Council leader's message to residents: Rome was not built in a day - but 2024 will be year of achievement

 

Cllr Jackson - 'determination' is the key

As he reflects on the challenges and opportunities both of the past 12 months and of the year ahead, the leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, Cllr Philip Jackson, has sounded an upbeat note in his seasonal message to residents. Here are his words.

The past year has been one of  opportunity and challenge across North East Lincolnshire, and, as  Leader of the council, I look forward to  2024 with optimism.

The last 12 months have presented many turning points for us as a local authority, all of which are set to have a positive effect on the communities within which we live and work.

The saying goes that Rome was not built in a day, and those words can certainly be applied when you look at the months of hard work, and dedication that have - and still are - being put into transformational change throughout the borough.

For almost all of 2023, and during the preceding year, this authority has been challenged with looking at how change can - and will - happen for our people and our place. Neither  can grow and thrive without the support of the other.

For our ‘place’ we were given the confidence in our ability to achieve great progress by Whitehall decisions to award us grants totalling millions of pounds.

The investment will help us to transform our urban heartlands in Grimsby and the resort of Cleethorpes.

And for our ‘people’, my colleagues and I are acutely aware of our need to invest in our young people and to support the restructure of our Children’s Services team. 

As 2023 ends, we see how that team is now hugely improved and this has been recognised in the most recent Ofsted visit.

There remains a long journey ahead, and we know that challenge remains, but it is a journey we remain determined to continue. 

We will do everything within our power to ensure our cared for children are supported in the best way possible.

Then there is our ‘wider place’. North East Lincolnshire is a determined place with determined people.

But we are a small unitary authority. To achieve the best for everyone, I believe we will be stronger if we unite with neighbouring authorities - we need to be a collective voice if we are to be heard on the national stage.

That is where the proposed Greater Lincolnshire Devolution Deal comes into its own.

It is a deal that I believe is the right one for North East Lincolnshire - and I say that not just as a political leader but as a resident with family and friends who live and work in the area.

This proposal does not put at risk this borough’s unique identity - indeed our council will remain the same. 

What it does give us, however, is the powers and money to unite with our fellow Greater Lincolnshire colleagues to make decisions at a local level about things that will make a positive difference to local people.

All told, it has been an extremely busy year for everyone, and that will continue as our pace of change goes on. 

I wish to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved, and to our residents, too

I wish you all a very Happy Christmas.

                                      

Skyline of the Italian capital - photo: Nicholas Hartmann/ Wikimedia Commons