She told councillors that decisions were being made on paperwork alone without families being seen, that getting decisions overturned was “ridiculously difficult” and complaints were getting overshot or ignored.
Cora, whose Facebook group has more than 500 members, compared the authority to North Lincolnshire, which diagnosed 56 children between five and 18 with autism in six months, whereas in the last year North East Lincolnshire, she said had made just 19 referrals.
North Lincolnshire made 191 referrals for ADHD last year, while North East Lincolnshire only made 22 in the 12 months since the new pathway started.
Portfolio holder for Children, Education and Young People Councillor Ian Lindley gave his “personal commitment” that children and families would receive the support they need and said the authority had taken strict and appropriate action.
He outlined how the council had begun redesigning the pathway, employed a new “pathway co-ordinator” to improve communication and were setting up new complaints process.
Councillor Ian Lindley. Photo: North East Lincolnshire
Workshops have taken place, with one more set to be held, he said, before a working group would look to come up with a full solution to go before council.
An amendment by Labour to carry out the changes through a scrutiny committee – which meet more regularly and in public – was voted down, however, Cora said she would have preferred that option to the one voted for.
Speaking following the meeting Cora said parents were “in actual total shut down in terms of attending workshops.
“We’ve refused to participate any more because the main decisions have been taken behind closed doors.
“The diagnostic rates are outrageous and they should hang their heads in shame, of course we won’t attend one workshop to put everything right that would be ridiculous.
“Councillor Lindley promised me a pathway that parents would be happy with, he did that in March and has repeatedly done it in the past.
“I’m afraid councillor Lindley I am not happy with what you proposed. What’s on the table is not a pathway parents are happy with.”
North East Lincolnshire Council full council met on Thursday night. Photo: Daniel Jaines
Councillor Lindley said the authority had tried its best to engage, but added: “It’s one of those where we’re not going to please all the people all the time”
He said engagement had been difficult, particularly as it could be a “very emotive subject”.
“It’s something we feel quite passionate about the work we have put in, it’s unfortunate the last pathway didn’t work in the manner in which it was intended but we’re now acting to remedy that.
“We want to put a system in place that’s going to be adequate, going to work and parents will be happy with.
“But it will be difficult to instil confidence given it’s been a bit of a knock back for parents in terms of it hasn’t been what they expected.”
He could not give a time-frame for when final plans would return to the council, but said he wanted it to be as soon as possible.
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Palm oil which can be fatally toxic to dogs was found on Cleethorpes beach behind Thorpe Park on Thursday.
At least three large lumps of the substance washed up on the beach.
Cleethorpes Beach safety team said on Friday, March 5 that it has since had reports of possible palm oil in different spots along the whole beach.
Palm oil can be fatally toxic to dogs. | Photo: Cleethorpes Beach Safety
The team will be out checkin on Friday and removing any that it finds, so people are being advise to be extra cautious.
In a video about the discovery resort manager Scott Snowden said the palm oil can be hazardous to dogs if ingested, so they need to be kept on leads.
He added that anyone finding any palm oil must not touch it and needs to ring the resort office on 01472 323356 or contact the Facebook page.
HM Coastguard Donna Nook Rescue Team added: “It’s not unusual for anything washed up on the beach at Cleethorpes to be present further down the coast too. Please report any sightings to the coastguard.”
A spokesperson for North East Lincolnshire Council said: “We’d ask dog owners to be vigilant and keep their pets on leads while walking along Cleethorpes beach after palm oil has washed up on the sand. While not dangerous to humans, it can be toxic to dogs.
“Palm oil can become contaminated with fuel waste and other toxins and, in solid form, can be extremely harmful to dogs and wildlife. When washed up on shorelines, the waxy white substance can lead to boulder-sized chunks emitting a smell of diesel which is attractive to animals.
“If you spot something you believe to be palm oil, please contact the beach safety team on 01472 323356 who will immediately collect and dispose of it properly.
“If owners suspect their pet has eaten the oil, they are advised to contact a vet immediately.”
Executive member Nick Worth will not be standing for re-election to Lincolnshire County Council in May.
He says the time has come to step down from his role on the authority, but will continue as a South Holland District Council member for at least another two years.
