Category Archive News

It is time to have your say on what you love about Immingham and what else you would like to see there.

Immingham Town Council – supported by partner organisations throughout the region, including North East Lincolnshire Council – would like to hear from residents, businesses, and other local organisations to find out what they would like to see in Immingham as part of a brand new Immingham Town Plan.

Taking part in this short survey will help to kick start the conversations that will give focus to moving “Immingham Forward.”

The survey will initially be open for four weeks. The feedback given will then be used to gain further insight from Immingham residents, schools, community groups and local businesses during pop up events and focus groups. You can use the survey to register your interest to take part.

Cllr Karen Swinburn, Town Council Chair and Lady Mayor of Immingham, said: “This is your chance to tell us what you like about Immingham and where you would like to see improvements. We want to know what you think as your views are vital to shaping the future of the town going forward.

“The survey will take just a few minutes to complete but may have an impact on the shape of Immingham to come. Please take the time to fill it in.”

Have your say here https://tell-us.questionpro.eu/loveimmingham- external site

Article and image from NELC.

Footage released this week by GMI, the contractors on site for the Freshney Place regeneration project, reveals work that’s been going on since the hoardings were put up on Victoria Street.

The drone footage, taken before the main demolition started, shows the work underway to demolish the upper floor of the former BHS building, work that isn’t visible from the ground.

Drone footage is being taken regularly, along with site photographs to document the progress of the scheme.

As previously reported, the £50m scheme to transform the western end of Freshney Place started earlier this year, with demolition of the former Top Town Market now well underway.

The scheme will see new leisure facilities developed, including a five screen Parkway cinema, and new food and beverage outlets alongside a new market hall and public space.

Cllr Philip Jackson, leader of the council, said: “It’s great to see this – much of the work done in these types of projects happens out of sight or behind hoardings, so having this sort of footage available really helps to explain progress.

“We’ll be sharing as much as we can on this project so people can see how things are moving along and how the town centre is changing for the future.”

Article and footage from NELC.

As the first local authority in England to introduce this ground-breaking app, the Council aims to enhance awareness and recruitment efforts of Foster Carers to ensure local children in need of care, remain within the borough.

The new app uses a points-based referral system to recruit more foster carers. This initiative is part of an ongoing campaign that has already seen significant milestones, including the launch of the Foster Friendly business scheme, which now boasts over 130 participating businesses, and a star-studded advert directed by international film director Jack Spring, featuring actor Tommy Turgoose.

The app is currently being piloted by Foster Wales for the same purpose but has been used since 2020 for social worker recruitment and has seen overwhelmingly positive results. Developed by Neil Eastwood, CEO and Founder, the Care Friends app addresses the recruitment and retention crisis in Adult Social Care by making referrals easy, fun, and rewarding. The app has generated 250,000 high-quality candidates through word-of-mouth referrals and is currently used by 2,500 care settings across the UK, Ireland, and Australia. The company received the prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation in 2023.

Research suggests that word-of-mouth is the most effective method for recruiting foster carers, as current carers are best positioned to identify suitable candidates. The app places foster carers at the forefront of recruitment, adding value to their contributions and support.

Following the success in Wales, 27 Local Authorities in England have confirmed plans to adopt the app in 2025, with discussions ongoing with an additional 60 authorities.

Margaret Cracknell, Portfolio Holder for Children and Education at North East Lincolnshire Council said of the launch:

“We are incredibly proud to be the first authority in England to launch this innovative app for foster carer recruitment.

“This pioneering approach underscores our commitment to ensuring that local children can remain within our community, supported by dedicated foster carers.

“By placing foster carers at the heart of the recruitment process, we are not only enhancing our efforts but also recognising the invaluable contributions they make every day.”

Neil Eastwood, CEO and Founder of the Care Friends App said: “We are delighted to be partnering with North East Lincolnshire Council in the first English deployment of our app in foster care. As soon as they learned of the pilot results emerging from foster carers in Wales they were confident it would boost their commitment to providing loving families locally for every local child in care who needs them. We can’t wait to see the impact once the app is rolled out across the authority’s foster carer community.”

