Reform UK may be largest party on council - but will its councillors be allowed to lead it?

                                         

Currently NELC leader, but not necessarily for much longer - Cllr Philip Jackson

A FIERCE power struggle is looming for control of North East Lincolnshire Council in the wake of last night's local election results.

With 14 of the authority's 42 seats, Reform UK is now the largest party.

But its tally falls well short of bringing it overall control.

At NELC's annual meeting later this month, the four other political groups - Conservative (10), Independent (4), Labour (11) and Liberal-Democrat (3) - will all have a say in who will assume the leadership along with the positions in cabinet.

The current leader, Cllr Philip Jackson (Con, Waltham), could seek to strike a deal with Oliver Freeston (Reform UK, Croft Baker), who is likely to be elected leader of  his own party.

But would the former be willing to serve in the same cabinet, especially in a junior role, as a man who defected from the Conservatives?

It seems more likely Cllr Jackson will seek to woo the Liberal-Democrats and Independents by offering them places  in the cabinet, with him remaining at the helm.

It is understood that  constitution of the Labour Party would prevent any formal pact between its councillors and their Conservative counterparts, but they may be offered sweeteners in the form of chairing roles on the committees and scrutiny panels if this guarantees exclusion of Reform UK for which Labour has nothing but contempt.

But, as the second largest group, could Labour, itself, make an audacious play for the spoils?

If no deals can be done, a stalemate would ensue.

And what would that mean for the stability of NELC? 

Who will lead North East Lincolnshire Council following night of triumph for Reform UK?

                                       

Oliver Freeston savours his success in the Croft Baker ward - from being the only Reform UK councillor, he is now one of 14 and may become the next leader of  North East Lincolnshire Council (photo: NELC). 

FOUR high-profile Conservatives lost their places on North East Lincolnshire Council - and in the cabinet - in a night of election triumph for Reform UK.

Licking their wounds this morning are: Margaret Cracknell, Stephen Harness, Ron Shepherd and Stewart Swinburn.

As a result of yesterday's poll, Reform UK is now the largest party with 14 seats.

But there is no overall control, and there are certain to be days of  political manoeuvring to see which group will lead the authority - or whether leadership will be shared. 

The composition is now:

Conservative – 10

Labour – 11

Liberal Democrat – 3

Independents – 4

Reform UK – 14

                                          RESULTS          

     

             CROFT BAKER                                

                   EAST MARSH

  

            FRESHNEY

               HAVERSTOE

                  

                   HENEAGE                                

                       HUMBERSTON & NEW WALTHAM

  

               IMMINGHAM                               

                                                        

            PARK    

        

             

      SCARTHO

                       

        SIDNEY SUSSEX 

      SOUTH       

                

        

                                         

       WALTHAM

 

           WEST MARSH

     

          WOLDS

         

         YARBOROUGH

                               

Did stranded Gannet mistake Cleethorpes Leisure Centre for white cliffs of Yorkshire Coast?

                                         

The Gannet was able to waddle from the saltmarsh to a footpath where it would have been  vulnerable to off-the-lead dogs had not Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue come to its aid

THERE are hopes of a full recovery for a Gannet that made a crash-landing near Cleethorpes Leisure Centre yesterday morning.

Gannets, which breed on cliffs in Yorkshire and elsewhere around the British coast, are marine birds which find lifting off from dry land a challenge.

One possibility is that it mistook the leisure centre for a cliff, then, confusing it for sea, landed on shallow saltmarsh water during high tide and became stranded when the water receded.

After its discovery, the team at the National Coastwatch Institution look-out cabin maintained a watching brief until Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue could come to the bird's aid.

CWR takes up the story thus: "Gannets are among the UK’s largest seabirds. 

"When they are  not plunge-diving into the sea at speeds of up to 60mph, they are usually found nesting and resting along steep cliff edges. 

"If they land on flat beaches like Cleethorpes - or are washed ashore after rough seas - they can struggle to become airborne again. 

"We suspect this bird was attempting to continue its journey north towards the cliffs further up the coast."

The statement continues: "Ads  a high-risk species on a high-risk coastline for avian influenza, this bird underwent three separate assessments before entering rescue: the first at the scene before collection, the second outside the rescue centre and the third within our isolation bay.

"We are pleased to report that, aside from a fairly typical ectoparasite burden and being slightly underweight, the bird is in good overall health.

"Our fantastic veterinary partners at Eastfields have since carried out a full health-check and given the all-clear for rehabilitation to continue.

"A huge thank you to local photographer Rob for providing clear images that allowed us to assess the bird safely from a distance, and to Cleethorpes Coastwatch for their monitoring and observations throughout."

                                       

Making progress - there are hopes that the bird will soon be fit enough for release (photo: Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue)

Cliff-like? Cleethorpes Leisure Centre sits next to saltmarsh

MP blasts plan for housing estate on 'much-loved' nine-hole village golf course as 'unacceptable'

           

Uncertain future for  golf course in Humberston

MP Martin Vickers has added his voice to the growing opposition to a 234-house  estate being built  on the disused  nine-hole golf course behind Humberston Country Club.

Parliamentarians do not often comment on planning applications, but the representative for Brigg and Immingham has decided to make an exception in this case.

