£1M WILL SEE 22 PLAY AREAS UPGRADED: SUTHERLAND PARK IN THE EAST MARSH WILL BE ONE OF THE FIRST TO BENEFIT

Today the Grimsby Telegraph reported that twenty play areas across North East Lincolnshire are set for a major refurbishment.

It is a question of waiting until you "see-saw" what will be appearing in your local area, and on this occasion nearly all parts of the borough will benefit.

A £1-million pound Government grant will see 22 of the region's outdoor areas upgraded, enhanced and improved over the next two years.

The grant is part of the Government's Playbuilder scheme and will see the renovation and replacement of existing equipment or the building of completely new play areas.

Project manager for North East Lincolnshire Council Barbara Walker said: "The Government see good quality play as an essential way of enriching young people's lives.

"To that end, we have come up with some fantastically innovative ideas for play and creativity in our local area.

"These play areas are well-used by children and parents and will provide an excellent social focus for the community.

"These sites will be placed at the heart of our communities and will fulfil the needs of residents and their children."

Councillor Steve Hocknell, portfolio holder for culture, leisure and healthier communities said: “The contractors are currently on site to install the first new play facility in Grimsby.

“We have consulted with young people on what play equipment they would like to see in their parks and all of the designs have been developed with their ideas in mind.

“We are keen to ensure children, young people and their families understand these are their play areas and therefore it is important they have an input in what they will feature.”

One of the first open spaces to benefit from Playbuilder Scheme is Sutherland Park, which is due to receive a £50,000 makeover.

Above is an artist’s impression of the new pay equipment which will be installed at Sutherland Park.

BURN CALORIES, HELP THE PLANET AND BE ENTERTAINED - WALK TO YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY!

Burn calories, save money and help the planet by walking to your local library during North East Lincolnshire Council’s Walk to Libraries Week.

More than 88 per cent of residents in the borough live within one mile of a library and from Monday, September 28 to Sunday, October 4, the library service will be encouraging people to walk to their local library.

Councillor Steve Hocknell, portfolio holder for culture, leisure and healthier communities, said: “Everybody who walks to their library during the week will be entered into a free prize draw to be in with the chance of winning prizes including walking books and free tickets to North East Lincolnshire literature and comedy festival events.

“We would like to get as many of our customers as possible walking to the library this week and welcome new members too. Walking to Library signs have been placed in Grimsby and Cleethorpes indicating the length of time it will take to walk to the nearest library.

“Anyone can enjoy the library for free and members can use the internet, choose from thousands of books, join a readers’ group and discover their family history.”

Shirley Allen, aged 74, walks to Waltham Library about three times a week and feels so much healthier for it. She said: “I was advised by my doctor to walk everyday and it has certainly helped with my back problems.

“I am a long term member of the library and look forward to my regular visits. I help run the library’s reading group and always encourage other members to walk instead of ride to the library.
“It is also so much better for the environment and saves money on fuel.”

The initiative is a partnership project between the council’s library service and the transportation service. Councillor Burgess, portfolio for environment and the green agenda is urging people to stop and think before they get into their car. He said: “This project is about encouraging people to think about how they travel to public services.

“You don’t have to rely on the fact that you have to drive everywhere. People always overestimate walking distances. In North East Lincolnshire over 64,000 households live within one mile of a library.”

For further information about Walk to Libraries Week, including events and activities available in all libraries throughout the week, ring (01472) 323600 or visit www.nelincs.gov.uk/leisure/libraries

NORTH EAST LINCOLNSHIRE IS A ‘GOOD PLACE TO GROW OLDER’

North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus, the Council and Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are proud to announce the launch of a new Strategy for Later Life. This strategy sets out an exciting agenda for action over the next three years that will help transform services to people over 50 year of age. It was developed with older people and local organisations including the voluntary and community sectors.

The strategy challenges the myths and negative attitudes about older people. It recognises that they make a positive contribution to community life and should be valued, respected and free from discrimination. It seeks to ensure that older people are well informed and have choice and control over the services they need to maintain their health, well being and lifestyle. The priority actions are wide ranging covering advice/information, community involvement, health and social care, transport, leisure, work, finances and safer communities.

Councillor Malcolm Morland, Older People’s Champion, said “So often older people are talked about in negative ways – we hear for example about demographic time bombs and drains on the economy. Nothing could be further from the truth. They are vital to our families and communities and enrich society with their knowledge, skills and expertise. The new strategy harnesses this and will, through all the local agencies working well together, improve the quality of life and opportunities for all older people across North East Lincolnshire”.

The strategy will be launched at the Advice Day for Older People held annually for the National Older People’s Day at the Memorial Hall IN Cleethorpes on Wednesday September 30 from 10am to 3pm.

If you want to know more about the strategy then contact David Cook, Interim Deputy Director Business and Performance Management on (01472) 325460 or e mail dave.cook@nelincs.gov.uk

Read the Strategy Documentation
A Good Place to Grow Older - Executive Summary (PDF document)
A Good Place to Grow Older – Full Strategy (PDF document)

MOTOR TRADERS STEER CUSTOMERS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

Trading standards officers have put car purchasers in the driving seat by signing up a new car businesses to its Motor Trade Partnership.

Grimsby Cars Ltd, of Humber Street, are the newest members to join the Motor Trade Partnership scheme, run by North East Lincolnshire Council’s trading standards team.

Membership means would-be car customers can have confidence and trust in the businesses they are buying goods from. And Grimsby Cars Ltd, run by Kenny Gilmore and Mike Croft, have signed up to the partnership after a period working with the trading standards team.

Trading standards works closely with the businesses to resolve consumer complaints, to promote the benefits for consumers of shopping with members, to inform them of any changes in the law and to conduct an annual audit to ensure high standards are being maintained.

