SENIOR COUNCILLOR HATCHES PLAN TO INSTALL GLAMPING PODS ON BRADLEY SMALLHOLDING

These are the sort of pods Cllr Shepherd has in mind

 A NEW business venture is on the cards for a member of North East Lincolnshire Council's cabinet.

Latest wheeze of Cllr Ron Shepherd, a former Scout leader, is to install four glamping pods at his smallholding known as The Shepherd's Purse on Bradley Road.

He hopes the project will generate substantial extra income to boost his earnings from vegetable growing, horticulture and council work.

Already he has been in contact with Kendal-based pod supplier Newfoundland Leisure Lodges Ltd.

However, before Operation Glamping can proceed, Cllr Shepherd, who is an ex-mayor of the borough, will need planning permission from the council.

His application is currently under consideration by NELC officers who may seek assurances that he intends planting trees and hedgerows to enhance wildlife at the site.

Enterprising - Cllr Ron Shepherd

WHEN WILL CLEETHORPES GET ITS LONG-AWAITED NEW SEAFRONT TOURISM BUILDING?

The site of the former Waves pub - but are there any takers?

WORKS to extend the hoardings around the former Waves pub site on Sea Road in Cleethorpes will be taking place tomorrow (Thursday 30 September) and are expected to take one day to complete.

The extension of the hoardings follows public realm works around the area which has opened additional footpath space allowing for the creation of a larger and safer site.

Temporary tarmac ramps will also be installed close to the WCs on Sea Road to better improve accessibility in the area.

The footpath will remain open and uninterrupted for the majority of the day except for short periods of time while plant and materials are moved around the footpath. 

During periods of closure, signage will be erected directing pedestrians to the footway on the north side of Sea Road.  

North East Lincolnshire Council says motorists will not be disrupted during the works.

Medium-term, plan is for there to be a new building, incorporating a tourist information centre and other amenities, on the site, but the project appears to have stalled.

It is possible that Lockdown may have been a factor in the lack of progress to date.

The pub was demolished many months ago

Above and below - the building (and planting scheme) proposed for the site 

FEARS FOR FUTURE OF CLEETHORPES SHOE SHOP

These boots are made for  walking - Shoe Zone in Cleethorpes

It looks like Cleethorpes is set to lose another specialist shoe shop. Following the loss of Clark's on St Peter's Avenue,  the same fate is feared for low-cost Shoe Zone on the other side of  the road. Word is that the Cleethorpes branch is set to close after the sales in January next year.   

                                                               

The former Clark's shop is now on the market

Then, now, always . . . ?

BECAUSE THEY'RE WORTH IT - 80 COUNCIL OFFICERS EARNING UPWARDS OF £50,000 A YEAR

 

Rob Walsh - council's top earner

THERE was a pay freeze for North East Lincolnshire Council's chief executive, Rob Walsh, last year.

Latest figures reveal his package was worth £189,750 - the same as last year.

Five other directors received remuneration upwards of £106,000 each.

Another 74 councils officers each received salaries of between £50,000 and £100,000.

Meanwhile,  the authority's 42 councillors claimed between them £502,000 in allowances - £1,000 more than last year even though lockdown meant there were no meetings to attend. 

COUNCIL SEEKS WACKY NAMING SUGGESTIONS FOR NEW REFUSE COLLECTION TRUCKS

                                                                            

Name this truck! One of the new arrivals

CAN you come up with a  name for a new bin lorry?

North East Lincolnshire Council will soon take delivery of new vehicles as it updates its recycling fleet.

When the authority  invited residents to name its last set of vehicles, they came up with such suggestions such as Rita the Rubbish Eater, Trucky, Binosaurus Rex and Recycling Ninjas of NE Lincs.

Visit https://name-that-bin-lorry.questionpro.eu  to suggest a name before 5pm on Thursday 30 September.

Says Cllr Stewart Swinburn, NELC's portfolio holder for environment and transport: "Nine recycling vehicles need a name."

