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 Holderness is an attractive part of the world in which to live and work. I want to keep it that way. But to do that, we have to make sure that the economy of the area is strengthened and we also have to address some particular problems that Holderness faces, in the local economy; agriculture; rural services; renewable energy; flooding and coastal erosion.. amongst others.
The Local Economy I want to promote the seaside resorts of Hornsea and Withernsea, to encourage more visitors and to support local businesses. I was dismayed when the Tory-controlled East Riding Council decided to close the Tourist Information Centres and although it is good to know that there has been something of a rethink, the situation should not have arisen in the first place. Liberal Democrats stand for local decision making – but the Tories on the East Riding seem to think that residents should be kept in the dark and then presented with a “fait accompli”. I also believe that it is better to target government money on a number of relatively small projects – such as HART – where there can be an immediate impact rather than to spend it on employing external consultants to develop large and expensive schemes that are unlikely to get off the ground. Agriculture Farmers have to cope with huge amounts of red tape and costly bureaucracy, which benefits no-one. The National Audit Office has slated the Rural Payments Agency for its negligence, which created a black hole of £628m to be funded by the taxpayer, whilst many farmers were driven to distraction by late payments or errors. Liberal Democrats would cut bureaucracy and improve front-line services. Rural Services The rural way of life is under serious threat and I am worried about the decline in rural services, which threaten the existence of rural communities. Liberal Democrats would take steps to safeguard rural services, including Post Offices and public transport. Renewable Energy I am concerned about the push to industrialise the countryside by erecting scores of wind turbines in the area. Holderness residents have been caught between the lack of a clear policy on the issue from the Tory-controlled East Riding Council on the one hand and the Labour government’s cavalier attitude to local concerns on the other. I support the proposals for large wind-farms offshore, which should also create job opportunities. I also believe that there should be much more encouragement of small-scale projects, especially community-led projects like the one at Skeffling. I also want to encourage some tidal power schemes in this area. At the moment, government support for such schemes is mostly going to Orkney – I want to see this area getting a share of that money and the jobs that go with it. Flooding and Coastal Erosion I want to see flooding and shoreline management issues as a national priority and if elected, I would press for a shake-up of the Environment Agency to make sure that it is fit for purpose. |