‘Staff and councillors have worked tirelessly to do the best for our residents’
East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s County Hall in Beverley(Image: Donna Clifford/HullLive)
This week marks the 30th anniversary of East Riding Council. The authority, which was formed on April 1, 1996 as part of a national programme of local government reorganisation, followed the abolition of Humberside County Council.
It brought together Beverley Borough Council, East Yorkshire Borough Council, Holderness Borough Council, parts of Boothferry Borough Council and parts of Humberside County Council to create one unitary authority. As it marks this special milestone, the council has been reflecting on the past three decades and has provided the summary below.
Over the years the council has invested millions of pounds to reshape infrastructure to support residents, communities and businesses. It has overseen major road projects, such as Brough Relief Road and Beverley Minster Way bypass.
It has also led on the refurbishment of Bridlington Spa and Market Hall, Goole, along with the building of new or refurbishment of existing leisure centres such as East Riding Leisure, Bridlington and Hornsea Hub. Throughout this it has continued providing children and adult services.
It has built or remodelled schools, provided school meals and transport. More than 96 per cent of schools in the East Riding are currently rated as Good or Outstanding.
In adult social care it has built a number of residential and day care facilities including The Old School House, Beverley and Appleton Court, Hessle. Through overseeing funds and grants it has given out millions of pounds to sports clubs, parks, arts projects and community projects.
It has encouraged large businesses to relocate into the area as well as supporting local businesses to thrive and grow. From events like the Festival of Christmas and the Tour De Yorkshire, to maintaining nature reserves, beaches and miles and miles of countryside, it has encouraged local, regional and national tourism.
The council continues to highlight the area’s eroding coastline on a national stage as well as continuing to provide day-to-day services such as planning, road maintenance and refuse collection. In 2007, when the area was hit by flooding, the council led on the recovery operation and has since built multi-million pound flood alleviation schemes across the county, which are already proving to prevent homes and businesses from flooding.
The council has also provided services, support and advice to keep residents and communities safe, both during emergencies and crises such as Covid, foot and mouth and avian flu outbreaks, as well as also playing a key role in tackling antisocial behaviour. It has rolled out wheelie bin collections and over the past ten years, the East Riding has been among the best recycling areas in the whole country, proudly winning national awards for its recycling rates and schemes.
Councillor Anne Handley, leader of the council, said: “I am delighted to be leading the council as we’re celebrating this special anniversary. I am always proud to say I come from the East Riding and as the leader I champion this area wherever I go.
“I always encourage investment and growth into this area as I believe we have so much to offer. The past 30 years have seen so many changes, particularly in technology, across all of our 600 services, but throughout this both staff and councillors have worked tirelessly to do the best for our residents and our area.”
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