Any prizes up for grabs?

"No," replies the portfolio holder. "It’s just for fun and the kudos of knowing you named a bin lorry."

The Grimsby News says: There is something to be said for instilling a bit of humour into the dour business of refuse collection, but cash-strapped NELC is surely missing a trick. Refuse vehicles offer excellent advertising and promotional opportunities for businesses. Why does the authority  not explore this option to generate funds for its ever-depleting coffers?  

CLEETHORPES VISIT BECKONS FOR PRIME MINISTER AS FOOTBRIDGE NEARS COMPLETION

The main structure of the footbridge has now been installed

CLEETHORPES can expect a visit this winter from the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.

It is almost certain that he will be invited to cut the ribbon at the formal opening of the new Suggitts Lane railway crossing footbridge soon after it is completion which could be before Christmas.

After handshakes with civic and railway companies dignitaries - plus Cleethorpes MP Martin Vickers - he will then walk across the bridge to chat with residents on both sides.

The bridge will be wheelchair-friendly and provide superb views across the Estuary and Chapman's Pond. 

Before becoming PM, one of Johnson's political pledges - prompted by Mr Vickers - was to get the bridge built in order to pacify residents when the railway authorities closed the previous pedestrian crossing. 

The bridge is a feat of engineering excellence

Views over Chapman's Pond - with all its wildlife - will be exceptional

AND DOGGY CAME, TOO! UNUSUAL SIGHT AT DAYBREAK OFF CLEETHORPES BEACH

It was a doggy-paddle with a difference. Emerging out of the dawn sunlight off Cleethorpes Beach was this paddle-boarder with an unusual passenger - her pet dog! How ever did she manage to get him on board?

EASY DOES IT AS WORK PROGRESSES ON FORMER CLEETHORPES SCHOOL SITE HOUSING PROJECT

 

Slow progress but they're gradually getting there. That seems to be state-of-play on the new housing development currently being built on the site of the former Thrunscoe School off Highgate in Cleethorpes. Above and below are site photographs taken last weekend.

REPRIMAND - AND PERHAPS MORE - FOR COUPLE WHO BREACHED CLEETHORPES BEACH DOG BAN

The patrol officers mean business . . . 

THE biggest threat  to shorebirds on Cleethorpes is  canine.

Just the presence of dogs puts terror into the hearts of redshank, curlew and other species, many of which are in rapid global decline.

That is one of the reasons why dogs  are banned on the beach in summer and early autumn - to allow the birds to feed up and refuel with as little disturbance as possible.

Most dog-owners are responsible - they respect the seasonal restriction. But some either flout the regulations or are unaware of them.

Who knows what the situation was mid-afternoon yesterday near the leisure centre, but two patrol officers were determined to carry out their responsibility and apprehend a couple who were allowing their dog to run loose.

Whether the do were fined or let off with a ticking off is not known.

Now, about that dog . . . 

Were you not aware that dogs are banned from the beach until September 30?

If you will let me put my point of view . . .

Owner and dog (now on a lead) are escorted off the beach

 

PROPOSED WATER-SPORTS BUILDING WILL HELP REVITALISE CLEETHORPES' NORTH PROMENADE

Planning consent granted for ambitious venture (Image: id Architecture, Grimsby)

AN important new development is in prospect for Cleethorpes seafront.

Planning consent has been granted for construction of a water sports building at 203 North Promenade - the vacant site once occupied by the Savoy amusement centre.

This is the location where Toni-Ann Buckle weavers, with the support of husband Vince, has been building up her increasingly popular Ebb & Flow paddleboard venture

The imaginative modernistic building will include a cafe, shop, changing rooms and other units. 

There will also be an external courtyard with three-bed living accommodation at second- and third- floor level.

There will also be an imaginative bird-friendly initiative.

On the recommendation of eco-consultant Andrew Chick, a planning condition has been imposed that  four swift-nesting boxes should be installed in a bid to reverse the decline the fortunes of a rapidly-declining species.

