Tories set out bid to retain council control

The Conservative Party has launched its campaign ahead of the local election in North East Lincolnshire next month, pointing to regeneration projects delivered under its leadership.

On 7 May, residents will vote to elect 15 councillors, one in each of North East Lincolnshire Council's wards.

Councillor Philip Jackson, who has led the council under the Conservative Party since May 2019, said the party had been successful with regeneration projects and transforming Grimsby through the Freshney Place leisure scheme.

"We're the only ones to have a plan for North East Lincolnshire, to continue to take the area forward," he said.

The Freshney Place leisure scheme includes the market hall relocating to the site of the former BHS building, along with a five-screen cinema and other leisure facilities.

There will also be a new public space outside the shopping centre, a food hall and a Starbucks. The scheme is expected to be finished in spring 2027.

Jackson said the campaign would focus on economic changes seen in the area, including developments in clean energy, port and logistics, and the food processing sector.

He said: "We now have the highest average wage in the region and we're only £500 a year below the national average, which is a huge improvement over the last five or six years.

"This is all around the renaissance of North East Lincolnshire under the Conservatives."

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According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the Conservatives are fielding candidates in every ward.

Jackson said the party has "a really strong mix of candidates".

"We've got some who are very experienced, who have been on the council a long time," he said. "We've got a lot of new, keen ones, who see what we're doing locally.

"They live locally, they see those improvements and they want to contribute to taking that agenda forward."

Jackson added: "We don't want parties coming in who are going to start scuppering plans that we have to continue to improve North East Lincolnshire.

"We're the only party with a plan, we're the only party who are backing business and industry locally to bring about improvements and increase investment."

A full list of candidates standing in the North East Lincolnshire local elections can be viewed on the council's website.

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