News :Waltham

Two of Scunthorpe’s most creative community champions are the stars of the latest News Direct podcast, as council leader Rob Waltham sits down with Lillie and Lucy from the Dancing Tiger Scrap Store for an episode filled with humour, inspiration and grassroots impact.

This episode sees the pair “take over the podcast” to share how the Dancing Tiger Scrap Store is transforming everyday waste materials into opportunities for creativity, play and connection across North Lincolnshire.

From schools and community groups to families and young people, the charity is helping people discover the joy of making something out of nothing.

The conversation is full of energy and laughter, including an unexpected debate about what luxury item each guest would take to a desert island – with cardboard, a mattress and even a knife all making appearances. Alongside the fun, Lillie and Lucy reflect on the Scrap Store’s purpose, growth and the difference it is making in local communities.

Cllr Waltham praised their work, describing them as “inspirational women whose creativity and commitment are helping change lives one plastic tub at a time.”

He said: “Lillie and Lucy are the perfect example of how local people with big ideas can spark real change. The Dancing Tiger Scrap Store is more than a charity – it’s a place where creativity, community spirit and responsibility come together. This episode is full of joy, laughter and inspiration, and I’d encourage everyone to listen.”

The episode is a celebration of community-led innovation and the power of re-use, with Lillie and Lucy sharing stories about the Scrap Store’s beginnings, its growing impact and their hopes for the future – including a tongue-in-cheek dream of receiving a “million-pound legacy” to help expand their work.

Listeners can find the full conversation on Spotify and YouTube.

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Passengers in Barrow-upon-Humber are now benefiting from new digital bus displays providing real-time service updates, clearer travel information and improved accessibility.

The screens show live bus arrival times, updates on any delays or diversions, and full timetables – making it easier for residents to plan journeys, stay connected and feel confident using public transport.

Each display also includes text-to-speech audio, supporting people with visual impairments and anyone who prefers spoken information.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, visited the new display in Barrow alongside ward members and bus users.

He said: “Passengers in Barrow can now get clear, up-to-the-minute information the moment they reach the stop. These smart displays make travelling by bus simpler, more reliable and more accessible for everyone.

“We’re focused on improving the passenger experience and strengthening public transport across all our communities. This technology is a practical step that will help people stay connected – whether getting to work, school, appointments or to see family and friends.”

The Barrow installation forms part of a wider programme that will see 49 digital displays fitted across towns and villages in North Lincolnshire over the coming months, funded through the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).

Digital displays are being installed across Scunthorpe, Brigg, Barton-upon-Humber, Epworth, Broughton, Haxey and other locations as part of the first phase of the upgrade.

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Goxhill’s much-loved bowling green is set for a major lift, with a new mower on the way that will keep the surface in top condition and make it easier for volunteers to maintain the green all year round.

The upgrade will help the club attract new players, support existing members, and keep bowls thriving at the heart of village life.

The improvement is being made possible thanks to a £9,500 community grant from North Lincolnshire Council.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This is about backing the people who keep our communities moving. The volunteers at Goxhill Bowling Club put in huge effort and this investment means they can keep the green in first-class shape.”

“A great surface brings in new players, keeps people active and strengthens the club for the future.”

Run entirely by volunteers, the club brings together residents of all ages – from newcomers picking up their first set of bowls to seasoned competitors – offering both a sporting challenge and a friendly social hub.

Cllr Peter Clark, lead member for culture, said: “Clubs like Goxhill Bowling Club are the backbone of local life.”

“This grant helps remove one of the headaches volunteers face and lets them focus on what really matters – welcoming players, organising events and keeping the sport thriving. It shows how a relatively small investment can deliver a big win for community wellbeing.”

It is also part of a wider package of support for older residents across North Lincolnshire – from providing air fryers to help cut cooking costs to distributing winter-warm packs that keep people safe and comfortable through the colder months.

The grant is part of the council’s ongoing support for grassroots groups that enrich local communities and encourage people to get active, connect and take part.

Since launching in 2011, the fund has supported hundreds of projects across North Lincolnshire – investing in the spaces, activities, and facilities that residents say make the biggest difference.

Grants are available for junior and youth groups, charitable bodies, co-operatives, not-for-profit organisations, and individuals demonstrating excellence in sport, art, or culture. Support is also available for venue hire, helping to keep community spaces open and active.

Find out how a grant could make a difference in your community.

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Residents of Barrow-upon-Humber are set to tell their story in a truly unusual way – a hand-stitched tapestry capturing the village’s history from the Domesday Book right up to the present day.

