Just ask the questions! NELC cabinet members eager to be quizzed by electors at online Q&A

                                                                

What future Grimsby Central Library? Does it even have a future?

DO any members of North East Lincolnshire Council's cabinet plan to stand down in advance of next May's local elections?

The eight individual members will have the opportunity to clarify  their intentions at an online Q&A sessions later this week.

All of them Conservatives, they will also be able to advise electors whether they are considering transferring political allegiance - perhaps to Reform - or whether standing as Independents might also be an alternative to remaining Tory.

Cllr Ron Shepherd and Cllr Stephen Harness both represented Ukip before they switched to wearing blue rosettes.

The cabinet members are certain to be quizzed on ongoing NELC schemes  in Grimsby and Cleethorpes.

In particular, callers will demand updates on the troubled Corporation Road Bridge - resumption date for repairs, target date for re-opening and the progress of  litigation, if any, involving  a previous contractor.

Also certain to feature during the Q&A will the Freshney Place leisure redevelopment - particularly if there has been interest from other parties in joining Parkway cinema, Starbucks and Nandos in the party.

And what about the new bus station - or 'transport hub' to give it the posher name preferred by NELC management? When will that open?

Then there is the future of the library service in Grimsby? Why has the pop-up library still not opened? And what future the asbestos-contaminated Central Library building?  

Over in Cleethorpes, what is the latest on the Sea Road amenity building? Any word yet when construction work will start? And which restaurant chain will be the anchor tenant?

Then there is the market place pedestrianisation scheme - is that now a dead duck?

And what about the Pier Gardens revamp? Why have there been so many delays in awarding the contract? Have all issues been resolved? When works start, will the whole perimeter be surrounded by ugly hoarding? Will there be an impact on next year's Armed Forces weekend?   

Finally, the vexed question  of  public WCs in the resort. Will it be a return of temporary portable loos next summer  or will there be more permanent facilities?

The members of the cabinet are: 

Cllr P Jackson – Leader and Portfolio Holder for Economy, Regeneration, Devolution and Skills

Cllr S Shreeve – Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care

Cllr M Cracknell – Portfolio Holder for Children and Education

Cllr H Dawkins – Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and the Visitor Economy

Cllr S Harness – Portfolio Holder for Finance, Resources and Assets

Cllr R Shepherd – Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger Communities

Cllr S Swinburn – Portfolio Holder for Housing, Infrastructure and Transport

Cllr H Hudson – Portfolio Holder for Environment and Net Zero

In order to facilitate comprehensive replies, NELC is asking that questions are submitted in advance to communications@nelincs.gov.uk 

However, based on precedent, it is likely that questions will also be accepted - and answered - during the session.

Says the council leader: "It is important that people know they have the opportunity to ask  my colleagues and me about the decisions we make that will impact on their lives both now and in the future. 

"We will listen to what they say and try to answer any questions they ask. 

"Others may have issues to raise and points to make that we can take away."

The Q&A session is being held via the Facebook social media platform at 6.30pm on Wednesday October 8.

                                           

In Cleethorpes, what's the latest on the Pier Gardens revamp and the proposed Sea Road amenity building?

Willow tree toppled on Tetney Trail bridleway as Storm Amy sweeps through North East Lincolnshire

 

North East Lincolnshire seems to have escape the worst of Storm Amy which swept through Britain over the weekend. However, there was some damagae and disruption - for instance when this willow tree was blown over on the Tetney Trail bridleway behind the caravan park in Humberston.                                                                   

NELC's green light for family house in New Waltham to become residential home for up to two children

THE plannning go-ahead has been given for change of use of a house on  Station Road in New Waltham to a staffed residential home for up to two vulnerable children aged between seven and 17.  

The application had been opposed by some nearby residents fearful of antisocial behaviour.

However, it is understood that at least some of them were largely reassured after "amicable" discussions with Adie Porter-Webster, projects director  of the applicant,  Macclesfield-based Keys Group Ltd which already has another children's home in the borough.

