We’ve done well so far – but let’s not get complacent.
This is the message from the leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, Councillor Philip Jackson, giving his Leader’s Statement at the latest full council meeting this evening.
The meeting was held virtually with councillors participating remotely, but with the Deputy Mayor, Councillor David Hasthorpe, NELC chief executive Rob Walsh and other key staff present at Grimsby Town Hall.
Councillor Jackson told the meeting: “North East Lincolnshire has done well to get this far without a significant local Covid-19 outbreak. Indeed, we still have one of the lowest infection rates in the country, which is excellent.
“This is in no small part due to the sterling work done by this local authority and our partners to implement control measures. It’s also thanks to the generally high level of compliance by local people, businesses, and visitors to the area.
“However, we are now seeing a general rise in rates nationally, so we all need to continue to do our bit to keep the virus at bay – wash your hands, cover your face, make space. We must not be complacent. Once again, I thank all our staff and you as elected members for the commitment and work that has been put into fighting Covid locally.
“Regarding economic recovery post lockdown, we continue to engage with the business sector to do all we can to support their sustainability and viability. We know that with the furlough scheme soon coming to an end, some employers in our area will have significant challenges.
“Recent figures show a 50% increase in Universal Credit claimants across North East Lincolnshire since the start of Covid. While this is lower than the average increase across the country, it’s clearly very worrying.
“It’s probably been mitigated by the increase in staycations which has provided a welcome boost to tourism in Cleethorpes. We have approved the establishment of a cross sector taskforce to oversee the implementation of the Government’s Kickstart programme for young people, working closely with the Department for Work & Pensions. We will continue to do all we can to support people back into work.
“Like many other local authorities, we are about to enter a challenging budget round. We await the outcome of the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR). We hope that CSR will deliver a settlement for local government that enables us to plan effectively for the medium term, protect key public services and support local economic recovery. We continue to lobby our local MPs and Government on this issue.
“We continue to engage with leading south bank businesses on the future Local Enterprise Partnership arrangements. We are pressing strongly to ensure that the Greater Lincolnshire LEP’s Local Industrial Strategy more robustly reflects the sector strengths of our area, not least offshore wind, renewables, decarbonisation, ports and logistics and food processing.
“We await the publication of the Government’s White Paper on devolution and local recovery. Around the Humber estuary, the four council leaders have agreed the need for credible and effective collaboration arrangements, in any event.
“The Humber Leadership Board, a joint committee of the four Councils, will focus on key priority areas including energy and ports, involve LEP partners and promote the economic potential of the Humber. We continue to discuss the potential for devolution and local government re-organisation with Greater Lincolnshire Leaders. If there are any material developments, I will report to both cabinet and full council.
“Regeneration continues to be a major focus for this Conservative administration and work continues apace despite Covid. We welcome the formal opening of the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult Centre of Excellence in the Port of Grimsby. This further strengthens our credentials as a Borough that is leading the way on the renewables front. The Catapult has a focus on innovation, research and development and sitting alongside the likes of Orsted and Triton Knoll, this sends a very positive message about the area’s future and the opportunities that will follow.
“Following a successful public consultation exercise, the Town Investment Plan for Grimsby is being finalised for submission to Cabinet and, in due course, Government. We have £25-million set aside via the Government’s Stronger Towns Fund to support transformational town centre regeneration projects. Alongside our Future High Streets Fund bid to transform and repurpose the western end of Freshney Place, this represents an ambitious programme of change to support local, sustainable regeneration.
“Progress continues with the Onside Youth Zone project and the public realm works in St. James’ Square and the Garth Lane area. We recently received an additional £1m of Government grant funding via the Accelerated Towns Fund to upgrade Riverhead Square. This is evidence of the Government’s continued commitment to the Town Deal and confidence in the work of this administration.
“This Conservative administration continues delivering its manifesto commitments. Almost 40,000 homes across North East Lincolnshire now have, and are using, their new recycling bins. These replaced the old, outmoded boxes that the previous Labour administration left us with. Feedback has been very positive and we’re seeing an increase in the unacceptably low recycling rates we inherited. However, we recognise that there are about 2,000 terraced homes across North East Lincolnshire that may not have space for the new bins and for which they may not be appropriate. We are actively consulting and working with these residents to find a workable solution.
“We have also announced that, from March next year we will start a weekly food waste collection trial to further reduce domestic residual waste.
“Capital works continue to increase capacity and reduce congestion at Tollbar roundabout and to build a major new roundabout at the junction of Littlecoates Road and Cambridge Road. These works, funded by the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, are currently on schedule and within budget.
“It is almost a year since Ofsted carried out a Focused Visit that resulted in some particularly challenging feedback and recommendations regarding our Children’s Services. Improvements now in place are significant with a positive direction of travel but we must not be complacent. It’s essential we continue with trans-formational change to make these services safe, robust and financially sustainable.
“As with all local authorities around the country, we continue our planning for exiting the EU and the end of the transition period in the New Year. Members will be aware there is enabling legislation for Government to introduce lorry parks around port areas, if needed, to minimise potential disruption. While no decisions have yet been made in respect of lorry parks around the Humber, the Government has previously consulted with us on potential sites. It is important that such plans are put in place and we will continue to work with all relevant agencies as needed.”
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