In a memo to North East Lincolnshire Council's planning department, he writes: "Development of this site will be hugely detrimental to Humberston and the wider community.

"The loss of open space and a much-loved golf course is unacceptable, particularly at a time when there are multiple developments already approved and a number of others to be determined. 

"To grant this application may help meet Government housing targets but will:

* Be damaging to the environment

* Put greater strain on the highway network 

* Increase the pressure on public services

"The development, if it goes ahead, will increase the dangers to pupils attending Humberston Academy. 

"Traffic at school arrival/leaving times is already extremely heavy.

"Last year the council refused an application to further develop land off Maple Grove, New Waltham. 

"This was subsequently overturned by the Government-appointed inspector even though he acknowledged that, at certain times, Toll Bar roundabout operated in excess of capacity.

"Approval of this application will increase pressure on the road network in Humberston/New Waltham.

"The Government repeatedly refer to sustainable development. 

"I would suggest to the council that this proposal is not sustainable and I urge the council  to refuse it."

The proposal, submitted by Vistry Homes, is also being opposed by Humberston Village Council and by Grimsby, Cleethorpes and District Civic Society, with the latter noting that it is against national planning policy to allow land traditionally used for sport to be developed for non-sporting purposes save in "exceptional circumstances". 

All-systems-go for Tesco filling station revamp after assurances that aquifer will be safe from harm

                                                               

The filling station closed earlier this month ahead of modernisation

MEASURES are being taken to ensure that the revamp at the Tesco Extra filling station on the outskirts of Cleethorpes poses  no contamination risk to underground water sources.

On this assurance on safeguards for the aquifer, the Environment Agency has withdrawn its initial objection to the project which includes:

* Removal of below-ground fuel storage tanks  

* Installation of two new 120,000 litre double skin steel storage tank and new petrol interceptor  

* Partial demolition and alterations to existing canopy 

* Installation of two jet washes and air and water facilities  

* Construction of new storage area to side of existing shop  

* Installation of new fuel lines, offset fills and vents 

* Installation of new interceptor 

* Installation of new drainage

The filling station is not due to reopen until July 27.

In the meantime, Tesco is suggesting its Brigg site as an alternative.

Chicken-processing giant says proposed poultry-processing project 'could support 1,400 jobs'

                                                         

           

A HUGE poultry-processing  'facility' could be established on a site to the west of Grimsby's Europarc business estate.

Hessle-based food giant Cranswick Country Foods plc - which is better known for its pork products - has earmarked 30 acres (12.1 hectares) of agricultural land for the venture.

The company's agents say that, if it goes ahead, the venture "would support "in excess of 1,400 jobs and contribute to the continued consolidation of Europarc as a key centre for food manufacturing within the region". 

They project "a throughput of up to approximately 1.75 million birds per week" and 200 HGV movements per day.

Cranswick and its partner, Wykeland Properties Ltd, have acknowledged that, once operational,  there might be an odour impact on the nearest residents which include the Beechwood Farm pub which is only 100 metres away.

Says the agents: "The development would comprises the construction and operation of a poultry processing facility of approximately 25,000 sqm (gross external area), including: 

▪ A processing building with integrated plant, equipment, associated offices and facilities  

▪ Effluent balancing, water storage and associated wastewater conveyance infrastructure   

▪ Yard areas, loading bays and internal HGV circulation routes  

▪ Ancillary infrastructure including fuel storage, utilities, and service areas  

▪ Landscaping, surface water drainage, and site access arrangements.  

"The facility would operate on a continuous or semi-continuous basis, with processing, dispatch, hygiene and supporting functions running across extended periods."

The proposal is under consideration by North East Lincolnshire Council planners.

                                 

The site proposed for the chicken-processing operation

Bring on the padel! Home of Cleethorpes Town FC could soon welcome fast-growing racquet sport

                                              

Anyone for padel? The Linden Club on Clee Road, Grimsby

THE grounds of the Linden Club on Clee Road in Grimsby could soon be playing host to a fast-growing sport.

The club has submitted a planning application to install four outdoor floodlit padel courts plus  a shipping container to be used for  changing, along with gates, pathways and associated works.

If planning consent is granted by North East Lincolnshire Council, the courts would be located on grassland in the north-west of the site.

The Linden is home of Cleethorpes Town FC and also has cricket pitches, while the clubroom often hosts social events.

The popularity of padel - sometimes described a cross between tennis and squash - is reflected not just by this planning application but by another one, submitted earlier this year, for  a court to be built on the site of the former Jungle Zoo in Cleethorpes.

Subject to no unforeseen and  overriding objections, both are likely to be approved later this summer.

Agents for the Linden say: "The proposal makes effective use of an area of  underutilised grassland and complements the existing sporting and recreational facilities on the site. 

"The development will deliver clear community benefits by introducing a growing and inclusive sport to the local area, promoting health and wellbeing, and supporting the continued investment and sustainability of Cleethorpes Town FC and the wider Linden Club facilities. 

"The scale, layout, appearance and materials of the courts are appropriate to their setting and will not adversely impact the character of the surrounding area. 

"Access arrangements, drainage, flood risk, landscaping and security considerations have all been appropriately addressed, with no detrimental impacts identified. 

"The proposal therefore represents a sustainable and well-considered form of development that accords with local and national planning policy objectives."