News :Waltham

North Lincolnshire Council has once again been awarded the Gold standard under the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme – the highest national recognition for organisations that actively support the Armed Forces community.

The reaccreditation recognises the council’s continued commitment to serving personnel, reservists, veterans, cadet force adult volunteers and military families across North Lincolnshire.

From additional paid leave for reservists and cadet force volunteers, to employment support for veterans transitioning into civilian life, the council has continued to strengthen its backing for those who serve the country.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “Backing our Armed Forces is not something we do for show because it is fashionable – it is about recognising duty, service and sacrifice.

“We are proud of our military communities across North Lincolnshire and proud to stand behind the people who protect this country, whether they are currently serving, have served in the past, or support others through cadet and reserve forces.”

The Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award is the Ministry of Defence’s highest badge of honour for employers that go above and beyond in supporting defence personnel and the wider Armed Forces community.

North Lincolnshire Council first achieved Gold status in 2020 and has now successfully retained the accreditation following reassessment of its ongoing commitment and support.

Cllr Elaine Marper, cabinet member for customer services, is the council’s Armed Forces champion. She said: “This Gold award recognises real action, not warm words. Those who serve Britain should never be disadvantaged because of that service and we will continue to make sure North Lincolnshire is a place that supports them properly.

“At a time when people want to see pride in country, respect for service and practical support for veterans and military families, this demonstrates exactly where North Lincolnshire stands.”

The council is also a long-standing signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant, working alongside partners to ensure members of the Armed Forces community are treated fairly and face no disadvantage because of their service.

The award comes as preparations continue for this year’s Armed Forces Festival at Normanby Hall Country Park, which will place Armed Forces Day at the heart of a wider celebration of service, community and North Lincolnshire’s contribution to Britain’s national story.

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Vandals breached security measures surrounding Horkstow Bridge, council leader Rob Waltham says.

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Thousands of North Lincolnshire households have now received £300 payments to help with rising heating oil costs, putting more than £400,000 directly into the pockets of residents.

The support was introduced to help rural households who rely on heating oil and have been hit by sharp increases in fuel prices.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “When this funding became available, our priority was simple – get help to residents as quickly as possible – we’ve kept that promise.

“More than 1,000 families have now received support, putting more than £400,000 back into rural communities. That’s money helping families, pensioners and residents with the increasing cost of living.

“We know households that rely on heating oil can face unique challenges, particularly in our villages and rural areas, which is why we moved quickly to make sure support reached those who needed it most.”

The council worked at pace to launch the scheme and contact residents who had previously registered an interest in receiving support.

Cllr Tim Mitchell, cabinet member for finance and efficiency, said: “The response has shown just how important this support is to local people.

“While more than 1,000 households have already benefited, we know there may still be residents who are eligible and have not yet come forward. If you use heating oil to heat your home, it is worth checking whether you could receive the £300 payment.

“We don’t want anyone to miss out on support that could make a real difference.”

Residents who believe they may be eligible are encouraged to apply through the council’s website.

Anyone who needs help completing an application can visit their local community hub, where staff will be available to provide support.

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Council leader Rob Waltham has written to the Environment Agency demanding urgent action to protect Horkstow Bridge and prevent further damage to the historic structure – after reports that vandals have breached security measures around the site.
northlincs.gov.uk/news/leade…

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More than 100 North Lincolnshire children have joined the Imagination Library in the last month, giving them access to a free, high-quality book delivered to their home every month from birth until their fifth birthday. 

A total of 118 children were registered during May, taking the number of children currently benefiting from the scheme across North Lincolnshire to more than 6,800. 

Funded by North Lincolnshire Council, the programme is available free of charge to every child under five and helps families enjoy reading together from the earliest years. 

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see another group of children start their reading journey through the Imagination Library. Reading is one of the most important foundations for learning and development, and by investing in this scheme we are helping to give every child the best possible start in life. 

“We know children who are part of the programme are more likely to be ready for school and develop a lifelong love of reading. I would encourage any family with a child under five who is not yet registered to take just a few minutes to sign up and start receiving their free books.” 

Since launching in North Lincolnshire in 2013, the scheme has delivered more than one million books to local children and now reaches almost 87 per cent of all under-fives in the area. The books are carefully chosen to support language development, imagination and early learning, while creating opportunities for families to read together at home. 