It is understood that the applicant is fully on board with  this.

The application did not go before North East Lincolnshire Council's planning committee but was determined under delegated powers by case officer Bethany Loring

In her report, she states: "The proposal to redevelop this site represents a significant investment in the borough by the applicant to increase the offering of the area and cater for the-ever expanding existing business. 

"The layout, scale and design of the scheme have been considered carefully during the planning application process. 

"Particular regard has been given to the sensitive constraints surrounding the site. 

"The approach taken, along with a number of other detailed matters, has been independently tested through the planning process and in discussions with key consultees.

"The impact to neighbours has been given full consideration. 

"Impacts arising are deemed to be acceptable subject to safeguarding measures on matters such as construction and ecology."

Meanwhile,  NELC's ecology officer, Rachel Graham, is  happy for the swifts.

She says: "I am satisfied with the biodiversity net gain, in particularly the installation of swift boxes as swifts are a feature of the Humber Estuary Site of Special Scientific Interest."

However, she cautions: "There is increasing pressure on the resort of Cleethorpes with ambitions to increase footfall and visitors."

She continues: "Given the ecological ethos of the proposal owners, they do have the opportunity to educate and raise awareness of the designations which would benefit the protected site and I hope that they take that opportunity."

                                                          

Four swift  nest-boxes will be incorporated into the development for the benefit of a declining species

Paddleboarding - Cleethorpes' fastest growing water sport

The former Savoy amusement centre which once stood at the site 

NEW BANNERS PROVIDE WELCOME FRESHNESS AND ZEST TO BUSY GRIMSBY SHOPPING STREET

                                                    

The banners provide dash of sparkle in busy part of town 

BANNERS have been installed along Victoria Street in Grimsby as part of an initiative to provide extra sparkle in  the town centre.

North East Lincolnshire Enough is Enough action group is  behind the initiative which has been supported by North East Lincolnshire Council and its regeneration partner, Engie.

There has also been sponsorship from some 24 local businesses.

Park ward councillor Daniel Westcott, who  has been involved in the project, is delighted at what has been achieved.

Says he: "The end product looks fantastic."

Meanwhile NELC leader Cllr Philip Jackson comments: "I am really pleased that we could help Daniel and the members of Enough is Enough to make this happen.

"We are committed to working with proactive members of our communities to make improvements to our area. 

"This is about working together to make North East Lincolnshire a  more attractive place for people to visit."

The banners will come down briefly for the Christmas lights, then go back up early in 2022.

PLANT ENTHUSIASTS DOING THEIR BIT TO MAKE OUR AREA GREEN, LEAFY AND PLEASANT

 

A touch of whimsy in this enchanting display in Great Coates 

 IT'S countdown to the East Midlands in Bloom annual awards in Grimsby next Wednesday.

Representatives from Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Rutland and Greater Lincolnshire will gather at the Town Hall to celebrate their achievements.

There will also be representation from this area's own enterprising In Bloom groups which include:

* Grimsby in Bloom

* Immingham in Bloom

* Great Coates in Bloom

* Old Clee in Bloom

* Chelmsford Avenue Neighbourhood Watch and In Bloom

Says Cllr Stewart Swinburn, portfolio holder for Environment and Transport at North East Lincolnshire Council and vice-president of East Midlands in Bloom: "North East Lincolnshire is a better place because of the efforts of the area’s In Bloom volunteers.

"I wish all the groups the best of luck in the upcoming awards and would like to thank them for attracting the presentation event to Great Grimsby."

JAPANESE ENERGY-TRANSFER INITIATIVE SURE TO INTRIGUE OFFSHORE WINDFARM COMPANIES

Could the Power ARK 100 revolutionise the transfer of offshore energy? (Photo: PowerX)

TRUST the Japanese to come up with a brilliant technological initiative!

