North East towns set for ‘major boost’ as part of £1.1bn levelling up investment

The Government yesterday (18 December) published guidance and set out initial funding to enable six towns in the North East to develop their long-term plan.

This follows the Prime Minister announcing the 55 towns that will receive funding and support totalling up to £20m, as part of a £1.1bn levelling up investment for towns that have been overlooked for too long. 

Eston, Jarrow, Washington, Blyth, Hartlepool and Spennymoor will each receive up to £20 million for their long term plan. The Long-Term Plan for Towns will ensure that local people can develop plans to deliver the priorities of their community and change their town’s long-term future.

New published guidance will advise towns on how to set up Town Boards by 1 April 2024 and decide where best to make investment. A new toolkit confirming powers available in England for towns to invest in areas most in need is also being published today.

The Government has also confirmed £13.75m of capacity funding for each benefiting local authority to receive £50k to support the appointment of an independent chair for the Town Board who will begin community engagement.

This will be followed by a further £200k once Boards are in place. Under this guidance, towns will need to develop and submit their plan by 1 August at the latest, to start making investments.

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove commented: “We’re giving under invested towns the much-needed funding and support to get going on their long-term plans. Our £1.1bn long term plan for towns will make sure communities can take control of their future and invest in local priorities.”

The new guidance confirms Town Boards should be led by an independent chair, who will act as a champion for the town.

The chair can be anyone who holds a prominent role in the community such as heads of charities, education establishments or football clubs and will provide leadership to ensure towns boards are community-led and embedded within the local area.

The Town Board must include the relevant local MP, alongside a senior representative from the police. Other members can be drawn from respected local figures with an obvious passion for their area, including community partners, local businesses and cultural, arts, heritage and sporting organisations.

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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