North Lincolnshire Council has concluded the financial year with a balanced budget and a modest underspend, despite facing national cost pressures in areas such as care and education.

The 2024/25 financial report confirms the council maintained healthy reserves without cutting services, while continuing to invest in community priorities.

Spending over the past year has focused on road improvements, play area refurbishments, and new facilities aimed at strengthening local neighbourhoods. Support for families has also been expanded, particularly through early intervention and prevention programmes designed to reduce longer-term costs.

Independent auditors recognised the authority’s financial management for its accuracy and timeliness, reaffirming its reputation as one of the better-performing councils in the country.

The report highlights that consistent budget discipline has allowed the council to keep delivering visible improvements while planning for future projects across North Lincolnshire’s communities.

Image credit: North Lincolnshire Council

Cleethorpes and Waltham libraries will stay in their current locations following North East Lincolnshire Council’s review of local library and archive services.

The decision comes after a two-stage public consultation that drew strong opposition to earlier proposals suggesting the facilities could be moved to shared sites such as leisure centres or shopping centres. A petition signed by more than 4,700 residents urged the council to keep both libraries where they are.

After reviewing public feedback, the council has decided to abandon the co-location plan and maintain both libraries in their existing buildings. It will now explore new ways to make better use of space and improve community access within those settings.

The move reflects a broader aim to enhance local services while preserving the libraries’ roles as accessible cultural and educational spaces for residents of all ages.

Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/WavebreakMediaMicro

The children’s ward at Pilgrim Hospital, Boston is set to receive a funding boost thanks to the success of a summer fair held earlier in the year. The fair, which was held in August at Boston Town Football Club, raised a staggering £11,311 which will now go towards creating a more welcoming environment for children staying on Ward 4a, including ward improvements, enhanced family facilities, and new distraction activities. The summer fete was the brainchild of four dedicated staff working on the ward. From initial thoughts of a barbecue afternoon for family and friends, enthusiasm grew and the event escalated into a full afternoon of entertainment including dog show, tug of war and featuring the School of Rock. United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity Fundraiser, Connor Hill, who worked with the team and other willing staff who gave their time so freely, was overjoyed with the success. He said: “We are so proud of what we achieved and enormously grateful to all the local businesses who sponsored elements of the fete, or donated gifts or time. Without their support, we would not have been able to raise such a significant amount of money which will help improve the lives of the children during their stay on the ward.” Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals NHS Group Chief Executive, Professor Karen Dunderdale accepted the donation on behalf of the charity and said: “This was a tremendous effort from everyone involved. They are a fantastic team and the care they give to the kids every day is amazing.” The team’s next event is a Hallowe’en Party at Boston Town Football Club on Thursday 30 October, from 4pm. DJ Kellan will provide entertainment as well as pumpkin carving, fancy dress and Hallowe’en Trail. Once again, the proceeds will go towards making the hospital’s children’s ward a home from home for its young patients. Last year Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity funded 242 projects worth £1.25 million across Lincolnshire’s four hospitals.   Image shows: Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals NHS Group Chief Executive, Professor Karen Dunderdale (second right) with members from Pilgrim Hospital, Boston Ward 4a and United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity.

The Very Revd Dr Simon Jones, Dean of Lincoln, welcomed His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh to Lincoln Cathedral on Thursday afternoon. During the visit, which included a tour of the Cathedral and a recital by the Choral Scholars, The Duke met the Cathedral’s education team to learn more about their work with school children from across the county. Visiting the Ross Learning Centre, His Royal Highness talked to Sally Bleasdale and Emma Bloys who deliver workshops to the hundreds of pupils who visit the Cathedral each year and who benefit from hands on learning activities which bring history to life. The Duke also spent time in the Cathedral exhibition gallery where he met Fern Dawson, the Cathedral’s curator. The space, which is used to display a selection of artefacts from the 950 year history of the building, is home to the Romanesque frieze; one of the most significant surviving collections of Norman figure carving in Europe. His Royal Highness was received by Mr Andrew Clark DL, Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, and then greeted representatives from across the city, comprising David Chambers, High Sheriff of Lincolnshire; Councillor Bill Mara, The Worshipful Mayor of Lincoln; Gary Daley, Lincoln City Sheriff and Councillor Mike Beecham, Vice-Chairman of Lincolnshire County Council. Representing the Cathedral were The Reverend Canon Rowena King, Canon Missioner; The Reverend Darren McFarland, Succentor; Michael Belcher, Honorary Secretary of the Friends of Lincoln Cathedral and The Revd Canon Michael Boughton, Chairman of the Friends. The Duke is a patron of the friends of Lincoln Cathedral, holding the title of First Friend. Before leaving, His Royal Highness also took a moment to view the famous Lincoln Imp, the stone carving which has become a beloved symbol of the city of Lincoln, not least because a tie pin in the form of the Lincoln Imp was worn by The then Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, when his horse Persimmon won the Derby in 1896.

