal Offices and New Oxford House – together those buildings will then house over 1,000 employees of not only the authority, but staff of partners in both project delivery and health. 

Cllr Jackson said: “We have been clear about this authority’s efforts to support our town centre – our purchase of Freshney Place, and then the House of Fraser building is evidence of this.

“However, we have also considered how we need to make every effort possible to encourage and increase footfall to both Freshney Place and the surrounding town centre. Our plan to re-locate staff, where possible, into the town centre is a way of doing just that.”

The Cabinet meeting heard how the new Doughty Road depot will see the amalgamation of services from the current site and the Gilbey Road Depot. It will accommodate all teams that are currently housed at the sites as well as the council’s environmental fleet, bin wagons, education buses and associated vehicles.

Efficiencies will include savings associated with staff working together on one site with modern facilities and infrastructure, green energy from solar panels, battery storage, rainwater harvesting and an air source heat pump. All the hard core from the demolished buildings has also been used for the ground works, with all metal and wood from the demolition recycled.

Cabinet felt the redeveloped depot would help to improve service efficiency, reduce property maintenance costs, and ensure that good quality facilities are available for all Council and EQUANS staff. The move will also improve transport options for staff whilst, as stated above, increasing footfall in the town centre.

The new development will also free up the Gilbey Road site for sale for industrial development with money going back into council funds.

Cabinet approved a further £1.3 million worth of investment to ensure the site is completed to the required standard. The report by Portfolio Holder for Environment and Transport, Councillor Stewart Swinburn, also recommended there should also be a minimum contingency of £0.328m, which will not be spent unless absolutely necessary.

The original Cabinet report for the project was approved in February 2020 with a budget of £6.8 million; however, unforeseen works, inflation and the rising cost of materials has seen that rise.

For example, there was the discovery and necessary excavation of an underground railway sleeper tanalising (wood treatment) tank which was hidden beneath a thick slab of concrete and dated back to the time the area was a rail yard. The large cast iron structure and the material it contained were heavily contaminated and had to be cleansed, made safe and removed by a specialist contractor. Due to the age of the buildings large amounts of asbestos also had to be taken out and safely disposed of before demolition or refurbishment.

The report highlights how the original budget has been affected by the steep increase in inflation from 1.5% in 2020 to 10% in 2023, requiring a re-evaluation of the costs to complete the work.

Stewart Swinburn, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Transport added: “I’m delighted to see this approved by Cabinet. We feel strongly that this is a necessary development for the borough and one that will provide countless benefits to the teams working there and Grimsby as a whole.”

Article and image from NELC.

THE new Youth Zone, named Horizon by local young people, is a step closer to becoming a reality as work at the Garth Lane site continues to gather pace.

In recent days, reinforcement steel for the foundations of the sports hall have been installed, and concrete has begun the curing process.

Horizon volunteer Kevin Childs said: “It is great to see things moving forward with the building, and it won’t be long until we see the building take shape!

“This will be fantastic for the young people of North East Lincolnshire and the surrounding area, and we are very much looking forward to having our permanent base.”

While the foundations are only just being laid to the building, Horizon’s Young People’s Development Group has already been functioning behind the scenes since 2019, when Kevin first began volunteering with them.

This is a group of local young people who meet weekly at Grimsby University Centre, and have enjoyed residentials, informative sessions, crafts and games, and an exchange trip to the United States in recent years.  They have also played a significant role in the development of the Youth Zone, attending pitches with potential funders, helping to come up with the branding for the Youth Zone, and regularly presenting at different events.

Kevin explained: “We began with about 50 young people in a room above Grimsby town’s McDonald’s, at one point, and probably about 12 regulars.  They came from Duke of Edinburgh Scheme, Centre4, West Marsh, all over the place.  Since then, we have had several cohorts pass through, with many reaching the maximum age for the group (19) and moving on.”

Today, Kevin and the rest of the Horizon team are pulling together young people from across the area and offering them the opportunity for growth, to be themselves, and to try something new. 

The new building will allow them all so much more, including the chance to try out new activities in one of the purpose-built spaces: an indoor climbing wall, four court sports hall, training kitchen, music room with a recording studio, fully equipped gym, dance, and drama studio, 3G kick pitch, arts and crafts room, enterprise, and employability suite.

Project manager at Onside, Michael Schierenbeck, commented on the build, saying: “It’s been a long time getting to this point but we’re really happy with the progress that is being made on site. 