Article and image from NELC.

Young peoples services have come together to support the opening of a new centre in Grimsby that aims to offer a safe pace for young people to meet, socialise, and access free support and guidance from trusted adults.

The Haven, based on Queen Street in Grimsby town centre, was originally set-up on Osborne Street in Grimsby, to address problems around youth anti-social behaviour in the area.

After enjoying some success, North East Lincolnshire Council have committed to developing this with a new, council-owned building on the edge of the town centre.

The site will offer a safe place for young people to meet up, have fun, and access services including the We Are With You, Young and Safe, staff from the Journey Enrichment Fulfilment and Friendship project, Not in Education or Employment (NEET) or Training practitioners and a sexual health nurse. This multi-disciplinary team can offer support and advice across a range of areas such as, substance misuse, sexual health and careers.

Speaking after the launch, Ann-Marie Matson, director of children’s services at North East Lincolnshire Council, said:

“I’m really pleased to see this offer being developed further in our town centre, making sure that our young people have somewhere to go when they feel lost or are struggling. 

“It’s important that these services are accessible to our young people, and that they feel that they can access them in a really easy way, whenever they need them, without fear of being judged.”

Councillor Margaret Cracknell, portfolio holder for children and education at North East Lincolnshire Council, said:

“The new building is fantastic and has clearly been redeveloped with young people in mind.

“I’m confident that they will make use of this critical resource and take advantage of the valuable information, advice and guidance on offer here.”

The Haven will also offer a community shop, youth group sessions, and quiet rooms.

Article and image from NELC.

North East Lincolnshire Council, Humberside Police and other partners have launched a joint initiative to further address and tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) across Immingham.

Agility is focused on helping solve the problems that matter most to residents of Immingham from nuisance bike riders to fly-tipping.

So far, there have been multi-agency days of action, drugs dog searches and Op Yellowfin (a Humberside Police initiative aimed at tackling motorbike ASB)  activity dedicated to making Immingham a safer community.

The multi-agency response has included NELC, Immingham town council, Equans, Environmental team, WISE, local ward councillors and Lincolnshire Housing Partnership (LHP). In total, the town has seen five Days of Action since the launch of the initiative in March.

Three of the days of action, led by Humberside Police, involved the use of drugs dogs and were informed by feedback from businesses and community members, alongside ongoing policing efforts. As a result, officers carried stop searches and also gathered valuable information.

Education is a key part of Op Agility, with teams visiting schools in the area to educate pupils about the responsible use of motor vehicles. Teams also spoke to parents outside Pilgrim Academy to discuss the use of such transport in the local area.

During the multi-agency day of action, members from all partner agencies conducted a ward walk, actively listening to residents to gain a deeper understanding of their concerns.

With foundations firmly in place, North East Lincolnshire Council, Humberside Police and others are committed to tackling the ASB and nuisance behaviour, addressing community concerns with plans to continue Op Agility in the coming months.

Sergeant Katie Call, leading the initiative, said: “We know the impact antisocial behaviour and related crime can have on residents. That’s why we’ve launched Operation Agility, an initiative dedicated to tackling ASB in Immingham. By working closely with our partners, we provide a multiagency response to crime, with the aim to further improve community safety.

‘’Since the launch of Operation Agility, we’ve already seen a positive impact and remain committed to building on this progress. With proactive days of action carried out, including drugs dog operations and multi-agency ward walks, we’ve seen increased engagement during our day-to-day activities and through public initiatives like Humber Talking.

‘’As part of the operation, our efforts are centred on days of action, including hotspot patrolling, proactive policing, and problem-solving initiatives. By fostering strong partnerships and collaborating closely with the community, we are addressing local concerns, protecting vulnerable individuals, and striving to improve the overall environment in   Immingham.

‘’We encourage residents to report any concerns or incidents to us or the relevant agencies. Every report is invaluable, helping us gather essential information to improve safety and tackle crime effectively.

