North East Lincolnshire has marked a year of major investment, community spirit and transformational change. As 2025 draws to a close, the Council is celebrating the standout achievements that have shaped the borough over the past 12 months.
A service transformed
In July, Ofsted awarded North East Lincolnshire’s Children’s Services an overall Good rating. In the words of inspectors in their major report: “A whole-service transformation has been achieved. Children’s Services are largely unrecognisable from what they were in 2021.”
Inspectors further noted this was one of the fastest improvements seen nationally. This success reflects the dedication of staff, leaders and partners, committed to the Council and partner’s mantra of ‘Our Children, Our Future’.
A year of skills, careers and opportunity
2025 saw thousands of residents benefit from new skills and employment initiatives.
The new Careers Café quickly became a popular drop‑in for people exploring their next steps, while Council teams and partner organisations were out across the borough offering guidance to residents and young people. The Grimsby Auditorium Skills Fair also inspired Year 10 students with guidance from over 60 exhibitors. Meanwhile, other events like the Women into Manufacturing and Engineering Day and the Parents Careers Evening provided hundreds of families and residents’ support.
With growing demand and great feedback, both the Skills Fair and the Parents Careers Evening will be back in 2026, bringing even more opportunities for local people to plan their futures.
Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority (GLCCA) formation
A moment in the history of local government across Greater Lincolnshire took place in February when an official letter from Government confirmed the creation of the GLCCA.
The correspondence, from the then Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon OBE MP, declared that he had signed the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority Regulations 2025, which created the GLCCA and devolved functions to it. The Minister said: “I would like to thank you and your officers for your hard work in enabling us to deliver this landmark agreement for the people of Greater Lincolnshire.”
This landmark occasion was followed by the first meeting of the new authority’s board in March, with the election for the new Mayor – Dame Andrea Jenkyns – held on the first day of May.
Standing together against VAWG
Building on its White Ribbon accreditation, the Council continued raising awareness of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). More than 200 people joined the ‘Reclaim These Streets’ walk in Cleethorpes in March, lighting up the night with glow sticks and torches to spark conversations about safety and community responsibility.
Cleethorpes’ first Coastal Ranger
This year the Council welcomed Cleethorpes’ first-ever Coastal Ranger, Josh Forrester, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Josh has quickly become a familiar face along the shoreline, leading coastal walks, nature days and community engagement activities.
His work helps protect the borough’s internationally important coastline and the thousands of migratory birds and wildlife that depend on it.
Major restoration continues
The former Top Town Market area was cleared, paving the way for a new five-screen Parkway cinema, food outlets and a modern market hall. Redundant units on Osborne Street were demolished to prepare for future redevelopment.
On Osborne Street, the redundant units opposite the rear of the former Argos loading bays have been demolished, prepping the way for redevelopment in 2026-7.
Meanwhile, Horizon, the Onside Youth Zone completed construction, with doors being opened to children and young people of our borough from early 2026.
Award winning teams
There was big success earlier this year as our health visitors and infant feeding team scooped the UNICEF Gold Award as part of a joint Northern Lincolnshire collaboration for their commitment to mums and their babies locally.
The Northern Lincolnshire Baby Friendly Initiative Group was set up to support women, providing help and advice during pregnancy and post-birth around feeding and building a close and loving relationship with their baby.
At the time, Janet Burrows, head of Public Health Nursing at NELC, said: “This is a great achievement and testimony to the hard work of everyone who has made a positive contribution on this journey.”
Old faces, new places
Grimsby Town Market relocated to a new temporary home in Freshney Place in May, ensuring much-loved traders could continue serving customers during redevelopment. The farmers’ market also found a new home in Riverhead Square, growing significantly throughout the year with stalls offering local produce, gifts and handmade goods.
These highlights represent just a fraction of the progress made across North East Lincolnshire in 2025. The Council is proud of the achievements delivered in partnership with residents, businesses and community groups and is excited to build on this momentum in the year ahead.
North East Lincolnshire Council wishes everyone a safe, happy and hopeful New Year as we look ahead to 2026.
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