News :Waltham

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.”
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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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Shoppers visiting town centres across North Lincolnshire saved an estimated £2.2 million in the last year thanks to the council’s free parking policy – almost £100 per family.

New figures for the 2025 calendar year show more than 1.2m parking sessions were completely free, with fewer than one in seven drivers actually paying to park.

The average saving per visit was around £1.80. For a typical family making one trip a week to a town centre, that adds up to around £95 a year saved – simply by parking for free.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This is real, practical help for local people at a time when every pound matters – and it’s a promise we made and have kept for more than a decade.

“Free parking keeps money in residents’ pockets and helps our town centres compete. While other councils have pushed charges up, we’ve stuck to our commitment to back shoppers, workers and local businesses.”

In the last year, only 197,000 parking sessions were paid for, compared to over 1.24m free stays, meaning around 86 per cent of all town centre parking was free.

Cllr John Davison, cabinet member for safer, stronger communities (urban), said: “We recognised early on that parking charges can put people off visiting town centres.

“That’s why we took the decision to remove them – and the numbers show it’s working. More people coming into our towns means more footfall for shops, cafés and markets.”

The council introduced its two-hour free parking policy more than a decade ago and later extended free parking to all day on Saturdays and Sundays.

Cllr Waltham added: “This isn’t about theory – it’s about consistently delivering what matters to local people and backing our high streets for the long term.”

The post Shoppers save up £2.2m in a year thanks to free parking pledge appeared first on North Lincolnshire Council.

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Central government has cut funding to North Lincolnshire Council in real terms, while claiming an increase and expecting residents to pay more and make up the difference.

Ministers say council funding is going up. In reality, the figures fail to account for inflation, National Insurance increases, rising demand and the true cost of care – they are built on the assumption that councils will raise tax by the maximum amount each year to plug the gap.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, has described the settlement as a “sleight of hand” – government gives on paper, takes away, and expects local taxpayers to pick up the bill.

More than 80 per cent of the council’s budget is spent supporting vulnerable adults and children with additional needs – people who rely entirely on the council for care, safety and support. Those costs are rising rapidly, but government funding is not keeping pace.

Cllr Waltham said: “Government will point to the headline figure rising, but it does not come close to covering the real cost of delivering essential services – it is sleight of hand.

“They are giving with one hand, taking away with the other, and expecting residents here to fill the gap through higher council tax.

“North Lincolnshire Council is efficient, disciplined and relentlessly focused on value for money – but even the best-run councils cannot defy reality when funding falls behind need.”

Despite the financial pressure, the council continues to protect the everyday services residents value – including free car parking, free books for young children, investment in leisure centres, community hubs, libraries and community grants – while absorbing rising costs elsewhere.

Cllr Waltham added: “Every pound matters, every day. We are frugal, focused and determined to spend money where it makes the biggest difference to residents’ lives.

“We will continue doing everything possible to keep council tax as low as we can – but residents deserve honesty about where the pressure is coming from. National funding decisions have real local consequences.”

The leader also highlighted the strength of North Lincolnshire’s communities, where volunteers, sports clubs, charities and community groups play a vital role in supporting residents – from reading in schools and caring, volunteering in museums, to litter picking, tree planting schemes and grassroots sport.

He said: “Our communities step up for each other every day. That strength is something to be proud of – but it should never be used as an excuse for government to walk away from its responsibility to properly fund essential services.”

“This isn’t about extras. This is about care for vulnerable adults and children with additional needs – services that simply do not exist anywhere else.

“When government funding falls behind reality, it is the most vulnerable who carry the risk, while councils are left in the firing line.

“Residents are being told there is more money, while being asked to pay more and receive less. That is not honest.”

The post Council leader: What the government funding settlement means for North Lincolnshire appeared first on North Lincolnshire Council.

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Residents and visitors to Owston Ferry can enjoy the festive lights throughout the village thanks to essential electrical upgrades that have been carried out.

Owston Ferry Community Tree and Lights Committee received £8,946 Community Grant funding from North Lincolnshire Council.

This funding upgraded three feeder light pillars to improve reliability and safety, ensuring the continued success of the village’s seasonal decorations and community events, including the recent Christmas lights switch-on.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “We are always delighted to support community groups like Owston Ferry Community Tree and Lights Committee. The committee works hard to provide decorations in the village and events for all the community to get involved in, creating a real sense of community pride.

“The electrical upgrades have ensured the much-loved festive lights continue to work for many years to come.

“The Community Grant Fund is about communities – helping them develop, thrive and support others.”

The committee also allocated £993 from their own fund for the improvement work.

Since launching in 2011, the Community Grant Fund has pumped millions into grassroots projects across the region – from sports clubs and youth groups to charities and parish councils – helping to strengthen communities and support local talent.

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 keep community spaces open and active.

Find out how a grant can make a difference to your neighbourhood on the community grants page of our website.

The post Council cash helps light up village: Owston Ferry Community Tree and Lights Committee secures grant for electrical upgrade appeared first on North Lincolnshire Council.