The meeting, described as "positive", was brokered by ward councillor Stephen Harness. 

Planners give their blessing for conversion of redundant Humberston chapel to private use

Planning consent has been granted by North East Lincolnshire Council  for conversion of  Humberston's 118-year-old Wesleyan chapel to private accommodation. This will bring a redundant building back into use before it falls into disrepair. A condition has been  imposed that no construction takes place during the bird-nesting season from March to August and that one or more bat boxes are installed either on the building itself or on one of the surrounding trees. 

Planners ' green light for solar panels to be installed on building rooves at popular Grimsby eaterie

                                                    

A total of 119 solar panels could soon be installed on building rooves at  the Miller & Carter steakhouse on Weelsby Road, Grimsby. There was an objection from one nearby resident fearful about potential glare, but North East Lincolnshire Council planners have granted planning consent to the application by the steakhouse's parent company, Birmingham-based Mitchells and Butlers. 

Yet another snub for Pleasure Island redevelopment scheme - this time from Natural England

The Pleasure Island redevelopment project remains beleaguered by objections - the latest from Natural England 

IT seems it never rains but it pours for the consortium seeking to redevelop Pleasure Island.

The latest setback comes from Natural England which has reiterated its longstanding misgivings.

The Government body fears pressure from an influx of visitors to the 272 holiday cabins and two hotels pose an unacceptable risk to the welfare of thousands of shorebirds that spend much of the year feeding on the nearby mouth of the Humber sandflats.

In a memo to North East Lincolnshire Council's planning department, NE officer Louis Jones states bluntly: "Your authority should not grant planning permission at this stage."  

The consortium's agents, Lichfields, have always been aware of the wildlife concerns and sought to mitigate the risk by announcing an on-site ban on dogs and the appointment of a £22,000-per-annum wildlife ranger, plus volunteer naturalists, to seek to dissuade holidaymakers from causing disturbance.

If even offered to try to re-route visitors away from the beachfront along the Buck Beck footpath, past the golf course to Cleethorpes country park.

But so far it has been unable to convince Natural England that these measures would be effective.

Mr Jones says the proposed measures  do not "provide enough information and/or certainty." 

In particular, NE wants more assurances firstly about how a dog ban would be enforced  and secondly about the job description of the proposed Pleasure Island wildlife ranger.

It is also insisting on a report that provides detailed bird counts for every calendar month for a full year to clarify the current population status of shorebirds on this part of the estuary.

                                            

Redshank, a declining wetland bird, are particularly susceptible to human disturbance 

Cabinet expected to give nod to 'masterplan' for construction of 3,600 homes west of Grimsby

                                     

A MASTERPLAN for the urbanisation of  farmland and countryside to the west of Grimsby is expected to be rubber-stamped at a meeting on Wednesday of  next week.

North East Lincolnshire Council's cabinet is being recommended to give the green light to a controversial scheme that could see construction of as many as 3,600 homes and a roads network.

The proposed landholding stretches from the A46 to the west of Morrisons supermarket, through to the A1136 west of Wybers Wood.

Although the cabinet's decision will not represent planning consent, approval would  pave the way for the development to proceed. 

The project is being spearheaded by local property development company M.F. Strawson Ltd and Yorkshire-based regeneration specialists Harworth Group plc.

The potential is clear for creation of many new jobs and a huge economic uplift to Grimsby, Cleethorpes, Immingham and the rest of the borough - and beyond.

However, opponents are fearful of serious harm to a green and pleasant part of the borough along with intense new pressure on health services and other infrastructure.  

If it goes ahead, the development would  effectively create a small town with its own identity, though it is being described as a "sustainable urban extension". 

A report to the cabinet says the masterplan "provides  the framework for the site’s development to ensure that this is undertaken in a comprehensive and coordinated manner."