COUNTRYSIDE-BEFORE-CONCRETE CANDIDATE SCORES STUNNING WIN IN FRESHNEY WARD POLL

                                      

Let's put a stop to urban sprawl - Steve Holland thanks Freshney voters for their support

INDEPENDENT candidate Steve Holland stunned the main parties with a sensational win in  Freshney ward in the North East Lincolnshire Council elections.

He unseated the sitting Conservative, Callum Procter - a NELC cabinet member - with his campaign to save the scenic Freshney Valley from a Tory plan for much of it to be buried under concrete as part of a controversial houses-and-roads project.

"This win demonstrates that people don't want precious countryside and wildlife to be lost to yet more urban sprawl,"he declared.

The result was a severe blow to council leader Cllr Philip Jackson who sees the scheme as a way of generating "economic opportunity".

He will now come under pressure not just to shelve the project but to bin it entirely.

Cllr Holland's win is the first time that a 'green' issue has determined the outcome of a poll.

Elsewhere, there was comfort for the Conservatives in  seeing off the opposition challenge in wards such as Immingham, Yarborough, Croft Baker and Park where they looked vulnerable.

In the Heneage ward, Labour did manage to take a seat from the Conservatives, and they retained their strongholds in Sidney Sussex, South and West Marsh, but their failure to make any real dent reflects a largely lacklustre campaign.

Nor did the Liberal-Democrats make any headway but at least they had the satisfaction of holding the two seats up for grabs in East Marsh. 

* Results in full to follow.

                                 

One of the Independent candidate's poll leaflets

 

COUNCIL'S MINUTE-BY-MINUTE UPDATES AS ELECTION HOPEFULS LEARN THEIR FATE

HATS off to  North East Lincolnshire Council's communication team for keeping electors up to speed with last night's poll developments. Winners were announced on the authority's website just seconds after the results had been announced. Keeping reading the Grimsby News blog for more election news. 

02:12 – And that’s a wrap. The Returning Officer has just finished thanking the staff and all those involved in this year’s election. From us here in the Council’s Communications Team, thank you for tuning in.

02:11 – Scartho Ward – Conservative Hold – Cllr Ron Shepherd re-elected

02:08 – Park Ward – Conservative Hold– Cllr Paul Silvester re-elected

02:03 – Croft Baker Ward – Conservative Hold – Cllr Oliver Freeston re-elected

Cllr Oliver Freeston looks on as the result for Croft Baker Ward is announced

01:59 – Humberston and New Waltham Ward – Conservative Hold – Cllr Stephen Harness re-elected

The Returning Officer announces the result for Humberston & New Waltham Ward

01:56 – Haverstoe Ward – Conservative Party Hold – Cllr Margaret Cracknell re-elected

The Returning Officer announces the result for Haverstoe Ward

01:52 – Heneage Ward – Labour Gain – Cllr Kevin Shutt elected

The Returning Officer announces the result for Heneage Ward

01:47 – Immingham Ward – Conservative Hold – Cllr Stewart Swinburn re-elected

Cllr Stewart Swinburn on stage as the Returning Officer announces the result for Immingham Ward

01:45 – Freshney Ward – Independent Gain – Cllr Steve Holland elected

Independent Councillor Steve Holland looks on as the results for Freshney Ward are announced.

01:36 – East Marsh Ward – Liberal Democrat Hold – Cllr Lynsey McLean elected

East Marsh Councillors look on as the Returning Officer announces the results

01:36 – East Marsh Ward – Liberal Democrat Hold – Cllr Steve Beasant re-elected

01:28 – South Ward – Labour Hold – Cllr Tim Mickleburgh re-elected

The result for South Ward is announced

01:25 – Yarborough Ward – Conservative Hold – Cllr James Cairns re-elected #LE2022 #NELection #LocalElections

Yarborough Ward result is announced by the Returning Officer

01:21 – Freshney Ward will go to a recount

01:17 – Sidney Sussex Ward – Labour Hold – Cllr Sophia Farren elected

Cllr Sophia Farren speaks after being elected to represent Sidney Sussex Ward

01:11 – West Marsh Ward – Labour Hold – Cllr Kathryn Wheatley elected

The Returning Officer announces the result of the West Marsh local election

01:06 – Yarborough Ward has gone to a recount

01:01 – Waltham Ward – Conservative Hold – Cllr Nick Pettigrew re-elected

The Returning Officer announces the results for Waltham Ward

00:56 – Wolds Ward – Conservative Hold – Cllr David Hasthorpe re-elected

Cllr David Hasthorpe speaks after being elected Councillor for Wolds Ward

00:52 – Wolds Ward is expected to be announced shortly.

00:42 – Overall turnout for North East Lincolnshire stands at 25.09%.

00:13 – All wards have now completed the verification process.

00:07 – Verification for Park, Sidney Sussex, Scartho, Humberston and New Waltham, and Haverstoe Wards has now been completed and counting for those wards will now begin.

22:56 – The verification process for Waltham and Heneage Wards have now been completed. Counting for these wards will now start.

