With tents now a common sight in Grantham’s parks and public spaces, South Kesteven District Council is considering reopening a temporary night shelter to support those sleeping rough.

Last winter, the Grantham Ark provided shelter between December and February. As the number of visible encampments grows, estimated at around 10 to 12, the council is now in talks with the same charity to reopen the facility.

Officials say everyone currently rough sleeping is known to services, but many have complex needs and limited housing options. Some have previously declined to use shelters or been excluded due to behavioural issues, raising questions about how effective a reopening might be.

A short trial of the shelter is being explored to gauge demand, with the council aiming to create a safe and fair response for all parties involved.

Concerns from local councillors include reports of anti-social behaviour linked to some encampments, including drug use, threats, and fire risks. A wider meeting with housing officers and community partners is scheduled for 23 June to discuss next steps.

Five primary schools across Lincolnshire have been approved to host new hubs aimed at supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), in a move designed to make inclusive education more accessible and community-based.

The new centres will cater to pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), offering specialised support while keeping children within the mainstream school setting. This approach allows students to benefit from both tailored learning and the social advantages of remaining integrated with their peers.

The schools selected for the programme are Gonerby Hill Foot Church of England Primary School in Grantham, The Meadows Primary School in Lincoln, St George’s Church of England Primary School in Gainsborough, Caistor Church of England and Methodist Primary School, and Church Lane Primary School in Sleaford.

The total investment in the hubs exceeds £7 million and is being funded by the Department for Education. The project comes in response to a sharp increase in demand for SEND provision in the county, where the percentage of pupils with EHCPs (4.9%) is notably higher than the national average (4.2%).

Local officials say the initiative is intended to relieve pressure on oversubscribed special schools and reduce the need for families to travel long distances for appropriate support.

A well-known mosaic in Grimsby’s Freshney Place shopping centre has been demolished as part of ongoing redevelopment works, despite efforts to preserve it.

The artwork, created in 1977 to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee, became the focus of local campaigns earlier this year, with over 1,250 people signing a petition to save it. Groups like the Grimsby, Cleethorpes and District Civic Society also advocated for its retention.

North East Lincolnshire Council said it explored options to remove the mosaic tile by tile but found it was too damaged to survive extraction. Experts warned the piece was cracking significantly during removal attempts, making it impossible to preserve in its original form.

While some residents have expressed frustration, the council maintains that heritage concerns were carefully considered. It confirmed that specialist advice was sought and that scans and high-resolution images were taken before demolition.

These images will now be used to create a full-scale reproduction in a new location. The council has promised to involve the community in selecting a site for the display, ensuring the artwork’s legacy continues in a different form as part of the Freshney Place regeneration.

As Spalding Cemetery approaches its limit, South Holland District Council is assessing new options for burial space, including the potential use of a popular community playing field.

Environmental testing is currently underway at Chiltern Drive playing field to determine if the site could support burials without impacting groundwater levels. The assessment will continue into autumn. If the land proves unsuitable, the process will be halted.

Chiltern Drive has long served as a valued green space for families, dog walkers, and local children, and some residents have expressed concerns about losing one of the area’s few safe outdoor areas. The field includes swings, wildflowers, and a footpath leading into a wooded section.

Previous efforts to expand the cemetery into the same field were met with strong opposition. A 2014 planning application drew more than 100 petition signatures and was ultimately rejected in 2015 due to the loss of recreational space. Sport England also objected to the proposal at the time.

The council says no final decision will be made until all environmental findings and community considerations are fully evaluated. Officials aim to establish a long-term solution within the next year to maintain burial services in the town.

Meanwhile, the Law Commission is reviewing national burial legislation, with proposals that could allow the reuse of existing graves to ease space shortages across the country.

Six pupils from Grange Primary School have been recognised for two years of exceptional community service as the school celebrated its key stage two Community Ambassadors.

At a special assembly attended by parents, teachers, and local officials, the school reflected on a year of outreach, with a spotlight on pupils who have helped strengthen ties between the school and its wider community.

The Year Six ambassadors, now preparing for secondary school, were celebrated for their long-standing efforts with Edmund House Care Home, where they’ve built intergenerational friendships and taken part in creative projects, including a winning entry in the Easter Bunny Trail.

The celebration also marked a handover, as the outgoing ambassadors introduced a new cohort of pupils set to continue their work. The event underscored Grange Primary’s core values—being reflective, resilient, and respectful—while reinforcing the importance of giving back.

Throughout the year, pupils have been involved in charity initiatives and family engagement activities, all designed to build confidence, empathy, and connection.

The event closed with a sense of shared pride and optimism, as the school community looks forward to what the next generation of ambassadors will achieve.

Grantham Meres Leisure Centre is setting a new standard for eco-friendly public amenities with the rollout of a £4 million low-carbon heating system designed to slash emissions and energy bills. The project introduces a purpose-built Net Zero Pod, powered by air source heat pump technology, to replace the site’s ageing gas boilers.

The innovative system, built off-site and transported to the centre, uses CO₂ as a natural refrigerant and promises efficiency levels four times higher than traditional gas boilers. It’s expected to reduce carbon emissions by over 550 tonnes annually—helping South Kesteven District Council progress towards its goal of cutting emissions by 30% by 2030.

This latest upgrade follows the recent addition of 574 rooftop solar panels, funded in part by a £399,000 grant from Sport England. Combined, these efforts mark a major push to modernise Grantham’s leisure infrastructure and futureproof community facilities with cleaner, smarter energy systems. Completion is scheduled for spring 2026.

Once overlooked in favour of sunnier European spots, the seaside town of Cleethorpes is experiencing a long-awaited resurgence, thanks to an £18.4 million investment from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund.

The North East Lincolnshire resort, perched on the Humber estuary, is undergoing major regeneration works aimed at refreshing its appeal for locals and tourists alike. The funds are being used to redesign key public areas, including the Pier Gardens, which will be transformed into a vibrant recreational zone with a new playground, water features, performance space, and reflective gardens.

Cleethorpes’ Market Place is also getting a makeover, with plans to create a flexible area for markets and pop-up events, enhanced lighting for safety, and a new green corridor connecting St Peters Avenue to the seafront. Restaurants will be able to expand their dining areas outdoors, while landscaping will help soften the town’s coastal winds.

One of the most ambitious elements is a new three-storey landmark building at the former Waves site, offering modern public facilities and commercial space just opposite the town’s iconic pier.

This latest funding builds on earlier local improvements to Sea View Street and Cleethorpes Beach. The town also draws significant crowds for events like Armed Forces Weekend, which last year attracted over 350,000 visitors, solidifying its growing reputation as a destination on the rise.