» NewsA launderette in Immingham, homes in Crowle, and defibrillator units in Scunthorpe feature in the latest round-up of northern Lincolnshire planning developments
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.
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:
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.
The post More than 100 new children receiving free books every month appeared first on North Lincolnshire Council.
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.
The post Blooming marvellous: grants help communities make towns and villages across North Lincolnshire even more beautiful appeared first on North Lincolnshire Council.
Hundreds of North Lincolnshire households have received support with heating oil costs after the council launched a scheme designed to help rural communities hit by rising fuel prices.
More than 1,000 households have come forward since the scheme launched, with almost 700 payments reaching residents in recent days.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “When this funding was announced, we made it clear that we wanted help to reach local people as quickly as possible.
“The response shows just how important this support is for rural communities across North Lincolnshire. Hundreds of households have already received payments and more are being processed every day.
“This is exactly what the funding was intended for – helping people with the cost of keeping their homes warm and providing practical support when it is needed most.”
A further 250 applications have already been approved and are due to be paid this week.
Cllr Tim Mitchell, cabinet member for finance and efficiency, said: “We know households that rely on heating oil face different challenges to those connected to mains gas, particularly in villages and rural areas.
“That’s why it’s encouraging to see support getting directly to local residents. For many households, this funding will help ease some of the pressure created by higher fuel costs.
“If you registered an interest but haven’t yet completed your application, please check your emails and come forward as soon as possible so we can make sure you don’t miss out.”
Everyone who previously registered an interest in the scheme was contacted directly when applications opened. Around 300 households who expressed an interest have yet to submit an application.
Residents who need help completing their application can visit any North Lincolnshire community hub, where staff can provide support to access and complete the online form – hubs are in Ashby, Barton, Brigg, Crowle, Epworth and Scunthorpe.
The post Hundreds of heating oil payments reaching bank accounts for rural households appeared first on North Lincolnshire Council.
Infrastructure concerns featured in objectors’ comments on the application
Have you booked on on of our upcoming air fryer demonstration sessions?
• Thursday 9 – Winterton Community Hub
• Friday 10 – Livewell Isle of Axholme
• Monday 13 – Brigg Community Hub
• Tuesday 14 – Crowle Community Hub
Pensioners across North Lincolnshire are being urged to act quickly, with just 1,000 free air fryers remaining under the council’s hugely popular energy-saving cooking scheme.
Around 15,000 residents have already benefited from free appliances designed to help people eat well while cutting household energy bills. But with stock limited, this is a last opportunity for eligible pensioners who have not yet applied.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This scheme has already helped thousands of pensioners save money and stay healthy – and now we’re down to the final appliances.
“If you’re eligible and haven’t applied yet, don’t miss out. Once these are gone, they’re gone.”
Each eligible household can receive one energy-efficient cooking appliance, including an air fryer, along with access to free healthy cooking sessions to help people get the most out of it.
Cllr Tim Mitchell, cabinet member for sustainability and transformation, added: “We’re genuinely sorry that the scheme is now drawing to a close, because we know how much of a difference these appliances make to people’s everyday lives.
“The last thing we want is for pensioners who would really benefit to miss out simply because they didn’t realise time was running out.
“If you’re eligible and haven’t applied yet, please do so now – this support is there to be used.”
How to apply – before it’s too late
Pensioners can apply quickly and easily by:
Appliances are available for collection from community hubs.
The post Hurry now: final free air fryers available for pensioners across North Lincolnshire appeared first on North Lincolnshire Council.
The new year is bringing a new, simpler leisure offer for every resident across North Lincolnshire – making it easier than ever to get fit, get moving and feel healthier.
Local gyms and swimming pools are now simpler to use, with clearer options, better access and a more straightforward way to get active – whatever your starting point and whatever your goals.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “The new year is when many people think about getting more active, but too often it feels complicated or intimidating.
“This new offer is about cutting through that – clearer choices, easier access and great local facilities that people can simply get on and use.”
