MP Melanie Onn calls for greater haste from council in tackling backlog of pothole repairs

                                                 

                                                              

Melanie Onn: 'Proliferation of potholes is a big problem' (photo: Facebook)

GRIMSBY and Cleethorpes MP Melanie Onn has called on North East Lincolnshire Council to step up the pace of pothole repairs  in the constituency.

In her monthly half-hour surgery on social media, she declared: "Potholes are popping up all over the place because cold and weather has undermined the quality of asphalt on road surfaces.

"As a result, damage is being caused to vehicles and danger is being created for pedestrians, cyclists and those using mobility scooters.

"It's a big problem."

The MP acknowledged that NELC had a repairs schedule but maintained that the authority could act with greater haste given that it had recently received £1.1-million in funding from Whitehall.

"The schedule is not keeping up with the proliferation of potholes," she added. "Much more needs to be done - and can be done."

Planning green light for former cycle shop in Cleethorpes to become hot food takeaway business

                                            

This former cycle shop at 107 Grimsby Road in Cleethorpes is set to become a hot food takeaway premises. There have been no objections from neighbours, and the application has been approved by North East Lincolnshire Council planners. The proposal includes the installation of a 5.1-metre high extraction flue to the rear.

Property up for auction as bookmaking firm William Hill pulls out of Cleethorpes

The former betting shop and flat on Grimsby Road

BOOKMAKERS William Hill have vacated their only remaining shop in Cleethorpes.

The branch in Market Place closed several years ago, and now the long-establised firm has bid farewell to its premises at 249 Grimsby Road.

More and more betting shops are closing as punters switch to online betting.

The property, which includes a two-bedroom flat above, is due to go under the hammer at an online-only auction to be held on March 31-April 1.

Say the Auction Agent website: "This is a superb opportunity to purchase a vacant mixed-use premises. 

"The property occupies a prominent main road position in Cleethorpes and benefits from good transport links as well as convenient access to a wide range of local amenities with  Grimsby Town Football Club, Cleethorpes Beach and St Hugh’s Hospital all within walking distance. 

"A good selection of shops, pubs, restaurants and schools are all nearby, further enhancing the appeal of this mixed-use investment opportunity."

New use on the cards for Cleethorpes site that once housed exotic mammals, reptiles and birds

                                         

Until it closed, The Jungle Zoo was habitat of parrots, macaws and other colourful creatures

A NEW use is in prospect for  the site which was once home to The Jungle Zoo in Cleethorpes.

The zoo closed several years ago since when most of the buildings were destroyed by a fire

But now  planning application has been submitted for the cleared site to become a centre for padel - a fast-growing raquet sport sometimes compared to a cross between tennis and squash and usually played in doubles.

As well as outdoor courts, there would be a clubhouse.

Agents for the applicants, Hull-based East Coast Padel Ltd, say: "Overall, the proposed development represents a positive and beneficial reuse of the site for leisure purposes.

"It would reinstate an active recreational use, delivering modern, accessible, and much needed sports facilities for the local community, to be delivered by a padel operator with a proven track record. 

"It will make a valuable contribution to the health and wellbeing of residents while enhancing the recreational offer of Cleethorpes and more widely."             

Padel being played on a court in Hull

Most of the rubble remains of the aviaries and enclosures have now been cleared

Sharon Wroot set to be appointed North East Lincolnshire Council chief executive

                                                                        

Sharon Wroot will provide continuity and stability

NINE months after she took over the helm of North East Lincolnshire Council, Sharon Wroot is set to be confirmed  as its permanent chief executive.

Following its meeting yesterday, the authority's appointments committee decided she was the most suitable candidate for the role.

However, Ms Wroot will not be able to crack open a celebration bottle of bubbly until the committee's  recommendation is rubber-stamped at the March 26 meeting of the full council.

A qualified accountant, Ms Wroot's career with the authority began in 2010 when she joined as finance director.

Subsequently, she held the roles of  executive director of environment, economy and resources plus deputy chief executive. 

It’s full speed ahead on transformation of Pier Gardens - but nature is the loser

                                                            

Uprooted. No future for this ornamental tree in Pier Gardens

WORK is now well underway on the clearance of lawns and shrubs in Pier Gardens to make the site more of a giant equipment-laden playground.

Sad to say, the activity is coinciding with the start of nesting season.

As a result, many birds - including robins, wrens, blue tits, house sparrows, goldfinches, blackbirds, pied wagtails and starlings - have suddenly lost a place where they always used to feed, roost and nest.

North East Lincolnshire Council believes that once completed, in spring next year, the scheme will be to the delight of residents and visitors like.                                                

                                          

Alas, precious songbird habitat is being lost to the chainsaw

 

Where once was a lawn is now a mountain of soil

Who will be NELC's next chief executive? Interviews to be held tomorrow at Fishing Heritage Centre

Interviews will be held here tomorrow

IT'S crunch time tomorrow for candidates seeking to become next (and possibly) last chief executive of North East Lincolnshire Council.

The future of the authority is uncertain pending a proposed reorganisation of local government in Lincolnshire and other parts of the country.

The top post at NELC has been  vacant since Rob Walsh left in May last year after 11 years in the hot seat.

Since then, Sharon Wroot has won quiet acclaim for the competence with which she has held the reins on an interim basis.

It is not known either if Ms Wroot has applied to take over on a permanent basis or  how many other candidates - whether internal or external - have thrown their hat into the ring.

The advantage of appointing an internal candidate is that it would most likely encourage continuity at a time when NELC has many capital projects at various states of progress, some of them not very fast.

Appointment of an outside candidate - assuming the post has been advertised externally - would be riskier, but might bring fresh thinking and imagination, plus much-needed dynamism in "getting things done".

The interviews are being held between 10am and 3pm in the Fishing Heritage Centre in Grimsby.

Firing the questions will be members of NELC's appointments committee which comprises chairman Philip Jackson (Con), deputy chairman Stan Shreeve (Con), Margaret Cracknell (Con), Emma Clough (Lab), Karl Wilson (Lab), Steve Beasant (Lib-Dem) and  Steve Holland (Ind).