South Holland District Council has completed work to refresh and improve the availability of defibrillator equipment from council owned buildings in Spalding, installing seven new life-saving kits across the town. The work, carried out by the Council’s assets team, means that there are now nine council maintained defibrillators in the District, alongside dozens of others managed by other organisations and businesses. Through the new installations the Council hopes to provide quicker and reliable emergency response resources to residents and visitors should they ever need them, and is made possible through a Government scheme offering councils subsidised purchase of the vital equipment. Whilst carrying out installation the Council has also funded upgrades to equipment and cabinets to ensure the longevity of the facilities, which will be checked monthly to ensure batteries, pads and other equipment is within date and operational. The Council’s defibrillators can be found at the following locations: Accessible 24/7: •         Public toilets, Winfrey Avenue. •         Broadgate House, Westlode Street. •         The Lighthouse, Haverfield Road, The Lighthouse. Accessible during opening hours: •         South Holland District Council offices, Priory Road. •         South Holland Centre, Market Place. •         Ayscoughfee Gardens. •         Council Depot, West Marsh Road. •         Council Depot, Bervor Close. •         Spalding Cemetery, Pinchbeck Road. Exact locations of all defibrillators, as well as your nearest available one, can be found at www.defibfinder.uk. All council defibrillators are registered with The Circuit, the British Heart Foundation’s national network for ambulance services across the UK. If ever needed, they can be accessed by calling 999 who will share the best available location and the key code to access them safely. Councillor Henry Bingham, portfolio holder for assets and strategic planning, said: “I’m very pleased that we have been able to increase the availability of defibrillators in the District, by making sure we are doing all we can to make life-saving equipment available should the worst happen.”

Work has begun on constructing the new multi-million pound Emergency Department at Pilgrim Hospital, Boston. The demolition of the building next to the existing Emergency Department has been completed, foundations have been poured and the concrete infrastructure is being installed for the two-storey new build extension. Once the concrete floors, stairwells, lift shafts and other structural elements are in place, the exterior brickwork, walls and windows will be installed. Work will then begin on the interior and once completed the current Emergency Department will then relocate into this area early next year. This will then enable practically everything to be demolished, replaced and transformed in the current department, before the two areas merge in 2026. Once completed, the finished transformation will see the new department more than treble in size and include state-of-the-art innovations and infection prevention control measures. It will also have more cubicles to treat patients and a larger resuscitation zone for the sickest patients. It will also include a separate area dedicated to providing emergency care for the hospital’s youngest patients and their families. There will also be a dedicated calm space away from the busier areas of the main department where trained staff will be able to provide mental health support to patients. To support the Emergency Department the new build will also have a new X-ray and CT scanner to perform the necessary diagnostics to help assess patients. There will also be more training spaces available to help staff develop. United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust Chief Executive, Andrew Morgan, said: “This is a really exciting stage of the transformation as we are seeing the construction work developing out of the ground. There is still a lot of work to be done, but it is great for everyone to see the progress that is being made. “I would also like to thank all of our patients, visitors and staff for their understanding and support. This is just the start of our transformation journey and we could not do it without your ongoing co-operation. “By working together, we are going to give our patients and staff the first-class Emergency Department that they need and deserve for the future.”   Image courtesy of United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust

A new council complex for people without homes and facing difficulties in supporting themselves to live independently, has welcomed its first residents. North East Lincolnshire Council has taken a long-term lease on Swan House – a 29-apartment building in New Haven Terrace, Grimsby. Developed and refurbished privately, the building was empty when the council stepped in. A welcome alternative to putting those who are eligible for statutory homelessness assistance in bed and breakfast or other alternative and expensive accommodation, clients are offered recently-furnished smart one and two-bed apartments within the secure complex. Once there, residents have fully fitted kitchens and appliances, such as washing machines, that enable them to live safely and do their own cooking and washing. They are also responsible for their own cleaning and managing their budgets to pay bills. Importantly, support is also available from the council and its partners to help those who may have issues with money, benefits, or health and wellbeing. Round-the-clock housing management, and external and internal CCTV also ensures security. The authority’s Leader, Cllr Philip Jackson, who also has responsibility for housing, welcomed the initiative as a blueprint for the future. “We were very excited at the idea of Swan House when we approved it at Cabinet last year, and now having seen it in person, it brings the idea to life. This facility will have such a positive impact on the lives of the most vulnerable people in our borough.”   Image courtesy of North East Lincolnshire Council

A project to preserve the historic character of one of Market Rasen’s flagship buildings is now complete. Specialist contractors have carried out repairs to the exterior of the building at 9-10 Market Place in the town centre. It is the second major building to benefit from funding from the Market Rasen Historic Building Grant Scheme. The building at 24 Market Place was the first major project which was complete in autumn 2023. West Lindsey District Council is working in partnership with a local steering group, which is made up of local businesses, councils, and conservationists on the pilot project, which aims to unlock the potential of the town’s heritage assets. The grant scheme, funded by West Lindsey District Council, is supporting the regeneration of significant buildings in the centre of Market Rasen. The former bank at 9-10 Market Place has had a number of repairs made to it including repairing and decoration to the windows, installation of new doors and fan lights and repairs and redecoration of the render. Now completed, the building makes a significant contribution to the historic diversity of the marketplace. Cllr Stephen Bunney, ward member for Market Rasen, has welcomed the completion of the work. He said: “We have been eagerly watching the work take place on the building and I am delighted to see the scaffolding has now been removed to highlight this historic building, refurbished and back to its former glory. “These works not only give a visual boost to the area in terms of visual appeal, they also help conserve part of the town’s rich heritage and ensure they are an attractive proposition to be used in our wonderful town centre.” The grant helps to fund work to improve and conserve historic buildings, using traditional materials and techniques in keeping with the heritage of the area. This includes work such as repairing timber windows and shopfronts, removing unsightly paintwork, or repairing or renewing damaged render. It also can include new, traditional hand painted signage, which is more in-keeping with the properties. Owners of the building, 8888 Capital Group Ltd, said: “We are delighted to be able to deliver this beautiful project, with significant support from both West Lindsey District Council, and Market Rasen Town Council. “We would like to give a special mention to Cllr Stephen Bunney who has been tireless with his support, introductions, and words of wisdom! We could not be happier, breathing life right back into the heart of Market Rasen Town Centre with nine fabulous new high-spec apartments and a really promising, community-serving, long-term tenant on the ground floor to boot!” Local heritage representative Neil Taylor said it was great to see the completion of the second building being developed as part of this scheme. He said: “Local people will be happy to see this, and other buildings being transformed, vastly improving the visual appearance and improving the heritage of our much-loved town.” The project will now commence work on the former bank at 7 Market Place in the spring, followed by 5-6 Market Place.   Image courtesy of West Lindsey District Council