Recession-beating plan is developed

Mar 9 2009 By Dave Black, The Journal

Now it has drawn up a 10-point action plan which seeks to make a difference in the short term and help prepare the county for the upturn when it happens.

It includes more than doubling the number of apprenticeships with the county council to about 180 from September this year, to help equip young people with the skills required to fill jobs which become available when the situation improves. Private sector employers will be encouraged to follow suit.

Local businesses will be supported by a new drive by the council to pay its bills more quickly to relieve cash flow problems, and through an enhanced ‘buy local’ policy for goods and services. The council will explore new ways of using its land and buildings assets to raise funds for new social housing, school buildings and vital infrastructure projects – and will invest in local institutions such as Northern Rock and the Newcastle Building Society.

There will be support for the county’s two credit unions, which provide cheap loans and savings facilities to low income families, and a multi-agency working group will be set up to tackle poverty – including fuel poverty – and financial exclusion. In addition, people will be given help and advice to secure all of the benefits they are entitled to, and businesses advised on how to claim rate relief.

Yesterday county council leader Jeff Reid, who chaired the task force, said: "There is a limit to what any council can do to help people survive the recession, but we are a £460m business and the biggest employer in Northumberland

"We have to try to use our critical mass to help. Things such as providing double the number of apprenticeships, paying our bills quicker and trying to use assets to get more social housing bills can all benefit the county, our people and businesses.

"This task force had all-party support and has been an extremely worthwhile exercise, which hopefully will help prepare us for when the upturn comes."