New leader of council poised to scupper proposed pedestrianisation of Cleethorpes Market Place

                                                     

Under threat - artist's impression of how proposed pedestrianisation might look on a summer's day  

THE plug may be pulled on the £4.5-million project to part-pedestrianise Cleethorpes Market Place.

The new leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, Cllr Oliver Freeston (Reform UK, Croft Baker), believes proposed restrictions on access and parking could suck the trading vitality out of this important part of town.

"Why fix something that doesn't need fixing?" he demands. "I'm all in favour of investment and improvements but not to the detriment of businesses." 

Now Cllr Freeston, who was elected  NELC leader yesterday evening, has asked officers to investigate whether it is permissible for the £4.5-million - monies allocated out of Whitehall's Levelling-up Fund - to be redirected elsewhere in the borough.

He also wants clarification on whether breach-of-contract compensation might need to be paid  to C..R Reynolds which has already closed off the market place ahead of works.

Cllr Freeston says he will consider calling an emergency meeting of his cabinet to discuss the way forward.                                   

Above and below: closed off - but work has not yet begun on revamping market place

You were dumped! New Reform UK leader of council puts boot in as Tories fail to cling on to power

                                                                     

Grimsby Town Hall where members of North East Lincolnshire Council this evening voted in favour of a change of leadership

THE Reform UK  leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, Cllr Oliver Freeston, has pledged a "bright new future" for the borough and its residents.

And, at this evening's meeting of the authority, he said he was willing to work with minority political parties.

By voting for Cllr Freeston to take the helm,  members called time on previous leader Cllr Philip Jackson and his Conservative administration.

The vote in favour of Cllr Freeston was 17, with 9 in favour of continuing with Cllr Jackson and 13 abstentions.

It is believed the Labour and Lib-Dem Group members abstained, so Cllr Freeston was helped over the line by the support of the four-strong Independent Group.

Acknowledging that Reform UK does not have enough members for overall control, Cllr Freeston, who has been on the council for eight years, said he would be willing to listen to ideas from those of other political persuasion and to compromise if felt appropriate.

But he was scathing in his criticism of the previous Conservative administration, accusing it of "arrogance" and of allowing projects - some of them unpopular - to run over time and above budget.    

When his claims were challenged by Conservatives Cllr Ian Lindley and Cllr Stan Shreeve, Cllr Freeston shot back: "You still don't get it.

"You were rejected by residents - you were dumped!"

It was an uncomfortable debate for Cllr Jackson who looked increasingly forlorn as it dawned on him that his leadership was drawing to a close.

But he had a dark message for Cllr Freeston who formerly sat as a Conservative for six years.

"I know where the bodies are buried," he warned.

Cllr Lindley argued that by voting for a Reform UK administration, the council was taking an "almighty risk".

He continued: "Ten of their members have never served on the council, and, of the four who have, none has ever held a cabinet position.

"The stability will be gone, and there will be a chaos of inexperience."

The new leader insisted  that what his colleagues lacked in political know-how they made up for  in experience in fields such as business and health.  

The new cabinet:

* Oliver Freeston: leader and portfolio holder for strategic renewal

* Samuel Grice: deputy leader and portfolio holder for children and education

* Nige Oliver: portfolio holder for health, wellbeing and adult social care

* Samuel Taylor: portfolio holder for finance, resources and assets

* Bob Callison: portfolio holder for the environment and energy security

* Paul Batson: portfolio holder for housing, infrastructure and transport

* James Sawkins: portfolio holder for stronger and safer communities

* Tanya Brasted:  portfolio holder for arts, heritage and the visitor economy

Council will need assurances before it gives green light for conversion of house to children's care home

 

A FIRM that wants to change the use of a house in Grimsby to a care home for  children will have to submit a planning application to North East Lincolnshire as an essential step in the project.

Our Avenue Ltd has earmarked a property in James Street, Grimsby, for establishing a care home for up to two young persons aged seven to 17.

It had hoped that NELC would grant a Certificate of Lawfulness which would have fast-tracked the venture.

However, this application has been turned down by the council.

Says a report:  "Given the site and urban context it is considered that the proposed development constitutes a material change of use. 

"This is because the two uses will be materially different.

