Slate roof and other upper sections of Cleethorpes Town Hall in need of some tender loving care

                                                         

The handsome building requires some skilled attention

REPAIR works are soon likely to be carried out on the upper sections of Cleethorpes Town Hall.

Whichever firm wins the contract will face the following tasks:

* Replacement works to failed flat roof leadwork and cornicing leadwork

* Repairs to existing slate roofing

* Masonry repairs to parapet coping stones and chimney structures

* Renewal of failed or undersized rainwater goods

* Modification of existing protective greenhouse structure currently providing protection to the leaded light roof dome.

Before a contractor is appointed, listed building consent will be needed from North East Lincolnshire Council, but it is thought that this will be a formality.

Let's all applaud! Council leader says NELC must be commended for 'positive and prudent' performance

Cllr Jackson - 'sensible'

A 4.5 per cent increase in council tax is in prospect for North East Lincolnshire residents.

It is expected that this will be confirmed at the meeting this evening (Thursday) of the full council.

Originally, the proposal was for the increase to be 4.99 per cent - the maximum permissible - but, with local elections looming in May, the cabinet seems to have decided that a lower rise would be more politically expedient.

However, this is not how the change-of-heart is being presented.

Refusing to boast, NELC leader Cllr Phillip Jackson says: "I am pleased to say that this council has reported a solid and stable financial position over the last 12 months

"We end the year with one of the most positive performances for some considerable time.

"This must be applauded. 

"In the face of continued challenges for all local authorities in the country, here in North East Lincolnshire we have, and continue to, transform services, lead regeneration and drive change whilst being prudent and sensible in how we achieve all of this."

Why have lawns in Pier Gardens when you can have paving instead?

 

All smiles from North East Lincolnshire Council leader Cllr Philip Jackson and Tom Taylor of paving specialists Maylim as they set to work on removing the first of the lawns in Pier Gardens as part of what is described as a 'regeneration' project. During the course of this week, a mile of fencing has been installed around the whole perimeter of the parkland to block access to all but contractors. Residents and visitors will be able to watch progress because, instead of  unsightly hoarding (as at Sea Road), activity will be clearly visible through the wire fencing. The works are due to be completed by spring next year.                                       

                                         

Report highlights concerns over TB health risk to street-sleepers and sofa-hoppers

A WORRYING note has been sounded on the presence  of  tuberculosis (TB) in parts of North East Lincolnshire.

A recently-published report states: "A range of factors associated with complex lives in white British people living in the most deprived neighbourhoods in the borough have been associated with a much greater than expected number of TB related deaths.

"Some of these deaths were linked to networks of individuals who drank together in certain pubs.  

"TB diagnosis frequently came very late and was often not suspected as a cause of the person’s symptoms.  

"Following this, awareness-raising presentations were made at a number of GP practice related forums."

The report notes that, six years ago, a pilot TB screening project had to be put on hold because of the Covid pandemic, but, with the appointment a part-time nurse,  it went ahead in September 2024 with the intention not just of securing extra screening but also of assisting in the management of any new positive cases.

Among the first 65 tested were individuals engaged in a local homeless charity. 

The report continues: "This resulted in a 12.3 per cent positive screen rate - much higher than expected, indicating that there is a significant level of undiagnosed TB in North East Lincolnshire."

The disease can be "latent" rather than "active" but it still requires monitoring, putting pressure on health services.

The project was then put on ice pending a review of a number of emerging issues and concerns.

These have included:

• Capacity in the existing TB team to perform increased screenings 

• Capacity in the existing TB team to manage increased cases, including case support, follow-up, treatment plans and adherence 

• A bottleneck in the system due to long waits both for hospital test results and for consultant-led clinic appointments for diagnosis confirmation and management/treatment planning. 

• Public health risk arising from  homelessness with some individuals sofa-hopping, using hostels and street-sleeping.

There has also been a worry about asylum-seekers slipping through the system. 

The report states: "The public health risk of this missed screening is of great concern and has the potential to result in additional demands on the TB services and the wider health system if not addressed."

