‘Momentum of positive change is growing in North East Lincolnshire’, says finance Cabinet member

LONG term financial stability, continued transformation across children’s and adult services, and improving ‘the place’ for residents and business growth – some of the priorities set out in North East Lincolnshire Council’s new Finance, Budget and Business Plan.

The 40-page plan was discussed by all members who attended the Full Council Budget meeting last night (Thursday 19 February).

After debate, a series of *amendments were supported and the plan received almost full, cross-party approval.  It covers the coming financial year, which starts on April 1 and the following years of 2027/2028 and 2028/2029.

At the meeting Council Leader, Cllr Philip Jackson’s, proposal to reduce this year’s Council Tax increase from a planned rise of 4.99% to 4.5% was also approved. This includes the 2% Adult Social Care precept.  The reduction had been recommended to Full Council by Cabinet, which met the day before and voted for the change.

Speaking after the Full Council meeting, the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Resources and Assets, Cllr Steve Harness, said: “It is both re-assuring and pleasing to see this plan approved – a plan, which shows clearly that as a council we have demonstrated financial resilience whilst delivering visible improvements for our people and our place.

“Moving forward, robust procedures have been developed to ensure we remain sound financially, and borrowing is controlled at acceptable levels. This allows us to progress, with confidence, in the important areas of children’s and adult services, public health, and regeneration and transformation.”

He added: “There is positive momentum now in all the above areas. This authority understands that to improve North East Lincolnshire, it needs to work with partners to support and lead positive and lasting change, and we can see this happening.”

Cllr Jackson further highlighted how North East Lincolnshire needed to continue growing as a place where people want to live and work.

He said examples of how this was now happening included a record £250m investment across the borough. Supported by grants awarded by the previous Government and money invested by the authority, this work encompassed the Horizon OnSide Youth Zone, the purchase of Freshney Place and its new Leisure Scheme, the new Riverhead Square, the Alexandra Dock housing scheme, St James’ House E-Factor Business Hive and the Cleethorpes regeneration schemes. 

He mentioned successful leisure and culture projects and, from a business perspective, the vital seafood processing sector, the growing offshore wind operations at the Port of Grimsby and the continued success of the Port of Immingham.

The authority’s adoption of the Marmot Principles to tackle health inequalities amongst residents was also highlighted by Cllr Jackson, along with the continued work in Children's Services.

Key points in the full budget report include:

• The transformation of Children’s Services, which resulted in an extremely positive ILACS inspection in 2025. Building on this success, a revised improvement plan will further strengthen financial sustainability;
• The Government’s recent announcement to award local authorities with High Needs Stability Grants to support across-the-board deficits. This is the investment needed for the support of young people with SEND and has risen substantially across local authority areas;
• Continued transformation and targeted change in Adult Social Care as demand and complexity increases;
• A more commercial approach with all investments aligning to the council’s ethos to grow a strong and sustainable local economy;
• The major schemes, including the redevelopment of Freshney Place and those in Cleethorpes, are progressing well with finances kept under review to ensure ongoing viability of schemes and that borrowing remains affordable, sustainable and prudent.

Read the full plan at Council (Budget) | NELC

For people struggling to pay Council Tax, there is support available. Please go to Council Tax support | NELC

*Amendments:

• Labour amendment - proposes a series of time‑limited trials, reviews and targeted interventions across environmental services; cost of living support including council tax relief for the terminally ill and a trial to extend school uniform grants; and community safety, local economy, and heritage schemes.

• Independent amendment - earmarks capital investment capacity of £10M within the MTFP (Medium Term Financial Plan) for the development of a new library facility within Grimsby Town centre.
• Liberal Democrat amendment - allocates Crisis and Resilience funding in 2026/27 for a data led early intervention referral gateway and Crisis Prevention Accredited Debt Advice Capacity.

Full details of these amendments will be within the Full Council minutes when published.