Humberston's Hayden Dawkins joins Council cabinet as portfolio holder for all things sporty and arty

 

Cllr Dawkins - most interesting portfolio in the Cabinet?

THERE is a new face in North East Lincolnshire Council's cabinet.

Humberston's Cllr Hayden Dawkins has taken over from Tom Furneaux who, because of other commitments, stepped down from the council at the local elections.

Cllr Dawkins becomes Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and the Visitor Economy.

Otherwise there have been no changes. 

The Cabinet responsibilities for the following year are as follows:

Cllr Philip Jackson: Leader and Portfolio Holder for Economy, Net Zero, Skills and Housing – with responsibility for economic strategy, regeneration, inward investment and growth, business support and local enterprise, all aspects of housing, net zero, decarbonisation, the NEL Carbon roadmap and the green agenda, strategic economic collaboration, skills and employability.

Cllr Stan Shreeve: Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care – with responsibility for adult social care, health and adult social care commissioning and provision, public health and health inequality, health and care partnership, collaboration and integration.

Cllr Stephen Harness: Portfolio Holder for Finance, Resources and Assets – with responsibility for financial strategy and corporate governance, revenue budget and capital programme, digital strategy, inclusion and development, shared services and commercial development, financial inclusion, assets (corporate, commercial, community) and estate management.

Cllr Margaret Cracknell: Portfolio Holder for Children and Education ­­- with responsibility as statutory lead member for children’s services for safeguarding of children and young people, corporate parenting, care leavers and family support, early help, SEND, school improvement and education.

Cllr Stewart Swinburn: Portfolio Holder for Environment and Transport – with responsibility for planning, development control, highways and transportation, traffic management, parking and regulation, waste, recycling and environmental management, neighbourhood services, street scene, parks, open spaces, climate change related policy implementation affecting the natural environment.

Cllr Ron Shepherd: Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger Communities – with responsibility for all aspects of local authority enforcement and regulatory services, environmental health, port health, food safety, pollution control, trading standards and licensing, community safety and anti-social behaviour, voluntary and community sector, emergency planning and civil contingencies.

Cllr Hayden Dawkins: Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and the Visitor Economy – with responsibility for tourism and the visitor economy, leisure, sport and recreation, including the playing pitch strategy, culture, borough heritage, museums and the arts and equalities, diversity and inclusion.

Says Cllr Jackson: "Over the last 12 months we have worked hard to bring projects forward and provide stable leadership and direction for the council. 

"We welcome Cllr Dawkins to the Cabinet.

"We will continue to press on with our priorities, delivering on our promises to help create a stronger local economy and safer and stronger communities for all."

'Heartfelt' thanks from charity as Grimsby crematorium initiative leads to £12,000 donation

 

Welcome boost for charity's coffers. The money will help fund vital research into heart health  

THE British Heart Foundation is £12,000 richer thanks to a donation from Grimsby Crematorium.

The Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management Metals Recycling Scheme has been in operation since 2014, collecting recyclable metals such as parts of the coffin and replacement implants or joints that can be salvaged following a cremation. 

Proceeds from the sale of the metal locally go into a charity fund which is donated twice a year - the latest payout being to the heart charity.

Says Melanie Meik, fundraising supremo with the BHF's Lincolnshire and Rutland branch: "We are grateful and honoured that Grimsby crematorium has chosen to support the British Heart Foundation and help fund the scientific breakthroughs of tomorrow."

She continues: "The money donated will help the British Heart Foundation fund vital research into heart and circulatory diseases such as heart attacks, stroke and vascular dementia.

"There are 160,000 people living with these conditions in Lincolnshire."

Over the years, the crematorium has donated almost £100,000 to charities.

Says Cllr Stewart Swinburn, NELC's portfolio holder for environment and transport at North East Lincolnshire Council:

"We are delighted to be able to donate funds to the British Heart Foundation, contributing to the excellent work they do in our community.

"Most of us will know someone affected by heart conditions, and we are happy to be funding research that could ultimately save lives."

Daniel Intress-Franklin, deputy bereavement services manager at Grimsby Crematorium, notes that relatives of the deceased are asked to give their consent before the cremation to allow the collection of the metals to proceed.

