Council leader Philip Jackson again reiterated the authority’s position regarding the Freshney Place Leisure Scheme at the recent Full Council meeting at Grimsby Town Hall.
The topic formed part of a public question posed by resident Paul Henderson, which also asked Cllr Jackson to discuss a ‘decline in local health’.
“It’s easy to snipe from the side lines,” said Cllr Jackson in response to the tone of the question, “but he offers no alternative, other than the continued managed decline of the town centre. In what way would that benefit Grimsby?”
Mr Henderson’s question in full read: “In a Guardian article dated December 5, 2022, Philip Jackson argued that the decline in local health was not due to Government cuts in spending or a lack of funding. This leaves me wondering what the cause could be and how much of the responsibility for this lies with NELC. However, the article reports that £60 million has been taken out of the budget, since 2010, and quotes council sources as saying our inadequate-rated children’s services are £8 million over budget. Councillor Jackson does point out that we can always sell off our assets to fund an overspend and makes a virtue of the disposal of local buildings, just as he is buying Freshney Place. So, would Councillor Jackson explain why services are inadequate and need borrowing/asset stripping to remain viable, if there is enough money?”
Cllr Jackson replied: “Regarding The Guardian article, there is some debate to be had over the statistics they used, and I would contend that the health of the local population has not declined in the way they alleged. However, they had their own agenda.
“My view is that the health of the local population, or groups within in, is a complex issue and is determined by many different factors. It is certainly not wholly the responsibility of the Government nor the council – to suggest that is very outdated thinking. People themselves have a large part to play in the determination of their own health outcomes. We also must be careful not to confuse correlation and causation.
“Turning to the council budget, while there has been a reduction in funding from central government, there has been a significant increase in funding through local taxation – council tax and business rates. For example, business rates retention was £34.7 million in 2013 but has risen to £48.6 million in 2023. The Adult Social Care precept will raise £11.8 million in 2023. The actual reduction in the council’s overall spending power is therefore much less than the 60% quoted. This is demonstrated by the fact that the council has continued to provide a comprehensive range of services and reported a balanced financial position since 2010.”
Cllr Jackson went on to outline “significant additional grant streams received by the council over past few years that recognise demand and service pressures”.
These include:
- Covid support grants of more than £15 million in total, in 2021/22 and 2022/23.
- Social care support grant: £13 million in 2023/24 and £15.2 million in 2024/25.
- Improved Better Care Fund: £8 million 2023/24 and in 2024/25.
- Services grant: £1.6 million – 2023/24.
“The property rationalisation programme isn’t just about generating capital receipts to support the transformation programme in Children’s Services,” he said. “It will also reduce our carbon footprint, support new ways of working to reflect changing working practices, drive footfall within Grimsby town centre and support delivery of new housing within the borough.
“As at March 31, 2022, the council held total physical assets of more than £320 million. Planned disposals of £5 million and £4 million in 2023/24 and 2024/25 represent less than 3% of the council’s total assets. These are assets surplus to the council’s requirements – there is no asset stripping taking place. Disposals are to be used to support the transformation of children’s services as opposed to funding an overspend.”
Cllr Jackson then turned to the topic of Freshney Place. “It wasn’t me personally who decided to buy Freshney Place, as the questioner implies,” he said. “It was a decision of this Full Council, acting in its place leadership role. I would also remind Mr Henderson that the Government gave us the money to purchase Freshney Place, as an asset to help us drive regeneration in Grimsby town centre.“
He went on to reiterate the same information he gave in response to another public question, from resident James Brooks. “The Government further demonstrated its support for, and confidence in, our Grimsby Town Centre Strategy. In the budget, we received a second tranche of round two Levelling Up funding – £20 million towards the redevelopment of the western end of Freshney Place to include a five-screen cinema, a new market and food hall, improved public open space and other leisure facilities,” he told the chamber.
“Freshney Place actually generates a positive financial return for the council, nett of all associated costs. In 2023/24, it will contribute £1.5 million to the council’s coffers. The income from Freshney Place and its redevelopment more than offsets any borrowing costs for the new development. This positive financial position is further enhanced by the additional £20 million Levelling Up monies towards the redevelopment and is based upon detailed financial due diligence and modelling from our professional advisors which suggests that the yield will grow over time. Importantly, there will be no burden for the council taxpayer in North East Lincolnshire; quite the opposite in fact.”
Cllr Jackson went on to add: “I know Mr Henderson was against the purchase of Freshney Place and does not support the new leisure scheme. It’s easy to snipe from the side lines but he offers no alternative, other than the continued managed decline of the town centre. In what way would that benefit Grimsby? In contrast, this Conservative administration has an ambitious strategy for the development and repurposing of the Town Centre, a strategy backed up by the Town Centre Masterplan and supported by Government via the Future High Streets Fund, the Towns Fund and, as of recently, the Levelling Up Fund.”
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