Question to Council on Grampian Foods, Driffield

Back in October, Councillor Felicity Temple asked a Question at Full Council on what the ERYC were doing to help the workers at the Grampian Foods Factory on Skerne Road who were faced with redundancy.  The Supplementary Question she was allowed was concerning whether, faced with this large workforce looking for work, the town's Job Centre, also threatened with closure,should be retained.  We reprint below the answer given by the Leader of the Council, Cllr Stephen Parnaby.

 

Councillor Stephen Parnaby, Leader of ERYC’s Answer to a Question put by Cllr. Temple at Full Council in October

 

The Council has had discussions with Job Centre Plus and it has been agreed that although we are offering full support, the company is still in a period of consultation and therefore jobs could still, potentially, be saved.  We understand that the Company also have a site at Malton “Grampian Country Pork”  where there may be vacancies and it has been suggested that the transfer of jobs is possibly an option.

 

In the worst case scenario, that Grampian does close, proposed action will involve both the Council and Jobcentre Plus working closely with the employees in an attempt to find new jobs for those affected.  This could involve:-   

 

q       Firstly, giving access to appropriate Job Centre and Council staff who are able to give specific advice on state and local authority benefits.

q       Secondly, ensuring that any claims to benefits are handled promptly.

q       Thirdly, making all employees aware of the job search provision available - such as CV service, interview preparation, application form completion, etc

q       Fourthly, giving access to free advice for anyone wishing to enter into self-employment.

q       Contact has already been made with a food production company in Bridlington to discuss job vacancies that may well be suitable.  Other contacts will be pursued if the closure is announced.

q       Giving advice and guidance on training courses and access to work-based learning for adults.

q       Extra support for those over 50.

 

It is worth adding that if the company closes, it will be a large-scale redundancy situation, particularly in a town the size of Driffield.  All employees will then have immediate access to Job Centre services which are not normally available until they have been unemployed for a set length of time.

 

I would also like to mention that the Council and Job Centre Plus have been involved in supporting similar situations at Brough and Bridlington over recent times and have successfully managed to assist many people back into work/re-training and self-employment.

 

 

ANSWER TO THE SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION

 

I think we have to face reality and work productively.   The Driffield Job Centre is proposed to close at some point over the next 18 months, rightly or wrongly.   The closure is part of national restructuring of Job Centre Plus provision.   The Council has been assured that Driffield will not be abandoned.   Job Centre Plus have committed to talk to all partners in the town to put in place suitable alternative arrangements.   This could involve the Council’s Customer Service Centre network and/or the Driffield Business Centre service.

 

Using state of the art IT, Job Points will be installed at appropriate locations to assist clients to find work.   In addition, a mobile service will also be expanded to provide facilities for out-lying villages.   The Council will play an active role in ensuring that local residents receive a good level of service whilst accepting a different method of delivery.

 

Finally, I would add that the Council is obviously not responsible for Job Centres but I can assure the Council that our Economic Development Department will do everything possible, working with partners, to ensure a good service for Driffield and surrounding areas.