Flying the flag(s) for Phoenix-like emergence of popular landmark on Cleethorpes beach

                                                                 

Just days after the Buck Beck beach bench in Cleethorpes went up in flames, the framework of a new one has been built on its ashes. Over the start of the Bank Holiday weekend, it has been attracting a steady stream of pilgrims. Long may it survive and prosper!

Grimsby site once earmarked as potential hostel for asylum seekers could become 'care village'

                                               

New use beckons for former YMCA building off Peaks Lane

THE site of the former YMCA building in Grimsby could become a 'care village' for the elderly.

A plan has been revealed to convert the three-storey property off Peaks Lane to accommodation for staff, relatives and other visitors  while an additional building, to be constructed, would provide a care home of up to 80 bedrooms with some independent living provision.

It is understood the Home Office had previously run the rule over the property as a potential hostel for asylum seekers but the location was deemed unsuitable.

A report states:  "The buildings around the site are a varied mix of commercial, predominantly healthcare facilities, arranged in expansive landscaped grounds, with residential areas further to the north. 

"There are plenty of services locally including shops, entertainment, public houses and restaurants.

"The site has been identified to provide a care village, adjacent to the medical and care services off Peaks Lane which include a private hospital, palliative care, mental health services, children’s services and cancer care and other provisions, all within close proximity to residential areas for the provision of employment of local staff." 

It continues: "The proposed development would offer enhancements to the wider area including additional support to the adjacent amenities and creating much needed market affordable housing, in a prime, central location. 

"The proposed development shall include a 60-80 bed residential care home, an area dedicated to independent living accommodation, ideally  bungalows or serviced apartments and intermediate / close care accommodation and ancillary facilities. 

"The existing former YMCA accommodation shall be converted into serviced, short term lets / serviced accommodation, for contract workers, staff, relatives and other visitors to the facilities."

It concludes: "Towns such as Grimsby require high quality, elderly care provisions, and a new care village provide a variety of accommodation offering independence and a choice for older people in a sustainable location."

The identity of the applicant has not been revealed, but is believed to be a Durham-based company.

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

The sports hall on the left of the accommodation block is earmarked for demolition

Starbucks eyes up grassland site on Europarc business park for new drive-thru coffee shop

                                                                             

A NEW Starbucks drive-thru coffee shop could be coming soon to the Grimsby area.

The target location is a grassland site off Village Way on Europarc not far from the Beechwood Farm pub-restaurant.

A planning application submitted by estate managers Burney Estate Ltd and Wykeland Properties Ltd is currently under consideration by North East Lincolnshire Council.

Swoop by Trading Standards officers revealed counterfeit products on sale in Cleethorpes shop

The owner of this Cleethorpes business was unaware of any unlawful activity on the premises

A GRIMSBY man has been heavily fined after he admitted selling counterfeit products at a Cleethorpes shop while it was under his management.

Martins Kintsons (43), of Convamore Road, faced seven charges under the Trade Descriptions Act when he appeared before magistrates.

The offences came to light on October 5 last year when  North East Lincolnshire Council Trading Standards officers and Humberside Police Community Team visited A-Z Booze in St Peter’s Avenue.

A number of the cigarettes and pouches of tobacco were  found to be counterfeit copies of genuine brands.

Meanwhile, vaping bars were all found to have internal reservoirs well in excess of the 2ml legal limit, with them all having between 10 and 14ml of nicotine liquid. 

Some of the seized vaping bars also contained nicotine liquid at a strength two and a half times the legal limit, having a nicotine content of five per cent when the legal maximum is two per cent. 

These devices were  intended for the American market and did not bear the warnings, adequate labelling and traceability information required by UK law.

In total, 674 illegal disposable vape bars, 3,720 illegal cigarettes (186 packs) and 53 x 50g pouches of illegal hand rolling tobacco were found to be on sale.

The Grimsby Bench heard that, at the time of the inspection, Klintsons was in charge, having been appointed to run the business on behalf of the owner who worked away and rarely visited the premises. 

Interviewed by Trading Standards officers, he admitted he had purchased the illegal vapes, cigarettes and tobacco to sell in the shop without informing his employer. 

He said that he had done this in order to supplement his wages and make extra money to support his growing family.

