Spilsby Sessions House is set to reopen following major restoration plans approved by East Lindsey District Council. The historic theatre will receive £4.9 million from an £8 million government-funded regeneration programme focused on Lincolnshire Wolds heritage sites.

Once used as a jail, the Sessions House will see its old police cells opened to the public as part of its transformation into a cultural and arts venue. Plans include major repairs, adaptations for community use, and a new café to welcome residents and visitors. The aim is to create a vibrant hub that increases footfall in Spilsby year-round, supporting local businesses while preserving the building’s historic character.

Work will now begin to restore and adapt the site, ensuring it remains an accessible and inspiring space for generations to come.

Grimsby has kickstarted a major community-led project aimed at transforming the town over the next decade. Under the banner of Grimsby Together, residents, artists, business leaders, and environmentalists gathered at the Town Hall to share ideas and ambitions for the future.

The initiative forms part of the government’s Plan for Neighbourhoods scheme, which replaced the Long-Term Plan for Towns last year. Grimsby is among 75 areas set to receive up to £20 million each over 10 years to fund projects chosen by the community.

The council will oversee the administration, with support from Our Future, a group dedicated to helping communities drive lasting change. The local plan is expected to be submitted in the coming months, with funding due to start next April if approved.

At the launch event, attendees discussed ways to revitalise Grimsby’s waterfront, connect green spaces, repurpose old buildings, and support renewable energy, cleaner air, and local food production. The focus remains on championing ideas created by locals to improve life for residents and visitors alike.

North Lincolnshire Council has secured £3.5 million to improve energy efficiency across three major public buildings. The funding will go towards new low-carbon heating systems, lighting upgrades, and building fabric improvements at The Baths Hall, Scunthorpe Central Library, and Waters’ Edge Visitor Centre in Barton-upon-Humber.

Heating these council buildings produced over 3,000 tonnes of CO2 last year, accounting for nearly 40% of the council’s direct emissions. Most of the heat came from natural gas, biomass, and oil systems. The upgrades will replace some of the oldest and highest-emitting systems with ground or air source heat pumps to cut carbon emissions and reduce running costs.

The funding comes from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme under the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Works are expected between late 2025 and early 2028.

This follows earlier environmental efforts by the council, including installing solar panels on several public buildings. The Baths Hall already has 360 solar panels, saving an estimated £15,000 a year on energy bills while reducing emissions by 24 tonnes annually.

The council aims to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2030.

The new unit at Lincoln County Hospital will offer a modern, accessible facility for patients. It will provide state-of-the-art procedure rooms, as well as post-procedure rooms that include en-suite facilities which will improve patient experience. The building will also offer a bright and spacious waiting room, as well as larger working areas for staff.   

Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals NHS Group chief executive, professor Karen Dunderdale, said: “Our endoscopy diagnostic services can help to detect cancer, so it is vital that we invest in these services to continue to be able to support our patients with fast and comfortable diagnostic services.

“Our new unit will mean that we can increase diagnostic capacity, offer even higher levels of patient privacy and provide a great working environment for our staff.

“The new 1,972 square metre unit will increase the number of procedure rooms we have at Lincoln from three to four, with the potential to add a further two rooms in the future. This will ensure we can meet increasing demand and allow our patients to be seen sooner.”

A vape fire in Gainsborough has left three homes uninhabitable and caused damage to a fourth. The fire, tackled by crews from Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, and Humberside, was found to have started when a vape overheated and exploded. Preliminary investigations suggest the cause was thermal runaway, a failure often linked to damaged batteries, overcharging, or unregulated products.

No one was injured, but authorities are urging people to use and charge electronics safely. Tips include using only manufacturer-approved chargers, unplugging devices once charged, avoiding overnight charging, and keeping devices off beds or sofas where airflow is restricted. Damaged or swelling batteries should be disposed of immediately.

Trading standards officers also warned against buying cheap, counterfeit vapes or chargers that may lack essential safety features. Buying from reputable retailers helps ensure products meet UK safety regulations.