Live updates on Wednesday 8 July 2020
A Lincolnshire council says fly-tipping incidents have increased almost four times during lockdown.
Read MoreThe chief executive of Boston College says government plans to support jobs in the hospitality industry is "fantastic news" for young people.
The government has announced a number of measures to support the entertainment and hospitality industry, including a cut from 20% to 5% on VAT.
Pubs and restaurants have been particularly badly affected by the pandemic, with many operating at significantly reduced capacity because of social distancing measures.
The government is also offering a 50% discount on eating out at restaurants on Monday, Tuesdays and Wednesdays during August, to encourage people back into ailing food venues.
But many of Chancellor Rishi Sunak's measures will benefit young people, including encouraging 30,000 training schemes for young people by offering business grants to start them up, and by offering businesses an incentive to keep staff employed after furlough schemes end by giving firms a "bonus grant".
Claire Foster, the chief executive of Boston College, says the measures will be very helpful to young people who she says will be "most affected" by the economic downturn.
Quote MessageHistory tells us that young people are far more likely to be in the sectors that have been especially hit by the pandemic. But [in normal times] are up to two-and-a-half times more likely to be made unemployed or to not be able to get a job. So for our young people this is fantastic news.
Claire Foster, Boston College
Residents of a care home who appealed online for pen pals get responses from across the globe.
Read MoreA Lincolnshire estate agent has welcomed plans to cancel stamp duty on house purchases up to £500,000.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe government has announced a swathe of measures to help the UK economy recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
They include a tax holiday on houses bought until the end of March 2021, as long as they cost £500,000 or less.
But an estate agent has warned that for many buyers in Lincolnshire, this won't change the process very much.
Quote MessageAnything that helps the housing market I'm excited and pleased to hear about. But I would say is that first time buyers in Lincolnshire were mostly under the stamp duty threshold anyway.
Mark Newton, Newton and Fallowell Estate Agents chair
North Kesteven District Council has appealed for information after 20 tonnes of rubbish was dumped in a Lincolnshire village.
Image source, North Kesteven District CouncilThe authority say the huge pile of commercial plastic waste (pictured) was dumped in Norton Disney overnight on 6 July.
It said the Environment Agency are also investigating the matter and has appealed for anyone with dash cam footage from the area or may have any information which may help in their investigation.
Work on a skate park in Boston is underway after an eight-week delay because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Image source, Maverick IndustriesBoston Council has been working on a games area, including outdoor table tennis tables, since the start of the year.
The authority says the park has been designed in conjunction with a panel of young people in the town.
The park is being built in the town's central park, where tennis courts and a bowling green used to be.
The skating area is expected to be finished in around two month's time.
Image source, Boston Borough CouncilQuote MessageWhen the skate park is completed an open event will be organised where some experienced skaters will come along and show their skills, the event will also include the opening of the MUGA and table tennis tables which was scheduled to take place during the Easter holidays but had to be cancelled due to COVID-19.
Frances Taylor, Boston Borough Council - Play and Physical Activity officer
An equine charity says it has lost more than £300,000 after its fundraising efforts were wiped out by the coronavirus outbreak.
Image source, Bransby HorsesBransby Horses, which re-homes and cares for hundreds of horses and donkeys, said the loss came on top of the £200,000 hit it took when its Bransby site was hit by flooding in November.
Chief Executive Jo Snell said it had been a tough time for the charity and its supporters.
"We rely heavily on public support, and don't receive any government funding, so it has hit us hard," she said.
However, the charity, which has been closed since 23 March, has today reopened it's doors to the public.
Ms Snell said: "We are so looking forward to welcoming back visitors to our Bransby site.
“There will be some changes to the normal ways of working for our employees and visitors, as is to be expected.
"And though petting of our animal residents won’t be allowed, visitors can still enjoy watching our equines at a safe distance whilst walking in the miles of beautiful countryside we have here."
Fly-tipping cases in Boston have more than doubled during the lockdown period, say council bosses
Image source, Boston Borough CouncilBoston Borough Council says there were 798 cases between March and the end of June this year compared with 342 during the same period last year.
Despite tips and recycling centres reopening in May, the authority say it has remained an issue.
In June this year alone, there were 254 cases compared to 68 in June 2019.
Quote MessageThe Covid outbreak has definitely had an impact. There's been a lot more people at home generating more waste, more DIY, clearing out gardens, sheds and attics. We've definitely seen an increase in the volume of waste."
