Agreement is reached over Humber Bridge debt plan
NORTH East Lincolnshire council leader Chris Shaw has announced that an agreement has been made over how to tackle the Humber Bridge debt – but will not go into details for fear of "jeopardising" the plan.
At a meeting held yesterday with leaders from the region's four local councils, a new proposal drawn up by Hull City Council was put forward.
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An agreement has been made to tackle the Humber Bridge debt
Although Councillor Shaw (Labour, Sidney Sussex) will not disclose what the details of that proposal were, he has said: "I am more than happy to agree to it and it comes at no disadvantage to the people of North East Lincolnshire."
The proposal will now be sent from Hull to the Government in order to seek their acceptance and, if this happens, the Humber Bridge toll will be reduced from £3 to £1.50, hopefully by the spring.
He said: "This proposal has been agreed by the leaders of East Riding, North Lincolnshire and myself.
"It has left North East Lincolnshire no worse off than we were, in fact we are better off.
"At this time I cannot reveal what the proposal is, as it is not my proposal but Hull's and therefore their idea to be put forward to the Government.
"The proposal does mean the Humber Bridge tolls will be reduced if Government agree to it. I believe Hull has made a good proposal and I am more than happy to have agreed to it."
The details of the proposal will be revealed locally at the next full meeting of North East Lincolnshire Council on Thursday, February 16.
As reported, Councillor Shaw refused to accept a proposal for each authority to take on an equal share of responsibility for the bridge's outstanding debts once the Government's promised £150 million write-off is confirmed. Instead, he wanted the remaining £182 million debt to be apportioned on the basis of the population of each council area.
In a previous article he said: "While I welcome the decision to reduce the Humber Bridge tolls, I am determined to get the best deal for the residents of our borough.
"The Government has agreed to write off £150 million of the debt which stands at £332 million. However, it expects the Humber region local authorities to take responsibility for the £182 million.
"I proposed to the leaders' group that the remaining debt is underwritten by the four authorities, based fairly on the respective populations of each authority, not just an arbitrary split as has been suggested by the Government."
As reported, ministers wanted an agreement in place by the end of next month.
While Councillor Shaw was remaining tight-lipped about the agreement, it was reported later last night that Hull City Council had agreed to take on responsibility for all the debt.
16 Comments
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by mikegearless
Sunday, January 22 2012, 10:40AM
“Blimey do you have to spell it out again?
We don't pay a penny or € towards the Eiffel tower, why, because it is not in N E Lincs!
Perhaps this map may jog some memories as to how near the bridge is to N E Lincs!
http://tinyurl.com/87kok4y
The only plausible reason we are involved in the bridge is "our councillor" jollies to run the damn thing at a loss since day one! Oh, and the odd buffet and expence claim.”
by notworthit
Sunday, January 22 2012, 9:38AM
“Well done the researchers !
So plodding through the reply gives a write-off figure from council tax of £4,270.89 whilst "other write offs" amount to £267,172.05. Have I read that right ?
That casts quite a different light on just who is responsible for shortfalls in income and puts Chris Shaw in a rather embarrassing position. It certainly looks like some of highly rewarded council officers are simply not up to the job (or their inflated salaries). Will he now be printing a retraction in the Telegraph or will the council simply blame an unidentified person as they did the last time that the books didn't balance ?”
by p_rhana
Saturday, January 21 2012, 7:19PM
“Oh dear someone has written:
'I really thought Chris Shaw was at least honest and sincere. Seems I was wrong'.
Ooooohhhhhh that's not very nice.”
by R_Turpin
Saturday, January 21 2012, 6:00PM
“Sorry!
http://tinyurl.com/86ersv6”
by R_Turpin
Saturday, January 21 2012, 5:57PM
“valvissy,
There's something wrong with your link....I think I know which article you wanted to point us to though.
Is this it? http://tinyurl.com/83klz5d
Only about £268,000 out weren't they?
http://tinyurl.com/86ersv6">http://tinyurl.com/86ersv6
http://tinyurl.com/86ersv6">http://tinyurl.com/86ersv6”
by djh-grimsby
Saturday, January 21 2012, 5:16PM
“Sounds like good news - install automatic payment tolls and perhaps the price might even get down to £1”
by leafygreens
Saturday, January 21 2012, 1:06PM
“about time, makes going out for a night in Hull a lot cheaper. some good pubs, clubs and eateries in various areas of the city. safer going out there than risking your life with the morons in Grimsby. its sad but true”
by BPVicar
Saturday, January 21 2012, 10:47AM
“I don't want to go to Hull. Knock the bridge down for all I care.”
by grimrich
Saturday, January 21 2012, 10:44AM
“why are n.e.lincs dragged into this any way surley it should be glanford council and linconlshire as a whole, as we are no where near the vacinity of this bridge , ok a percentage of us use it , but thats only for out patients , wasnt its hull labour who wanted it any way so they could get seats in parliment , so they should really foot the bill”
by valvissy123
Saturday, January 21 2012, 10:38AM
“Chris Shaw said: "At this time I cannot reveal what the proposal is, as it is not my proposal but Hull's and therefore their idea to be put forward to the Government".
Couldn't be that Cllr Shaw is merely spinning a bit of 'positive' news to counteract the fact that a Freedom of Information Request has revealed that is guilty of grossly .. 'misleading' .. the public over 'council tax evaders', I suppose?
http://tinyurl.com/82bpuhn
(You can read the truth here: http://tinyurl.com/86ersv6 )
I can't say I have much faith in our present Councillors, but I really thought Chris Shaw was at least honest and sincere. Seems I was wrong.”