Klitsons was fined a total of £850 after pleading guilty to seven charges. He was also ordered to pay court costs of £500 and a victim surcharge of £340.

Sentencing, District Judge Curtis noted that the defendant had been manager of the business for a relatively short time, received none of the profits and was not the owner or director of the company - otherwise the fine would have been "significantly higher".

Following the hearing, Cllr Ron Shepherd, portfolio holder for safer and stronger communities, said: "I am very pleased with this result and proud to see our Trading Standards team at the forefront of dealing with the current craze for illegal vaping.

"This case shows that the same people who are peddling illegal tobacco are behind the ever-increasing trade in illegal disposable vape bars. 

"All tobacco is harmful, but illegal tobacco tends to be priced much cheaper, making it easier for children to start smoking and get hooked.

"The illicit tobacco and vape trade also has strong links to organised crime and criminal gangs, so those buying these products are often pouring money into things like people smuggling, drug dealing, money laundering and even terrorism.

"Even small-time local sellers can be at the end of a long criminal chain."

North East Lincolnshire's new Mayor names his chosen charities for 2023-24 civic year

 

Saying it with flowers - new First Citizens  Helen and Ian Lindley at the Mayor-making ceremony 

The new mayor of North East Lincolnshire, Cllr Ian Lindley,  has named his two charities for the forthcoming civic year.

They are:

* Sunflowers Children’s Action Group

* Pink Rose Suite at Diana Princess of Wales Hospital 

Cllr Lindley  has appointed Mrs Helen Lindley as his Mayoress.

Outgoing Mayor Cllr Steve Beasant, was elected to the position of Deputy Mayor, with Mrs Carol Beasant as  Deputy Mayoress.

The Nottingham-born new Mayor first came to Grimsby during the early 1990s and has  stayed ever since. 

Says he: "I am really passionate about this place and its people, and I look forward to spending my mayoral year getting out and meeting people in our community.”

Born in Nottingham, Cllr Lindley came to Grimsby on a three-week contract as an operating department practitioner in the 1990s and stayed on to continue working at the Diana Princess of Wales Hospital.

Originally as a Labour councillor, he decided to switch allegiance to the Conservatives. He has represented Scartho ward since 2015.

The Mayor is not directly elected by the people and therefore holds no direct power. 

In his current position, he is politically neutral in carrying out mayoral duties and chairs full council meetings. 

                             

Proud moment for Cllr Lindley - surrounded by family and friends

* Photos: North East Lincolnshire Council

                                    

                                               

Cleethorpes 'beach cathedral' destroyed by arsonists - but something new might rise from the ashes

Tourist attraction has gone up in flames 

                                         

A CHERISHED feature of Cleethorpes' outer beach has been destroyed by fire.

The makeshift structure - largely consisting of timber and branches washed up by the tides - was put together over many years by the impromptu activity of residents and visitors alike.

It has no official name but has sometimes been known as  the pirate wreck, the alamo, the beach cathedral and the Buck Beck beach  bench.

The authorities are investigating, but, even if the culprits are identified, it is not clear that any crime has been committed because the structure belongs to no one and consists mostly of driftwood.

It is not the first time, catastrophe has struck - some 10 years ago it was washed away by freakishly high tides and storms.

However, it was soon rebuilt, albeit in a slightly different location, and already a similar initiative is underway this week. 

Correction - this was my happy place

Amazing what you can do with material reclaimed from the tideline

See also:

Post: Edit (blogger.com)

and:

Post: Edit (blogger.com)

Impromptu protection zone set up to safeguard welfare of Riverhead's nesting mute swans

Temporary railings have been installed at the most sensitive part of the Riverhead

A BIRD protection zone has been set up at Grimsby's Riverhead to safeguard the nest of a pair of mute swans.

The initiative was taken by Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue following human disturbance including at least one instance when sticks were thrown at them.

This week, the eggs - there are thought to be eight - have been hatching with two cygnets plainly visible.

Although railings have been installed to deter too close a view of the birds, there are still plenty of vantage points to view parents and young. It is understood the unfolding events are being captured by CCTC installed on The Barge pub which is moored nearby. 

Unsurprisingly, the swans are providing something of an attraction for visitors to Grimsby's Top Town.