‘’We’ll continue to do everything within our power to bring those responsible for crimes in Humberside to justice, so that residents feel safe, and victims receive the justice they deserve.”

Councillor Ron Shepherd, Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger Communities, added: “Op Agility is a great approach by a number of different agencies. We are listening to the people of Immingham; dedicated to making a difference and tackling the issues they’ve highlighted.”

Councillor Stewart Swinburn, a long standing Immingham resident, added: “Having lived here most of my life, I and others welcome this support from the likes of Humberside Police and North East Lincolnshire Council.

“Issues like fly tipping and ASB are something I know a lot of residents are concerned about and we want to do everything we can to alleviate these fears and ensure the town is a safe place for both residents and visitors.”

Article and image by NELC.

The demolition of the former Top Town Market will begin next week (from 28 April). This is the first part of the demolition phase of works for the Freshney Place leisure scheme.

Since the project started on the ground earlier this year, lots of work has been going on in the old market hall. The asbestos has been removed, along with the suspended ceiling and much of the mechanical and electrical equipment. All waste has been separated into streams for recycling.

Core samples have been taken from the floor so that the team can analyse the make up of the ground to inform the construction work in the coming months.

Additionally, eight archaeological trenches have been dug to check what is underneath the market hall in various areas.

Dave Fish, GMI’s Project Manager. “Given the construction of the market hall and developments in this space over the years, we didn’t expect for there to be any significant remains, however, we needed to check this out. The only item we found in the trenches was an oyster shell, not unusual in this part of the country.”

“The work is going really well,” continued Dave. “We’ve completed the soft strip of the Market Hall and we’re starting the main demolition on Monday.”

Once demolition begins, it will slowly work inwards through the site in a controlled manner between the structural beams and pillars.

The demolition will be carried out during the daytime using specialist equipment to nibble away the building.

Progress photos for the work will be available from www.nelincs.gov.uk/building-our-future

Article and image from NELC.

A new state-of-the-art facility will provide a range of opportunities for the East Marsh community.

The ‘PlayZone’ multi-use games area (MUGA) in Grant Thorold Park will give residents the chance to play a range of sports from basketball to football, with a pitch size of approximately 30 by 20 metres, in built goals, hoops and line marking. 

The emphasis is on ‘free to use’ community access, with an online booking system to ensure fairness and safety.  The PlayZone will also offer the opportunity for more formal sessions to be held, where groups can book for a small fee.

The site will be operated by the Shalom Youth Centre opposite. Canon John Ellis who founded the Youth Centre in 1972, is looking forward to seeing the PlayZone in use.

He said: “In the holidays it will be brilliant. Whilst the centre doesn’t open, the children will still be able to use the facility all the way through.”

He added: “The children are looking forward to it enormously. They’ve been moaning about it not being ready so there is great enthusiasm for it.

“In relation to the rest of the community, it opens up a facility in the park that was derelict for years and frankly unusable. Now, there is something for people to use and enjoy again.”

Also excited about the prospect of the PlayZone is Grimsby Town ladies striker Beth Wharton. “Keeping fit and healthy is vital for both physical and mental health.

“Activities like this are a great way of staying active in a team environment. It’s great to see the rise in local girls football too and the PlayZone will only further enhance that.”

The project will be funded with 75% of the total cost from the Football Foundation, with the remaining 25% from Safer Streets grant funding and NELC funding sources. 

Councillor Hayden Dawkins, portfolio holder for Culture, Heritage, and the Visitor Economy, said: “The Grant Thorold PlayZone is a fantastic refurb of an old play area, and we look forward to it being well used by the local community. 

“It provides people of all ages with a quality and modern facility, and the opportunity to take part in a whole range of activities, supporting people to be more active, more often.”

The money for the scheme has been awarded as a grant from the Premier League, The FA and the Government via the Football Foundation.

Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “The Football Foundation is working closely with our partners – the Premier League, The FA and Government – to transform the quality of grassroots facilities in England by delivering projects like this across the country. 

“Good quality playing facilities have a transformative impact on physical and mental health and play an important role in bringing people together and strengthening local communities. 