“Those living in Grimsby will soon be able to see the building take shape.  It will sit proudly on the River Freshney, reinvigorating the heritage buildings and providing young people in the area with a safe and inspiring place where they can explore their passions and receive dedicated support.”

Cllr Philip Jackson, North East Lincolnshire Council Leader and Portfolio Holder for economy, net zero, skills, and housing, said: “We are delighted that the project has reached this point, and look forward to tracking its progress during 2024.

“Horizon will be a fantastic facility for the area’s young people, and it will be great to see the Young People’s Development Group finally be able to enjoy their permanent home next year.”

The Horizon Youth Zone is expected to open in 2025 and will provide thousands of young people with opportunities to engage in activities, and access support from skilled youth workers.  The centre will be open at weekends and during school holidays, and will cost just 50p per child, per session.

Horizon Youth Zone is being delivered by national charity OnSide, in partnership with North East Lincolnshire Council which is contributing towards the Youth Zone as part of the Greater Grimsby Town Deal. Other key supporters include Historic England, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Ørsted, St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation, The Youth Investment Fund, and private donors.

Article and image from NELC.

PUBLIC consultation for the North East Lincolnshire draft Local Plan review is well underway, with residents urged to have their say on how the area develops in the future.

Whilst maintaining a plan committed to capturing the growth opportunities, its structure has been revised with greater focus on aspects of climate change and enhancement of the natural environment.

This sees various proposals aimed at strengthening policies around the environment theme, including:

• Ensuring that the mandatory introduction of biodiversity net gain, which comes into force on February 12 this year, is achieved. (If, for example, a developer is going to build on open land, they must ensure that when that building is complete, there is more enriched habitat than there originally was – either on site or elsewhere). For more go to Biodiversity net gain – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)- external site ;
• The proposal to introduce Local Green Space Designation. This is a policy by which local communities can identify areas of open space that are ‘special’ to them. If this land has specific characteristics (it has to be close to a community it services, demonstrably special to the community and local in character) then it could get special protection;
• The proposed introduction of a Health and Wellbeing policy. This is to recognise supporting aspects of the environment that are important to physical and mental health. (developers must demonstrate how they have addressed health and wellbeing in any designs).
• To consider the introduction a Green Wedge policy – with a chance for local people to recommend where such wedges could be.

Unlike ‘Green Belts’, which are designated protected areas around urban developments, Green Wedges consist of protected land that can extend into built-up areas. The only development allowed within them would need to maintain the principles linked to the green wedge protection, for example to enable farming, forestry, or flood protection.

An expert’s view: To explain the purpose of Green Wedges, we contacted Dr Jingxia Wang, who is a lecturer in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at the University of Sheffield. Whilst not involved in North East Lincolnshire’s Local Plan Review, she is a specialist in greenspace planning.

Speaking generally about their value to areas, she explained how Green Wedges were important both to protect and enhance green spaces for residents, and wildlife.

“Green Wedges act as a buffer concept to protect areas of residential and industrial development from flowing into one another,” she said.

“Local people might see a green area as something purely for recreation, like a park, but it can be totally multi-functional. For instance, during the recent hot summers, a green lung can help to mitigate air pollution and assist an area to adapt to climate change.”

Dr Wang added: “From the point of view of local people, green spaces can make a difference in a number of ways. For example, on a school route it could determine whether a child chooses a route alongside a main road with more car pollution or walks through a green area with park facilities that offers better air quality.

“These are issues that might concern parents and would be examples of why local residents should engage with the consultation on the Local Plan review so that all points of view can be taken into consideration.”

Cllr Stewart Swinburn, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Transport, at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “As I have said before, as a council we are committed to ensuring that North East Lincolnshire grows and develops. To do that we must take opportunities but also look at how best we protect important green spaces.  Green Wedges, introduced in the right way could allow nature and green space to grow and thrive alongside developments.”

The Green Wedges policy can be viewed as part of the draft review of the Local Plan which is available now by visiting the web-based Consultation portal (https://nelincs-consult.objective.co.uk/kse/- external site )

• The draft Local Plan review is out for public consultation from now until Friday 8 March. The names of all residents of the borough who take part in the consultations up to then will go into a draw to win a £100 shopping voucher. The consultation gives everyone who lives in North East Lincolnshire the chance to give their views on the Plan, which sets out a vision for development of the borough for the next 20 years. By law it has to be reviewed every five years, allowing planners to update their forecast for the region in line with local and national changes. For more explanations about the Plan go also to Local Plan Review | NELC (nelincs.gov.uk)

Article and image from NELC.