Cllr Worth, 63, has responsibility at the county council for culture and emergency services.
Serving 12 years as the Conservative member for Holbeach including a rollercoaster eight years on the executive – with among other things overseeing the controversial issue of handing over the running of libraries to communities – has been a “tough but enjoyable” period.
“Ironically, I decided not to stand again about 18 months ago, before lockdown,” said Cllr Worth. “With the portfolio for leisure, culture and fire and rescue, I was covering a large amount of the county – quite often in excess of 20,000 miles a year. I actually got tired of it.
“Since lockdown, I’ve probably done about 2,000 miles maximum.”
That reduction in travel and having more time at home in Holbeach St Marks has only served to underline the decision he made known to county council leader Martin Hill a year-and-a-half ago.
Naturally, the leader wanted one of his most hard-working and respected colleagues to continue, but Cllr Worth had made up his mind.
“I also felt that sometimes you can go on too long. It’s easy to say ‘I’ll stand for another four years’,” he added.
Cllr Worth said he has enjoyed his time on the executive, but the libraries saga – including a dogged fight with campaigners against the move and the county council twice having to go to the High Court to defend its actions – had been a particularly difficult challenge.
“I’m quite proud of what we achieved in the end,” he said, also pointing to the revamp of Lincoln Castle and new appliances for Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue as two other satisfying achievements.
“Locally, the big thing which I’m really pleased about – and one of the issues I came on to the council for – is getting the roundabout at Peppermint Junction. That was a real coup for me.
“And that all led on to [the establishment of] the Food Enterprise Zone. It’s had national recognition and is looking like a world-class facility.”
He added: “I shall miss being on the county council because it’s a real challenge. It’s much more strategic, looking at a bigger picture and much bigger numbers – scarily so in fact.
“One of the biggest challenges of having a cultural portfolio is constantly fighting for money after adult social care, children’s service and highways.
“Two years ago the culture portfolio was set the target of breaking even over four to five years. It was a massive challenge with savings in excess of £1.5m, but credit to the staff to get to the point where we think we can do it.”
He says he is proud to have flown the flag for the south of the county as it is a constant fight to get things away from being “Lincoln-centric”.
As for the future, his decision to leave the county council has been made easier knowing that there is someone “younger, very efficient and enthusiastic” looking to keep the seat for the Tories.
Fellow district councillor Tracey Carter has confirmed that she will be standing.
Meanwhile, Cllr Worth will complete 21 years as a Holbeach member on the district council when the elections come round again in 2023. The deputy leader will make a decision then on whether to stand for re-election again.
In the meantime he’s looking forward to spending more time with his partner Sally Horne and arranging the annual Holbeach Food Festival at Carter’s Park, which this year is scheduled for September 4 and 5.
A Skegness-based artisan cheese company launched a new luxury truffle infused cheddar on Friday.
The Chuckling Cheese Co’s latest product is available to buy online from March 5, as well as in six shopping centres across the country once they are allowed to reopen again on April 12. This includes Hildreds Shopping Centre in Skegness.
The new truffle infused cheddar is described as heady, with earthy aromas, sweet and buttery, musky and with a semi-firm texture.
The firm’s most luxurious cheese is now available to buy individually with 150g of Truffle Infused Cheddar Cheese priced at £4.50 a truckle, or on offer at 3 for £12 and 6 for £20.
It can also be purchased within many of the company’s hampers, including in the build your own Truckle Gift Box costing £15.
The truffle infused cheddar is the company’s most luxurious cheese yet. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The Chuckling Cheese Co was founded in 2012 by Emma and Stuart Colclough and offers over 30 flavours of cheddar cheeses.
It also sells a wide range of other artisan products, including chilli jams, chutneys, biscuits, giant meringues, craft beers, gins, vegan and gluten free products, and a large selection of build your own and ready-made gift hampers.
Company director Emma Colclough said: “We are super excited about launching such a luxurious cheese, we think it could be one of the tastiest cheddars yet.
“Not only are we bringing out this new cheese flavour we have got lots more products lined up for this year.
“We look forward to hearing the reviews from our customers and would like to thank them for helping us get through this pandemic.”
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