"Firstly, in respect of the issue of safety and wellbeing of the children proposed to occupy the property, it is considered that one of the key issues of materiality pertains to the consideration of the safety of the children themselves.

"Secondly, the impact of the use on the character amenity of the local area including increased traffic movements and comings and goings due to staff, professional and personal movements; the suitability of the location of the children's home and the impact of the children's home on community cohesion and the actual or perceived safety of the community."

In order to proceed with the scheme, Our Avenue Ltd will - via a  planning application - need to provide assurances on what is proposed.

Bolton-based company earmarks Village Way on Europarc for its next UK filling station venture

                                                            

Proposed filling station will be near coffee shop and restaurant

PLANS are afoot for construction of a filling station on what is described as "shrubland"  at the Europarc Business Centre. 

The site identified for the project is 0.73 hectares to the west of Starbucks coffee shop off Village Way - not far from the Beechwood Farm restaurant and the junction with the A180 road.

The application seeks full planning consent for the erection of a single-storey fuel filling station kiosk building with two canopies.  

The kiosk building will be separated into the retail area, rest area and bathroom facilities and back of house for staff and deliveries.  

The applicants are the Bolton-based EG Group which has filling stations in at least six other countries including the USA.

They state: "The proposal is to  use high quality materials throughout the development in order to give a modern and appropriate appearance in line with the intended use as a roadside service. 

"Timber boarding is intended for to the front and sections of the side of the building. The majority of the front of the kiosk will be glazed with umbra grey." 

On the downside, 160 hawthorn trees and 23 out of 24 willows have been earmarked for removal in order to make way for the project.

There has been no breeding bird survey, but among the birds recorded by ecologist Hannah Karim when she went walkabout on December 10 were Redwing, Kestrel, Goldcrest and Snipe. 

                                           

Kestrel - one of the bird species that frequent the site

                                                  

Delight for birdwatchers as rare Purple Heron wings its way to the country park in Cleethorpes

There was an unexpected visitor to Cleethorpes Country Park this weekend. A rare Purple Heron was seen variously skulking among the reeds or perched on a branch in the trees on the island in the lake. It is thought that the bird, a relative of the much more common Grey Heron, may have flown to Lincolnshire from the Netherlands where it breeds. 

                                            

Was wool pulled over MP's eyes during recent sorting office visit? Emphatically not says Royal Mail

                                    

Demanding full disclosure - Melanie Onn

THE Government's Small Business minister, Blair McDougall, has been asked to intervene in a transparency row involving MP Melanie Onn and the  Royal Mail's sorting office in Grimsby.

When she paid a recent fact-finding visit to the Fotherby Street premises, the MP was shown empty mail frames, indicating that letters were out for delivery.

But she claims she has since been told by posties that the mail was not out for delivery - instead being hidden away to give the impression of service being carried out as normal.

However, this allegation - effectively that she had been duped - has been emphatically rejected by Royal Mail.

Now Ms Onn has written to the minister, asking him to get the bottom of the matter.

"I should be grateful if you could raise this disparity with Royal Mail," she writes. "Visits are of much greater value if they are honestly displayed.

"It is essential for my constituents that we can get a full picture of what services are being disrupted locally, why and how these matters can be addressed."                                                   

The MP has made public the letter she has written to the minister responsible for oversight of the Royal Mail

Heartbreak for Mariners as valiant fightback at Salford fails to clinch trip to Wembley

GRIMSBY Town have missed out on a Division 2 play-off final trip to Wembley.

Trailing 1-2 against Salford City after the first leg at Blundell Park, Town last night fell further behind when the Lancashire club scored early in the second half to make the aggregate score 3-1.

But then . . .

First Kieran Green, with a header, then a Jaze Kebia tap-in, levelled things up 2-2 on aggregate. 

The game went to extra-time, but Salford netted from close range in the 117th minute to clinch a date for the play-off final trip to London where they will play Notts County - last night's conquerors of Chesterfield 1-0 on aggregate following a 0-0 draw in the previous leg.

It is a hugely disappointing end to the campaign for Town after a momentous season which included  memorable Carabao Cup wins against Manchester United and Sheffield Wednesday early in the season.

But if they can keep together most of this season’s star performers - and maybe add a few more in the close season transfer market - they should have the springboard for another tilt at promotion in 2026-27.