The proud mum surveys the first of the two chicks to hatch 

 

Even the local pigeons are touched  by the happy scene unfolding before their eyes

Bumper prices achieved at auction of landscapes painted by acclaimed Grimsby artist Herbert Rollett

                                                           

Paintings by Grimsby artist Herbert Rollett (1870-1932) were among the star performers at an auction conducted today by John Taylors of Louth. Following brisk bidding, the hammer came down at £560 on his study of sailing boats on the Humber (above)  and at £600 on his view of Newsham Bridge on the Brocklesby Estate.

                                       

  

Woman misses out on sunshine holiday in Spain after losing her passport on plane flight to Alicante

                                                

Woman's Benidorm holiday hopes dashed after loss of passport

SPARE a thought for the Cleethorpes woman who missed out on a sunshine holiday to Benidorm in Spain after losing her passport on the plane!

The woman, whose identity has been withheld, misplaced the vital document somewhere in the air between East Midlands and Alicante airports.

On arrival at the latter, despite her protestations, the woman was not allowed through passport control.

Instead, she was escorted by security guards to another gate and put on a flight to . . . Cardiff Airport.

The incident occurred earlier this month since when the passport has not been traced, either by the airline or by anyone else.

And that is not the end of the saga.

Because, later this month, the woman is booked to go on another holiday, this time a cruise with her husband, she desperately needs a passport.

With long delays for online and postal applications, she has had no option but to make another trip - this time to the Passport Office in Liverpool - to buy a new passport at a cost of almost £100.

Oh, the pressures of foreign travel!

* Photo of Benidorm:  Diego Delsa via Wikimedia Commons

Barclays keen to install pigeon-deterrent netting at rear of its bank in Grimsby's Top Town

 

War on pigeons - there are already anti-perching spikes on the bank's window ledges

BARCLAYS Bank is keen to install anti-pigeon netting on its property in Grimsby's Top Town. 

The bank wants to banish the street pigeons that roost to the rear of its premises on Victoria Street.

Says Milly Warner, of its agents, Stride Tregown Ltd: "The branch has been subject to an infestation of feral pigeons, roosting above the site and being active at the rear escape route.

"This is leading to a build-up of fouling on the roosting areas. 

"Deterring birds from roosting on the building and clearing and disinfecting the area will serve to preserve the building fabric as well as the surrounding hard landscaping." 

She continues: "Public health benefits will also result from the removal of bird fouling from the site.

"Build-up of bird waste can cause parasites and bacteria to migrate into the building which can cause internal damage that leads to water ingress. 

"Many Listed buildings suffer significant damage to the historic fabric of the structure due to water ingress."

Ms Warner goes on: "The proposed bird netting is of very limited visual impact on the building due the discreet location of its installation to the rear of the building. 

"The method of installation is as low impact as can be whilst remaining effective. 

"Effective and professional management of vermin will ensure the longevity of the fabric of the listed building for years to come."

The proposal is under consideration by North East Lincolnshire Council.

However, not everyone supports the initiative.

This is partly because birds frequently get caught in netting, often resulting in death from exhaustion and starvation in their struggle to escape.

The remains of a perished bird in netting installed at the side of the Specsavers shop which is next door to Barclays  in Grimsby

The Grimsby News says:  To use terms such as 'vermin' and 'infestation' is to demonise the pigeons. They may not be as beautiful as swans, nor sing like nightingales, but these birds add life and personality to town centres. If Barclays is concerned about waste, all it has to do is get out a bucket and sponge. The bank's proposal is mean-spirited and, if approved by the council, may have potentially cruel consequences. It should be withdrawn forthwith.  

Minute's silence to be held at tonight's Mayor-making meeting in Grimsby in memory of Norma Lincoln

 

A MINUTE'S silence will be held at this evening's Mayor-making meeting in memory of Norma Lincoln.

Mrs Lincoln was elected to Great Grimsby Borough Council in 1994, and then served on North East Lincolnshire Council from its inception in 1996 until 2015.  

Twice Mayor of North East Lincolnshire Council - in 2001/02 and 2010/11 - she was granted Honorary Alderman status in July 2015 in recognition of her eminent service to the council.

In a tribute, Cllr Philip Jackson, Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: "Norma served the borough diligently.

"She was well respected across all political groups as someone who cared and who made a difference. 

