Closure prompts call for sector to ‘hold its nerve’
The closure of Hull Forward has prompted a call to arms for the economic development, regeneration and local governance sector to hold ‘its collective nerve’ in the face of public spending cuts.
Hull’s economic development company announced it is to close after funding partners Yorkshire Forward and the Homes and Communities Agency confirmed there would be no more financial support beyond 30 September. Hull Council has indicated it is likely to be in a similar position.
Chair Ian McIntosh said: 'It is clearly disappointing news, but we remain proud of the significant achievements made by our dedicated, professional and passionate team in providing a vital interface between the public and private sectors to drive Hull's ambitious regeneration programme.'
Hull Forward played a part in key city projects including Humber Quays and the current construction of the River Hull footbridge. In the last financial year, it helped to create or safeguard nearly 1,000 jobs and was involved in securing £2.6m of grants.
Responding to the news, Sarah Longlands, policy director of the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (Cles) said: ‘It is very unfortunate news and a real blow to those involved who have worked hard to transform Hull.’
While the fate of Hull Forward could be ‘the shape of things to come’, Ms Longlands cautioned the sector against a knee-jerk reaction.
‘We are probably going to see more like this – it could be the shape of things to come,’ she said. ‘With local government cuts to things like the Working Neighbourhood Fund, it is tempting to panic.
‘We’re cutting our support for skills and unemployment at a time when those issues are on the rise. We could be making short-term cuts now in areas that in a few years we need to do a repair job on.
‘But the real need at the moment is for our whole sector to hold its collective nerve until we understand the full extent of what is happening and what it means for us.’
Mr McIntosh concluded: 'We hope that some projects may be able to continue through other means and that the momentum of so many positive initiatives is maintained.’
Hull Forward has entered into a consultation period with the company's 34 employees and seconded staff to help staff facing redundancy if further funding is not secured.
by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