Cllr Carl Sherwood, cabinet member for rural communities and market towns, said: “For many children, these books are their first introduction to the joys of reading. Receiving a book through the post each month is something families really look forward to and it helps create special moments that support learning, confidence and development. 

“We are incredibly proud to continue supporting a programme that is making a real difference to children and families across North Lincolnshire.” 

Libraries across North Lincolnshire have expanded their opening hours by more than 20 per cent over the last decade and now offer a wide range of activities, learning opportunities and support services alongside their traditional book lending service. From helping people get online and develop new skills to providing welcoming spaces for communities to come together, libraries continue to play an important role in everyday life. 

Did you know?

There are 14 libraries in hubs across North Lincolnshire – all offering free access to books, activities, digital support and welcoming community spaces close to home. 

You can visit: 

• Ashby, Barton, Bottesford, Brigg, Broughton, Crowle, Epworth,Goxhill, Haxey, Kirton in Lindsey, Messingham,Park, Riddings, Scunthorpe Central and Winterton. 

With opening hours expanded by more than 20% over the last decade, it’s never been easier to discover everything your local library has to offer. 

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North Lincolnshire Council is increasing fostering allowances – part of its commitment to support local families and ensure children can continue growing up in stable, loving homes close to where they live.

The increase means foster carers will continue to receive payments above the Government’s national minimum rates, helping to offset rising household costs while recognising the vital role foster families play in caring for children and young people across the area.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “Families across the country are feeling the squeeze and foster carers are no different. That’s why we’re increasing our fostering allowances and continuing to invest in the people who provide loving homes for local children.

“Too often we hear about rising costs and shrinking support. In North Lincolnshire we’re taking a different approach. We’re making sure foster carers are properly supported so they can continue changing children’s lives.

“Every child deserves the chance to grow up in a stable family environment, close to their school, friends and community. Supporting local foster carers helps us do exactly that while reducing reliance on expensive agency placements and keeping more money invested in local families.”

The allowance increase forms part of the council’s wider commitment to foster carers. Alongside competitive weekly payments, foster families benefit from a comprehensive package of support including council tax rebates, dedicated social workers, ongoing training, support groups, family activities, discounts and round-the-clock advice when it is needed.

Cllr Julie Reed, cabinet member for children, families and young people, said: “Foster carers provide the love, patience and stability that can transform a child’s future.

“This increase is about recognising the incredible contribution they make and ensuring people are not out of pocket for doing something so important.

“We want anyone who has ever considered fostering to get in touch. There is a real need for more local foster carers and the support available from our fostering team is second to none.”

Are you interested in joining a supportive and welcoming community by becoming a foster carer? Some people walk away, some people foster – why not be one of them?

To find out more and start your fostering journey, visit the fostering section on the council website , email fostering@northlincs.gov.uk or call 01724 297024.

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Towns and villages are set to burst into colour this summer after more than £26,000 was awarded to community groups and parish councils helping make the area one of the best-kept places in the country.

From floral displays and hanging baskets to community gardens and village improvements, the funding will help residents transform public spaces, brighten up neighbourhoods and create places residents can be proud to call home.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “When people talk about what makes a place special, it’s often the little things that make the biggest difference – colourful displays, well-kept green spaces, community gardens and villages that clearly take pride in where they live.

“These grants help local communities turn great ideas into reality. They support volunteers, parish councils and community groups who give up their time to make North Lincolnshire even more beautiful – we’ve promised to keep back them and this proof of that.”

The funding will support projects in communities across North Lincolnshire, from Barton and Brigg to Crowle, Epworth, Haxey, Messingham, Winterton and many Isle villages, with local volunteers and community groups playing a vital role in bringing many of the schemes to life.

Cabinet member Cllr Richard Hannigan said: “Behind every colourful display, well-kept planter and community garden are volunteers who care deeply about where they live.

“They don’t do it for recognition. They do it because they want their village, town or neighbourhood to be somewhere people are proud to call home.

“I’d like to thank every volunteer involved in the In Bloom projects across North Lincolnshire. Their hard work helps make our communities brighter, greener and more welcoming for everyone.”

The grants form part of the council’s wider commitment to supporting thriving communities, helping local people take pride in their neighbourhoods and ensuring North Lincolnshire remains one of the most attractive places in the region.

