By Council Leader responds to ‘inaccuracies’ in open letter citing ‘increasing dissatisfaction’ with NELC
A frustrated resident has submitted a letter to Council leader Councillor Phillip Jackson, citing an ‘increasing dissatisfaction’ with NE Lincs Council.
The open letter was submitted by Mr. Henderson and has since gained traction and circulated on social media, prompting other locals to have their say.
Speaking to Gi Grimsby News Paul Henderson said: “I decided to send this letter because I feel so frustrated at how distant the council has become, from the people it is meant to serve. It seems like every day there is a new protest at something foolhardy and undesirable that the council wants to do, without anyone being especially supportive.
“So many protests that they are becoming the norm, and the council is being marginalised. Yet it holds the power and people feel powerless to protect themselves from so many crazy things the council does. I wanted to see if other people felt the same. And they do. I have had some great feedback.
“People are generally sick of party-politics and council self-interest. By contrast, they are really happy that the town is on the up. None of the things that are on the up are due to the council. The football club under its current chair, Docks Beers, MyEnergy, Orsted, and East Marsh Utd are all doing brilliant things for the town.
Paul spoke further on the subject, referencing the recently elected Councillor Stephen Holland, who ran as an independent.
“I feel that people like me have role models. Apolitical people who are passionate about our area and don’t care for the conventional mechanics of local government. How many of us may stand in the next local elections, on a charter of representing what people want and so gaining a mandate for change.”
Independent Councillor for Freshney Steve Holland said to Gi Grimsby News regarding the letter:
“A recent ONS (Office of National Statistics) survey shows that only 20% of people trust the political parties. I think that party politics has proven to be a corrosive force at local level. It is one of the reasons I decided to stand as an Independent at the last local elections. There needs to be a rebuilding of trust with voters and that means being able to openly admit mistakes at times.
“That’s difficult with the system we have because any admission would be pounced on by others to gain political advantage. That leads to cover-ups and perceived arrogance which reduces trust even further. I hope that more independent candidates stand next year in next year’s local elections to bring checks and balances to the Council which aren’t driven from a party-political angle.”
Now, the Leader of the Council, Councillor Phillip Jackson has penned a response to the loca;’s frsutration, “particularly the inaccuracies”.
He said: “Firstly, we certainly do have a mandate. We hold 30 of the 42 seats on North East Lincolnshire Council (NELC) and have councillors in all but two of the wards across North East Lincolnshire (NEL). In the May local elections, we polled a third more votes than the next nearest party (Labour). We fought those elections on a published manifesto. Our councillors are in regular contact with the electors they live among via ward surgeries, email, door-knocking and social media. We hold regular Cabinet listening events; the next one is planned for September. You will be very welcome to come along to talk to us.”
He agreed with residents that voting turnout in local elections is too low but added that has been the case for “many years”, adding that the area is “enjoying a resurgence in civic pride, community spirit and economic regeneration” from major investments in offshore renewable energy, the innovative low carbon sector, ports and logistics, and seafood processing.
He added: “This is recognised by central Government and has been key to our success in attracting grant monies – more than £40 million for Grimsby town centre projects alone over the past two years. Furthermore, we have just submitted Levelling Up Fund bids worth an additional £40 million for Grimsby and £18.5 million for Cleethorpes based on substantial public consultation and engagement around the Grimsby Town Centre Masterplan and Cleethorpes Masterplan.”
Speaking on the masterplans he said that the council will continue to consult on individual projects, such as the recently launched the consultation on the upgrading of Riverhead Square.
Commenting on the statement that Freshney Place is “a failed business”, Mr Jackson said that this is not true as the Council has purchased it “because it is a huge part of Grimsby town centre and we want to ensure it can be used in ways that contribute to the wider regeneration and renaissance of the town centre, which most people want to see.
“The purchase comes at no direct cost to the council tax-paying public, with a combination of grant-funding and rents covering associated and ongoing costs.”
He went on to say: “More businesses, jobs, and prosperity are coming to NEL based on an ambitious and aspirational Local Development Plan which is certainly not “limited to incessant housebuilding” as you suggest. This plan was unanimously agreed by NELC in March 2018, following public consultation, and clearly designates land for a wide range of uses across the borough.
“While it includes sites earmarked for housing, there is considerable land set aside as parks and open spaces. Indeed, we have a plan and cash allocated to upgrade these. We have a Green Space Strategy and in the last year have adopted a Carbon Roadmap and a Natural Assets Plan, both designed to maintain and improve our local environment. Many housing sites in the Local Plan are town centre brownfield sites. We are about to commence a review of the Local Plan and look forward to extensive public involvement in the process.
“Grimsby West, which features in the current Local Plan, will be a privately owned, developer-led housing site with associated infrastructure if it proceeds. There will be full engagement and consultation through the statutory planning process. NELC is not part of this proposed development.
“This Conservative administration has not spent any money on “paving at the railway station” as you allege. That was completed several years ago under the previous Labour administration. You may not want new cycle lanes, but many people do, provided they are in the right locations. They have the potential to help reduce carbon and pollution emissions and contribute to health and wellbeing.
“We are not currently installing a cycle lane along Great Coates Road as you allege; we are merely asking the public for their views on the idea. If people don’t want it then it won’t happen, just as proposals for a cycle lane along Weelsby Road were scrapped when it became clear that the public didn’t support it.
“As an administration, we have not sanctioned the sale of any statues, fountains, or artworks, as you allege, nor would we ever do so. We are not “propping up Trans-Pennine Express”.
“You ask, “who is driving the vision for the regeneration of the docks?” That is Associated British Ports, the port owners. As a result of recent legislative changes, the Council is now working with the NHS as part of the new Integrated Care System to bring about improvements to the local health and social care system, though problems getting GP and dentist appointments are outside the remit of the Council.
“Over the past couple of years, we have completely overhauled the waste and recycling collection arrangements in NEL. This is one of our statutory duties and the improvements have been almost universally welcomed and have resulted in higher recycling rates, less litter blowing around our streets, and less fly-tipping. We have also increased the number of fly-tipping prosecutions and issued more fines for littering.
“We clear up fly-tipping when it is on public land but many of the “rat-infested alleyways” (your words) are privately owned and people need to take responsibility for them rather than expecting the Council to clear them repeatedly at great cost to the taxpayer.
“We are not complacent and recognise there is still much to do. We are passionate about improving NEL for all of its residents, moving the area forward by attracting more and better-paid jobs, the regeneration of our towns, improved housing, and better services.
“However, as a Council, we don’t have the resources or capacity to do all of this and, frankly, it’s not healthy if we do everything. The only way it will be sustainable and long-lasting is if the community and community groups are intrinsically involved in bringing about and supporting the changes. That’s why we are keen to encourage self-reliance and enable and support community groups where they trying to make a positive difference.
“We also want to retain and preserve the best from the past, including “restoring buildings that were once grand” where we can. This is clearly an objective we share and just some examples of delivering on this are the Victoria Mills grain silo, a high-profile one, along with several historic buildings associated with Scartho Cemetery.
“There is a legitimate debate to be had about the best way to move the area forward and we welcome informed discussions with you and others. Indeed, this is a cornerstone of the democratic process. However, making unsubstantiated allegations and attributing actions and motivations to us as an administration which are clearly untrue is no way to progress.”