"She will be missed by a great many people."

Scartho councillor tonight set to become the new First Citizen of North East Lincolnshire

Cllr Lindley - much of his working life has been spent in frontline patient care with the NHS

 

                                                                  

A FREEMASON is this evening set to become the new Mayor of North East Lincolnshire. 

Cllr Ian Lindley, of the Grimsby Saint James Lodge, will succeed Cllr Steve Beasant at the Mayor-making ceremony to be held from 7pm in Grimsby Town Hall.

Formerly a Labour councillor, Cllr Lindley - a hospital theatre nurse by profession - switched allegiances and is now one of three Conservatives representing the Scartho ward.

Over the past 12 months, he has been Deputy Mayor to Cllr Beasant, one of two Liberal-Democrats representing the East Marsh ward.

At this evening’s meeting, he is expected to name his chosen charities for the forthcoming year.

Guesthouse proposal for property that was once home to Sir Winston Churchill's private nurse

There could soon  be five  bedrooms for guests at  this attractive Great Coates property 

 

A PROPERTY once believed to have been the home of Sir Winston Churchill's private nurse is set to become a guesthouse.

North East Lincolnshire Council has this month approved the change of use at 4 Cooks Lane in Great Coates from its current state as a private dwelling.

It is understood that, after Sir Winston's death, his nurse, Muriel Thomson, moved to the Grimsby area and lived at the property for a while.

She had cared for him - and his pet budgerigar, Toby - in his last years when he proved to be a cantankerous patient, never more so than when she tried to coax him into performing breathing exercises to ease pain in his neck.  

Conversion of the property will involve some internal refurbishment to accommodate five guest bedrooms and manager's accommodation, but no external alterations.

No objections have been raised either by the village council, nor nearby residents and NELC is also supportive.

Says the latter: "Small scale tourist and business accommodation adds to the range of provision in the borough and helps to support the economy."

The successful applicant is  Mr R Kirk.

Solar farm earmarked for huge farmland site near Bradley Woods on outskirts of Grimsby

                                                 

Bradley Woods - close to the site earmarked for a solar farm

A SOLAR Farm could be on the cards for land on the outskirts of Grimsby.

It is understood that nine field parcels, comprising  a total of 125-ha  off Bradley Road, has been earmarked by a developer whose identity is, as yet, unknown.

The consultants making preliminary inquiries with North East Lincolnshire Council are GP Planning, of Daventry in Northamptonshire.

Says the firm: "The site lies to the north of Barnoldby-le-Beck which is approximately 500 metres in distance at its nearest point. 

"The site is partially bounded to the east by Bradley Road. 

"Waltham village is located approximately 280m to the south-east.

"Bradley Road runs north-south to the east. There are farm buildings, associated with Netherwood Farm, located between Bradley Road and the site. These fall under the same landownership.

"Bradley Lakes lie on the northern boundary." 

The report continues: "There is an existing solar farm between Laceby Manor and the site. This abuts part of the western boundary.

"The immediate area comprises similar agricultural fields, interspersed with small woodland blocks and individual farmsteads.

"The site is split down the middle by the Team Gate Drain which includes a vegetated strip to a width of approximately 20 to 70m. 

"Bradley and Dixon Woods Local Nature Reserve is located approximately 320m to the north.

"The nearest residential properties to the site are: Low Farm, 140m east; Netherwood Farm, 200m east; Netherwood, 280m east; and Glebe Farm Cottage, 140m south.

"Netherwood Farm comprises commercial and farm buildings.

"There is a footpath (no. 93) which runs along the western boundary and then through the centre of the site northwards into Bradley Wood. 

"The land is shown as Grade 3 - in other words between good and moderate quality."

No formal planning application has yet been submitted pending a decision by NELC on whether an Environmental Impact Assessment should first be carried out.

Long-established bird food supplier quits Europarc and migrates to a purpose-built new habitat in Louth

 

Long-established bird food purveyor Haith's has moved to new purpose-built premises on  Bolingbroke Road on Louth's Fairfield industrial estate. Until earlier this spring, the 86-year-old firm had been trading from a warehouse on Europarc, though, for most of its long life, its 'nest' was on Park Street in Cleethorpes.