Chris Allen, Head of Environmental Services Boston Borough Council
Campaigners have criticised a £1m proposal to upgrade CCTV in North East Lincolnshire as being a "waste of money".
Image source, OtherA report for North East Lincolnshire Council says replacing the current system, which is over 20 years old, will help prevent crime and increase public safety.
But the plans, which also include playing classical music over tannoys to prevent anti-social behaviour, have been criticised by anti-CCTV campaigners.
Quote MessageThere's no evidence this does anything to deter or protect. It's just a gimmick and a waste of money.
Charles Farrier, No CCTV
However, the North East Lincolnshire 'Enough is Enough' Action Group has backed the plan.
Quote MessageLook at the amount of vandalism we've had on Victoria St alone, which appears to have gone unpunished yet again. Speak to people who've had their windows smashed in their businesses on top of what they've already suffered, I'm sure they'd welcome it.
Daniel Wescott, Enough is Enough Community Group
The plans will be discussed by the North East Lincolnshire Council's Cabinet this evening in a virtual meeting.
Work to repair and restore a 19th century chapel in the grounds of Grimsby cemetery has begun.
Image source, North East Lincolnshire CouncilThe work at the Grade II listed building, which includes replacing masonry, guttering and glazing, is expected to take about five months to complete
No funerals are currently being held in the chapels due to COVID-19.
Councillor Stewart Swinburn, portfolio holder for environment and transport, said: “These works will see another of our historic local assets removed from the Heritage ‘At Risk’ Register.
“We’ve notified all of the local funeral directors in the area about the works so that they could plan ahead, but we anticipate any disruption caused by the works to be minimal."
A 65-year-old man arrested after officers discovered an improvised explosive device at house in Boston remains in police custody this morning.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe device was found at a property in Margaret Drive when police executed a search warrant yesterday morning.
Fourteen homes had to be evacuated while the Army bomb squad was called to investigate the device, before it was taken away and destroyed in a controlled explosion.
Residents were enetually allowed to retrun home at about 21:30.
A spokesperson for Lincolnshire Police said: "Our sincere thanks go out to those affected, Boston Borough Council for their efforts to find alternative accommodation, should it have been needed, and the Tollfield Road campus of the Haven High School who provided our officers with refreshments throughout the day."
A Scunthorpe man has been jailed for 11 years after admitting robbing elderly victims in Hull.
Image source, Humberside PoliceChristopher Holdstock, 44, of Rochester Close, pleaded guilty at Hull Crown Court to battery, robbery and four counts of burglary, which happened in February and March.
In one, a 66-year-old man was left needing hospital treatment after Holdstock attacked him in Jameson Street, kicking and punching him before stealing his wallet containing just £50.
He also conned elderly victims out of money by knocking on their doors, asking them to change money into smaller denominations, then running off when money was handed over.
Det Con Tony Forbes, the lead investigator on these cases, said: “It is clear that Holdstock deliberately targeted people who are more vulnerable and preyed on their good nature.
“Everyone has the right to feel safe as they enjoy a day out or whilst in their home, and I hope that the significant sentence given to Holdstock for these offences helps to make the victims feel safer."
It'll be mostly cloudy today with the chance of catching a few showers at times, although there will be plenty of dry spells and a few sunny intervals may break through occasionally.
Things will become more cloudy this evening and outbreaks of rain will develop tonight, some heavy at times.
It will then become drier at the end of the night with some clear intervals developing.
Plans to invest more than £1m in upgrading CCTV in North East Lincolnshire will be discussed later.
Image source, OtherA report due to go before councillors, external today says the existing CCTV system is more than 20 years old and highlights issues around areas such as outdated technology, coverage and transmission.
The report says investing in the system will help prevent and detect crime, increase public safety and improve security for people and property across the borough.
It adds: "The CCTV network is in parts beyond its life expectancy and does require investment.
"A decision to not invest resulting in the system falling into disrepair could impact on the confidence of residents and businesses.
"It would also impact on our ability to assist the Police and Fire services in the apprehension and prosecution of perpetrators of crimes or anti-social behaviour and the NELC enforcement team in investigating and prosecuting perpetrators of environmental crimes."
The report is due to be considered by North East Lincolnshire Council's Cabinet at a virtual meeting scheduled to start at 17:00.