The vessel pictured has been specially designed to transfer renewable energy from Japan’s offshore windfarms as an alternative to depending on seabed cabling.

On completion in 2025, the vessel - the Power ARK 100 - will carry 100 grid batteries, equating to 200 MWh of power which is equivalent to the total electricity consumption of 22,000 Japanese households per day.

The company behind the venture, PowerX, says it will also build a gigawatt-scale battery assembly facility in Japan to mass-produce batteries for the power transfer vessels. 

It is likely that the progress of the innovative project will be followed  closely by renewable energy companies with bases in Grimsby and operations off the cost of Lincolnshire and Yorkshire.

EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS - BUT DIGGING OUT SALTMARSH IS A VERY TEDIOUS TASK

Spotted last Sunday- one of the Cleethorpes Beach Safety team digging up mud-growing plants in order to slow the spread of the saltmarsh towards the central beach. It is not easy. Every plant has to be dug individually - and there are a lot of them. Who's to say that Nature won't win in the end? It often does.

 

PLANNING GREEN LIGHT FOR SEAFRONT HOTEL TO BE CONVERTED TO APARTMENTS

Soon to be converted to apartments - the Oyo Hotel on Kingsway

PLANNING consent was today granted for the Oyo Hotel MJ on Kingsway in Cleethorpes to be converted to seven self-contained apartments. 

The application submitted by Mr Jide Daramola did not go before North East Lincolnshire Council's planning committee but was determined under delegated powers by case officer Lauren Birkwood who maintains the proposal will be "in keeping with the existing property and wider area". 

She believes there will be "no significant impacts" on the residential amenity of neighbours, nor on drainage or highways.  

The Grimsby News says: How regrettable to see the loss of another Cleethorpes hotel - one that enjoys  an advantageous position looking over the estuary. Only last week, NELC chiefs announced an initiative aimed at enhancing tourism and encouraging more staying visitors. How can this  this be achieved if the authority continues with its policy of allowing resort hotels and guesthouses to be converted to flats and bedsitters? 

A SHORT STROLL WITH THE BIRDS - MOSTLY RINGED PLOVERS - ON CLEETHORPES BEACH

 

A stroll along Cleethorpes outer beach this morning brought these two ladies into contact with a flock of ringed plovers - small sand-loving wading birds - which performed a brief aerial dance for them before flying off and settling  further down the tideline.

COMMUNITY LEADERS SHOW THEIR RESPECT FOR OUR VALIANT EMERGENCY SERVICES WORKERS

                                                               

LEADERS from across the spectrum in North East Lincolnshire united to pay tribute to our emergency services personnel.

Council leader Cllr Philip Jackson was joined by Labour Group leader Cllr Matthew Patrick and Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Steve Beasant to raise the Emergency Services flag at Grimsby Town Hall.

The  Mayor, Cllr David Hasthorpe, was also in attendance, along with representatives from North East Lincolnshire Council, Humberside Police, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service and the National Health Service.

On  National Emergency Services Day, the flag-raising was an opportunity to recognise the dedication and work of those at the frontline during one of the most challenging periods in recent history.

Said the Mayor; "I am proud of the NHS and all of our emergency service workers and of what they achieve every day."                                                          

COUNCIL UPBEAT ON PROJECT AIMED AT REDUCING ROUGH SLEEPING

                                                               

Some rough sleepers prefer the outdoor life - as here on Cleethorpes central beach

MORE than  half of those sleeping rough in North East Lincolnshire over the course of the Covid pandemic have been successfully resettled.

So says the council in a statement issued earlier today.

When the virus first struck, the Government launched the Everyone In scheme, its purpose being to provide temporary accommodation for anyone who found themselves homeless.

Of the 115 people who presented themselves as homeless or were considered to be sleeping rough during the pandemic, 66 were resettled into alternative accommodation.

The remaining 49 did not return to being classed as homeless or sleeping rough on the streets of North East Lincolnshire, suggesting that they instead returned to family homes or found other more permanent accommodation.

