News :Waltham

A new brown visitor sign is helping guide more people to one of North Lincolnshire’s most distinctive historic landmarks – the Wrawby Postmill.

Funded by North Lincolnshire Council through UKSPF, the sign is designed to make it easier for visitors travelling through the area to discover the Grade II* listed windmill, raising its profile and supporting the volunteers who keep it running.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “North Lincolnshire is rich in history and heritage, and it’s vital we protect and enhance it.

“Little things like this can make a big difference – helping people discover places they might otherwise pass by, supporting volunteers, and strengthening local pride in the places that make our area unique.”

Built in the late 18th century, Wrawby Postmill is one of fewer than 45 surviving post mills in the UK and one of the very few still operational. Sitting proudly on a hill overlooking the Ancholme Valley and the market town of Brigg, the mill remains a striking reminder of Lincolnshire’s agricultural past.

Susan Day, secretary, Wrawby Windmill Society,  said: “It’s like heading to Windsor Castle now – these signs tell you something special is nearby.

“For a place like Wrawby Post Mill, which is run entirely by volunteers, being clearly signposted makes a huge difference. It tells people this is worth visiting, worth protecting, and very much part of our national story.”

After falling into disrepair in the mid-20th century, Wrawby Postmill was rescued by the Wrawby Windmill Preservation Society in the 1960s and reopened to the public in 1965. Since then, it has been maintained and operated entirely by volunteers, who manually turn the whole body of the mill to face the wind using a traditional tailpole.

The mill is open to visitors on bank holidays between April and August, as well as selected Sundays during the summer. Entry is free, with donations welcomed. Group and school visits can also be arranged by appointment, offering hands-on learning about traditional milling, engineering and rural life.

With opening hours dependent on volunteer availability, the society is always keen to hear from anyone interested in helping to keep the sails turning – whether by supporting open days, assisting with maintenance, or getting involved behind the scenes.

More information about visiting Wrawby Postmill, arranging group bookings, or volunteering can be found via the Wrawby Windmill Society website.

The post “It’s just like trying to find Windsor Castle” new sign puts Wrawby Postmill firmly on the map appeared first on North Lincolnshire Council.

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A new episode of News Direct: The Podcast features Scunthorpe businessman and community volunteer Roj Rahman, reflecting on growing up in North Lincolnshire, the challenges of identity and belonging, and the values that shaped his life.

In a candid conversation with host Cllr Rob Waltham, Roj shares memories of arriving in the UK as a child, navigating school life in the 1970s, and the moments that tested – and ultimately strengthened – his resilience.

He also speaks about the importance of mentors, the turning point that reignited his drive to learn, and why he chose to return home after higher education.

The episode also explores Roj’s long-standing commitment to community life, including his involvement in local youth projects and his role in helping steady Scunthorpe United during a difficult period – driven by a belief in service, stewardship and doing the right thing for the town.

Cllr Rob Waltham, host of News Direct, said: “Roj’s story is properly Scunthorpe – honest, hard-earned and full of heart. It’s about what it means to keep going, stay grounded, and give something back without expecting anything in return.

“This is exactly what News Direct is for: real local people with real experiences – and the kind of wisdom you don’t get from polished soundbites.”

The episode is available now on YouTube and Spotify, with a new episode released each week.

The post “Stand Tall, Stand Firm” – Roj Rahman shares powerful Scunthorpe story on News Direct podcast appeared first on North Lincolnshire Council.

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Axholme Central ward councillor David Robinson has sadly passed away following a long period of ill health.

Born and raised in Epworth, David lived in the town throughout his life and was deeply rooted in the community he represented.

Throughout almost 15 years in office, he served residents with commitment and dedication, working tirelessly on behalf of communities across the Isle of Axholme. He continued that service through a prolonged period of ill health, which he bore with characteristic quiet dignity.

