NE Lincs council leader accuses Labour of "playing politics" by calling for his resignation
Philip Jackson speaks out in our exclusive #LeadersInLockdown interview
Last updated 18th Mar 2021
WATCH: Councillor Phillip Jackson answers your questions in our exclusive #LeadersInLockdown interview from 7pm on March 18th
The leader of North East Lincolnshire council has defended his actions following the discovery his former deputy's business partner was a convicted fraudster.
Tonight Labour will call for Phillip Jackson's resignation arguing he should have ordered a full inquiry.
John Fenty stepped down from the deputy role, he stressed the company he'd formed with Alex May had never started trading.
Councillor Jackson says Labour's just playing politics.
"I do whole heartedly refute the allegations.
"This is just basically political posturing in the run up to the elections in May.
"I will be making a full response when we have the debate at full council."
Meanwhile, North East Lincolnshire will also be seeing a few changes in the coming months in a bid to boost the local economy and support businesses.
There will be a program of events for Cleethorpes to help the hospitality sector bounce back after months of not being able to operate.
He said, “We’re looking at how we can support the retail and the tourism sector by making Cleethorpes a safe area to be in despite ongoing COVID restrictions.
"We’re looking at a number of virtual platforms to try and attract people to the resort.”
With many businesses concerned for the future, various schemes have been planned for the North Promenade to make it more appealing.
The leader believes staycations will help bring more people into the area.
Cllr Jackson said, “We have been doing a lot to advertise the area especially of people are taking up the advantage of staycations.”
Elsewhere Grimsby Town centre will receive ÂŁ17.3m of high street funding to re purpose the western end of Freshney Place to improve the shopping area.
Meanwhile, the leader has said they will be taking advantage of grant schemes to plant additional trees around the borough after concerns were brought up around the lack of trees along the riverbank.
Cllr Jackson, said, “We would only take down trees if there was a real necessity to do that.
"We are planting lots of additional trees around the borough and looking at how we can take advantage of additional grants that are available for tree planting.”