Work is undeway to prepare Grimsby Town Centre’s new Alexandra Dock housing site for full construction to start early in 2026. Ahead of the main build beginning, North East Lincolnshire Council leader councillor Philip Jackson and the portfolio holder for housing, infrastructure and transport, councillor Stewart Swinburn visited the Fishermen’s Wharf land, off Garth Lane. They were joined by senior members of the team from developers Keepmoat, and Peter Taylor, Homes England senior manager for partnership and business development. Ground clearance is now well underway, with the site fenced off and other enabling works going ahead. This will pave the way for Keepmoat’s construction of all electric multi-tenure homes, green spaces and maintain an area for retail investment. The development will comprise of 100 houses, 20 flats and three commercial units. This will include 54 affordable homes. Cllr Jackson said: “I am delighted to see these enabling works now underway. This is a great opportunity as we move forward with another of our Towns’ Fund schemes – bringing new houses into our town centre for the first time in many years.” Richard Gough, operations director at Keepmoat, Yorkshire East, added: “We’re thrilled to be working alongside the Council to breathe new life into Alexandra Dock, a fantastic regeneration project that is set to create a vibrant community. At Keepmoat, we’re committed to investing in brownfield sites to create much needed, high quality homes. “As we continue to invest in the wider regeneration of Grimsby, including our nearby site Cambridge Green, we’re proud to also create apprenticeship and job opportunities for local people.”   Image credit: North East Lincolnshire Council / Keepmoat

North East Lincolnshire youth charity Horizon Youth Zone, part of the OnSide Network, is raising concerns about growing digital dependence and a lack of real-life social spaces for young people — as new research highlights that 34% of young people in Yorkshire & the Humber are turning to AI for advice, support or company. The findings come from national youth charity OnSide’s Generation Isolation 2025 report, the largest annual study of its kind into how 11–18-year-olds spend their free time, based on a YouGov survey of 5,035 young people in England. Now in its third year, the report reveals that in the Yorkshire & Humber region 34% of young people feel high or very high levels of loneliness, while 46% report high or very high anxiety. Of those turning to AI, 15% are seeking help with feelings and emotions such as stress, sadness and loneliness. Another 14% are looking for advice about friendships, and 11% say they use AI because they just want someone to talk to. Yet only 7% of chatbot users say they trust AI more than a real person, highlighting a clear gap between what is convenient and what truly supports young people. With fewer accessible places to meet in person, young people are increasingly relying on digital interactions, but they don’t always meet their needs. While 52% say social media makes friendships easier, nearly half (49%) say in-person time with friends is what helps them feel truly connected. Many are also struggling with the complexity of online relationships. 46% say they’ve had a negative friendship experience online in the past year. Of those, 33% say it left them feeling anxious, 28% say it knocked their confidence, and 22% say it made them feel lonely. Alice, 18, is a member of OnSide’s Youth Advisory Board. She said: “I’ve used Chat GPT to help me with school and college work, and also when I’ve needed advice and support. Waiting lists for therapy and help with mental health are really long, and being able to vent your feelings and emotions to an AI Chatbot is something you can do easily, quickly and without judgment. “I used to find that talking to an adult could feel awkward or hard, but once I built up trusted relationships with people like youth workers or my college tutors, I found that getting advice or help was much better from someone in real life. AI is now a part of everyday life, but all young people need a real person they can turn to, talk with and trust.” Lucy Ottewell‑Key, chief executive at Horizon Youth Zone, said: “While many young people are turning to AI for advice or company, we know that what they really want is a safe space and someone they can trust. “With Horizon Youth Zone, we’re building more than a facility. We’re creating a space in North East Lincolnshire where young people will feel safe, supported, and listened to. A place where they’ll be able to spend time with friends and youth workers who genuinely care. “Technology has its place, but it can’t replace real human connection. Our mission is to make sure children and young people in North East Lincolnshire will have the trusted adults and support they need.”

North East Lincolnshire Council has established a cross-party committee to shape the long-term direction of its library services. The group, made up of elected councillors, is reviewing findings from a two-phase public consultation that drew more than 2,300 responses across Grimsby Central, Cleethorpes, and Waltham libraries.