David first served residents after being elected to North Lincolnshire Council in 2011, representing the Axholme Central ward. He was re-elected in 2015 and 2019, and again in 2023, continuing his long-standing service to Epworth as councillor for Axholme Central.

Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, Rob Waltham, led the tributes. He said: “David was a respected colleague who brought experience, integrity and a deep understanding of his ward to his work.

“He was widely regarded for his intellect and thoughtfulness, and for his ability to scrutinise complex issues, form clear arguments and represent residents with diligence and care. He brought warmth, good humour and humanity to his work, alongside a strong sense of duty and public service.

“His best work was undoubtedly championing and fighting for the rights of thousands of patients through health scrutiny.

“His passion for Epworth and the surrounding towns and villages was clear for all to see. He didn’t just believe in the importance of public service at a community level – he delivered it.

“He served with integrity, diligence and warmth, and his loss will be felt across North Lincolnshire, within the council and by the wider community.”

During his council career, David held a number of senior roles and was particularly respected for his work in scrutiny and governance. He served as Lead Member for Asset and Estate Management and later as Lead Member for Sport and Leisure.

He chaired several key scrutiny panels, including Corporate Scrutiny, Governance, Governance and Standards, and Health, Integration and Performance. He also chaired the Humberside and Lincolnshire Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee and was a long-standing chair of the Axholme Central Neighbourhood Action Team.

Further details regarding funeral arrangements and how residents can pay their respects will be shared in due course.

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Everyday journeys in Epworth are set to become smoother, safer and more comfortable, with fresh investment focused on the roads people rely on most.

From February through to early March, some of the town’s busiest routes will be upgraded, making everyday journeys smoother, safer and more comfortable for everyone who uses them – whether travelling to work, school, shops or local businesses.

The improvements will be delivered through full resurfacing works on High Street West, High Street East and Carrside, giving these key streets a visible, long-lasting upgrade and a better feel underfoot and wheel.

Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council said: “This is about investing in the everyday things that matter most to people. Roads shape how we experience our towns – how easy they are to get around, how safe they feel and how welcoming they are for residents and visitors alike.

“By focusing on streets that are used day in, day out, we’re making sure our investment delivers real, noticeable improvements for communities.”

Deputy leader and cabinet member for highways, Cllr Neil Poole, said: “Residents don’t want temporary fixes – they want roads that feel right to use. This work will give Epworth smoother surfaces, safer conditions and a clear step up in quality.

“We’ve also planned the programme carefully, timing works to reduce disruption while still delivering a result residents will notice straight away.”

To help keep the town moving, work on High Street West will take place during school holidays, while High Street East will be worked on Sundays, with roads reopened each evening wherever possible to maintain access to homes and businesses.

Advance notices and on-street signage will be in place ahead of works starting.

The post Something’s improving on Epworth’s streets this February appeared first on North Lincolnshire Council.

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A major milestone has been reached in the delivery of the Barton link road, with a contractor now appointed to build the scheme – marking the move from plans to delivery.

North Lincolnshire Council has confirmed Jackson Civil Engineering Group as the delivery partner for the project, which will improve safety, reduce pressure on existing routes and create new opportunities for walking, cycling and healthier everyday journeys around Barton-upon-Humber.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “Appointing a contractor means this scheme is now firmly in delivery, turning years of planning into visible progress that will benefit people who live, work and travel in and around Barton.

“We committed to delivering this and we’ve kept our promise – many people have pushed hard to get things to this point, its great to see we are at the point of delivery.”

The road forms a key part of the town’s wider regeneration programme and will be delivered alongside improvements to the A1077 corridor.

Together, these works will make it easier to move around Barton, improve reliability for local journeys and create safer, more attractive routes for residents, businesses and visitors.

The scheme is funded through Barton’s £19.7m allocation from the Levelling Up Fund, focused on practical improvements that residents can see and use.

The wider programme of works includes new and improved active travel routes, making walking and cycling safer and more appealing and a mobility hub at Barton railway station, improving links between rail, cycling and pedestrian routes.

