“Everyone has gone the extra mile to meet the demands of the pandemic and shown flexibility and adaptability in the way they have worked.”
Council leader Philip Jackson used his Leader’s Speech to pay tribute to NELC’s workforce during the coronavirus pandemic.
Councillor Jackson spoke at tonight’s virtual Full Council meeting.
He said: “It is now a year since the first pandemic lockdown. Indeed, members may remember that we cancelled last year’s March Full Council because of it. You don’t need me to tell you what a year it has been because of Covid-19. You have all been part of the journey, doing a great job supporting the communities in your own wards. Thank you for that and for everything else you’ve done during the year.
“Thank you too to the council workforce. Everyone has gone the extra mile to meet the demands of the pandemic and shown flexibility and adaptability in the way they have worked. We were one of the few councils who managed to keep front line services operating with virtually no disruption whilst still fully meeting our Covid-19 responsibilities. Thank you too, to all our partners; co-operation and collaboration across the patch has been superb.
“Although the pandemic is still with us, there is now light at the end of the tunnel; 65,000 first dose vaccines have now been administered in North East Lincolnshire, a significant achievement and important progress. This is translating into a clear downward trend in hospital admissions and less Covid-related deaths in the elderly population.
“There is also increased testing being undertaken, including key workers, supporting employers and businesses. Our infection rate has recently gone up owing to factors including workplace and care setting outbreaks, and because of increased testing in schools – as we test more, we are finding more. Locally, the more transmissible Kent variant now dominates.
“We wait to see the full impact of the return to school and thank-you to all those who have worked tirelessly to successfully and safely bring about that return. It’s vital for our children’s education and their future. As the Government roadmap is implemented, we need to continue to be vigilant and assiduously follow the hands-face-space guidance.
“Cabinet members are working with key officers to constantly review the approach to slowing the spread of the virus including risk assessing the resort of Cleethorpes. Easter bank holiday weekend likely to be an important test for all concerned, not just locally, and I urge people and businesses to continue to be cautious, vigilant and responsible.
“Despite the pandemic, there has still been a huge amount of progress in other areas, especially regeneration and economic development. Since my last Leader’s statement, we have received a raft of good news. On Boxing Day, it was confirmed that we had been successful in obtaining a £17.3-million Future High Street Fund grant towards the repurposing of the western end of Freshney Place.
“This was a competitive bidding process, and we received the seventh highest award of the 101 bids that went in. There was a very tight turn around for subsequent submission of amended proposals to Government, but this was successfully completed by the end of February in collaboration with our partners who remain enthusiastic and committed to the scheme.
“Budget day brought more good news for North East Lincolnshire with the announcement in principle of almost £21-million of Towns Fund monies for the seven key projects featured in the Grimsby Town Centre Masterplan. Once again, there is a tight timescale for submitting the finalised business cases and I want to thank officers for all their hard work in connection with the various Grimsby town centre regeneration bids.
“Work continues on the ground with public realm improvements in St James Square, Garth Lane and Riverhead Square. The new bridge arrives next week for installation across the River Freshney. This is certainly a very exciting time for Grimsby Town Centre.
“Indeed, over the last year, North East Lincolnshire has received almost £45-million of grant funding for regeneration works. This shows the confidence that Government has in this Conservative administration and their ongoing commitment to levelling up.
“North East Lincolnshire will also be eligible to submit bids against three further funds announced in the Budget: the Levelling Up Fund, the Shared Prosperity Fund and Community Renewal Fund. Once again, Cabinet and officers are working up appropriate bids and there will be further information in due course.
“The final Budget announcement was the success of the Humber Freeport bid, subject to the submission of a full business case. This offers the prospect of being transformational for the Humber ports and their environs, attracting millions of pounds of private sectors investment and thousands of new jobs, including further support in principle for our SHIIP programme.
“Though this bid was, quite rightly, private sector led, it also clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of the Humber Leadership Board in continuing to collaborate on strategic issues around the Humber following the demise of the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership. Government also announced a £75-million grant to develop the Able Marine Energy Park. This site borders North East Lincolnshire and could provide up to 1500 new jobs.
“Progress has continued with several important highways schemes since my last statement. Tollbar roundabout safety and capacity improvements have been completed on time and within budget, following this Conservative administration’s scrapping of Labour’s proposals for a traffic light-controlled junction. The new roundabout at the junction of Littlecoates Road and Cambridge Road is operational though some resurfacing and landscaping works remain to be completed. Both these schemes have been funded by the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership. Work on the A1173 at Stallingborough is complete and the new Humber Link Road is fully open, providing access to more industrial land as well as reducing travelling distances and times and transport cost for local businesses. The permanent closure of the Scartho Road bus lane has been confirmed, as promised, and following clear evidence of the resultant improved traffic flows.
“Earlier this month, revised arrangements for the collection of recycled domestic waste were introduced, following the roll-out of the new recycling bins. More plastics can now be recycled, and recycling rates are increasing. The new arrangements have been well received, and we are working with residents to ensure early resolution of any teething problems.
“Moving now to health and wellbeing. The Government’s Integrated Care White Paper signals the biggest NHS re-organisation since 2012. We are reviewing the implications for our current Council and Clinical Commissioning Group Union arrangements. This administration is determined to grasp the opportunity for the Council to lead the shaping and development of the local health and care system, working with all providers and primary care. We want all partners to work together to actively contribute to tackling the wider determinants of health and address health inequalities for the benefit of all our residents.
“This Conservative administration has clearly made huge progress with its manifesto commitments and is working effectively with Government, partners and local business to bring about major improvements to North East Lincolnshire that will benefit all residents.”
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