News :Waltham

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.”

The post Eight million bin collections in 2025: delivered appeared first on North Lincolnshire Council.

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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.

The post Life beyond the council chamber: Andrea Davison shares her story on News Direct podcast appeared first on North Lincolnshire Council.

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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.”

The post Council leader welcomes refinery deal – but warns certainty for workers must come next appeared first on North Lincolnshire Council.

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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.

The post Have your say: Residents asked to help shape future investments in Scunthorpe hospital appeared first on North Lincolnshire Council.

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As part of North Lincolnshire’s move to a simpler, smarter recycling service, the council will begin collecting and recycling thousands of existing burgundy bins early next year.

The materials will be processed by UK-based specialist recyclers, who turn used plastics into high-quality regrind pellets that are then used by British manufacturers to create new products.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “Nothing is going to waste. As we roll out the new burgundy bins, the old containers will be responsibly recycled here in Britain, supporting UK industry and reducing our environmental footprint.”

The first wave of 70,000 brand-new British-made burgundy recycling bins will arrive in North Lincolnshire in January – a major milestone in delivering the area’s new, simpler recycling service ahead of the 2026 launch.

The new 240-litre bins – manufactured in the UK – will help introduce the new kerbside collection system, making it easier than ever for residents to recycle more and waste less.

Cllr Neil Poole, deputy leader, said “Residents can be confident their old bins will have a new life. It’s a smart, sustainable approach that keeps materials in use for longer and supports British businesses.

“We’re upgrading the system and making it easier for residents. Every old bin collected is turned back into useful raw material, helping manufacturers around the country and cutting waste at the same time.”

The recycled plastic pellets are used across a wide range of manufacturing sectors – from construction products to everyday household goods.

What residents will get under the new simpler recycling system:

• 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 and collection of the existing ones for households will begin shortly after the council receives its first shipment in January.

The post Binned – but not forgotten: Old burgundy bins to be recycled appeared first on North Lincolnshire Council.

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Update to the news about badgers delaying repairs to College Road, East Halton. Council leader Rob Waltham said: “I’ve had a very positive and open conversation with Natural England and I very much look forward to working with them in the new year.”
northlincs.gov.uk/news/outra…

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Latest update as of Wednesday 24 December

Council leader, Cllr Rob Waltham, has spoken to Natural England in response to the story below. He said: “I’m pleased to say I’ve had a very positive and open conversation with Natural England and I very much look forward to working with them in the new year.”

The story below was published Tuesday 23 December.

The leader of North Lincolnshire Council has called on Natural England to take urgent, pragmatic action so the repairs to College Road in East Halton can be fast-tracked.

Residents, farmers and local businesses face growing disruption, safety risks and the potential loss of vital services after environment bosses have closed down any repair work until July next year.

Cllr Rob Waltham, Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “It is frankly outrageous that protections affecting a handful of badgers during mating season mean six months of total inaction on a failing road

“An entire village is left to live with danger, disruption and the slow erosion of its local services.

“We respect the importance of protecting wildlife, but the current situation has tipped completely out of balance. Farmers are being prevented from running their businesses properly, residents are facing daily disruption, and a vital village post office is now under threat.”

The council has already taken significant steps to resolve the issue responsibly, including building an alternative badger sett to allow repairs to go ahead. However, the badgers returned to their original sett.

As a result, legal protections linked to the badger mating season now mean no work can take place until 1 July 2026, blocking repairs for six months and leaving residents, farmers and businesses facing diversions up to 36-miles.

The council has completed a full technical assessment of the site and has moved to detailed design work to rebuild the section of rural road.

Cllr Waltham, who recently met residents and businesses with Martin Vickers MP, added: “This is no longer a speculative issue or a minor inconvenience – it is a real and growing danger to public safety and the future of the community and our hands are completely tied.

“Natural England needs to take urgent, pragmatic action to break the deadlock and allow essential repairs to be fast-tracked.

“We are firmly behind the residents of East Halton,” added Cllr Waltham. “They deserve safe roads, viable businesses and access to the services that keep a village thriving – and we will continue pressing for action until that happens.”

Since full legal protection was introduced in 1992, badger numbers have risen sharply – with estimates suggesting the population has roughly doubled.

The post ‘Outrageous’: Road rebuild BLOCKED until July to protect handful of badgers – villagers stuck with 36-MILE detour appeared first on North Lincolnshire Council.

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News Direct, the podcast has released a new episode featuring Rosie Pugh, a widely respected former headteacher whose life and career span decades of education in North Lincolnshire. Listen on YouTube or Spotify.

Hosted by Cllr Rob Waltham, the episode traces Rosie’s journey from a challenging childhood in Scunthorpe – growing up in a large, blended family with very little money – to becoming an influential school leader known for raising expectations, developing staff, and helping children thrive in difficult circumstances.

In a frank and often humorous conversation, Rosie reflects on being underestimated at school, the importance of self-belief, and the impact a teacher’s words can have for life. She also shares what it took to build strong teams, improve behaviour, and take on leadership roles in schools where recruitment and retention were tough – including stepping in when others wouldn’t.

Cllr Waltham, host of News Direct, the podcast, said: “Rosie is exactly the kind of person this podcast is for – someone who’s done great things, quietly, right here in our communities. Her story is honest, grounded, and properly inspiring.”

Rosie told the podcast: “People are often capable of far more than they realise – but confidence doesn’t appear by magic. It grows when someone backs you, trains you, and says: ‘you can do this.’ I hope listeners take that away – especially younger women who might not yet see what’s possible for them.”

The post Listen now: Award-winning headteacher Rosie Pugh shares an inspiring local story appeared first on North Lincolnshire Council.

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The first wave of 70,000 brand-new British-made burgundy recycling bins will arrive in North Lincolnshire in January – a major milestone in delivering the area’s new, simpler recycling service ahead of the 2026 launch.

The new 240-litre bins – manufactured in the UK – will help introduce a one-bin-for-all-recycling system, making it easier than ever for residents to recycle more and waste less. Old recycling boxes and small bins will be taken away and recycled.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This is about making everyday services simpler while helping people recycle more with less hassle.

“The fact we’ve been able to use British-made bins too to deliver this straightforward system makes it an event better deal for residents.”

Funded in full by the Department for Environment, the bins come at no extra cost to local taxpayers.

Cllr Waltham added: “We promised a smarter, easier recycling service – and this is another big step forward. We’re improving recycling, keeping weekly garden waste collections free, and making sure the new service works for every household.”

What residents will get under the new simpler recycling system:

• 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 in January.

Cllr Neil Poole, deputy leader, said: “We’re getting ahead and getting ready. By securing UK-manufactured bins now, we’re supporting British industry and making sure residents are prepared well before the new system begins in April 2026.

“We are helping every household in North Lincolnshire recycle, simply.”

The post British-made bins to bring simpler, smarter recycling to every home in North Lincolnshire appeared first on North Lincolnshire Council.

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