It is encouraging other councils in the region, such as Kirklees, Sheffield, Leeds and Calderdale, to follow its lead. And many local businesses have already signed the charter.
Reading our unitary council's announcement brought back memories of the early 1980s when the then Brigg-based North Lincolnshire Council was extending its offices, Hewson House, on Station Road, Brigg (pictured above).
During the construction phase we remember viewing the steel frame from Station Road, in an attempt to spot a maker's name on the girders.
We were trying to find out whether the steel supports came from the British Steel Corporation, which was then going through troubled times, having closed the entire Normanby Park works (ex-Lysaght's) with the loss of 4,000+ jobs. It then operated a medium section mill and a heavy section mill in Scunthorpe.
We failed to find found any evidence that the steel came from abroad, but the council, we recall, seemed surprised that we were inquiring. Glanford Borough Council didn't have a public relations department then and clearly missed a trick, to use a modern phrase.
Buying local steel was surely a newsworthy issue, and something guaranteed to impress the public in North Lincolnshire.
During our days in the information section at British Steel's Scunthorpe Division, we did many publicity stories about What they do with our steel, which went into structures like Chelsea football club's East Stand, Stamford Bridge having been visited by many Brigg area fans of Scunthorpe United for the recent FA Cup clash.
But back to the present...
North Lincolnshire Council made a commitment in November last year to develop a sustainable steel procurement plan. This followed the announcement of 900 impending job losses at Tata Steel in Scunthorpe.
The council immediately stepped into action and set up a Steel Task Force and work got underway.
Major progress has been made, it says. All council construction contractors have signed up to the charter and are committed to sourcing sustainable steel in the construction of council-led capital projects. Already, the council has identified projects worth £31m.
BES6001 sustainability standards for steel have been included in appropriate specifications – in the design and construction of the new £4.5m Axholme North Sports Centre and the new Belton Country Park and Visitor Centre. The intention is for this to also apply to any future council construction projects.
The council has shared its plans with giant Able UK who is leading the way on renewable energy with a £450m Marine Energy Park being built on the UK’s largest Enterprise Zone in North Lincolnshire. The council also hopes to encourage Environment Agency construction contractors to consider signing up to the charter so they can use sustainable British steel in flood defence projects.
In February 2016, the council will host a regional steel procurement summit to help raise awareness of the importance of using sustainable British Steel and encourage more councils to sign the charter.
Baroness the Coun Liz Redfern, Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “The Charter is a UK Steel initiative that seeks to promote the use of quality British steel in construction projects. North Lincolnshire Council is leading the way in its construction projects and is encouraging companies and councils to do the same. It is thanks to the government for enabling us to negotiate for British workers to secure jobs in Scunthorpe.
“The national Crown Commercial Service has recognised the council’s work and requested a national procurement case study that will lead the way across the public sector. This is very encouraging and acknowledges the important work that is taking place.
“Our work has already attracted many local organisations to sign the charter. The regional steel summit will hopefully widen our remit and encourage more councils to sign up and stand up for British Steel.
North Lincolnshire Council's Cabinet of major decision-makers includes Brigg's Coun Rob Waltham (Deputy Leader) and Coun Carl Sherwood, while Coun Nigel Sherwood has the important role as chairman of the Planning Committee.
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