The refreshed offer follows investment in leisure centres across the area, with upgraded gyms, improved pools and better activity spaces now matched by a simpler, more modern way to use them.
New membership options – Unlimited, Core, Surge, Boost, Ignite and Collective – strip away complexity, offering a clear, flexible and modern way to get active that fits around real life.
And, they give residents access across the whole area – all gyms and all swimming pools in Brigg, Barton, Crowle, Epworth, Scunthorpe and Winterton – with no groups, no tiers and no complicated rules.
Cllr Carl Sherwood, cabinet member for safer, stronger communities, said: “You don’t need to be a gym expert to get active.
“Whether it’s getting back into fitness, swimming more often or simply moving a bit more in the new year, this new leisure offer makes it easier to start – and easier to stick with it.
“It’s about opening the door to activity for everyone.”
For more details visit our new memberships page.
The post New year, new offer – a simpler way to get active in North Lincolnshire appeared first on North Lincolnshire Council.
Every great business starts somewhere – from Dyson’s first prototype in a garden shed, Gymshark’s first embroidered t-shirt or Amazon’s first book sold from Jeff Bezos’s garage.
Now, North Lincolnshire Council is helping local people turn their ideas into reality, with free advice, one-to-one support and grants of up to £500 available for new start-ups.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “We are committed to creating an environment where entrepreneurship can thrive – this cash not only helps new businesses get off the ground but also ensures long-term resilience in our communities.”
The start-up grants can be used to support residents setting up their own business or becoming self-employed within their first 12 months of trading – with the available to help cover essential costs such as:
The Barrel Shop in Barton-upon-Humber – a zero-waste store selling a wide range of groceries, cleaning products and cosmetics – recently received a grant.
They invested in a commercial electronic weighing scale and a computerised stock control system – helping the business streamline its operations by improving stock accuracy and enabling more efficient day-to-day management.
Cllr Waltham added: “This funding is about giving local people the tools they need to succeed and supporting the kind of ambition that keeps our towns and villages strong – by backing local talent, we’re investing in the future of North Lincolnshire and delivering real opportunities that matter to our residents.
“The Barrel Shop is a fantastic example of innovation that is creating jobs and supporting the town to thrive.”
The team at the Barrel Shop also worked with the council’s one-to-one support to produce a clear business plan and cashflow forecast, and completed the online start-up workshop to build their knowledge and confidence as a new business owner.
Aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage business owners are invited to attend a series of informal drop-in sessions taking place across North Lincolnshire over the coming months.
These events offer the opportunity to speak one-to-one with a business advisor and discover the range of support and funding available, including how to access the start-up grants.
All sessions run from 9am to 11.30am on the following dates:
Waters’ Edge, Barton – Wednesday 3 December 2025
Ashby Hub – Wednesday 7 January 2026
Normanby Gateway, Scunthorpe – Wednesday 14 January 2026
The Angel, Brigg – Wednesday 28 January 2026
Crowle Hub – Wednesday 11 February 2026
No appointment is necessary – simply drop in at a convenient time. However, if preferred, appointments can be pre-booked via an online form.
If you’re unable to attend in person, you can also schedule a 45-minute online appointment with a start-up advisor at your convenience.
The programme directly supports Priority Three of the North Lincolnshire Economic Growth Plan 2023–2028: to increase business start-ups and sustain high survival rates. It also aligns with the UKSPF’s wider mission to promote inclusive, local economic growth.
For more information about the grant and how to apply, go to the Invest in North Lincolnshire website or email businessinfo@northlincs.gov.uk.
The post Backing local talent: Start-up fund launched to support new businesses appeared first on North Lincolnshire Council.
Homeowners in and around Crowle can save on energy bills with no upfront costs. Join the E.ON Next Battery Boost Trial and get:
⚡£120 a year off bills
⚡£100 gift card
⚡A free home battery
The next 15 sign-ups get double benefit for 12 months.
Go to eonnext.com/battery-boost
