March

I was pleased that Tyneside has been successful in its bid to become the headquarters of the new Marine Management Organisation which is being created as part of the Marine Bill.  The MMO will be a major new centre of marine expertise – to deliver many objectives for the marine environment outlined in the new Marine Bill including the creation of Marine Conservation Zones.

Winning the MMO in the face of such stiff competition was a major coup for our area particularly as the organisation will bring with it over 200 sustainable and highly skilled jobs.  Tyneside faced stiff competition from bids from across the country and this success reflects the efforts put in by all involved including Regional Agencies and Local Authorities who were able to put forward a strong business case for our area.

I met with the Defra Minister Huw Irranca-Davies to lobby for the jobs and the Department was very impressed by our maritime tradition.  They also praised the work of higher education institutions, particularly Newcastle University and mentioned the Dove Marine Laboratory in Cullercoats. 

The fact that Tyneside was chosen reflects our strong maritime tradition of North Shields fishing, shipbuilding and marine technology.  The organisation builds on that tradition but takes the ongoing regeneration of Tyneside into a new chapter in our history.

And in these difficult economic times the jobs are clearly welcome, particularly when it is never easy to convince governments that agencies and jobs should be located outside the M25 and in the regions.  Well done to Tyneside for making such a strong case.