Says Cllr Callum Procter, NELC's portfolio holder for housing: "The work of our homeless prevention service and our partners at Harbour Place often goes unseen, but these figures really show what they can do at such short notice and under incredibly difficult circumstances.

"Within hours of the Government publishing the Everyone In scheme, our team were busy arranging accommodation for some of the most vulnerable people in our borough.

"Since then, they’ve been working behind the scenes with each individual to try to help them to get their lives back on track and get them into stable, suitable accommodation.

"In North East Lincolnshire, we tend to have between 5 and 15 people who present as homeless or sleep rough at any one time. 

"Our team work with Harbour Place and other organisations to identify these individuals and offer temporary accommodation and support to get them back on their feet.

"While this help isn’t always accepted, the team do some great work everyday to prevent people from becoming homeless, and our partners at Harbour Place continue to carry out valuable outreach work to get anyone sleeping rough the proper support to help them rebuild their lives."

Harbour Place project director Robin Barr comments: "The success of the scheme is built upon the commitment and energy of the teams involved, highlighting the real impact that effective partnership working can have and the difference it can make to people’s lives."

The leafy nature reserve on Cleethorpes seafront is a popular location for rough sleepers

COUNCIL POISED TO SPLASH OUT £100,000 PUBLIC MONEY ON YET ANOTHER TOURISM 'MASTERPLAN'

                                                 

Stand by for a new masterplan (yes another one) for Cleethorpes

JUST when everyone thought North East Lincolnshire Council was strapped for cash, it is poised to shell out £100,000 on consultancy fees.

That is the sum earmarked to hire a firm to carry out yet another report - there have already been many others  - on how to develop  Cleethorpes as as an all-year resort.

Says a NELC spokesperson; "We're on the hunt to to find some specialist expertise to create a new masterplan for the resort and town centre.

"The key outcomes are to increase footfall across Cleethorpes, to extend the traditional tourism season and to make the resort attractive year-round.

"We are keen to encourage more overnight staying visitors, and to increase sustainable jobs and opportunities for local people."

The costly initiative is being backed by council leader Cllr Philip Jackson who says: "The time has presented itself for us to take another look at the resort and what the art of the possible might be.

"We are looking for external expertise to enhance our in-house team and set a new vision for the tourism sector over the next decade.

"Once we have a consultancy on board to help us through this next stage, a key part of their work will be to talk with local people about what they want to see.

"It might be park-and-ride facilities or great new businesses - no ideas are off the table at this point. 

"We need to gather ideas, understand what local people as well as visitors want and need, and shape our plans around the key themes."

The Grimsby News says: Oh no, here we go again! NELC is poised to spend a cartload of money on a glossy report which, like all the others before it, will be launched with great fanfare, then put in a filing cabinet and quietly forgotten about it. Why can't the council's senior executives do this work? Isn't that what they are paid (handsomely) to do? If they are unable to come up with workable ideas, why are they being employed at all?  The council leader is a sensible fellow, but does he really believe this is prudent expenditure of public funds? How easy it is to spend money when it does not come out of your own wallet. Before it is too late, Cllr Jackson should  scrap this worthless project and save wasting a whole lot of  time and cash.  How Cleethorpes develops in the years to come will be determined not by council bureaucrats, nor by the whims of a here-today, gone-tomorrow consultancy but by market forces and the imagination and drive of  energetic entrepreneurs.                 

HOLY SMOKE! MAN IN COURT OVER POSSESSION OF 80,000 COUNTERFEIT CIGARETTES

                                                     

Boxloads of cigarettes - but all of them fake

A MAN has been sentenced after pleading guilty to three charges relating to counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco.

Saman Hamzaym (24), of Chester Place, Cleethorpes, appeared before Grimsby Magistrates’ Court on Friday 27 August after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to three charges under the 1994 Trade Marks Act.

