'£100m plan will create 500 jobs'
At least 500 jobs are set to be created by a new spending plan in the East Riding over the next three years.
The £100m move by the local authority, as first reported by the Mail last week, is aimed at boosting the local economy during the recession.
The spending programme includes building up to 350 new council homes, mainly in the towns of Beverley, Bridlington and Goole.
There are also plans to fast-track £19m of highways improvement schemes, including a major upgrade of the A164 road between Willerby and Cottingham.
In addition, the council wants to replace the Leisure World complex in Bridlington with a new £16m multi-purpose attraction.
All the projects are being brought forward to provide a much-needed jobs boost in the region during the recession.
A new report for tomorrow's full council meeting on the proposals says accelerating the authority's capital spending programme is necessary to counter the impact of a prolonged economic downturn.
In the report, the council's corporate policy director Barry Adams said: "It is anticipated this investment will provide in excess of 500 direct jobs for the next three years in the construction industry, together with additional indirect jobs through the purchase of materials and supplies required to undertake the work."
Construction industry leaders welcomed the proposals.
Keith Gilson, commercial director for Hull construction firm Houlton, said: "This is an extremely positive move, demonstrating the council's commitment to private sector engagement and a real boost to a hard-pressed construction sector.
"With 70 per cent of our supply chain being locally based, the multiplier effect of this significant initiative will be felt and appreciated throughout the sub-region."
Neil Symmonds, commercial director for the Hull-based Hall Construction Group Ltd, said he also welcomed the initiative.
He said: "Any opportunities that arise by bringing forward public spending will be welcomed by the Hall Construction Group.
"This strategy can only assist in helping to secure local jobs and provide opportunities in the area that may otherwise be lacking.
"We remain delighted to be working with an authority that recognises the benefits of partnership working both in good and difficult periods."
Ron Wilson, Yorkshire and Trent director for the Federation of Master Builders, said: "At the moment, I receive about 10 calls a week from members wanting advice on laying staff off.
"Bringing this capital expenditure forward would be a positive, practical step forward to support many local building firms and their staff."
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by Paul, Beverley
Tuesday, February 24 2009, 5:29PM
“If you think Brid is bad try Goole! (before you all start, I was born in Goole, raised in Brid and moved to Beverley in 2001). I would also like to see some investment in Hornsea. I even think a well located Tescos would be a good idea. Just look at all the opposition there was in Beverley and then see how busy it is now.”
by Kaos, Around
Tuesday, February 24 2009, 5:20PM
“No amount of millions will make Hornsea any better...
I hear ya on the flood defenses though...”
by Can i come too?, nr Hornsea
Tuesday, February 24 2009, 5:17PM
“Almost £30,000,000 for Bridlington and yet poor old Hornsea cannot get its Floral Hall where it wants it because they wont spend another 50k a year for a duty manager, £30K a year for bottled water and treats in Beverley is fine but Hornsea is lied to, ignored, delayed, messed about and all because we refuse to comply with somebody elses wishes -
'Will no one rid us of these petulant priests?'”
by 'Should i move to Brid?, Hornsea
Tuesday, February 24 2009, 5:08PM
“Brid,Brid,Brid,Brid, thats all we hear..12million here, 6million there another 16million now to build yet another 'Facility'. YET down here in lowly south holderness we get to flood regularly because the drains havent been cleared, the roads of the East Riding are appalling, our facilities are pitiful by comparison.
Oh how i wish our council taxes did not all end up in Brid or some fat councillors 'bonus'.
Tick the boxes. get the accolades but P off the residents.
Keep it up your knighthoods/earldoms are assured.”
by SuitedinHull, Hull
Tuesday, February 24 2009, 4:31PM
“The company givent the contract at St Stephens and other places may well have been a NON Local company, however. When they looked to bring trades people into the project these companies used local workforce in doing so. So the FACTS stand that the local workforce was used in this project. In relation to these new projects its down to the developer to be pushed to use the local workforce. It's likely that there will be something in the agreement that says where possible local skills will be used!
But feel free to check the FACTS about what happened at St Stephens, there is more than enough evidence to PROVE that the local workforce was used!”
by Ciaran, Hull
Tuesday, February 24 2009, 3:19PM
“100 million to create 500 jobs. That is £200,000 per job. Wouldn't it be cheaper to pay 500 people £50,000 each to stay at home. That would only cost 25 million. I have just saved the council 75 million, surely a 10% commission would be fair.”
by Ciaran, Hull
Tuesday, February 24 2009, 3:15PM
“St Stephens was built by HBG, a Dutch company.”
by shirley, goole
Tuesday, February 24 2009, 12:58PM
“the east riding refuse to give a local builder permission to build 5 houses, yet they say they will build council houses. Where in goole will they put them. I would certainly welcome them, but then I voted for the 5 dwellings to be built at a local town council meeting. which were refused by the ERYC”
by Vigilante, Anlaby
Tuesday, February 24 2009, 12:35PM
“Since the ERCC have some money to splurge out they could make a start on the backlog of repairs etc. On many occassions when a genuine complaint is brought to their attention the "old chestnut" arises. It seems a crime to actually use any of their budget which is alloted to their department unless of course it is at the end of the financial year then sheer panic sets in as they have to spend it and quick. Everyone is accutely aware of the councils technique at bouncing you between departments till you give up or your request disappears into the ERCC black hole.By all means go ahead with what is planned but take a good hard look at the repairs that have been put on the back burner and fulfil your obligations.”
by Pete, Hull
Tuesday, February 24 2009, 12:28PM
“I wonder how long it will be before we have calls for the Labour to be only from the East Riding for East Riding Council money or Hull City for Hull Council money, then we can move on to ask for only West Hull labour for West Hull builds, soon we will demand Bransholme labour for Bransholme building.
Before long, unless you live next door to the project, you will be classed as foreign labour.”