Cllr Mark A Kirk

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Today the Scunthorpe Telegraph has launched the Forging Our Future campaign and I am delighted we, as a council, are backing it. The council is at the forefront of shaping the areas future. That’s how it should be, it’s one of the reasons we exist. In moving to the future we must not forget our past. It’s important we recognise North Lincolnshire’s heritage, but not be constrained by it.  The future of North Lincolnshire cannot be forged purely within our boundaries. That’s why it’s so important that we work together to get the message out – North Lincolnshire is an area on the up.  That’s why I spend a lot of my time not simply looking locally but also looking on a regional basis. We are working and competing with, the very best in the Yorkshire and Humber. And we are doing well, but we cannot be complacent. Funding for the Pods, funding for infrastructure, funding for vital drainage schemes, bringing to life an area of large economic development – all of which has been brought into North Lincolnshire from outside our boundaries.  We can only do that by continuing to show what we have on offer. And that offer is really starting to take shape. We are well placed for major development on the South Humber Gateway bringing new jobs, major investments in our schools, major investments in our leisure not just with the Pods but also at a grass root level with our play parks.  For once lets all celebrate the good news. There is plenty of it.

The news today that the Future Jobs Fund is to be scrapped is devastating.  This new ConDem alliance was all over the news today saying how the £6-billion worth of cuts would simply just cut back on over-spending. George Osborne was on TV and radio saying 'don't worry'.  As someone who has seen and heard all this before from the Tories I was already worried.

The Future Jobs Fund (FJF) was set to create around 175 new jobs in North Lincolnshire.  It has undoubtedly been a success.  Of the 20 jobs in the first round of funding 19 have been recruited, with 15 of those going to the voluntary and community sector.  In March we were awarded even more funding to create an additional 154 jobs. Today I have been told that just 25 of those jobs will be created as the new government reviews finances. The remaining jobs will now never come to fruition.  These are jobs held by the very people who need our help the most.  The ConDems show no remorse when making such swingeing cuts.  At the minute all I have seen are headline figures as part of the £6-billion worth of cuts the new government is making.  The devil will really be in the detail.  I am worried that once we see the hard facts even more jobs will be affected. 

Within a week of a Tory/Lib Dem government and it appears North Lincolnshire may have its first big cut.  The news today is suggesting many road schemes are to be cut back and that includes the A160 in North Lincs and the A63 on the north bank. The A160, in particular, is a scheme which has passed every test its been put to and has been in the making for some years. I fear this is a sign of things to come. Of course we will once again prove our case and we will be looking to all our MP’s to help in doing that. 

Yesterday I wrote to Andrew Percy MP and Martin Vickers MP to offer them a tour of the South Humber Gateway. I want them to see first hand the potential job opportunities holding up a scheme like this will put at risk.  The A160 currently carries 13,000 vehicles a day. By 2030 predictions are that this will grow to 22,000. The scheme will improve access to the port of Immingham, relieve congestion and improve journey times and it will improve road safety for both road users and residents. Upgrading the A160 is vital to the economic prosperity of the South Humber Bank and the region as a whole. The scheme has a return on investment of some 10 to 1. The case stacks up financially. I’m sure the minister will see that.

In much better news, on Friday I attended the Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards. I was delighted that Stephen Martin, the Chief executive of the Clugston Group, was named Business Person of the Year.  When Stephen was presented with his award they played a video montage of key projects the company had worked on and that includes the Baths Hall.  I know they are very proud to be working on such a key project and they share our enthusiasm for it.  Well done not just to Clugston's and the other winners, but to all of those nominated on Friday night.