Light at the end of the tunnel? MP hopeful of renewed hourly rail service from Cleethorpes to Manchester

 

Cleethorpes MP Martin Vickers is keen for hourly services to resume

CLEETHORPES MP Martin Vickers has expressed hopes that trains between Cleethorpes and Manchester - via Grimsby, Doncaster and Sheffield - will soon be running hourly as they did in the past.

This follows today's announcement that, on May 28, the Government is to take over running the service at least for the time being.

Whitehall has stepped in following months of cancelled or delay services after private operator Transpennine Express seemed to lose its grip.

A Department of Transport press release states: "The decision follows months of significant disruption and regular cancellations across Transpennine Express’s network.

"The issues have resulted in a considerable decline in confidence for passengers who rely on the trains to get to work, visit family and friends and go about their daily lives."

It continues: "The department recognises that a significant number of problems facing Transpennine stem from matters out of its control. 

"These include a backlog of recruitment and training drivers, reforming how the workforce operates and most notably, ASLEF’s decision to withdraw rest day working, thereby preventing drivers from taking on overtime shifts and filling in gaps on services.

"The decision to bring Transpennine Express into the control of the Operator of Last Resort is temporary.

"It is the Government’s full intention that it will return to the private sector.

"In light of this, today’s decision will not instantaneously resolve the challenges being faced on the lines, but will provide an opportunity to reset relationships between the operator, staff, trade unions and passengers."

Transport Secretary Mark Harper comments: "This is not a silver bullet and will not instantaneously fix a number of challenges being faced.

"Under the Operator of Last Resort regime, services will run as normal with no changes to tickets, timetables or planned services.

"The DoT is committed to ensuring a seamless transition for passengers."

Labour Group on council now has female leadership following post-poll party shake-up

                                                      

Cllr Wheatley now heads the Labour opposition group on North East Lincolnshire Council

A SHAKE-UP of the Labour Group on North East Lincolnshire Council has seen a woman take over as leader.

Kathryn Wheatley, who represents the West Marsh ward, succeeds Matthew Patrick (Heneage ward).

The latter has paid the price for under-performance of the party which, unlike in the rest of the country, made little headway in this month's local elections, winning just one seat from the Conservatives who remain firm control.

At the turn of the century, Ms Wheatley was a member of the NELC administration when it was under the control of Labour, with her father, Peter, serving a deputy council leader to the late Len Taylor.    

That ended in tears when local affairs were run so chaotically that the Government had to step in to sort things out.  

On one of her social media accounts, the new leader describes herself as "as a fan of chocolate, football, politics and animals".

Fingers crossed for a start soon to construction of new tourist information centre on seafront

Planning permission has already been granted for the proposed new building

THERE are hopes of a start soon to the proposed  three-storey amenity building on the site of the former Waves pub opposite Cleethorpes Pier. 

This could include a new tourist information, a cafe-restaurant and a bar as well as WCs.

It is understood North East Lincolnshire Council and its partner, Equans, will oversee the project once a construction company has been signed up. 

NELC had hoped that a private developer might take on the project but there was scant response to what, it has to be said, was a somewhat lacklustre marketing campaign. 

There had been a few challenges regarding drainage infrastructure, but it is understood that these have now been resolved. 

Because of the prominent location on the seafront, council leader Cllr Philip Jackson has put development near the top of his things-to-get-done list.     
 

The site is currently pretty forlorn, but it is mostly screened by hoarding

Ouch! Anglian Water fined £2.65-million for discharging sewage into the North Sea

                   

Water companies have a duty to safeguard nature including these estuary birds in Lincolnshire

THE company that manages the water requirements of North East Lincolnshire has been clobbered with a fine of £2.65-million after allowing untreated sewage to overflow into the North Sea.

Anglian Water pleaded guilty to breaches following a prosecution brought by the Environment Agency.

The offences did not occur locally but in Essex, but it is likely that the company will review its processes in the Grimsby, Cleethorpes and Immingham areas following its conviction. 

Anglian fell foul of the EA over its failure to manage and monitor effluent at the Jaywick Water Recycling Centre near Clacton-on-Sea.

This led to untreated sewage being discharged into the sea.

It failed to act on available data that would have alerted it to the issue. 