22:54 – Immingham and Wolds Wards have finished the verification process and the count for those wards have now begun.

Various members of the broadcast and print media are joining us tonight to cover the election count.

23:39 – The verification for the East Marsh Ward has now finished. Counting of the votes for that ward will now begin.

23:19 – If you’re not planning to stay up past midnight, you can catch the results in the morning on our elections page: www.nelincs.gov.uk/your-council/elections-and-voting/election-dates-and-results/local-elections

23:12 – Before the ballot slips can be counted, they need to go through the verification process. This involves counting up the total number of votes cast. At this point, all used and unused equipment, paperwork, ballot slips, the electoral list and any other used or unused materials needs to be handed in.

22:44 – A reminder of last year’s local elections in our patch. Turnout was 24.9% and the election saw 14 candidates elected as Councillors.

22:30 – This year we had 97 polling stations across North East Lincolnshire. These take the form of village halls, school classrooms and portacabins.

22:25 – We’re starting to see more ballot boxes arriving now. Remember that these boxes have to travel from across the length and breadth of the borough, so some will arrive later than others.

22:10 – The first ballot box has arrived! Verification of the ballot slips will now commence.

The first ballot box has arrived!

22:00 – Polls close and we’re live from Grimsby Auditorium awaiting the arrival of the first ballot boxes.

LANDMARK METHODIST CHURCH IN CLEETHORPES COULD BE CONVERTED TO SIX APARTMENTS

                                                                                 

A 'statement' building - the church, which opened in 1914, is no longer used for worship

AN architecturally and historically important  Cleethorpes church could be converted to six apartments.

It is many years since Beaconthorpe Methodist Church, on Grimsby Road, was used for worship.

Occasionally, the Grade II Listed building has provided a home for social activities such as Slimming World classes, but it has steadily been falling into disrepair and rot is said to have set in.

Now a plan has been unveiled by David Beard through agent Hessle-based Ettridge Architecture to provide it with a new future.

Says a report: "The church was designed by architect  Henry Harper  of Nottingham, and the contractors were A.J Elms of Gainsborough. 

"The total cost of the church came in at around £3007 and a year after the foundation stone had been laid the church was opened on June 21, 1914."

It continues: "The conversion proposal offer a new, long-term use for this building that will enable it to be enjoyed without destroying the quality features and spaces that it contains. 

"Although important elements such as the pews, organ and pulptium will be lost, the project will achieve a new use that will improve the external appearance and functioning fabric of this landmark building."

The application is likely to be determined by North East Lincolnshire Council planners later this summer.

WHAT SANCTIONS? PORT OF IMMINGHAM STILL HAPPY TO DO BUSINESS WITH PUTIN'S RUSSIA

 

MV Crystalia - supplying a UK power station with coal from Russia (photo: Vesselfinder)

A SHIP laden with Russian coal is now understood to be at anchor in Immingham.

Despite dismay that ABP's continued trade with Putin is helping to finance his attacks on Ukraine, it is business as usual for the port-operating company.

MV Crystalia is not a Russian ship - she was built eight years ago in China and is owned by a Greek shipping company - but she carries Russian cargo.

She departed Ust-Luga on April 12 and reached UK waters later that month before spending several days at anchor off Withernsea on the Yorkshire coast before sneaking her way into the Humber on Monday, a bank holiday.

It is not yet known if the coal - thought to be 65,000 tonnes in total - has yet been unloaded, nor when MV Crystalia will be returning to Russia.

The controversial cargo is reported to be destined for Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station in Nottinghamshire.

The Grimsby News says: ABP brings shame not just  to its own reputation but also that of Immingham and the UK by its willingness to continue accepting goods from Russia. Has it not heard of sanctions? Do its managers not have a conscience? Many people, including its own staff, will feel badly let down. 

EARLY-SUMMER TRAFFIC DELAYS IN PROSPECT ON ONE OF GRIMSBY'S BUSIEST HIGHWAYS

Works were put on hold at this road junction to reduce inconvenience to B&Q and its customers 

TEMPORARY traffic lights will be in use on a section of Peaks Parkway in Grimsby from next Monday (9 May) until mid-July.

Contractors working for North East Lincolnshire Council are building a new vehicle entrance to the Doughty Road depot opposite the B&Q junction.

NELC and its regeneration partner Equans are refurbishing the depot as a base for all their operational services including:

* Waste and recycling

* Highway maintenance

* Fleet management

* Street cleansing

* Security

* Civil enforcement

* Property maintenance

* Licensing

* Grounds maintenance

* Ecology

The council scheduled the work to start after the Easter and May Day bank holiday weekends to minimise disruption to nearby retailers at one of their busiest times. 

Contractors have the following arrangements planned for the B&Q junction: 

* Three-way temporary traffic signals from Monday 9 May until Friday 10 June

* Three-way temporary traffic signals and some night time closures from 11 June to 17 June

* Temporary lights will be in place using the same sequence as the exisiting traffic signals from 18 June to 8 July

* Three-way temporary traffic signals in place while the new traffic signals are installed from 9 to 15 July.

