North Lincolnshire Council has invested in nine new refuse vehicles to support the launch of a streamlined recycling system. The modern 26-tonne trucks will replace older models and maintain weekly collections for around 76,500 households and more than 1,200 businesses.

From April next year, households will see their bins reduced from five to three, alongside the introduction of weekly food waste collections. The changes are designed to make recycling easier and more reliable for residents, while also improving efficiency for the council.

The vehicles are equipped with Euro VI engines, cutting emissions and improving fuel efficiency. This upgrade is expected to reduce running and maintenance costs, while keeping collections consistent.

As part of the investment, the council plans to sell off the older vehicles, with proceeds reinvested into local services. The procurement process also encourages bids from local suppliers to ensure the wider economy benefits from the project.

The move forms part of a multi-million-pound programme to deliver a simpler, more accessible recycling system across the region.

A delegation from the Faroe Islands has visited the Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre to learn more about the town’s maritime past and long-standing ties with their own fishing industry.

Fishing once defined Grimsby’s identity, with crews often travelling to Faroese waters. The visit, held on 10 September, provided the guests with an introduction to this shared history.

The group, which included Fisheries Minister Jóhan Christiansen and senior officials from the Faroese Ministry of Fisheries, toured the Ross Tiger trawler with former skipper Bob Mogg. They also explored the museum’s galleries with operations manager David Ornsby, whose family history is closely linked to the trade.

Other members of the delegation were Elin Mortensen, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Fisheries; Kate Sanderson, Head of Faroese Representation in London; Marita Rasmussen, Director of the Faroe Marine Research Institute; and advisers Símun Grønadal and Janet Skarðsá.

The event was coordinated in partnership with Amy Salisbury of Particular & Co, whose own family connections to Grimsby’s fishing industry stretch back over two centuries.

The centre described the visit as a significant moment in recognising the historic relationship between Grimsby and the Faroe Islands, both shaped by the traditions of the sea.

Lincolnshire residents can now collect free leftover paint at each of the county’s 11 Household Waste Recycling Centres, following the completion of the Community RePaint network with the opening of a store in Skegness.

The scheme gathers unwanted but usable paint and makes it available at no cost to the public. Supplies cover a range of household types and finishes, depending on donations received.

Community RePaint Stores are now operating in Skegness, Louth, Grantham, Lincoln, Tattershall, Sleaford, Market Rasen, Boston, Gainsborough, Bourne, and Spalding.

Residents can take part by speaking to staff at their local site, whether to donate surplus paint or pick some up for home projects. The initiative reduces waste while providing households with a practical way to save money on decorating and creative work.

Birchwood and Yarborough Leisure Centres have reopened after months of refurbishment, with both sites now fully operational and offering an expanded programme of activities.

The phased reopening began in July and was completed in August, with all indoor and outdoor facilities now available. At Yarborough, upgraded gyms, studios and communal spaces welcomed visitors on 14 August, following the earlier reopening of the pools. Birchwood had resumed activity a fortnight earlier.

This month marks the return of Yarborough’s Swim School, with sessions running three times a week. A new timetable of virtual classes has also been introduced, covering fitness programmes such as RPM, Sprint, Body Combat and dance.

Birchwood now has a fully equipped toning suite and is running additional gym and climbing challenges.

The reopening follows significant investment and improvement works carried out by the City of Lincoln Council in partnership with operator Greenwich Leisure Limited.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony on 11 September will formally mark the reopening of the two centres, which are set to remain key hubs for community health and fitness in the city.