Pendle councillors have united across party lines to seek protection for skilled workers and the advancement of future engineering enterprises in east Lancashire amidst concerns over the 'downsizing' of a Rolls Royce site in Barnoldswick. While acknowledging the global aerospace sector's growth, they've called for discussions regarding the future of the Rolls Royce Bankfield site.
Barnoldswick houses two Rolls Royce facilities, with Bankfield and Ghyll Brow on Skipton Road being prominent locations historically associated with jet engine production.
There is a cluster of aerospace locations scattered throughout Lancashire, including Samlesbury which holds special enterprise zone status and is earmarked for future advanced manufacturing. The motion put forward this week by Lib-Dem councillors Mick Strickland and David Hartley during the Pendle Council meeting specifically advocates for new business support initiatives, focusing on green technology sectors,
Coun Strickland emphasized: "The council notes the strength of advanced engineering skills in Pendle and its strong contribution to the economy. The bedrock of aero-engineering is Rolls Royce's Bankfield site which is being downsized through demolition and consolidation.
"We believe the skills of our area should be harnessed for a fresh industrial revolution in new, renewable energy technologies to complement the existing engineering base. We want the council to convene a meeting of interested parties to pursue this aim and request the new MP, Jonathan Hinder, to support this."
Coun Hartley said: "Rolls Royce has been a mainstay employer in Barnoldswick. Many of our relatives and friends have spent their entire working lives at the Bankfield site. But the site has not always been a Rolls Royce site. It started life as a weaving mill before being taken over by Rover, which developed the Whittles gas turbine engine. In 1943 Rolls Royce took over the site after repeated bombings by the Luftwaffe in Solihull. The site grew and developed many engines including the RB211 which powers many commercial jets today. 'RB' means Rolls Barnoldswick."
He also reminisced about the value of apprenticeships at Rolls Royce: "When I left school, the premier apprenticeship to get was a Rolls Royce apprenticeship. When I left school in 1983, Rolls Royce took on 40 new apprentices that year. Once you gained your apprenticeship, it was like having a golden ticket to Willie Wonka's chocolate factory. It opened doors to every engineering firm across the country. Our engineers were head-hunted by every top company. In the 1950s, Rolls Royce employed over 3,000 people at its Barnoldswick sites. Today's figure is much lower.
"Many people who have taken early redundancy started their own businesses, which feed the Barnoldswick site and surrounding aero-engineering firms. Examples include IPCO, set up by Ian Weatherhill and Simon Sharp. In 1991, IPCO became Hope Technology, which manufactures mechanical disk breaks and cantilever breaks.
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"Hope Technology now has a site on Calf Hall Lane, Barnoldswick, employing over 160 people. A cycle designed by Hope and Lotus, inspired by jets, appeared on the gold medal rostrum at this year's Paris Olympics. Yet another nod to our industrious past. We, as a council, need to encourage outside groups to become part of the future, investing in green technology to give future generations their 'golden tickets'."
Coun Hartley said the aerospace sector was "ever-growing" and expected to grow by seven per cent to $430billion.
He said the Bankfield site in Barnoldswick could be transformed into an industrial hub akin to what's currently being built in Oxfordshire's Newbury, where small engineering groups collaborate with giants like Williams, Ferrari, and Red Bull, creating a 'New Technology Valley'. "
And he added: "We need someone in power to help fly the flag. We need our new MP, Jonathan Hinder, to be part of this process. Let's lead the way by inviting new and exciting green technologies to work with established firms. The site is already there. It just needs a new influx of creativity."
Lib-Dem Councillor David Whipp, deputy leader of Pendle Council, added;"Employment now at Rolls Royce in Barnoldswick has gone down to around 400, I understand. I think that's part of the issue. We are seeing a pre-eminent aerospace company downsizing in Pendle. The site is huge and old sheds and test beds from the 1960s have been swept away. It's a blank canvas which needs new green shoots of recovery."
He further insisted on the importance of nurturing green technologies: "We have around 3,000 small and medium sized firms which support engineering excellence. A whole range of manufacturing creates jobs and wealth. So it's important that Pendle is the focus of new green technologies."
Conservative Councillor Ash Sutcliffe, who has a lead role in skills at Lancashire County Council, said: "I support this. Skills and education must be part of this. It's important to keep hold of skills before we lose them. A lot of work is being done about apprenticeships and supporting businesses. It's important that businesses understand the help available for them to get the right people in the right roles."
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Meanwhile, Independent Councillor Asjad Mahmood, the council leader, added: "I support this too. We have world-renowned companies and very specialised skills. It's crucial that we keep developing this. We raised this and other topics with the new MP, Jonathan Hinder, at a recent meeting."
The motion received formal backing from councillors across all political parties.
Rolls-Royce were approached for comment.
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