Cleethorpes Library will remain in its current location and no changes are planned for Waltham. Grimsby Central Library is intended to stay in its Top Town building, although full repair and renovation requirements are still being assessed. A temporary pop-up library is operating in Freshney Place while this work continues.

Committee Chair, Cllr Steve Holland (Independent), said: “As fellow committee members and I re-examine all the evidence and work that has already taken place to look at our libraries and their future, we are keen to make sure that we don’t miss any opportunities for improvement that will ensure our libraries have a secure and exciting future. We are particularly keen to hear ideas that would offer a wider range of services.

“The consultations that were carried out indicate that most people want to have thriving public libraries and see them as very important. What we need to do now as a cross-party group, with the help of the whole community, is to suggest practical ideas that will contribute positively to creating a service that can grow and thrive,” he added.

The committee is now inviting residents and organisations to share suggestions on how libraries can evolve into broader community hubs as it develops an overarching strategy for the area’s library network.

  Image credit: North East Lincolnshire Council

Residents of Barrow-upon-Humber are set to tell their story in a unique way: a hand-stitched tapestry capturing the village’s history from the Domesday Book up to the present day. The tapestry will be a celebration of the people, places and moments that have shaped Barrow over the centuries, brought to life by local volunteers with a love of art, heritage and community spirit. The creative project, led by Barrow Parish Council, has been awarded £5,014 from North Lincolnshire Council’s Cultural Futures fund. Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This is such a wonderful idea – a creative way to celebrate Barrow’s history while bringing people together to learn new skills and share stories. “Every stitch will tell a piece of the village’s story and it’s great to see residents taking the lead in creating something so special and lasting. “These things are important to people across North Lincs and will encourage communities to thrive.”   Image credit: North Lincolnshire Council

A new Study Hub has been approved for Killingholme Primary School, giving more children with additional needs the chance to learn and grow closer to home. It will offer up to 10 places for Key Stage 1 and 2 pupils who benefit from a calmer, more flexible setting but do not require a specialist placement.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “Families rightly want their children to be supported close to home and this new hub helps make that possible by giving pupils with additional needs the right support in the heart of their community.”

The hub becomes the council’s sixth, created with local schools, and the first to open in a primary setting. Existing hubs operate in Scunthorpe, Ashby, Barton, and Winterton secondary schools.

It forms part of a broader effort to strengthen support across mainstream education, including the expansion of Specialist Resource Provisions (SRPs). Five SRPs are currently running across the area, with three more scheduled for 2026.

Study Hubs provide smaller groups, adapted spaces, and trained staff so pupils can stay connected to their school and friendships while receiving tailored help. SRPs support children with Education, Health and Care Plans, combining specialist input with access to a full curriculum.

Together, both models aim to ensure families can rely on local, community-based support that helps children thrive in familiar surroundings.

  Image credit: North Lincolnshire Council

City of Lincoln Council has assumed ownership of several tourism initiatives, including the Visit Lincoln brand, as part of a new partnership with Lincoln Business Improvement Group.

The move brings responsibility for a range of visitor-focused programmes under the council’s oversight. Both organisations aim to strengthen Lincoln’s position in the regional visitor economy and provide clearer support for local businesses that rely on tourism.

Councillor Joshua Wells, Executive Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, said: “This partnership is a fantastic opportunity to build on Lincoln’s reputation as a vibrant and welcoming city. By working closely with Lincoln BIG and other stakeholders, we can create a stronger, more sustainable visitor economy that benefits local businesses and the wider community. The re-launch in spring 2026 will set the tone for an exciting tourism season and beyond.”

Visit Lincoln will continue to operate as the city’s primary destination brand. The council plans to maintain its existing standards while preparing for a refreshed digital presence. Work is underway to test new partnership models and promotional approaches that will feed into a wider strategy.

A formal report outlining the long-term direction for the city’s tourism activity is scheduled for discussion at an upcoming Executive Committee meeting. A relaunch of Visit Lincoln’s website and social platforms is expected in early spring 2026, aligning with the start of the tourism season.

  Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/U-JINN Photography