In the wake of the concerns, North East Lincolnshire's Health Protection Team is actively involved in a review of the current TB service in partnership with other healthcare professionals "in the hope that these issues can be addressed". 

Mesh fencing to be installed on top storey of Freshney Place car park for safety purposes

 

                                                             

The view from the top level of the car park during the now-completed re-paving works

SAFETY fencing is to be installed on the top level of the Freshney Place indoor car park.

Says a North East Lincolnshire Council report: "The works will surround  the entire perimeter to create a form of enclosure for the safety purposes for the public.

"It will be  the form of mesh fencing at a maximum height of approximately 2.4 metres which will sit behind an existing parapet of around 1 metre in height.

"There are some existing railings present which will  remain in situ. 

"The site falls within Grimsby Central Conservation Area and it is in proximity of St James' Church which is a Grade I listed building. 

"However, the proposal has been reviewed by the council's heritage officer who  raised no concerns.

" In addition, Historic England have commented to confirm that they have no comments to make and defer to local conservation advice." 

The report concludes: "Given the minor nature and scale of the proposal, it is not considered to cause any negative impacts in regard to visual amenity, the conservation area or neighbouring listed buildings in this regard."

MP's warning on likely impact of market place pedestrianisation on Cleethorpes fish restaurant

Fears that pedestrianisation scheme could jeopardise  businesses such as Steel's Cornerhouse

PROPOSED pedestrianisation of Cleethorpes Market Place could cost Steel's Cornerhouse fish restaurant at least £150,000 a year in lost trade.

This alert was sounded by Grimsby and Cleethorpes MP Melanie Onn in her contribution to a 'Commons debate on the challenges faced by Britain's fish and chip retailers.

She declared: "North East Lincolnshire council plans to pedestrianise Cleethorpes Market Place which the famous Steel's Cornerhouse fish and chip restaurant says could amount to a £150,000 loss in click-and-collect orders alone. 

"Does the hon. Gentleman (John Cooper, Conservative MP for Dumfries and Galloway) agree that local authorities should be doing all that they can to support our favourite fish and chip shops?"    

Mr Cooper replied: "The hon. Lady makes an important point. 

"We should of course support businesses of all kinds, and pedestrianisation can be a double-edged sword. 

"One of the difficulties is the weather in this country, and there is nothing better than pulling up right outside the shop that you want to go to, so decisions have to be balanced."

Later in the debate, Ms Onn's Labour colleague, Peter Prinsley (MP for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmark) noted : "Fish and chips is a great British food, but fish and chips first came to Britain with Jewish immigrants from Spain in the 16th century. 

"Cold fried fish was a staple of many Shabbat lunches, including my own grandma’s. 

"The first chippy is credited to Joseph Malin, who added chips in about 1860, in London. 

"What a great idea and what a great immigration story!"

Mr Cooper responded: Staying with history, during the war, fish and chips were deemed so vital to the nation’s morale that Prime Minister Winston Churchill insisted they be exempt from rationing. 

"If the ingredients were available, fish suppers were on the menu and chip shops got extra cooking fat to keep the home friers burning."

The wide-ranging debate, which covered taxation issues as well as fish and energy prices  concluded with a summing up from Dame Angela Eagle who is Minister  for Food Security and Rural Affairs 

Said she: "Fish and chip shops may be small in size, but they embody something much bigger: the value of work, community and pride in British produce. 

"We are backing the fishers and farmers who supply this great British staple, and we are backing the traders who serve it to millions. 

"This Government will always be on the side of the workers who keep our plates full and keep the high streets alive. 

"With the right support, these businesses can thrive, and this iconic part of our national life will be there for generations of Friday night fish and chip suppers in the future."

Valiant performance, but Mariners out of FA Cup following defeat by Premier League Wolves

GRIMSBY Town’s FA Cup dreams are over for another season.

Despite a battling performance at a soggy Blundell Park, the Mariners this afternoon succumbed to a 0-1 defeat against their Premier League opponents, Wolves.

The only goal in the Fourth Round fixture came from Santiago Bueno in the 60th minute.