New plans have been revealed to back every community across North Lincolnshire to thrive after the newly-formed cabinet for North Lincolnshire Council met for the first time.
Proposals to fast-track the planting of trees were discussed, with a stretched target of 250,000 introduced – up from 174,000 – as well as new measures to protect communities by strengthening enforcement.
Dog foulers, speeding motorists, fly-tippers and people parking on grass verges will all be targeted, with those committing these acts having been “put on notice”.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “We have been able to achieve a great deal across the last few years for the residents and communities of North Lincolnshire but we know there is a great deal more to be done.
“While we’ve met and agreed some new, bold targets for the coming years the starting point is putting in notice those people who think they can act with impunity – the negative impact they have on communities through not cleaning up after their dogs, dumping rubbish or wrecking grass verges by parking across them, will not be tolerated.
“These are things which have a huge impact on people’s lives, day in, day out, and we will push even harder to stamp this behaviour out.”
Cllr Waltham also revealed details for policies which will target the owners of vacant properties which fall in disrepair and selective licensing in residential areas.
Development sites will also be fast-tracked, bring new jobs and new opportunities into North Lincolnshire.
Plans are also in place to increase investment in new bins, roads and paths, keep free car parking across the area, free swimming for young people at all leisure centres through the summer and the free book scheme for under fives, the Imagination Library.
Cllr Waltham said: “We’re backing young people, we’re backing families and we’re backing older people to ensure they can live happy, fulfilling and safe lives.
“We’re targeting what we do to ensure every child has the best start and that adults with complex needs and older people can live well independently.
“We will back our residents and our communities to flourish and grow – bringing people together, making the places more beautiful and helping people improve their own health and wellbeing.”
The new cabinet confirmed at the Council AGM is:
• Cllr Rob Waltham – Leader – Place Shaping, Steel and Heavy Industry
• Cllr Richard Hannigan – Deputy Leader – Adults, Health, Families and Communities
• Cllr Julie Reed – Children, Families and Communities
• Cllr David Rose – Environment & Strategy
• Cllr Neil Poole – Environmental Operations
• Cllr Elaine Marper – Investment, Outcomes and Governance
• Cllr Tim Mitchell – Connectivity
• Cllr Carl Sherwood – Safer, Stonger Communities (Rural)
• Cllr John Davison – Safer, Stronger Communities (Ashby, Bottesford and Scunthorpe)
The new structure also includes cabinet support roles with direct support for cabinet members:
• Cllr Christine Patterson – Cabinet support for Environment
• Cllr Ralph Ogg – Cabinet support for flooding, farming and rural communities
• Cllr Carol Ross – Cabinet support for connectivity
