The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) is urging councilors at the East Riding of Yorkshire County Council to approve plans to bring forward £100 million of capital expenditure over the next three years.

The FMB hopes that the council will provide the extra money to help create more jobs and provide extra work for local construction firms who are feeling the effects of the worst recession since 1980.

The extra capital would be put towards major projects including £16 million for the redevelopment of the Leisure World site in Bridlington, improving local roads for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, creating new council houses and improving existing housing, as well as educational and community facilities.

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Ron Wilson, Yorkshire and Trent Director for the FMB said: "At the moment I receive around ten calls a week from members wanting advice on laying staff off. The FMB's latest State of Trade Survey shows that 52% of our members have laid staff off in the last three months of 2008 and that 52% are also planning to lay more off this year. The survey showed that workloads are falling in the local area too, for the third consecutive quarter. Bringing this capital expenditure forward would be a positive, practical step forward to support many local building firms and their staff.

"A positive announcement from the East Riding of Yorkshire County Council's would demonstrate its recognition of the value of the building industry in the local area, not only to the economy but to the local environment too. I urge all councilors to approve this proposal next week and to follow Councillor Stephen Parnaby's aims to do something practical to help local people and local businesses."

(CD/JM)