It also includes green corridors, with new tree planting and hedgerows to strengthen biodiversity, improve air quality and create more attractive routes through the town.

Cllr Chris Patterson, cabinet member for healthy lives and places, said: “This scheme is about creating healthier, greener and more connected places.

“By linking new cycle and walking routes with green corridors, tree planting and safer roads, we’re making it easier for people to build active travel into everyday life – whether that’s walking to the station, cycling to work or enjoying the town’s open spaces.”

Martin Vickers, MP for Brigg and Immingham, welcomed the announcement. He said: “What’s encouraging in Barton is that plans are now translating into visible progress. When community priorities are backed by investment and delivery on the ground, it builds real confidence that things are moving in the right direction.”

The road builds on wider recent investment in Barton-upon-Humber, including the adoption of the Barton-upon-Humber Neighbourhood Plan, backed by strong community support, and improvements to local parks and play spaces such as the Humber Bridge Play Park and Water’s Edge Country Park.

All works are scheduled to be completed by March 2027, with progress closely monitored to ensure the scheme delivers lasting benefits for Barton-upon-Humber.

The post Contractor appointed as council delivers on promise to build Barton link road appeared first on North Lincolnshire Council.

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Nearly eight million bin collections were made across North Lincolnshire in 2025.

In total, council crews carried out more than 7.9m household collections alongside more than 30,000 collections for local businesses.

Cllr Rob Waltham leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This is what delivery looks like. Week in, week out, across the year there are millions of collections completed across North Lincolnshire.

“It’s a service people expect to work – and because it usually does, it’s easy to take it for granted. But the reality is a huge operation, run well, by people who take real pride in what they do.”

Crews are out in all weathers, early mornings and busy holiday periods, keeping streets clean and supporting local businesses.

Cllr Neil Poole, deputy leader, said: “When you look at the numbers, this council delivers at scale, and we’ve kept garden waste collections fee while other councils charge extra.

“You don’t protect a service like this by standing still though and as we start the New Year, we’ll be clear with residents about changes coming and why they matter – so this service stays strong for years to come.”

New bins comings soon

A new recycling system is being introduced in April 2016. The new simpler recycling system means residents will get:

• A single, larger 240L burgundy bin for all dry recycling: plastic, metal, glass, card and paper.
• A weekly garden and food waste collection in one bin – still free of charge.
• A fortnightly general waste collection for anything that cannot be recycled.

Residents who prefer to keep their current recycling container can opt out through a simple online form.

Deliveries of the new bins to households will begin shortly after the council receives its first shipment – of British made bins – in January.

Cllr Poole added: “Behind every bin put out and taken away is a team delivering one of the most important services we provide; eight million collections a year tells its own story.”

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A new episode of News Direct offers a candid and personal insight into the life of local councillor Andrea Davison, exploring the experiences, motivations and challenges that sit behind public service.

In conversation with host Cllr Rob Waltham, Andrea reflects on growing up in North Lincolnshire, leaving school during one of the toughest periods for youth employment, and the path that led her into public service – from working in an MP’s office to holding senior leadership roles within North Lincolnshire Council.

Cllr Waltham said: “Andrea and I have been fierce opponents in the council chamber at times, but we also have more in common than people might expect. We both care deeply about our communities, and when it comes to doing the right thing for residents, labels matter far less than shared purpose.”

The episode goes beyond formal politics, focusing instead on real life: balancing work and family, advocating for residents when systems feel overwhelming, and the importance of lived experience in local decision-making.

Andrea also speaks openly about the barriers women face in politics, the impact of online abuse on public life, and why scrutiny, challenge and collaboration matter in serving communities well.

Cllr Davison told the podcast: “People often think councillors are distant or robotic, but we’re not. We’re parents, neighbours and part of the same communities we serve. Most of us are here because we care deeply about people and about trying to make things better, even when the system feels overwhelming.”