Lincolnshire County Council is preparing to allocate an additional £22 million towards special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision to meet growing demand across the county.

The council expects to require around 700 new SEND places within the next three years as more young people need specialist support. Despite recent expansions, including 12 local special schools and the creation of 500 extra places, capacity remains under strain.

Lincolnshire currently has 17 special and five alternative provision state-funded schools. With many mainstream schools unable to cater to pupils with complex needs, the council has increasingly relied on private providers, driving up costs.

A dedicated budget of £141 million has been set aside for SEND provision, with over £101 million already committed to improvements and expansions. However, the council is facing a significant funding gap and is reviewing ways to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

The financial pressure comes amid broader budget challenges, with the local authority already warning of potential service cuts to save more than £25 million in the next financial year.

The Department for Education has been approached for comment on how it plans to support local councils managing rising SEND demands.

  Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/JenkoAtaman

Significant progress is being made on a new housing project that will offer supported living to working age adults with disabilities. Grange House in Market Rasen will offer 10 apartments with access to 24-hour care and support, as well as a range of communal areas where tenants can meet with families and friends and enjoy group activities. In addition, there will be a community-focused social enterprise, offering an opportunity to learn new skills through growing produce and caring for animals. The project is a collaboration between Acis Group, Lincolnshire County Council and West Lindsey District Council, made possible by additional funding from Homes England. The development is expected to be completed by spring 2026. Greg Bacon, CEO of Acis Group, said: “We are incredibly proud to be bringing this development to Market Rasen, investing £3.9 million to give this stunning Grade II listed building and its associated stable block a new purpose that aligns perfectly with our vision for supporting communities when they need us. “This project reflects our long-term commitment to the town and the people who live here, ensuring they have access to high-quality, supported housing that enables them to live independent and fulfilling lives.” Cllr Stephen Bunney, ward member for the Market Rasen area in West Lindsey, said: “I’m delighted to see work progressing on this much-needed supported housing development in Market Rasen. This project will provide invaluable opportunities for individuals to live independently while remaining connected to their community. “The inclusion of communal spaces and a community-focused social enterprise will bring real benefits, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose. I look forward to seeing the positive impact this development will have on local people.” Lindum co-chair, Edward Chambers said: “Renovating an older building is always challenging, and Acis Group deserves real credit for its commitment to this restoration. Once complete, the project will not only provide an important facility for the community but will also breathe new life into a well-known local landmark, transforming it from a state of disrepair into a building that is fully restored and fit for purpose.”

A decision on the masterplan for the proposed ‘Grimsby West’ development site has been deferred at a North East Lincolnshire Council Cabinet meeting. Cabinet members voted not to approve the Masterplan straight away, instead deferring any decision until points raised at a recent scrutiny panel are answered by the private developers behind the scheme. The Grimsby West proposal includes 3,500 new homes set around a country park with open space, a link road and new schools, stretching from the A46 to the west of Morrisons through to the A1136 west of Wybers Wood. The site is allocated in the Local Plan 2013 to 2032 (Adopted 2018) as a Strategic Housing Site under Policy 14. This policy within the Local Plan requires a Masterplan for the Grimsby West site to be submitted to the Council before planning applications for development on the site are determined. Now complete and published, the Grimsby West Masterplan was initially discussed by members of North East Lincolnshire Council’s Transport, Infrastructure and Strategic Housing Scrutiny Panel. Councillors on the Panel voiced concern in three areas: flood risk and waterflow and pollution into the River Freshney, the need for the completion of a Traffic Assessment, and the need for more graphic detail on the Freshney Valley Country Park. Those concerns and comments were then considered by Cabinet members, who went against a report paper recommendation to approve the Masterplan. The developers, Harworth Group and M.F. Stawson Ltd, will now be asked to amend the Masterplan. Following the Cabinet vote and decision, the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Infrastructure and Transport, Cllr Stewart Swinburn, said: “As a council we must ensure we take the appropriate and correct advice and follow all the necessary and statutory steps to consider plans of this nature and that is what we are doing and will continue to do.”   Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/shintartanya