This year’s successful applicants include Belton, Epworth, Owston Ferry, Crowle and Ealand, Amcotts, Haxey, Barton, Brigg, Broughton, Gunness, Winterton, Thornton Curtis, Ulceby, Messingham and many more communities across North Lincolnshire.

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More young people will be able to dance, perform and develop new creative skills thanks to funding that is helping Street Beat establish a base in Epworth.

The popular North Lincolnshire dance organisation has secured more than £2,500 from North Lincolnshire Council’s Community Grant Fund to hire premises for its Street Beat Elite sessions and buy equipment to support classes and creative projects.

For almost 20 years, Street Beat has used dance to build confidence, friendships and opportunities for young people. The latest funding will help it reach even more children and families, particularly in rural communities where access to activities can be more limited.

New iPads will support lessons and performances while also giving young people hands-on experience in filming, editing and producing their own digital content.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “Street Beat is a fantastic example of a community organisation making a real difference to people’s lives. Their work goes far beyond dance classes – they help build confidence, tackle isolation and create opportunities for young people across North Lincolnshire.

“This funding will help them continue to grow, improve access to sessions and give young people even more opportunities to develop their creativity and skills.”

Street Beat Director Kim Oakley-Duffill said: “As an organisation, we aim to provide an inclusive and supportive environment where young people can develop creatively, socially and personally through dance and performance.

“The iPads will help us deliver this in a safer, more accessible, and more engaging way.”

Since launching in 2007, Street Beat has built a reputation for combining creativity with inclusion, supporting children, young people and adults of all backgrounds and abilities.

Alongside community sessions, the organisation has helped talented dancers from North Lincolnshire achieve national and international success, including appearances at the U.Dance National Festival in London, the World Street Dance Championships and on Channel 4.

Since launching in 2011, North Lincolnshire Council’s Community Grant Fund has supported hundreds of local projects, helping communities, clubs and organisations thrive.

If you have an idea that could benefit your local community, visit the community grants page on the council’s website to find out more.

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Local people will get the chance to step inside a working forge, learn traditional blacksmithing skills and make their own souvenir as part of a new heritage project in Owston Ferry.

Owston Ferry Smithy has been awarded £3,600 through North Lincolnshire Council’s Cultural Futures programme to run free blacksmithing taster sessions at The Old Smithy & Heritage Centre.

The project, called Sample the Smithy, will give residents the chance to engage directly with local heritage through small, supervised sessions using the forges and learning basic blacksmithing techniques.

It will also help bring the historic smithy to life, support essential repairs and improvements to equipment, and test demand for future workshops.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This is living heritage – not something behind glass, but something people can touch, try and experience for themselves.

“The Old Smithy is part of Owston Ferry’s story, and this project will help open it up to more people, protect traditional skills and give residents the chance to make something with their own hands.”

The project is one of 14 new arts and heritage schemes awarded funding through Cultural Futures, a multi-year programme supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and North Lincolnshire Council to increase cultural activity across the area.

Cllr John Davison, cabinet member for Ashby, Bottesford and Scunthorpe, said: “There is something powerful about heritage you can actually take part in.

“Blacksmithing is practical, physical and creative, and these sessions will give people a real connection to the past while helping secure the future of a much-loved local heritage site.

“It is also a brilliant example of rural communities leading their own cultural activity, supported by volunteers who care deeply about keeping local history alive.”

The wider funding round will also support projects including a portable exhibition telling the story of Burton upon Stather’s role in the build-up to D-Day; a new 80-mile walking trail linked to Olaudah Equiano, John Wesley and stories of freedom and reform; a community film festival for North Lincolnshire; a multicultural celebration at The Baths Hall; and creative projects bringing young people, older residents, artists, volunteers and community groups together.

The projects awarded funding are:

Burton upon Stather Heritage Group – The BSHG Information & Display Unit

A portable walk-through exhibition telling the story of Burton upon Stather’s role in the build-up to D-Day, including Operation KATE and secret tank testing at the Tank Ramp site.

Epworth Old Rectory – The Equiano Way

A new 80-mile walking trail linking North Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire and Hull, exploring stories of freedom, faith and social change connected to Olaudah Equiano, John Wesley, the Pilgrim Fathers and Salim C. Wilson.

