Last week I was very pleased to launch the South Suffolk Taskforce. The group brings together representatives from Suffolk County Council and Babergh District Council with advisers from New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), the New Anglia Growth Hub, Job Centre Plus and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and will seek to help develop and support the business economy in South Suffolk.
The inaugural meeting focused largely on the recent announcement about the closure of the Delphi Diesel Systems plant in Sudbury. The group is looking at ways in which it can provide support to help staff find new jobs in the local area. Additionally, it is considering potential future uses for the site and working with companies in the local supply chain.
As Chair of the Taskforce, I am confident that by bringing the skills and expertise of these individuals and organisations round one table we will be able to find innovative and practical solutions to the issues facing our area. I also believe that we will be well placed to open up new opportunities for South Suffolk.
MP James Cartlidge ‘confident’ of finding ‘innovative and practical solutions’ following Delphi Diesel Systems announcement on closure of Sudbury plant.
The chair of a new taskforce set up to support staff at Sudbury firm Delphi Diesel Systems after the site was earmarked for closure said they were “confident” of finding innovative and practical solutions for the area.
Earlier this year, the American-owned engineering firm announced plans to close its Sudbury factory, with the loss of more than 500 jobs, in 2020.
Following the first meeting of the South Suffolk Taskforce on Friday, October 20, its chair, South Suffolk MP James Cartlidge, said: “The announcement about Delphi’s closure was a major blow for Sudbury but I said then that what we had to do was look at what could be done to make our town more competitive for the future.
“I am therefore very pleased that the South Suffolk Taskforce has met for its inaugural session. By bringing the skills and expertise of these individuals and organisations round one table I am confident that we will be able to find innovative and practical solutions to the issues facing our area. I also believe that we will be well placed to open up new opportunities for South Suffolk.”
The taskforce brings together representatives from Suffolk County Council and Babergh District Council with advisers from New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), the New Anglia Growth Hub, Job Centre Plus and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
The group is providing support to help staff find new jobs in the local area, considering potential future uses for the site and working with companies in the local supply chain. It is also aiming to support businesses in Sudbury, Hadleigh and South Suffolk which are looking to grow.
LEP managing director Chris Starkie said: “We’re offering support alongside the assistance being given by Delphi Diesel Systems to staff to help them find alternative employment and to make sure we keep these skills in the local area.”
Delphi Diesels Systems makes diesel fuel injectors and filters for commercial vehicles. The firm has been present in Sudbury for more than 70 years since the company – then called Lucas CAV – moved some of its operation to Suffolk from London. The Sudbury plant is part of a global operation with sites across the world including factories in Kent, Gloucestershire and Merseyside.
Published by the East Anglian Daily Times.
