Dame Andrea Jenkyns, the newly elected mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, recently appeared on BBC Radio Humberside to outline her vision for the region. Garnering 42% of the votes in the recent election, she touched on major issues brought up by the presenter, Carla Greene, as well as the listeners.
1. Trade College Initiative: Addressing a question from Matthew Burke of Grimsby, Dame Andrea underscored the necessity for increased job opportunities in North East Lincolnshire. She unveiled plans for a trade college designed to combat the lack of skilled labour such as plasterers and plumbers, highlighting the vital need to bridge the skills gap in the region.
2. Fair Funding: In response to concerns about funding discrepancies across Lincolnshire, Dame Andrea reassured listeners of her commitment to ensuring equitable funding throughout the region. Her mayorship provides a holistic view of the county, enabling an effective balance of resources and investments.
3. Enhancing the Care Sector: Prompted by concerns from North Lincolnshire’s mental health support worker Corrina Pett, regarding staffing shortages in the care industry, Dame Andrea reinforced her dedication towards transforming the perception of care roles. She articulated intentions to collaborate with local councils and educational institutions to make these career paths more attractive to school leavers.
4. Transport Development: Addressing the need for improved local transport infrastructure, Dame Andrea committed to devising a fully financed transport strategy for Greater Lincolnshire. She pledged to campaign for augmented funding to enhance key thoroughfares such as the A15, A52, and A17, and to foster greater cohesion between different transport types.
The entire interview can be streamed on BBC Sounds for more in-depth discussion on Dame Andrea’s plans for the region.
This article was adapted by The Lincoln Post from the original report featured on www.bbc.com.
