July 5, 2019 11.05 am
This story is over 35 months old
Grimsby skills hub axe treated as political issue, say campaigners
Councillors acted like they “were in a kids’ playground”
Dick Appleton with his daughter Sophie outside Grimsby Town Hall after a motion to save the community learning service in the town was rejected. Picture: Calvin Robinson.
Campaigners said the closure of a number of disabled and adult learning programmes in Grimsby was treated “as a political issue” and that councillors behaved like they were “in a kids’ playground”.
The service, which is based at the town’s Skills Hub, teaches between 400 and 700 people and a 2,800 signature petition was submitted to the council in an effort to save the centre.
Conservative council leader, Philip Jackson, said he felt “satisfied” that the last Labour administration “took the right decision” to close the facility.
But, Dick Appleton, whose 45-year-old autistic daughter Sophie attends the school, said the closure of the service was treated as a “political issue”.
Sophie Appleton, 45, uses the skills hub on Freeman Street. She is pictured with a banner campaigners are hoping to take to Grimsby Town Hall tomorrow. Photo: supplied
“You have heard it here tonight with the amount of back biting, it was like being in a kids’ playground,” he said.
“Nobody was prepared to listen and that was the reason the previous council were kicked out by the voters, because they proved to be a non-listening council.
“The request was ‘you show that you are a listening council’ and they are not.”
Mr Appleton described the service as the town’s “best kept secret” and that his daughter has benefited from being taught differently to mainstream educational establishments.
“As far as I’m concerned, I’m just a concerned parent of an autistic person who can’t speak for herself and who needs to find alternative education of the quality that she has been receiving,” said Mr Appleton.
The Skills Hub, which is based on Freeman Street in the town, is earmarked to close a number of its programmes by the authority at the end of the academic year.
The Community Learning Skills Hub on Freeman Street run by North East Lincolnshire Council. Another on Brighowgate, is run by Navigo, not the authority. Photo: Google
The centre teaches people with special education, mental or physical needs in GCSEs, job skills and learning English as a second language.
Labour leader of the opposition, Councillor Matthew Patrick, called on the authority to halt the closure and to “keep an open mind” about the service.
He acknowledged that the decision to close the service was made under the last Labour council, but added that “new information had come to light” and urged the council to look again at the decision.
“What the service offers to our community is a second chance to those who might struggle to get one,” he said.
“All educational establishments aim to improve people’s lives, but in the case of the community learning service, they are the unsung heroes.”
Councillor John Fenty, cabinet member for regeneration, skills and housing at North East Lincolnshire Council. Picture: North East Lincolnshire Council.
But, Councillor John Fenty, cabinet member for regeneration, skills and housing, said Labour was giving “false hope” to petitioners and that the service was failing.
He added that learners would be “better served” at facilities elsewhere in Grimsby.
“I deeply care that whatever decision is made that learners and those that need the most help have good education provision,” he said.
The council said the move to close the service had been “a complex decision, giving consideration to the many significant challenges that the service has had to face over a number of years”.
It added that the hub itself will remain open and in use by some services, including the National Careers Service.
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We are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a collision caused serious injuries to a 23-year-old man.
Just before 3.30pm yesterday (2 July), we received reports of a collision on Barholm Road in Tallington. It involved a grey BMW 335D estate, a blue BMW 116D and an orange KTM motorcycle.
The motorcycle rider, a 23-year-old man, sustained serious injuries during the collision and was taken to hospital.
If you witnessed the incident and are yet to get in touch with us, please do so. If you have any other information or dashcam footage available that may have captured the road along the A1175 at the time of the collision, get in touch.
By calling 101 quoting incident 282 of 2 July.
By emailing [email protected] quoting incident 282 of 2 July in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
The 2022 Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards are open for applications, and Destination Lincolnshire giving you the rare chance to co-create your application with Nell Barrington, a tourism awards veteran, who has helped hundreds of businesses write winning applications over the last 15 years – including national VisitEngland winners.
The Tourism Awards Masterclass is taking place on Tuesday 12 July at 11am for one-hour online. Laura Freer, Head of Marketing at Destination Lincolnshire said: “This is a golden opportunity, after years of hard work and heartache, to get your business and team recognised and rewarded.
“A well written application is key to achieving a coveted place on this year’s shortlist, and I’d encourage all tourism and visitor economy businesses who are thinking of entering – whether they are seasoned at writing award applications or not – to join us for this exclusive masterclass.
“Nell Barrington has worked with us and VisitEngland on the founding application processes of these awards, and she is perfectly placed to assist in co-creating applications that you can be proud of. This is a great opportunity for business development too – whether you are shortlisted for an award or not – discovering how to effectively apply for awards and talk up your business adds another string to your bow.
“Booking is essential and places are limited to just 35 – so be quick! This year we’ve made our masterclass available to partners and also to those who we are yet to work with for free. Call it an added bonus, after two years away from the awards circuit.
The awards masterclass is focussed on the application process, and it will spell out what the judges are looking for. You’ll learn how to make your application stand out from the local competition, helping your chances of going through to the national VisitEngland Awards in 2023.”
There are fifteen categories open for nominations from visitors attraction, accommodation providers, hospitality businesses and many more.
The deadline for nominations is July 29, with online judging starting on July 30 and mystery shopping from August 13. Finalists will be announced on Monday, August 15.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Engine Shed on October 21, and will be hosted by Lincs FM presenter, John Marshall.
The event is organised by Stonebow Media, publishers of The Lincolnite, to celebrate the best businesses in Greater Lincolnshire, alongside headline sponsors Lincoln College and Destination Lincolnshire.
We would also like to thank our other sponsors Visit Lincolnshire, Heart of Lincs, Duncan and Toplis and LNER, insight6 and EV Camel.
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