Indian Cultural Association North Lincolnshire – River of Talent 2027
A multicultural celebration at The Baths Hall featuring music, dance, Indian cuisine and community awards recognising contribution and social impact.

Kimberly Performing Arts – Stories in Motion
An intergenerational performing arts project bringing young dancers together with older residents to share memories and local stories through dance and musical theatre.

Oasis Hub – Layered Landscapes: The Scunthorpe Tapestry
A multi-generational creative project using photography, texture-mapping and textile art to reimagine Scunthorpe’s industrial architecture and community identity.

Over the Bridge – Artist Residency
A supported residency for an emerging local photographer to create new work inspired by North Lincolnshire’s people, places and heritage, culminating in a public exhibition or presentation.

Owston Ferry Smithy – Sample the Smithy
Free blacksmithing taster sessions at The Old Smithy & Heritage Centre, giving people the chance to use the forges, learn traditional skills and make a souvenir to take home.

Shepherd Creative – Lincs Film Festival
A research and development project and one-day proof of concept event to test demand for a future community film festival focused on northern stories, emerging talent and accessible participation.

STEAMPunx Lincs – Legends of the Humber: Creatures, Coast & Curiosity
A creative heritage project exploring folklore, landscapes and the environment through storytelling, art, poetry, imagined creatures and a cabinet of curiosities-style exhibition.

Street Beat – Culture Fusion
A dance project exploring cultural identity, heritage and racism through urban dance, guest artist workshops, choreography, performances and community sessions with young people.

Ted Lewis Centre – Dive with Ted Lewis into The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine
A project celebrating Ted Lewis’s work as Animation Clean-up Supervisor on Yellow Submarine, including oral histories, research, exhibitions and a live Beatles tribute event.

The Ropewalk – Barton Shops & Shopping: A Community Archive Project
A community-led heritage project collecting memories, photographs, objects and oral histories about Barton’s retail history, creating a digital archive, pop-up displays and workshops.

The Tent Project – Her-Story Project
A creative project supporting women in Scunthorpe to share experiences through art, craft and writing, with support from creative practitioners and wellbeing specialists.

Wilderspin National School Museum – The Art of Play: Past, Present and Reimagined
An artist residency led by Annabel McCourt exploring play, mischief and childhood through archive research, workshops, storytelling and a public exhibition.

In total, more than £63,000 has been awarded in this round.

The Cultural Futures programme is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and North Lincolnshire Council.

Find out more information, including the full criteria and how to apply for future funding, on the Cultural Futures webpage or email culturalfutures@northlincs.gov.uk.

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The council has helped the Coritani Academy expand education provision and create 20 additional places in Broughton as part of its commitment to ensure more children with additional needs can learn closer to home.

The expansion will create 20 new places and is backed by a £450,000 investment and responds to growing demand for children with additional needs – a challenge made harder in rural communities.

It is part of the council’s commitment to keep more children connected to their families, friends and communities while giving them the support they need to thrive.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “Parents, grandparents and teachers tell me all the time that more and more children are needing extra support and that, for some, the traditional classroom environment simply isn’t the right fit.

“We have listened and we are doing something about it. We don’t just say we want every child to have the best possible start in life – we back those words up with action.

“We made a commitment to improving the lives and opportunities of children and young people across North Lincolnshire, and this is another example of us keeping that promise.”

The council is already rolling out specialist resource provisions and study hubs across primary and secondary schools, creating calmer spaces and smaller teaching environments for children who need extra support while allowing them to remain part of everyday school life alongside their friends.

These plans will create more than 200 additional places across North Lincolnshire over the coming years, helping more children remain supported within their own communities wherever possible.

The investment also follows North Lincolnshire Council’s recent Outstanding children’s services judgement from independent inspectors Ofsted.

The Outstanding judgement also recognised the council’s wider commitment to supporting children with additional needs, with inspectors praising strong partnership working, early support and tailored help for disabled children and those with additional needs.

Cllr Julie Reed, cabinet member for children, families and young people, said: “We know that when children stay in their own schools, close to home, surrounded by friends and trusted adults, they thrive. Parents feel supported. Teachers feel empowered. And children grow in confidence.

“Children remember the moments they felt safe, included and understood. This is about creating more of those moments, while making sure children still feel part of their school and community every single day.”

The new provision will see a vacant building repurposed to create the new spaces for up to 20 pupils.

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