The tapestry will be a celebration of the people, places and moments that have shaped Barrow over the centuries, brought to life by local volunteers with a love of art, heritage and community spirit.

The creative project, led by Barrow Parish Council, has been awarded £5,014 from North Lincolnshire Council’s Cultural Futures fund.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This is such a wonderful idea – a creative way to celebrate Barrow’s history while bringing people together to learn new skills and share stories.

“Every stitch will tell a piece of the village’s story and it’s great to see residents taking the lead in creating something so special and lasting.

“These things are important to people across North Lincs and will encourage communities to thrive.”

The Barrow tapestry is one of nine projects across North Lincolnshire to receive support from the Cultural Futures fund.

From murals in Winterton to puppet-making in Scunthorpe – and even a feature-length film celebrating Scunthorpe United’s 125-year history – communities are coming together to tell their stories in new and inspiring ways.

Cllr John Davison, cabinet member for safer, stronger communities (urban), said: “The programme is about creativity, connection and pride. It gives people the chance to get hands-on, celebrate where they live, and make something that will be treasured for years to come. Barrow’s tapestry is a perfect example of that.”

In total, more than £65,000 has been awarded in this round, with another funding round to follow as part of the Cultural Futures programme, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The grant is part of the council’s ongoing support for grassroots groups that enrich local communities and encourage people to get active, connect and take part.

Since launching in 2011, the Community Grant fund has supported hundreds of projects across North Lincolnshire – investing in the spaces, activities and facilities that residents say make the biggest difference.

Grants are available for junior and youth groups, charitable bodies, co-operatives, not-for-profit organisations, and individuals demonstrating excellence in sport, art, or culture. Support is also available for venue hire, helping to keep community spaces open and active.

Find out how a grant could make a difference in your community. 

The post Barrow villagers set to stitch their history into a lasting legacy appeared first on North Lincolnshire Council.

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More than 12,000 residents – the highest response the council has ever recorded – shared their views on potential models for local government, a new report reveals.

Most respondents favoured North Lincolnshire remaining a separate unitary authority, citing local identity, accountability and the value of existing arrangements.

North Lincolnshire Council will now formally submit its proposal to Government on the future structure of local government in Greater Lincolnshire, after councillors unanimously approved the recommendation at a Special Meeting on 25 November 2025.

An independent study included within the submission concluded that merging North Lincolnshire with North East Lincolnshire would require up to £49m in one-off transition costs, take several years to implement and risk disrupting established partnerships in health, social care, policing and the wider Humber system.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “More than 12,000 residents took the time to share their views, and the message is clear – the majority want to keep North Lincolnshire as it is. Our job is to take that evidence seriously.

“Not only that, merging with our neighbours could cost as much as £49m and take years to implement – that is money that should be used to deliver for communities across North Lincolnshire, not be spent on unnecessary upheaval.

“At a time when families need stability, this is a measured, evidence-based case that puts residents first. We will continue to work constructively with Government and our partners across Greater Lincolnshire and the Humber to get the best outcomes for residents.”

The council’s submission brings together public feedback, service performance data, financial assessments and the views of statutory partners including NHS Humber & North Yorkshire, Humberside Police and Humberside Fire & Rescue.

It sits alongside the separate proposals submitted by North East Lincolnshire Council and Lincolnshire County Council, forming the complete Greater Lincolnshire response required under the Government’s process.

The proposal will be submitted on Friday, 28 November.

Cllr Len Foster, leader of the opposition, whose group backed the submission, said: “I welcome this comprehensive report, which clearly sets out the strengths of our communities and the need to protect effective local services across North Lincolnshire.

“It provides a well-evidenced case for safeguarding our local identity and ensuring that any future reorganisation works for residents rather than disrupting what already works well.

“As Labour Group Leader, I am committed to working constructively to ensure that the voices of our communities are heard and that the best interests of local people remain at the heart of every decision.”

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North Lincolnshire has set out one of the most ambitious health missions anywhere in the country – a decade-long drive to increase healthy life expectancy.

The new Health and Wellbeing Strategy, endorsed at the meeting of the council’s cabinet on Tuesday, was described as “not just a plan but a challenge to the entire system.”

The council, NHS partners, communities, employers and residents have been urged to o come together behind a shared ambition: a North Lincolnshire where every person can live a long, healthy and fulfilling life, regardless of where they live, the job they do or the circumstances they were born into.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “Society should be judged on how it treats its older people – and we’re working hard to enable them to live longer, to be fitter, stronger and happier.”

