ERYC councillor and former leader of the council Richard Burton, who lives in Bempton, has put out a statement urging the new leadership to carry on building a legacy for the area.
“I am incredibly proud and honoured to have led East Riding of Yorkshire Council over the last two years.
The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly dominated my time as Leader and it has been a privilege to see how council staff dealt with the challenges presented by the pandemic and how they continued to deliver all the essential services our residents rely upon.
We have achieved a lot as a council over the past two years, embracing new opportunities and new ways of delivering services and our efforts have not gone unnoticed.
The council currently holds the accolade of Council of the Year, clearly highlighting why the East Riding is a great place to live, work and to do business – we are finally getting the profile we deserve.
COVID-19 will continue to dominate council business for the coming months, if not years, so I am particularly proud of our recent budget which includes a £19million COVID-19 recovery programme which is aimed at delivering forward-thinking and practical projects to aid our long-term recovery to help support jobs, investment and the well-being of the East Riding.
As a council we need to protect and build our legacy particularly through the various efforts and plans that have been in place over these last few years.
Our granted Freeports status of generous tax reliefs, customs benefits and wider government support will bring additional investment and opportunity of jobs and growth to the area at this critical time.
Devolution is a Government policy and needs to be viewed as a way forward to bring investment to the area and it is important that this is done on our terms. A good devolution deal is about bringing much needed investment to our area while avoiding a merger with Hull and not compromising East Riding of Yorkshire Council. This is something I was pushing for. I am proud to be from East Riding. We have a valuable offer and identity which needs to be protected.
As a council we need to prosper and demonstrate strength and determination. I hope the new leadership will continue our great efforts, recognises the future needs of the East Riding and most of all has the best interests of the community and residents at the heart of all decisions.”