There was also a lack of an alarm system to inform the water company of how often these discharges were occurring.

Anglian Water was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £16,520.09 and a victim surcharge of £170.

It is the largest ever fine imposed for environmental offences in the region.

Since 2010, water companies have been responsible for self-monitoring water recycling sites. 

Environment Agency Officers carry out audits and inspections of waste water treatment works. 

Data experts analyse hundreds of thousands of discharges to identify illegal activity which is used as evidence to hold water companies to account.

An investigation in 2018 found that the discharges into the North Sea recorded over a month between June and July, was the equivalent of more than three Olympic-sized swimming pools. Or 7,500,000 litres.

The Jaywick Water Recycling Centre does have an Environment Agency permit, but this only allows discharges into the sea during storm conditions.

The sentencing judge said "more could and should have been done" to prevent this pollution, noting that EA inspectors  simply "heard, looked and saw" what Anglian Water operatives, who were present on site every day, should have seen.

He expressed disquiet at the frequency with which Anglian Water found itself before the bench, adding that "a clear pattern" had emerged  of the company not responding adequately’ to previous penalties.

Following the case, Environment Agency chairman Alan Lovell said his organisation would pursue any water company that fails to uphold the law or to safeguard nature.

There was also a message from Water Minister Rebecca Pow who said: "I am clear that water companies must not profit from environmental damage.

"This latest result follows on the heels of a £2.1-million fine handed to South West Water. 

"In both cases, the fines will rightly be paid solely from the company’s operating profits and not passed on to customer bills.

"All fines will be paid into our Water Restoration Fund to support projects that will help improve our natural environment and our water quality."

If members of the public are concerned about pollution, they should call EA's  24/7 incident hotline at 0800 80 70 60.

* Following concerns about sewage reaching the sea off our area,  Liberal-Democrat Nicola Aisthorpe (East Marsh) made it a campaign issue in this month's local elections. Likewise, Malcolm Morland who was elected for Labour in Cleethorpes' Croft Baker ward. 

Does summer visit to Lincolnshire Coast beckon for our new Nature-loving king, Charles III?

                                                              

Destination the Lincolnshire Coast for His Majesty?

A VISIT to the Lincolnshire Coast could be on the cards for King Charles - perhaps as soon as this summer.

The word from Buckingham Palace is that the Saltlfleetby-Theddlethorpe National Nature Reserve and its environs (12 square miles in total) will soon be renamed 'Lincolnshire Coronation Coast National Nature Reserve'.

This could happen between May 20-29 which will be the very first National Nature Reserves Week.

Over each of the next five years, five additional reserves per annum will be included within the 'King's Series of National Nature Reserves'.

First up after the Lincolnshire Coast will be the Mendip Hills in Somerset, Moccas Park in Herefordshire, Ingleborough in North Yorkshire and Lullington in East Sussex.

 The hope is that, at some point, the King will fly up to Lincolnshire, do the official Coronation Coast naming honours, then go birdwatching walkabout with senior officers of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and maybe one or two civic dignitaries. 

Assuming the Lincolnshire visit happens and time permits, he might also be able to slot in brief visits to North East Lincolnshire Council's two wetland birds mitigation sites at Cress Marsh, near Stallingborough and Novartis Ings, Grimsby,  if the local authority and MPs Martin Vickers and Lia Nici think to suggest it. 

Like his father, the late Prince Philip, King Charles is a flag-flier for wildlife and the welfare of the environment, so there is reason for great optimism about his reign.

In another positive development, every state primary school in North East Lincolnshire (and other counties) is to be gifted a packet of wildflower seeds courtesy of His Majesty. 

Rich in wildlife - the Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpes reserve (photo Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust)

North East Lincolnshire Council - May 4 election results in full

Results for the Local elections on 4 May 2023.

