Mayor calls for a united response to news of refinery closure.
THE MAYOR of the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority has today written to the Government urging for ‘joint working’ to support those affected by the Lindsey Oil Refinery, (LOR), closure.
In her letter to Ed Miliband, the Secretary of State for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, Dame Andrea Jenkyns says if the plant cannot be saved then all parties must work together to develop a ‘new and robust’ proposal for the refinery site. Concerns were also expressed about national fuel security and the importance of UK operations, such as LOR, in ensuring future supplies.
As reported, the UK's Official Receiver has overseen the safe operation of the Humber bank refinery since its owners, Prax Group companies, went into liquidation on June 30, with FTI Consulting as special managers. It has been deemed that no credible bidder for the site has come forward. As a result, the plant is set to be wound down and all workers directly employed will lose their jobs in the Autumn.
Supporting the economy across the Greater Lincolnshire footprint is a key priority for the new combined authority and as Mayor, Dame Andrea visited the site just days before this latest news broke. She revisited North Killingholme today, meeting LOR employees, local parish and North Lincolnshire councillors and representatives from other organisations, including David Talbot, the chief executive of the training organisation CATCH.
David said: “LOR was a founding member of CATCH some 25 years ago and Prax is a current member. We will do all we can to support all of those affected, and this will include offering retraining, skills, and support.”
Dame Andrea told those she met how she wanted to work with all concerned to look at the wider impact on the community, and further press on the importance of future fuel supplies for the country. Of particular concern was the use of oil to fuel homes in many parts of rural Lincolnshire, which are not connected to mains supplies.
These concerns were reflected in Dame Andrea’s letter to Mr Miliband, which warns of the wide-ranging implications of this closure and the ripple effect it will have on, not only the workers and their families, but on support industries and residents in both North Lincolnshire, and the greater county.
She writes: “I urge you to act swiftly and decisively to support workers with enhanced packages of support and to secure future employment opportunities at the Prax site in North Lincolnshire.
“We need to work jointly across Government, the CCA and local councils to provide practical support to workers during the closure period, and to develop a new and robust proposal for the site.”
Asking if more time could see a more positive result, she adds: “I am concerned about whether Government and the Administrator has allowed sufficient time to find a suitable buyer for the business and the site, and whether an extension to this timescale will produce a different result.”
The letter ends by saying: “The huge loss of business rates to North Lincolnshire Council will impact services, and there is a case to be made for interim support to deliver enhanced and practical support locally. This isn’t just about protecting a business, jobs, and tax revenue. It is a matter of national security and one of protecting the identity of communities in Greater Lincolnshire that work in globally renowned industries.
“I stand by ready to work in partnership with the Government to support workers through this closure, and act at pace to secure new and tangible opportunities for the site with investors, and agencies.”