Scunthorpe steelworkers have received the absolute backing of the local authority as the town鈥檚 primary industry enters what could be a crucial week.
Leaders of both main parties on North Lincolnshire Council put forward a joint motion at an extraordinary meeting today, underlining the commitment to support British Steel employees, protect jobs and ensure a sustainable future for steel making in Scunthorpe.
Laid down by leader of the Conservative Party, Cllr Rob Waltham and the leader of the Labour Party, Cllr Len Foster, it was seconded by Cllr John Briggs, ambassador for inward investment and steel, and Cllr Tony Gosling.
It read: 鈥淭he council resolves on behalf of local steelworkers, their families and future generations, to promote the world-class integrated steelworks in Scunthorpe, with its highly skilled and committed workforce.
鈥淭his council commits to work with any future owner, to protect jobs, and to work with the government to secure additional investment to further enhance steel production facilities in Scunthorpe.
鈥淎nd that this council works with the 海角视频 Governments to invest in British Steel as a significant long term stakeholder, to ensure the continuity of steel making in Scunthorpe and the 海角视频, accepting the strategic significance of steel production within the 海角视频.
鈥淭his council resolves that every council member will work together, cross party, with the unions and government to ensure a sustainable future for steel making in Scunthorpe.
鈥淔urthermore, that this council fully commits to the use of 海角视频 steel in its procurement policies, and puts pressure on 海角视频 Government to do the same.鈥
Currently in the hands of the Official Receiver after debts of 拢880 million led to it being put into compulsory liquidation by a High Court judge last month, it is understood a deadline for bids may now have passed.
There has been no word from the team drafted in, as it trades on - with a summer maintenance campaign kicking in.聽
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: 鈥淭he Government has already committed millions of pounds to keep the steel industry working: paying wages, meeting current supplier costs and committing to future material costs.
鈥淕reg Clark, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, chairs a weekly meeting to bring together important steel industry figures including employee representatives, the local council and local enterprise partnerships.
鈥淭he steelworkers in Scunthorpe are our friends and our neighbours, our family members, our parents and our children.
鈥淔or their future and for the future of steel manufacturing in our area, and recognising its strategic importance of this industry to our country, it is vital we work together cross-party to send a united message to any future buyer that we are an area that is open for business and that we are keen to see a successful steel industry in our town.鈥
A total of 5,000 jobs are in jeopardy should a rescue deal not be brokered. There are upwards of 20,000 also at risk in the supply chain, but interest is reported to be strong.
Cllr Len Foster, leader of the Labour Group in North Lincolnshire, said: 鈥淭hese are obviously very worrying times for steelworkers and their families. Unfortunately it is less than three years since we was in a similar situation with Tata / Greybull. We all hope that a more long-term permanent solution can be found to retain primary steel making within the Scunthorpe site. And everyone in public life should be committed to ensuring a positive future for all involved in steel.鈥
