The economic future of North East Lincolnshire and the borough’s Local Plan – aiding the area’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and supporting growth – is a key priority, says council leader Philip Jackson.
In his Leader’s Speech at the recent full council meeting, held at Grimsby Town Hall, he explained how the refreshed Economic Strategy is playing its part.
“Our economic recovery is pivotal to taking the area forward and mitigating the damage caused by the pandemic,” he told fellow councillors. “We continue to engage across our partners to ensure that as the public, private and voluntary sectors, we work together and play to our strengths over the months and years ahead.
“Very much linked to that is the review of our Local Plan. Entitled “Planning for Growth,” it sets out the exciting and ambitious growth plans for North East Lincolnshire and was unanimously adopted by this council in March 2018.
“The plan is predicated on the creation of about 8000 nett new jobs in North East Lincolnshire by 2032 and building about 10,000 new homes over the same time period. Only this way can we transform the local economy and bring the increased wealth and prosperity we all want to see across our borough.
“Cabinet agreed in June 2020 to commence a review of our Local Plan, which was subsequently paused because of the publication of planning white paper. However, with delays to these reforms and no time scales for progression, Cabinet will be agreeing to re-start the process at its October meeting.
“Just to emphasise, this review is NOT related to the current Grimsby West protests. Rather, a key priority is to ensure that the plan is kept up-to-date, and to ensure that we maintain control of where development takes place.
“This year, the council has reached a critical point with regards to its five-year housing land supply assessment. Failure to act now could leave the council open to applications for speculative developments on sites not allocated for development, and we saw the devastating effect this had prior to the adoption of the current Local Plan in 2018.
“Members who were around at the time will remember several substantial housing applications in the southern arc villages, which had been refused by our planning committee, being approved at appeal because we didn’t have a valid Local Plan in place, and we couldn’t demonstrate that critical five-year housing land supply.
“The review will address changes to national planning policy and local strategies. Much of the Local Plan is operating well and does not need revision. Grimsby West is one of three strategic housing allocations intended to deliver housing over the long term.
“Development of a new plan will take around three years to supersede the existing local plan and must follow same statutory process as preparing the original Local Plan. The planning process does not stop while a plan is under review and the existing plan will continue to apply.
“Cleethorpes is obviously one of the three towns that features in our Local Plan. As we emerge from Covid-19 restrictions, the resort is experiencing a relatively good summer as more people stay in the UK for their holidays. However, we recognise that Cleethorpes is ripe for further development if we are to reap the full benefits of the staycation market and make it a resort that provides all year-round attractions.
“Therefore, we are currently tendering for external expertise and capacity to consult and work with all stakeholders to develop a new resort masterplan. Although this plan will encompass most of the resort area, it will particularly focus on the North Prom, which this administration believes is in most need of investment and, indeed, has great untapped potential. The intention is that the new masterplan will form the basis of a Levelling Up Fund bid in the new year.
“Meanwhile, in Grimsby, work continues apace on working up the Future High Streets Fund and Town’s Fund projects which will help transform and repurpose the town centre.
“The Port of Grimsby has been selected as the location to test renewable hydrogen production within offshore wind farms. The £4.5-million project, spearheaded by Ørsted and ITM Power, will see the technology developed and demonstrated alongside the company’s East Coast Hub. An innovative marine electrolyser system, designed to form part of a turbine, will be developed at Royal Dock, while the potential to use pipelines to transport hydrogen to shore will also be explored. This is clearly an exciting project for Grimsby and is another demonstration of the growth of the renewable and carbon-zero industries and jobs in the area.
“We eagerly await the publication of the Levelling Up white paper in the autumn, setting out the Government’s approach to devolution and investment in the future growth of the 70% of the country that does not yet operate under any form of devolution. This, we are told, will include proposals for so-called ‘County Deals,’ and the Government has already asked for expressions of interest.
“The leaders of the 10 councils across Greater Lincolnshire, the three upper-tier authorities and the seven districts, have submitted a joint letter to the Local Government Minister clearly demonstrating our shared interest, and we look forward to making progress in future discussions. It will be interesting to see what effect the recent Cabinet reshuffle has on this agenda!
“Meanwhile, meetings of the newly established Greater Lincolnshire Joint Strategic Oversight Committee continue, with Leaders of the three Greater Lincolnshire upper tier authorities and representatives from the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership collaborating on strategic infrastructure, industrial decarbonisation, food and food processing, tourism, skills and provision of a joint coroner’s service across the extended footprint. As well as delivering potential service improvements and efficiencies, this is a practical demonstration to government of our willingness and ability to work together.”
In a separate part of the meeting, Councillor Jackson addressed a question from Grimsby West campaigner Lyndsey Downes in respect of the Local Plan. Mrs Downes asked: “What plans do NELC have to review the Local Plan for 2013-2032 in light of the recent IPCC report which adds weight to the argument that the Local Plan was a product of its time? Many other councils such as Lancaster City Council, Leeds, Wokingham, Somerset, Cheshire and Chester to name a few have already reviewed their local plans to ensure they are fit for purpose.”
Councillor Jackson reiterated that the review process will be re-started in October, as reported above. He replied: “All Local Plans must be reviewed within five years of adoption. That’s why some councils are ahead of us on reviews; they adopted their plans earlier than us.”
Meanwhile, in his Leader’s Speech, Councillor Jackson also assured the chamber that the council is working in partnership with the NHS to form contingency arrangements for health challenges over the colder months.
“We face a very challenging winter period indeed. Officers are reviewing business continuity plans, contingency arrangements and are working closely with NHS colleagues to do as much as practicable to ensure that we can meet the challenges that lay ahead and support effective public service delivery.
“Partnership working and collaboration has never been more important – and the leadership role we are taking across the integrated care agenda reflects our role as an important partner across our health and care system.”
Councillor Jackson also paid tribute to everyone concerned with the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out in the borough.
“It’s good to be back in the Council Chamber after more than a year and a half and returning to some degree of normality,” he said. “However, we all know that covid has not gone away, and learning to live the virus is something we are all getting used to.
“The vaccination programme is currently the most important line of defence to the virus. The roll-out continues to go well across the borough, and I once again pay tribute to all concerned – primary care, the Clinical Commissioning Group, the council, and the voluntary sector for their sustained efforts. I have no doubt that the same amount of determination and focus will go into delivering the booster programme.”
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