Mick Grant

This week I have been down in Bournemouth for the Local Government Association's annual conference. It was a very useful event and it was good to meet people not only from our region, but from across the country as well.  Over the course of the weekend I listened to the likes of Boris Johnson, John Healey, David Cameron and Nick Clegg. I was hoping to see John Prescott speak but unfortunately he was stuck in London.

I was very disappointed by Nick Clegg - he was very monotone and it was as if he was reading from a piece of paper. John Healey gave an insight into new legislation that was coming along and localism. David Cameron came from a privitatisation angle which shows what we are in for if the Tories win the next general election. And Boris was just bonkers!

The Youth Build scheme adopted by the council on Mallalieu Court, Scunthorpe, is a fantastic idea. It allows young people to help build a property, which they can then live in, and develop a skill they can put to good use in the future.

I have heard there are a few people based around the Cherry Tree Grove area of Ashby who are concerned about the scheme as one is due to start there. I would hope to ease their concerns as I feel they are an excellent way to help our local young people. There are already two in Brigg and another in Barton and I welcome the efforts of Longhurst Housing Association in setting them up.

I have blogged previously about the possibility of spending some money redeveloping Westcliff Precinct. Work is going on between Spawforth's and North Lincolnshire Homes' development group working on  the last bit of the masterplan. Although there is still work to be done this is a positive step and hopefully we should be talking to the Housing Corporation in October about putting in a bid for the work at the precinct.

This is a long awaited development and the investment is much needed to improve the area further. I hope things can work out and I hope the cash becomes available to make it happen.

In a previous blog I wrote about an issue picked up by The Alliance regarding the fair distribution of Lottery cash. In total £2,175-million will be diverted to the Olympics, the equivalent to £35 per head of the entire population and The Alliance has taken the issue up to ensure that everyone benefits from Lottery cash and not just London.

I attended a meeting of The Alliance in Nottingham earlier this month and I was delighted to hear the group had found a MP to take up our cause and put forward an Early Day Motion (EDM) in Parliament. Hopefully this will give the issue the chance to be discussed in the Commons.

I am due to head to Nottingham next week for the next meeting of The Alliance. I have blogged before about their campaign to ensure National Lottery funding is distributed equally and not just to London and the Olympics and the matter is on the agenda again.  In total £2,175-million will be diverted to the Olympics, the equivalent to £35 per head of the entire population.

Andy Burnham MP has taken up the cause for us and members of The Alliance have met with him to discuss concerns. There is no doubt we should support the Olympics and as a keen cyclist I am glad we are hosting such a prestigious event, but I would hope that is not to the detriment of local groups and organisations. They also play the lottery and should receive their fair share of cash earmarked for good causes.

I shall also be attending an incapacity benefits conference on June 11 and will post on my blog my thoughts after both meetings.