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Twenty-five new homes for people with additional needs will be delivered in Scunthorpe, as the council unlocks redevelopment of the former Hollies and Cygnets site on Normanby Road.

Specialist provider Foresight will bring forward plans for the modern one-bedroom homes designed to help residents live independently while staying close to family, friends and local services.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This is the council doing what residents expect – getting land used properly to deliver homes people actually need.

“We know there is real demand for supported living for people with additional needs, and by agreeing this lease we’re turning a long-unused site into an opportunity to create new homes that will make a genuine difference to people’s lives.”

The scheme responds directly to local demand for supported living, delivering modern homes that support independence and keep people rooted in their community.

Foresight works with councils across the country to deliver supported living homes that promote independence, stability and long-term wellbeing for residents.

Paul Silvester, chief executive at Foresight, said: “This is an excellent opportunity to deliver an invaluable service for people who need it most.

“By providing the right homes and support in the community, this scheme will help improve quality of life and support greater independence.”

Cllr Richard Hannigan, cabinet member for adults, health and communities, added: “This is about listening to residents and acting on what matters most.

“These homes will support people to live more independently and remain part of their local community.”

The post Deal done: New supported living scheme will help people live independently in their community appeared first on North Lincolnshire Council.

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More homes are being brought back into use across North Lincolnshire as a direct result of the council’s tough but fair crackdown on long-term empty properties – with the number of homes facing premium charges falling sharply as owners take action.

A new review of long-term empty properties shows that 15 per cent of the 568 homes previously liable for premiums have now been brought back into use – opening up dozens of new homes for families and improving neighbourhoods.

The policy was introduced to tackle nuisance and neglected properties, boost local housing supply and strengthen communities – not to penalise genuine second homeowners. The latest figures show owners are responding as intended and bringing homes back into occupation rather than continuing to pay escalating charges.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This is exactly what we set out to achieve. The policy was never about over charging people who have a second home or forcing higher bills onto those acting responsibly.

“It was always about encouraging the small number of owners who leave properties empty year after year to finally act – and the latest figures show the approach is working. Communities benefit, neighbourhoods look better, and more homes are now lived in rather than left to deteriorate.”

Under the rules introduced in 2022, homes empty for more than two years face a 100 per cent premium, five years a 200 per cent premium and ten years 300 per cent.

A report approved at Full Council has now confirmed the impact – with dozens more empty houses restored as homes for local families.

Cllr Richard Hannigan, cabinet member for adults, health and communities, said: “Every long-term empty home that comes back into use strengthens a community. It means fewer eyesores, fewer problem properties, and more housing choice for local people.

“We will continue to focus on what works – encouraging landlords to do the right thing, protecting responsible homeowners, and making sure every pound we collect supports the things that matter for residents.”

The post Tougher action paying off as empty houses become homes again appeared first on North Lincolnshire Council.

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Residents in Old Crosby will be asked to help shape plans to restore pride, raise standards and better protect the area’s remaining historic character – ensuring the neighbourhood’s most important buildings and features can be safeguarded for generations to come.

North Lincolnshire Council is proposing to redraw the Old Crosby Conservation Area boundary, so protection is focused on the original historic core – the part of the neighbourhood that still reflects the character and charm that first led to its designation.

The move is designed to support regeneration through conservation, helping the area look and feel more like the Old Crosby people value.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “Old Crosby has played an important part in the story of the county town of Scunthorpe. Residents rightly want to see its historic character respected.

“This proposal focuses protection where it will genuinely make a difference – preserving the buildings and features that still define the area. We want to protect the old and deliver the new and do it with residents helping to shape its future.”

A consultation will be launched in the New Year and will include proposals for stronger planning measures to stop further loss of traditional features and help ensure future alterations enhance, rather than detract from, the local street scene.

A detailed review has shown that parts of the existing conservation area – designated in 1976 – have experienced decades of piecemeal changes, meaning the current boundary no longer reflects what is genuinely of historic or architectural value.

Cllr David Rose, cabinet member for environment and strategy, said: “Conservation status only works when it protects what is truly special.

“By consulting on a refined boundary and stronger safeguards, we can help prevent further erosion of historic character and give homeowners confidence that future changes will enhance the neighbourhood rather than diminish it.

“We want residents, community groups and heritage organisations to get involved and tell us what they think.”

The consultation, launching in the New Year, will seek views on proposals to:

• Retain and protect the historic heart of Old Crosby, including properties 39–51 Old Crosby – the area that best reflects the village’s origins.
• Strengthen planning controls through an Article 4 (2) Direction so traditional features such as windows, doors, roofs and boundary walls can be preserved and sensitively reinstated over time.
• Support long-term neighbourhood pride by ensuring future changes contribute positively to the character, quality and appearance of Old Crosby.

The post Council steps in to protect Old Crosby’s charm – and demands higher standards for the future appeared first on North Lincolnshire Council.

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