Just before Steve Beasant left to go to the Lib Dem Autumn Conference he called for a special full council meeting to debate the demolition of the East Marsh tower blocks.

On 4th October the Grimsby Telegraph reported:

Ward councillor Steve Beasant has submitted a notice of motion calling for a select committee to be formed to fully explore the reasons behind the decision.

Mr Beasant (Lib Dem, East Marsh) wants Shoreline Housing Partnership to justify the controversial decision to pull down the six blocks of flats and Comber Place maisonettes, which are occupied by around 700 people.

And he believes a select committee would be able to explore possible alternatives.

Mr Beasant said: “My stance as a ward councillor is that I would like to retain all the blocks. A few years ago they used to be fully occupied and very good.

“I accept that sooner or later they have got to be demolished. I would be in favour of a phased demolition and housing on that site.”

On his return, Steve was contacted by Council Officers about the possibility of taking the matter to Cabinet which would fast track the setting up of the Select committee.

At the meeting of North East Lincolnshire’s Cabinet on Monday 13th October, Steve told the members: “Firstly, I thank the Cabinet for allowing me to speak this afternoon – I am pleased that this is coming before Cabinet this afternoon because it now fast tracks the process.

“We all know that sooner or later something will have to happen with this particular neighbourhood but I am personally not in favour of all of the blocks coming down together. We need a longer term strategy of phasing the demolition; while at the same time building new single and two bedroom accommodation on this site.

“Apart from Comber place all of these flats are one and two bedroom and where are the local residents going to go? It is a dilemma – we have never had enough of this type of accommodation within our area and it is desperately needed.

“A Select Committee should look into this issue and particularly the type of housing mix and I call on Cabinet to support the setting up of this committee.”

Cabinet members agreed to the proposal – calling on theselect committee to report back with its findings by mid-December.