Councillor Steve Beasant, portfolio holder for community safety and public protection, said: “The excellent customer services offered by members of the Motor Trade Partnership should encourage consumers to shop with confidence.”

Andy Foster, the council’s trading standards manager, said: “A few rogue traders can damage the reputation of many legitimate businesses. The Motor Trade Partnership provides consumers with a means of identifying garages that go the extra mile in attending to their customers’ needs and assurance that Members comply with the spirit and the letter of the law.”

If you are a business and would like further information on the scheme or are a consumer and would like a list of members, go to www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/nelincs or contact Trading Standards through Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.

RING IN THE CHANGES TO ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR; JUST CALL NELC ON 01472 326101

Launch of a reporting number for incidents anti-social behaviour; telephone: 01472 326101.

People with concerns about anti-social behaviour can now dial their way towards a safe and stronger community.

North East Lincolnshire Council launched an ASB reporting line number to make it easier for the community to report none urgent incidents of anti-social behaviour.

The line, 01472 326101, has been launched on the eve of the summer school holidays, historically a time that sees a rise in negative behaviour.

It went live on Monday, July 13, at 8am.

Councillor Steve Beasant, NELC’s portfolio holder for community safety and public protection, said: “The launch of the reporting line shows the partnership approach we take within North East Lincolnshire to deal with all forms of anti-social behaviour.

“Residents have told us they like easier ways of reporting anti-social behaviour and the information we receive from the public will help us to target our resources.

“It will combine with the excellent programme of summer events and diversionary activities that will get our young people involved in worthwhile and educational activities.”

The summer programme is linked to £20,000 of Government money given to North East Lincolnshire Council to curb illegal street drinking and the sale of intoxicants to minors either directly or through an adult buying it on their behalf.

People caught are likely to find themselves subject to an acceptable behaviour contract and their parents invited to attend parenting classes.

Andrew Milner, the council’s executive director for community services, said: “This reporting line does not replace any other reporting mechanism open to the public and is designed to provide support where necessary to the victims of anti-social behaviour through the Victim Support Service and a provide a response within 24 hours of the call being received.

“It is another important part of our partnership response to cut anti-social behaviour and effect a safer and stronger North East Lincolnshire.”

At the North East Lincolnshire Council’s Community Consultation Event residents were asked whether they were in favour of 100 Guildford Street homes being razed to the ground as part of a proposed £7.9-million redevelopment.

Scores of East Marsh homeowners attended a consultation meeting at the Grimsby Neighbourhood Centre on Tuesday afternoon – just before the East Marsh Involve.

Local residents were shown a number of altenatives of how the street layout could be improved, suggestions included: demolition of 100 houses and building a new meandering road; creating open spaces; introducing pedestrianised areas and create thoroughfares to neighbouring Victor and Weelsby Streets.

As reported, North East Lincolnshire Council is in the process of purchasing the 100 run-down properties in the street – and residents are now being consulted on how the area should be redeveloped.

Mike Haynes, NELC’s interim program manager for the redevelopment, said: “We want to find out from the community how they think the street should be changed.

“We have come up with some suggestions of our own based upon the whole or partial demolition of the existing properties, and we hope these will stimulate some interesting views.”

John Harrison (59) lives in the area of Guildford Street where homes will be given improvement grants.

He said: “Our end of the street is pedestrianised already and it causes no end of problems with anti-social behaviour.

“To start with, I thought the only option was to knock all the other homes down, but after hearing some of the council’s ideas I think the regeneration may be a good thing.“

East Marsh Councillors hope the Guildford Street Conultation will inspire residents to provide the council with their vision for the street.

Councillor Jon-Paul Howarth said: “There are some exciting proposals already and this is just a start of the consultation.

“Once the community starts getting a feel for the project, I hope it will inspire them to say how we can make a change in the right direction.”

Councillor Steve Beasant added: ”I’ve always said that two thirds of the housing should be knocked down and the rest should remain – it needs a new lease of life!

“But the whole point of the consultation is that we have to listen to what residents want and find a solution.

“I like what I have seen so far, but I don’t think the right solution is yet on the drawing board. I have confidence in the local residents to come forward with an attractive and inspirational plan.”

The results of the initial consultation will be used to formulate a draft redevelopment brief.
FIND OUT MORE: Contact the redevelopment team on 0845 8492000.

£193 MILLION STATE OF THE ART LIBRARY PLANNED FOR BIRMINGHAM; AND NORTH EAST LINCOLNSHIRE COUNCIL PLANS A NEW COMMUNITY LIBRARY FOR THE EAST MARSH

I have read last week that plans have been unveiled for Britain’s biggest ever public library in Birmingham – this is the clearest sign yet of a national renaissance in the construction of grand civic libraries.

The £193m Library of Birmingham will tower over Centenary Square in the heart of the city with capacity to accommodate more than three million visitors a year, according to the city council, which is backing the project with £159m in public funds. Only the British Library, which operates by appointment only and does not lend, will be larger.

I am also pleased to say that

North East Lincolnshire Council have unveiled plans for their new Grant Thorold Branch Library which will be in the heart of the East Marsh Ward; as well as serving the needs of the East Marsh many residents from the adjoining wards use the facility.

It is a much needed facility, and will go before the full Planning Committee this Wednesday, April 8. It is an exciting new venture incorporating a new meeting and a study support room for use by the local community; even though the project is running behind schedule it is expected that the construction will be completed early next year.

The Library may not be as grand as the proposed the new Birmingham Library; however it will meet the needs of the local community – it will be single storey. And, the elevation to the road and car park will be a green wall - planted cladding system. The elevation on to the park will be mostly glazed, protected by a light tough mesh system to allow view out but to also protect the glazing from damage.

To view the plans for the new Grant Thorold Library click

>>>>>HERE