Says a spokesperson for NELC: "There could be disruption to journeys in the area while the temporary traffic lights are in use. 

"We apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused."

CLEETHORPES NOWHERE TO BE SEEN IN LATEST SURVEY OF UK SEASIDE RESORTS

                                                   

Cleethorpes as seen from the other side of the saltmarsh

CLEETHORPES has missed out in the latest Which? magazine survey of seaside resorts.

Some 4,303 readers reported their recent UK trips to seaside towns and villages. 

Destinations were rated on their beaches, seafronts, attractions, value for money, peace and quiet and scenery, plus other categories.  

Lesser-known spots such as Aldeburgh in Suffolk and Filey in North Yorkshire have risen up the  rankings, replacing old but overrun favourites in Cornwall.   

Top of the pile, however, was Bamburgh in Northumberland for its stunning scenery, beach and peaceful surroundings. 

Its glorious stretch of golden sand runs for three miles, backed by a vast, tussock dune system and dominated by the epic Bamburgh castle. 

The beach is big enough that it’s rarely crowded, meaning it is easier to find a peaceful spot on the sand.

The bracing wind off the North Sea also helps to keep mass tourism at bay, and the beach pristine and free of litter.   

Why is Cleethorpes not included? It is no reflection on the town - just that none of our  visitors submitted a report.

The table - from best to worst - is as follows:

1 Bamburgh, Northumberland

2 Llandudno, Conwy 

3 St Andrews, Fife  

4 Dartmouth, Devon 

5 Tenby, Pembrokeshire

6 St Davids, Pembrokeshire  

7 Aldeburgh, Suffolk

8 Filey, North Yorkshire 

9 Conwy, Conwy 

10 Lyme Regis, Dorset 

11 Lynmouth, Devon 

12 Lytham St Annes, Lancashire

13 Robin Hood's Bay, North Yorkshire 

14 Southwold, Suffolk 

15 St Mawes, Cornwall 

16 Lymington, Hampshire 

17 Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk 

18 Whitby, North Yorkshire

19  Beaumaris, Anglesey 

20 North Berwick, East Lothian 

21 Sidmouth, Devon 

22 Rye, East Sussex 

23 Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland 

24 Blakeney, Norfolk

25 Bude, Cornwall 

26 Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire

27 Deal, Kent

28 Fowey, Cornwall

29 Looe, Cornwall 

30 Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire 

31 Sheringham, Norfolk 

32 Southsea, Hampshire 

33 Swanage, Dorset 

34  Broadstairs, Kent 

35 Exmouth, Devon 

36 Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear 

37 Eastbourne, East Sussex 

38 Folkestone, Kent

39 Mevagissey, Cornwall  

40 Weymouth, Dorset 

41 Ayr, Ayrshire

42 Salcombe, Devon

43 Scarborough, North Yorkshire 

44 Seahouses, Northumberland 

45 Ventnor, Isle of Wight 

46 Brixham, Devon 

47 Falmouth, Cornwall 

48 New Brighton, Merseyside

49 St Ives, Cornwall 

50 Teignmouth, Devon 

51 Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear 

52 Plymouth, Devon 

53 Bournemouth, Dorset

54 Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria

55 Swansea, Glamorgan

56 Whitstable, Kent

57 Brighton, East Sussex 

58 Hastings, East Sussex 

59 Hunstanton, Norfolk

60 Poole, Dorset 

61 Dungeness, Kent 

62 Ramsgate Kent 

63 Aberystwyth, Ceredigion

64 Cromer, Norfolk 

65 Morecambe, Lancashire

66 Oban, Argyll and Bute 

67 Padstow, Cornwall 

68 Shanklin, Isle of Wight 

69 Worthing, West Sussex 

70 Dawlish, Devon 

71 Penzance, Cornwall 

72 Bridlington, East Yorkshire 

73 Ilfracombe, Devon 

74 Southport, Merseyside

75 Minehead, Somerset 

76 Littlehampton, West Sussex 

77 Torquay, Devon 

78 Blackpool, Lancashire 

79 Weston-super-Mare, Somerset 

80 Margate, Kent 

81 Newquay, Cornwall 

82 Herne Bay, Kent 

83 Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset 

84 Great Yarmouth, Norfolk 

85 Southend-on-Sea, Essex 

86 Bognor Regis, West Sussex 

87 Skegness, Lincolnshire

Read more: https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/uk-destinations/article/best-beaches-uk-alhlx7E2uw1a - Which?

IS THIS THE LAST SEASON FOR TOURING CARAVANS AT THORPE PARK HOLIDAY CENTRE?

 

Touring caravans in situ at Thorpe Park over Easter

COULD it soon be the end of the road for touring caravans at Humberston's Thorpe Park holiday centre?

At present, 120 pitches are allocated for tourers compared with 1,772 for statics.

But Bourne Leisure Ltd which operates the 184-acre site wants to phase out the former in order to accommodate more of the latter.

Its proposal is subject to the consent of North East Lincolnshire Council whose planners are currently considering the application.

The holiday centre's proposal is currently under consideration by council planners