Category Archive News

North East Lincolnshire Council, working with its partners in social care and health, are proposing changes to the current Disabled Facilities Grant process.

New measures are set to be introduced to the present procedures, which will improve the time and way in which such grant applications are processed, agreed, and implemented across the Borough.  This will lead to a more efficient allocation of grants, allowing funded work to be carried out in peoples’ homes more effectively.

The new plans will also alleviate issues that have been experienced with the recruitment of Occupational Therapists, who work within the health sector and are required to assess the grant applications. There is a national shortage of such professionals and one measure being proposed is the employment of Trusted Assessors who will be fully qualified to assess the more straight-forward grant applications.

The over-arching changes represent the further implementation of a ‘whole system’ approach that will ensure people returning from hospital, as well as those still living independently, will receive the help and support they need to live safely in their own homes.

Changes also include a rise in grant amounts to reflect the increase in costs of works, and a two-tier procedure to separate straight-forward applications from the more complex adaptations, which take longer.

Disabled Facilities Grants are Government funded and administered by all Local Authorities. Applications are assessed and successful awards are wide-ranging but all focus upon changes required to peoples’ homes to allow them to live safely and independently.

To take part in the consultation please go to www.nelincs.gov.uk/have-your-say

Article from NELC.

North East Lincolnshire Council has received a £50,000 grant from Government’s Brownfield Land Release Fund (BLRF) to deliver initial works on a disused site in Grimsby.

A total of more than £61,000 has been awarded to 13 local creative individuals and organisations to help them test and develop ambitious and innovative ideas which can then be upscaled in the future.

A VITAL step in the transformation of St James’ Square has been completed, with local company the E-Factor, purchasing St James’ House.

The former office building has been bought by the E-Factor Group, which has plans to bring the building back to life using a £1.5m slice of Towns Fund money along with significant private investment.

The move provides a major boost for the Square and will pave the way for the building to be completely renovated and transformed into a business hub exclusively for local businesses.

Mark Webb, Managing Director of E-Factor, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that we can now plough on with our plans to develop this building and provide quality business accommodation for a variety of local businesses and entrepreneurs right in the town centre. There will also be space for business events and small conferences, all aimed at supporting local business people. This is a significant investment for our company, but we are determined to continue to be part of the positive story of growth in this area.

“We recognise that this building has been empty for some time and with our investment, supported by the Towns Fund, we are confident we can bring it back to life.

“We are an independent limited company, but every bit of our profits are reinvested in supporting the huge contribution local business owners and entrepreneurs make to this town. E-Factor will once again be providing wrap around business support, easy in easy out terms and all the guidance we can give to help create and grow successful local businesses. The more people who do business in the town centre, the better it will be for shops and restaurants also located there.”

North East Lincolnshire Council’s Cabinet approved a business case to help renovate the building last year with the use of Town Deal money. Whilst not putting any council cash into the scheme, authority approval was needed to enable the release of Government monies.

North East Lincolnshire Council leader, Cllr Philip Jackson, said: “The success of the Wilkin Chapman building on Cartergate and the redevelopment of St James’ Square, a key heritage asset in the town, meant that the next step was to deal with St James’ House in a way that can increase footfall in the town centre and provide benefit to other local businesses.

“I’m delighted E-Factor has taken this building on to bring a new dimension to St James’ Square, a fantastic heritage asset in our town centre. We are extremely pleased to support this scheme.”

Confirmation of the building’s new future has delighted those who have worked hard in the background to progress plans. This includes the Church’s representative body, the PCC (the Parochial Church Council) – the former owners of the building.

Fr Chris Hewitt, Vicar of Grimsby Minster and Chairman of the PCC, said: “St James’ House was built in the early 1970s and for many years provided offices and meeting space in the town centre for a variety of organisations including the council, the BBC and it also provided accommodation for the Parish office. 

“More recently the building became surplus to requirements and over the last few years a number of alternative options were investigated, which unfortunately did not proceed.  We took the decision to appoint Scotts Property to dispose of the building and they received a number of expressions of interest.  We carefully considered these, not only from a financial perspective, but also with regard to the presence of Grimsby Minster and our social investment in St James’ Square and the surrounding area.  The proposal from E-Factor provided the best fit and we are delighted to have sold the property to them.  We look forward to seeing it play an important role in the future of St James’ Square and the town centre.”

Lawrence Brown, Managing Partner at property agents Scotts, explained: “We’ve been working with the PCC and the Minster, together with other agencies, for several years to try to bring forward various alternative uses for the building.  We’ve considered residential conversions, offices, medical related uses, art galleries and cultural space together with retail and restaurant units. 

“We’ve been so close on several occasions – most recently immediately prior to the lockdown at the start of the pandemic, but, as everyone knows, this changed everything.  All of this work had taken place ‘behind the scenes’ and when we were instructed, by the PCC, to openly market the property we received lots of interest from a range of different people.  After careful consideration the offer from E-Factor met the objectives of the PCC most closely and we can now look forward to seeing a refurbished building in the heart of the town centre.”

E-Factor Group Ltd (E-Factor), have been both developing and managing a portfolio of commercial properties around North East Lincolnshire for more than 12 years.

Article and image from NELC.

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.