These  related to 78,360 counterfeit Richmond cigarettes, 1,540 counterfeit Marlboro cigarettes  and 20 pouches of counterfeit Amber Leaf tobacco.

All items were seized from his vehicle outside his workplace, Ferdawes International Foods in Freeman Street, by the council’s Trading Standards officers who were supported by officers from the East Marsh Neighbourhood Policing Team.

The illicit street value of these goods at the time of the seizure was £16,140, with a legitimate value being £40,370. 

Hamzay was sentenced to a 12-month community order incorporating 100 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £565 costs and a victim surcharge of £90.

Magistrates gave credit to his early guilty plea, and his personal circumstances were taken into account. 

A custodial sentence had been considered due to the severity of the offences.

Since the start of North East Lincolnshire Council’s Operation Nightshade, intended to combat the supply of illicit tobacco products in the borough, the Trading Standards team have now seized 885,848 illegal cigarettes and 722.9 kilos of tobacco, which at street level has a value of almost £400,000 and a legitimate value of more than £860,000.

LIGHTING COLUMNS ON PROM TO BE REPLACED IN READINESS FOR ILLUMINATIONS PROJECT

A FOUR-week project will start on Monday to replace the lighting columns on the North Prom ahead of the installation of the new "luminations" later this year.

 McCanns will be replacing 20 lighting columns along the prom to increase the load capacity of the columns to support the new lights.

The work will be done during the daytime (8am to 5pm) with each column being replaced one at a time. 

During the works, the individual columns will be barriered off to create a safe working space, but the rest of the footpath will remain open at all times. The street lights will operate as normal at night.

Once the new columns have been installed, new metalwork and then finally the new "luminations" will be installed.

If all goes to plan, the lights will be tested, then switched on fully during November.

The "luminations" project is part of the Coastal Communities Fund project, which will provide a new artistic lighting scheme for the North Prom.

Other elements of the North Prom art project have included the installation of  exercise furniture and shutter art, both installed over the previous year.

However, the most ambitious scheme - to install a huge artificial palm tree at the north end of the promenade - has been put out of its misery. it will no to go ahead.

ABANDONED SHOPPING TROLLEYS CAUSING HEADACHE FOR COUNCIL'S STREET CLEANERS

 

Some of the shopping trolleys retrieved by the council

ABANDONED shopping trolleys are causing headaches for North East Lincolnshire Council.

The authority's street cleaners  have collected more than 140  over the past eight weeks.

They are finding them everywhere from river banks and under bushes to street corners and in car parks.

Usually, the trolleys are collected by a private contractor and returned to the retailers or used for spares.

If they are not collected, they are scrapped and the metal recycled to be used again.

Staff from the street cleansing team are monitoring the numbers collected and stockpiled 143 at their depot in Grimsby in eight weeks. They say the problem has  recently worsened.

Cllr Stewart Swinburn, portfolio holder for Environment and Transport at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: "Our staff are picking up two or three every day.

"Not only do they look unsightly when they’re left on the streets or dumped in the river, but they can also injure wildlife and block the flow of water.

"It’s an unnecessary burden on our staff to retrieve trolleys. 

"We know most people use them responsibly, but sadly a small number of people choose to dump them and leave us to pick up the mess.”

It is often  difficult to retrieve the trolleys  from water and mud.  

Grimsby’s Canoe River Cleaner James Elliott who often pull trolleys from the River Freshney, comments: "As well as undermining civic pride shopping trolleys can alter the habit of our wildlife that call the river home.

"They can also pose a greater flood risk or algae build up as they act as anchor points for other litter and debris.

"I personally feel that supermarkets need to take more responsibility and work with people such as me and other volunteers to resolve this problem."

SOLITARY SUNFLOWER FLYING THE FLAG ON CLEETHORPES SAND DUNES

                                       

Sunflowers are not the sort of plant that you expect to see on Cleethorpes sand dunes, but this one - spotted earlier this week - is pioneering the way. Was it planted or did the seed find its own way to the beach?