New South Holland District Council leader Coun Nick Worth lays out his plans for the future and calls on teamwork from both sides of the chamber

New leader Nick Worth has called on the council to pull together for the good of the district.

In his first speech after being elected the leader of South Holland District Council, Coun Worth pushed the message of teamwork.

“I like to work with people across the board and I’m looking forward to working with everybody on this council,” he told the chamber at Wednesday’s meeting, the first since early May’s elections.

Of course, with the Conservatives holding 19 of the 37 seats, a united front would certainly make progress easier.

However, Coun Worth – who pointed out his party also carried a majority of one two decades ago when he began his ‘20-year apprenticeship’ on SHDC – believes the task is possible.

“We always had pretty good relationship with the independents on the council,” he continued.

“We don’t always agree, that’s fine. But I will be working closely with Coun (Rob) Gibson and the independents because I appreciate he’s had a successful election there.

“We need to work together for the good of South Holland. My door will alays be open to anyone on either side.”

Coun Worth thanked his compatriots for their backing, describing the step up from his previous role of deputy leader as a ‘massive honour’, before spelling out his vision for the next four years.

Delivering the levelling up funds to revamp the Castle Sports Complex and housing topped the list, as well as his determination to progress green energy and a proposed hydrogen park/plant which would ‘benefit the quality of life’ locally.

He also spoke of inward investment and the desire to bring businesses to the area.

“Industry is becoming more automated by the day and robotics are no longer a thing of the future but a thing of the present,” he stated.

“I will be looking at every opportunity to bring those businesses in because it’s good for people to learn new skill and get better paid jobs.”

There was also time to pay tribute to some familiar faces deposed at the ballot box, in particular Roger Gambba-Jones, a councillor of 24 years, and exiting leader Lord Gary Porter.

“Roger did make a significant impact as chairman of planning and was well respected in a role not everyone liked to do,” Coun Worth said.

“You’re not the most popular person being chairman of planning, but Roger said exactly what he thought. Sometimes it was well received, other times it wasn’t.”

Coun Worth added the ‘unconventional’ yet ‘breath-of-fresh-air’ Lord Porter ‘put South Holland and Lincolnshire on the map and through his networks brought in huge amounts of funding and influence’, before adding what many around him were probably thinking: “I know he’s highly regarded in government circles and I suspect we haven’t seen the last of Gary in local government.’

There was also an opportunity to thank the ‘hard working staff’ at the council, before looking at the bigger picture – the South & East Lincolnshire Partnership.

“I’ve already had conversations with East Lindsey and Boston and it’s been made clear all of us are very committed to consoilidating the partnership we had and taking it from strength to strength,” Coun Worth added.