The episode also touches on Andrea’s advice for anyone considering getting involved in their community, encouraging people to volunteer, shadow others, and not rule themselves out of making a difference.

News Direct is a podcast series focused on real lives, real stories and the people who help shape North Lincolnshire – often away from headlines and formal meetings.

The latest episode featuring Andrea Davison is available now on Spotify and other major podcast platforms, including YouTube.

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The leader of North Lincolnshire Council has cautiously welcomed news that Phillips 66 has agreed a deal to acquire assets at the Lindsey Oil Refinery, but says further assurances are now needed from Government to protect jobs, contractors and the long-term interests of the area.

The agreement follows the liquidation of the company behind the refinery and a bidding process overseen by the Official Receiver. Under the deal, Phillips 66 plans to integrate assets from Lindsey into its neighbouring Humber operations. Around 250 staff have had their jobs guaranteed until the end of March.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said the announcement marked an important step forward after months of uncertainty – but stressed it must not be the end of the conversation.

He said: “This is good news in what has been an incredibly difficult period for workers, their families and the wider community.

“It is positive that a serious investor with a strong track record in the UK is stepping in, and Phillips 66 is a respected local employer with a long-standing presence here in North Lincolnshire.

“But this is only part of the picture. There is more to do, and there are still important questions that need clear answers.”

Cllr Waltham met with the minister today to press for further reassurance. He said: “I have been clear with ministers that we now need certainty – that includes clear commitments on employment for existing staff, clarity on any potential TUPE rights, and a better understanding of what this deal means for contractors who rely on the site for work.

“We also need greater transparency about exactly which assets have been acquired and what that means for future use of the site and surrounding infrastructure.”

Cllr Waltham added: “This is a positive step, but the stakes remain high and Government cannot step back at this point – these are skilled, high-quality jobs that matter to families in Lincolnshire and to the country’s energy resilience.

“Protecting that capability and avoiding further loss of fuel capacity must now be a priority, with Government fully engaged in what comes next.”

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Following the announcement that the Government will not intervene in NHS plans to strip services from Scunthorpe hospital, North Lincolnshire Council has launched a six-week public survey to give residents a strong voice in shaping the future of this critical part of the local healthcare system.

The feedback will help the council build a clear case to lobby for extra investment and help secure the improvements our hospital needs.

Residents are urged to use the consultation as their chance to influence priorities and make sure our community gets the best possible healthcare for years to come.

While refusing to stop the changes, the health minister did say that the hospital will remain a “key part of the local health system”, and that further investment will come.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “As someone who was born in Scunthorpe General Hospital, I, like many residents care about local health services provided there, and I want to make sure that their voices are heard.

“This survey is about listening, understanding what residents value most, where they think investment should be focused, and how we can build a plan that cannot be ignored.”

Under the previous government, a new A&E was built for £17.3m and a community diagnostics centre (CDC) in the town centre for £19.4m.

The new A&E doubled the size of the previous department and the CDC provides a range tests, checks and scans such as CT, MRI, X-ray, ultrasound and blood tests, with almost 150,000 appointments available every year, close to the town centre and next to the multistorey car park where visitors can park for free for up to two hours.

Cllr Waltham added: “We know investment has already been made, and we’ve been told that Scunthorpe will not be forgotten. This is an opportunity to make sure future decisions are informed directly by the people who rely on these services every day. We intend to use your feedback to make sure that decision-makers in London step up and hear our views, then we can negotiate for more services and investment in our hospital.”

The survey will run for six weeks and will ask residents about their experiences, priorities and ideas for strengthening local healthcare. The results will be analysed and presented in a report to the North Lincolnshire Health and Wellbeing Board, chaired by Cllr Waltham, to help inform future discussions with NHS partners.

The survey will be available online and through alternative formats to ensure as many residents as possible can take part.

More information, including how to complete the survey, is available at www.northlincs.gov.uk/current-consultations.

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