The strategy’s focus is unapologetically outcome-driven. It targets the factors that make the biggest difference to people’s daily lives: safer streets and greener places to be active; better support for mothers and children to break cycles of disadvantage; earlier help to prevent illness; and the creation of communities where older people can stay active, independent and connected.

Cllr Richard Hannigan, cabinet member for adults and communities, said: “There are big challenges we face but we’re choosing to meet them head on. This strategy sets clear outcomes: more healthy years of life for local people, fewer preventable illnesses, and stronger, more resilient communities.

“It is not a plan but a challenge to the entire system – we have a clear, long-term mission to enable people to be healthier, for communities to be stronger and to create more opportunities for every family. It is unapologetically ambitious because that’s what residents deserve.”

The strategy – which can be read on the website – recognises that health is created in neighbourhoods, not hospitals. It commits to shifting investment, energy and innovation toward prevention, supporting families before problems escalate, creating healthier spaces, and empowering communities to lead change.

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North Lincolnshire Council will tomorrow consider a major report on the future structure of local government in Greater Lincolnshire.

The meeting, taking place on Tuesday 25 November, will review the Government’s statutory invitation for proposals on potential changes to how councils across the area are organised.

The report sets out the findings of the council’s largest ever public engagement, in which more than 12,000 residents shared their views on the future of local government, alongside independent financial and service analysis and the proposals being prepared by neighbouring authorities.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This is an important moment for North Lincolnshire. The report brings together a huge amount of evidence, including the views of thousands of residents, independent expert analysis and the impact on vital partnerships.

“Councillors will have the opportunity to consider all of that in full when we meet.”

Councillors will determine the council’s response to Government at the meeting. The agenda and reports are available on the Democracy area of the website.

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What does a council leader actually do? How do big decisions get made? And what really sits behind the hundreds of services a council delivers every day?

In the first episode of In Conversation – North Lincolnshire Council’s sister podcast – residents get an honest, behind-the-scenes look at how the council works – featuring a candid discussion between council leader, Cllr Rob Waltham and Chief Executive Alison Barker.

Listeners will hear why local government is far more than bins, roads and budgets – and how thousands of daily decisions shape life “from the moment a child is born”.

“This job makes a difference to people’s lives every single day,” says Barker. “That breadth of impact is huge – and it’s why we must keep learning, keep changing and keep doing what works.”

The conversation dives into leadership, culture, and how the council continually adapts to a fast-changing world.

“Our children’s services are outstanding because they’re not static,” Barker explains. “They try things. Sometimes they don’t work – and that’s okay, because that’s how you learn.”

Cllr Waltham offers a frank look at public expectations: “People think councils are just about the bins or the roads. But we deliver more than 700 statutory services – and we use that influence to make life better for people every single day.”

The episode also reveals the strong leadership partnership at the top of the organisation.

“Alison was absolutely the right choice for this council,” Cllr Waltham says. “Our values align – it’s about giving real purpose to people, and making North Lincolnshire the best it can be.”

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• The hidden work behind more than 700 council services
• How leaders make tough decisions with real-world impact
• Why learning from mistakes is a core part of the council’s culture
• What “outstanding” looks like behind the scenes
• How communities and residents shape the council’s priorities
• The values driving the Leader and Chief Executive
• Why a modern council must stay agile, experimental and people-focused
• How North Lincolnshire is building a better future by investing in what works

The full episode is now available on YouTube and Spotify.

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Hundreds of older residents are now getting fit and active for free through North Lincolnshire Council’s Fit for Free programme – boosting health, confidence and wellbeing in communities across the area.

Since April, almost 500 new participants have joined, with more than 1,200 people in total now benefitting from free gym sessions, fitness classes and wellbeing support across local leisure centres. Early November figures show even more residents continuing to sign up.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “The most important thing is the difference this is making to people’s lives’ and it is fantastic to see almost 500 residents who weren’t gym members before are now getting fitter, feeling better and becoming more active.

“This is exactly what we set out for this to achieve. Many councils don’t invest in older people, we do.”

This surge in participation means hundreds of people are taking positive steps to improve their physical and mental health – supporting the council’s ambition to help residents live well for longer and reduce avoidable pressure on health and care services.

Cllr Carl Sherwood, cabinet member for safer, stronger communities (rural) added: “This isn’t just about gym sessions. It’s about confidence, prevention and helping people stay well in their own communities. Seeing so many residents take advantage of this support is hugely positive.”

If you are aged 66 or over you can get fit for free with two months’ access to the gym, swimming and virtual fitness classes. Find further information on our  fit  for  free page.

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