Recent proposals by NELC for the development of a new University and Learning Village have recently generated a great deal of debate.  The proposals could attract in excess of £130 million investment to the area, and would initially provide many additional employment opportunities for local workers, followed by training and educational opportunities which would allow our young people to obtain the skills required for them to gain well paid jobs without having to leave the area.  The Liberal Democrat portfolio holder for Finance, Transformation and Neighbourhoods explains why there is no practical alternative tousing the Institute site for this exciting local development opportunity:-

          ”I Write to contribute to the debate about the proposed learning village/university and the location of such a facility.  The economic fortunes of North East Lincolnshire have ebbed and flowed for many years but the economy of the area has never recovered from the downturn caused by the decline of our fishing industry.  Our employment rates have been consistently below the national average, as have the wage levels locally.  Central government will not step in with ready made answers to our problems.  The private sector is not queuing up to regenerate our economy.  Substantially our future is in our own hands.          “Improving the skills level of a local workforce and encouraging more young talented people into an area and holding onto home grown talent are changes which can spark the regeneration of an area.  The creation of a learning village/university is a development which could deliver such changes to North East Lincolnshire and in other ways serves as the catalyst which would enable us to break the cycle of unemployment, low wages and associated problems including depravation and other iniquitous conditions which divide our community.          “Concerning the proposed learning village/university, the first point to note is that the scheme is just a proposal at the present time. However it is a proposal which is founded on a unique opportunity.  The opportunity has been created by the fortuitous coming together of a number of factors which include:-

•      The collaborative work of a number of local forward looking educationalists
•      The fact that the council is in a position to contribute necessary land/assets
•      A Government initiative supporting the creation of a set number of universities
•      The availability/accessibility of some £130+ million in total from a number of sources including     The Learning Skills Council, Yorkshire Forward and the Higher Education Funding Council.

           ”These essential elements will not remain available indefinitely.  The opportunity could be lost if there is a delay in pressing forward with our application and the proposal.
Even so the proposal will not become a reality unless it can be successfully navigated through the consultation and planning processes.  However, our present bid package does stand a fighting chance.  Sites in Freeman Street and on the Fish Docks have been flagged up as possible alternative sites for the university.  The council does not own any of these sites and it would take many years and millions to assemble the land required.  By that time the funding and the other essential elements will no longer exist and the opportunity will not even get off the starting blocks.”