“This grant award towards developing Grant Thorold PlayZone is fantastic news for the local community and will help give more people access to a great place to play.” 

Article and image from NELC.

New 3D scans have preserved the impressive artwork on Abbey Walk car park for generations to come.

The panels, created by Grimsby born artist Harold Gosney in 1969, adorn the pillars of the car park and are inspired by drawings in the handbook of the car that he had at the time, which was an Austin Cambridge estate car, and included suspension, carburettor, etc.

Although there are 40 panels on the structure, these are a repeated series of 4 designs – some flipped 180 degrees.

Abbey Walk car park was closed in May 2024 following the discovery of structural defects. Water ingress into key structural supports, making the car park unsafe to use.

As a result, its demolition was approved in September last year to make way for a surface level car park, but with the capability in the foundations of being built on in future years if needed.

Whilst the final decision on Mr. Gosney’s artwork has yet to be made, work to preserve them is already underway.

Steps have been taken to use modern 3D scanning technology so the artwork can be viewed for generations to come. This will also allow for the panels to be reprinted in the future using a range of materials.

To do this, the University of Lincoln’s Conservation team utilised a number of methods. The team boasts an impressive amount of previous work including structures like Elizabeth Tower, commonly known as Big Ben, and paintings at the National Army Museum.

The scanners work by projecting light on to the object in question and measuring the time taken for it to be reflected back. This is then converted into co-ordinates which are used to reconstruct the structure into a digital 3D model.

The team used a handheld scanner that collects a series of images, known as frames, in a process called tracking. The software then collates where overlaps might occur from each frame to produce the final 3D image.

Now, with the scans complete, his artwork can be reproduced for years to come. The project team will also be exploring ways in which the reliefs can be removed as a whole. The 3D scanning is a safety measure to ensure the artworks can be preserved in some format regardless of how the structure is demolished.

Harold Gosney, the artist, is thrilled with the scans and is relieved to know his art will be preserved for generations to come.

He said: “These scans sound brilliant to me and I’m so pleased my work can be kept for future use. Those who were worried that my art may be lost need not worry anymore.

“This means they can last forever.”

He added: “The scans are so impressive as well, they even have the grains and textures from where I filed them originally before they were cast and put in place.”

Councillor Stewart Swinburn, Portfolio Holder for Housing, Infrastructure and Transport, said: “These 3D scans are absolutely amazing. I’m thrilled to see Mr. Gosney’s artwork come to life.

“We are thrilled to be able to preserve it for years to come and are grateful for his cooperation in the project so far.”

He added: “The decision to demolish the car park was not one taken lightly, but the safety of the borough was and always is the number one priority.”

The planning application has been submitted for the demolition of the car park and is currently in the planning process. If you wish to view the application, go to www.nelincs.gov.uk- external site – external site , search for Planning Portal, and then use reference DM/0018/25/FUL.

Article and image from NELC.

The second phase of public consultation on North East Lincolnshire Council’s Library and Archive Review begins today (April 16), and will last for 12 weeks.

The Phase One consultation focused on building a better understanding of what our communities see as important, how people use library and archives services, and their views on future opportunities.

Its findings showed that the libraries and archives service, including the home and online library functions, are important for many residents, with access to traditional uses, such as borrowing books, valued. You can read the full results here:  9.-Library-and-Archives-Review-Phase-1-Cabinet-Report.pdf

The principle of developing library hubs – bringing together services to create vibrant and diverse spaces with something for everyone – was also broadly supported in the Phase One consultation.

As a result, people are now being asked for their views on options, all at an early stage, to develop the library service alongside other services in Grimsby and Cleethorpes to include community spaces where all ages feel welcome.

Meanwhile in Waltham, the option of a community library model is being explored. This would ensure continued access to valued services, such as borrowing books alongside other community uses.

Future proposed changes would be subject to viable business cases and the Council’s decision-making process. 

The Phase Two consultation does not include Immingham Library as no change to the current location is being considered.  The home library and online library service will also remain unchanged.

