Community centres in Scunthorpe will be the first year focus of a ten year government cash award.
Scunthorpe, as well as Grimsby, will receive £20m across the next decade as part of the government’s “Long-Term Plan for Towns”. North Lincolnshire Council decided this week that enhancements to existing and the creation of new community centres will be the focus in year one.
Opposition Labour councillors pressed for community centres without leases to be resolved. The decision to spend the first £2m on community centres was made at the council’s Cabinet, where an update on bus improvement plans was also heard.
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Introducing a report update on Levelling Up and other government cash for Scunthorpe, council leader Cllr Rob Waltham said of the £20m staggered funding: “The first two million, we will seek to use that specifically to enhance our community centres across Scunthorpe.”
He added the latest government cash would back residents’ ambitions for Scunthorpe. He has since confirmed, “From April we’ll be delivering a programme of improvements across community centres in Scunthorpe.”
Labour councillors attending the meeting welcomed the community centre focus. “We really look forward to speaking to you again about Central,” said Cllr Darryl Southern, referring to the town community centre. “There really is nothing substantial in it,” he said of the Levelling Up report, though.
(Image: North Lincolnshire Council)
He and Cllr Max Bell argued reassurance could have been given to Bottesford and Kirton residents. Recently approved major housing developments in both areas will not be accompanied by £1m+ S106 community infrastructure cash each. Cllr Waltham defended the report and pointed out neither area was in Scunthorpe borough, where the £20m long-term cash was for. “This document quite clearly sets out the framework with which we’re going to use the money.”
Cllr Bell also raised lease uncertainty for some town community centres. “Given there’s a significant number of community centres within Scunthorpe without leases, how and how quickly will that be rectified?” Cllr Waltham indicated it would be part of centre enhancements. “We’re not going to invest money into community centres without certainty of provision, so it clearly goes hand in glove.”
Bus service improvements
An update was also received on the council’s enhanced bus partnership and scheme, which involves collaboration with bus operators. A number of new services and timetable extensions to existing ones are taking place. A new Sunday bus service, the 361, now runs between Scunthorpe and Goole by East Yorkshire Buses. Service 260, between Barton and Immingham, now includes stops at North and South Kilingholme and East Halton.
Cllr Tim Mitchell, cabinet member for connectivity, confirmed new bus services between Scunthorpe and Brigg, Burringham and Crowle, were all out to tender. Labour group leader Cllr Len Foster questioned the level of public say before the changes. He also said the main residential corridors of Scunthorpe had not seen improvements yet.
“It isn’t an easy journey within the urban area of Scunthorpe to travel on public transport at all,” he said, sharing his own experience recently. “We really are at the beginning of this journey,” responded Cllr Mitchell. “There are many more improvements in the pipeline,” he said, and noted the route improvements between Scunthorpe and rural areas. There was also work with bus operators to encourage feedback.
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Cllr Julie Reed, cabinet member for children, families and communities, added there was several years ago a full public consultation before the bus partnership was formed. This was not well responded to, but was partly during the pandemic.
Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe
