Potential to meet 50 per cent of the UK’s future energy needs: the busiest UK trade estuary by tonnage: the country’s largest offshore wind opportunity: a Freeport that is already attracting more than £1bn of investment from global business.
These are just some of the impressive industrial statistics contained in a new Humber Economic Strategy, which was unanimously supported by North East Lincolnshire Council’s Cabinet members at their January meeting.
The detailed strategy charts economic progress along both sides of the estuary – identifying key priorities of Energy Security and Resilience; Freeport, Ports and Logistics; and Environment and Natural Capital.
It looks to further growth in the decade ahead and tells how the north and south banks of the estuary are ‘paving the way for the UK’s future’ and are critical in the country’s journey towards a ‘prosperous, competitive and resilient economy’.
North East Lincolnshire Council, North Lincolnshire Council and the north bank authorities of Hull City and the East Riding of Yorkshire must approve the 34-page document before it is formerly adopted.
Crucially it also pledges the support of the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority, (GLCCA) and the Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority. When both devolution deals were struck last year, the need for pan-Humber collaboration was made clear.
The strategy says: “Through their respective devolution deals and together with government, the Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority and Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority recognise that optimising the Humber’s economic potential will require the public and private sectors on both banks of the Humber Estuary continuing to work together on pan-Humber economic opportunities.”
It adds how working alongside organisations including the Humber Energy Board and Humber Freeport; with Government acting as a supportive partner, is key.
Introducing the strategy to his Cabinet, North East Lincolnshire Council Leader, Cllr Philip Jackson was clear on his ambition for the future of the Humber.
“This is a very important document, looking at the public and private sectors on both banks of the Humber and looking at the clear pan-estuary opportunities that exist now and in the future.
“The Government has been very clear that, with devolution, it expects the Humber to continue to function as a valuable economic geography and the strategy sets out how that can be achieved.”
Cllr Jackson, who chairs the GLCCA’s Business and Infrastructure Board, added: “The strategy states how the Humber is a source of ‘enterprise and ambition’ with ‘growth opportunities that are of national significance’. It is clear that we must all work together to continue a pace of change that will be great locally, regionally, and nationally. I welcome and fully support this strategy.”
You can read the full strategy: 4a.-Humber-Economic-Strategy.pdf
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