This latest consultation has no bearing on, or relevance to, the current temporary closure of the Grimsby Central Library building. As reported, it has closed following a water leak, which risked disturbing asbestos present in the building. Books and local history collections are now being removed for safe keeping as work continues to plan asbestos removal.

Cllr Hayden Dawkins, North East Lincolnshire Council’s Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and the Visitor Economy, said: “Our vision is to create libraries that appeal to all ages and offer something for everyone. Looking at other services around the country we can see that bringing services together and creating community hubs has worked well. Immingham is an example of that located in the town’s Civic Centre.

“I urge all residents to take part in this second phase of consultation so we can properly progress a vision for our Libraries and Archives Service. We will also be holding focus groups and community engagement events, to capture as full a picture as possible.”

Cllr Dawkins added: “I wish to make it clear that no decisions have been made on the future of the service. That will only take place after a full analysis of the Phase Two consultation results and further discussions. There is one main aim here and that is to ensure a full, vibrant and growing service going forward, that is future-proofed and that everyone can enjoy.”

Looking at best practice, the Council has launched the review because:

• There has been a decline in library visits from annual pre-Covid figures of approx. 43 per cent;;
• The economic and social advantages of bringing services together under one roof, while considering how future building design and layout can support services to keep their identity;
• Recognition that current library buildings will require significant future investment to develop vibrant spaces that better align libraries to meet community needs.  

Considering the Phase One findings, alongside Council priorities of stronger economy and stronger communities, and trends in library usage, a focus on children and young people is a clear priority, while continuing to build on the service’s strong connection with the older community.

To access the survey go to  Have your say | NELC  The closing date for the consultation is Wednesday 9 July.

Article and image from NELC.

A second winter of community tree planting through NELC’s ‘Greening Up Our Place’ programme has now come to an end, resulting in a total of 727 new trees springing up across the borough since 2023.

The community programme is part of the Council’s Tree Strategy, which sets out NELC’s approach for managing and protecting the existing tree population, increasing the number of trees in North East Lincolnshire, and for promoting the significant benefits that trees have in society.

It aims to give the residents of North East Lincolnshire a high quality, sustainable environment, which ties in with the Council’s Natural Assets Plan.

Twenty one schools and 19 community groups have taken part in the tree planting since it began in November 2023, and the Council would like to say a big thankyou to all who have given up their time in support of this important environmental cause.

The ‘Greening Up Our Place’ project was supported by two successful funding bids to the Forestry Commission’s Local Authority Treescapes Fund (LATF) and Urban Tree Challenge Fund (UTCF). Some boroughs, including East Marsh, West Marsh, Sidney Sussex, Immingham, and Croft Baker have as little as 2% tree coverage. The project has allowed the Council to increase the canopy cover in urban areas and replace trees previously felled as a result of damage or disease.

Local residents of all ages have responded to the call to plant trees right across the borough on our streets and parkland. Amanda Fields, Community Family Support Worker, Oasis Hub South Grimsby, was one of them.

She said: “Thank you so much for inviting Oasis community space to your tree planting event. Myself and Emma Chester, a member of our community, helped with the planting of three trees near the Nunthorpe Tavern. Now every time we pass it we say ‘look we planted those trees’. It’s a humble feeling to have supported, and now we can see the trees grow for years to come.”

Cllr Henry Hudson, NELC’s Portfolio Holder for Environment and Net Zero, said: “A very big thankyou to everyone who has taken part in the tree planting both this winter and last. As they grow, these trees will make such a huge difference both to the landscape and to the environment.

“It’s brilliant to see how many trees have already been planted across the borough. There are so many benefits that trees offer us, not least of which is the effect they have on our efforts to get to net zero by capturing and storing carbon from the atmosphere.

“Everyone in North East Lincolnshire benefits from trees. They help create a sense of place and local identity and have a positive impact on people’s mental and physical health. They create focal points and landmarks, and they benefit communities by increasing pride in the local area.”

To find out more about Greening Up Our Place visit https://www.nelincs.gov.uk/keeping-our-area-clean-and-safe/tree-planting/

Article and image from NELC.