Make sure to have your say in the North East Lincolnshire library consultation at one of the upcoming focus groups.

The Council is currently undergoing a review of its statutory public libraries based in Grimsby, Cleethorpes, Waltham and Immingham, and the public archive service based within Grimsby Town Hall, both services are operated on behalf of the Council by Lincs Inspire Limited.

To help shape the future of these services, users and non-users are being asked to complete a survey outlining how they currently use their libraries and archive service (or not) and to share their views on future opportunities. To complete this survey, visit www.nelincs.gov.uk/have-your-say.

The public are also being asked to sign up to the remaining focus groups which are being held across the consultation period.  These are small groups and will be based on focused questions exploring  current and future  use of libraries and archives, to better inform understanding on the development of the services. These groups will be held at or near one of the four public library venues – to register your interest and to book on please email consultation@nelincs.gov.uk.

Speaking about the need for the review, Cllr Hayden Dawkins, Cabinet member for Culture, Heritage and the Visitor Economy, said: “We know that post-Covid, the way people use our archives and libraries is changing. We also know that although in person visits are returning gradually, last year, they were around two thirds of previous levels. Alongside this, we also know that many local people do not currently visit our archives and libraries or are unaware of the services that they offer.”

“We want to understand how people currently use the libraries and archives, or indeed why they don’t use them so that, with Lincs Inspire, we can help shape services for the future that fits local need.”

Article and image from NELC.

Work to create the new public space in Grimsby, Riverhead Square, has had to be paused temporarily due to unavoidable delays in the supply of natural stone for the seating.

A spokesperson from Marshalls, which quarries and supplies the stone, said: “Stone is a natural product, and its quality can change quickly depending on numerous factors. Thanks to our strict quality controls, we were able to swiftly identify the issue, using our product reserves to keep the project moving in the short term. Reassuringly, whilst any quarry can experience a period of unexpected poor quality, it is rare that it lasts a long time.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused by these unexpected and unavoidable delays and remain focussed on resolving the issue. We’re in close communication with the council to ensure they’re up to date on our progress.”

The stone seam is currently under further excavation and lower grade material is being removed to expose the higher quality stone needed for this project.

The council is working with Marshalls, and has taken the decision to close down the Riverhead Square site temporarily, until deliveries resume and contractors, CR Reynolds, can return to site to complete batches of work.

Cllr Philip Jackson, leader of the council said: “Whilst this is disappointing, unfortunately, some things we just can’t foresee, and nature is one of them. This project is providing a really high quality space for the people of Grimsby to use and enjoy, and we’re pleased that Marshall’s quality control process identified the issue sooner rather than later. We’ll obviously be working with the suppliers for the stone to be delivered as soon as possible so that we can open the Square fully.”

The seating areas will remain cordoned off for safety until individual areas are completed.

Article and image from NELC.

THE Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council is set to answer your questions tonight as the deadline for the public consultation into proposals for a Greater Lincolnshire Devolved Authority nears.

Councillor Philip Jackson will be fielding questions from members of the public via a Facebook Live this evening from 6pm on the Council’s Facebook page.

Councillor Jackson said: “As the Leader of one of the three lead authorities that have shaped this proposal, I want to ensure that as many people in North East Lincolnshire as possible take part in the public consultation.

“This Facebook Live event is for people to ask questions they may have about what Devolution could mean for North East Lincolnshire and how it may shape the local area and wider county in the future.

“If the outcome of this public consultation does lead to Greater Lincolnshire Devolution progressing then we want people to understand what could be achieved and that is the purpose of this Facebook Live event.  Of course, I am always ready to listen to people’s views on other matters, but I would like to keep this session just to Devolution, given its importance for us all in the future.”

Following Government approval last Autumn, the Greater Lincolnshire Devolution Proposal has been taken to the next stage, which is this public consultation that runs until Sunday 28 January.

The two unitary authorities of North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire Councils and Lincolnshire County Council have led on the Level Three MCCA (Mayoral Combined County Authority) Proposal.

The Proposal states how a Devolution deal would see central Government money and power moved down to decision-makers in Greater Lincolnshire. This would start with a number of agreed key priority areas including housing, transport, infrastructure (such as highways), skills and education, and the environment.

For more details including a Q&A and Executive Summary go to www.nelincs.gov.uk.

To go directly to the consultation, go to www.letstalk.lincolnshire.gov.uk/devolution- external site .

Article and image from NELC.