Election turnout: 23.12%

As a result of the elections held on 4 May 2023, the political composition of North East Lincolnshire Council is as follows:

Conservative – 27

Labour – 9

Liberal Democrat – 3

Independent – 3

Croft Baker (Turnout: 22.59%)

Candidate	Party	No. of votes polled
BEST, Julian Darren	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	107
CALLISON, Bob	Conservative Party Candidate	782
MORLAND, Malcolm	Labour and Co-operative Party	969

East Marsh (Turnout: 15.97%)

Candidate	Party	No. of votes polled
AISTHORPE, Nicola Dawn	Liberal Democrat	608
COULBECK, Lee	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	28
PROCTER, Callum Terence	Conservative Party Candidate	82
RUDD, Kay	Labour Party	373

Freshney (Turnout: 29.20%)

Candidate	Party	No. of votes polled
DOWNES, Lyndsey	Independent	964
GRIFFITHS, Anna	Conservative Party Candidate	394
KIFF, Mick	Independent	146
MILL, Sheldon James	Labour Party	576

Haverstoe (Turnout: 29.69%)

Candidate	Party	No. of votes polled
BROOKES, Keith Cyrus	Conservative Party Candidate	1464
BROWN, Samantha Jenny-Louise Quibs Spell	Labour and Co-operative Party	761
WARREN, Cameron Robert	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	100

Heneage (Turnout: 20.24%)

Candidate	Party	No. of votes polled
CROFTS, Trevor Richard	Conservative Party Candidate	511
PATRICK, Matthew David	Labour Party	891
STIFF, John Stephen	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	61
YOUNG, Daniel John	Liberal Democrat	122

Humberston and New Waltham (Turnout: 24.76%)

Candidate	Party	No. of votes polled
SHREEVE, Stanley	Conservative Party Candidate	1534
TOWNSEND, Ian Keith	Labour Party	875

Immingham (Turnout: 20.51%)

Candidate	Party	No. of votes polled
BARTON, Dave	Independent	237
NEWTON, Nathan Roy	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	46
SWINBURN, Karen Doris	Conservative Party Candidate	886
WREXAL HOLBOROW, Sam	Labour Party	647

Park (Turnout: 25.27%)

Candidate	Party	No. of votes polled
AISTHORPE, Ryan Ashley	Liberal Democrat	387
BOYD, Marian	Conservative Party Candidate	869
DICKSON, Andrew	Green Party	126
KACZMAREK, Edward Thomas Peter	Labour Party	741
MITCHELL, Dave	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	52

Scartho (Turnout: 28.31%)

Candidate	Party	No. of votes polled
AUGUSTA, Robson Jack	Labour and Co-operative Party	1097
LINDLEY, Ian Robert	Conservative Party Candidate	1339
POW, Val	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	63

Sidney Sussex (Turnout: 18.69%)

Candidate	Party	No. of votes polled
GEE, Mark Patrick	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	130
HAGGIS, Janet	Labour Party	793
VICKERS, Christine Elizabeth	Conservative Party Candidate	545

South (Turnout: 15.11%)

Candidate	Party	No. of votes polled
BATSON, Karen	Independent	74
BRAMLEY, Jane Elizabeth	Independent	87
BURCH, Andrew Philip	Conservative Party Candidate	319
GOODWIN, Janet Angela	Labour Party	755
MOULSON, Phillip Andrew	Independent	45
WARD, Bill	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	22

Waltham (Turnout: 30.69%)

Candidate	Party	No. of votes polled
BAILEY, Peter Kenneth	Labour Party	512
JACKSON, Philip	Conservative Party Candidate	1052
KIRMAN, Lorna Jennifer	Green Party	148

West Marsh (Turnout: 16.38%)

Candidate	Party	No. of votes polled
BARKER, Peter Michael	Independent	162
DAVIS, Heather Christine	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	21
LAWLESS, Marco	Liberal Democrat	107
RICHES, Hugh George James	Conservative Party Candidate	102
WATKIN, Keith	Independent	31
WILSON, Karl	Labour and Co-operative Party	412

Wolds (Turnout: 28.30%)

Candidate	Party	No. of votes polled
EMMERSON, Loyd Layton	Liberal Democrat	632
HUDSON, Henry Richard	Conservative Party Candidate	749
KIRMAN, Jonathan Michael	Green Party	94
WHEATON CHAPMAN, Wil Shane Howard	Labour Party	274

Yarborough (Turnout: 21.51%)

Candidate	Party	No. of votes polled
ABEL, Garry Kenneth	Conservative Party Candidate	451
HENDERSON, Paul Simon	Independent	805
TUPLIN, Phil	Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition	24
WATSON, David Aaron	Labour Party	546