North East to receive a share of £1.5 billion to foster stronger, better connected and healthier communities across the UK.
High streets, local parks, youth clubs, cultural venues, libraries and health and wellbeing services in scope of regeneration, creating local growth and opportunities through new Plan for Neighbourhoods.
New neighbourhood boards across the 75 selected communities will bring together residents and businesses to decide how to spend the money in their area.
The latest step in the government’s ambitious Plan for Change, kickstarting national renewal, taking back control of our streets and putting more money in local people’s pockets
Local people in the North East to see their high streets revived, community hubs saved and public services transformed and strengthened through £140 million funding and support through the government’s Plan for Neighbourhoods to tackle deprivation and turbocharge growth, as every area joins the decade of national renewal committed to in our Plan for Change.
A total of 75 areas will each receive up to £20 million of funding and support over the next decade through the plan, with ministers vowing it will help transform “left behind” areas by unleashing their full potential by investing in delivering improved vital community services from education, health and employment, to tackling local issues like crime. Transformation will be holistic, long-term, and sustainable to deliver meaningful change in the day-to-day lives of local people.
In the North East areas due to receive funding through the plan include:
Blyth
Darlington
Eston
Hartlepool
Jarrow
Spennymoor
Washington
Each board will decide how to spend up to £20 million of funding and support – they can choose from options ranging from repairs to pavements and high streets, to setting up low-cost community grocers providing low-cost alternatives when shopping for essentials, as well as co-operatives or even neighbourhood watches.
This is the latest step in the government’s ambitious Plan for Change missions to grow the UK economy, deliver safer streets and create opportunities for everyone.
Today’s announcement is in contrast to unfunded pledges from the previous government. The Plan for Neighbourhoods doubles the scope of the types of projects that can benefit and is now fully aligned with the Government’s long-term Plan for Change missions: breaking down barriers to opportunity and kickstarting economic growth.
Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner MP said:
“For years, too many neighbourhoods have been starved of investment, despite their potential to thrive and grow. Communities across the UK have so much to offer – rich cultural capital, unique heritage but most of all, an understanding of their own neighbourhood.
“We will do things differently, our fully funded Plan for Neighbourhoods puts local people in the driving seat of their potential, having control of where the Whitehall cash goes – what issues they want to tackle, where they want to regenerate and what growth they want turbocharge.”
Scott Dickinson MBE Leader Northumberland Labour said: “This is fantastic news for Blyth and Northumberland.
At a time when the people of Blyth are deeply concerned about the future direction of their town, the Labour Government is providing much-needed funding to support further regeneration, particularly in the town’s offerings.
The most important aspect for me is that the voices of the people are heard. I can guarantee that if Labour wins the County Council elections in May, this funding will be directed toward Blyth, in partnership with the community. Locals will no longer feel as though decisions are being made without their input.
I am delighted by this announcement. This Labour Government and our Northumberland Labour team are committed to prioritising local people to ensure the county can thrive. We are backing this commitment with financial support, not just words.
I look forward to collaborating with the teams, as well as local councillors, to ensure we can incorporate public opinion and deliver real retail, leisure, and health opportunities in Blyth.”
Minister for Local Growth and Building Safety, Alex Norris MP, said:
“When our local neighbourhoods thrive, the rest of the country thrives too. That’s why we are empowering communities to take control of their futures and create the regeneration and growth they want to see.
“Our Plan for Neighbourhoods we will deliver long-term funding that will bolster that inner community spirit in us all and relight the fires in corners of the UK that have for too long been left fighting for survival.
“This, along with our ambitious reforms to streamline the planning system, devolve powers and strengthen workers’ rights, will help get places and people thriving once again.”
In each area, the government will support the establishment of a new ‘Neighbourhood Board’, bringing together residents, local businesses, and grassroots campaigners to draw up and implement a new vision for their neighbourhood.
Each board will decide how to spend up to £20 million of funding and support. The government’s Plan for Neighbourhoods’ ultimate aim is to create thriving places, strengthen communities, and empower local people to take back control in towns across the country.
By creating thriving places, strengthening communities, and empowering people to take back control areas can drive forward their priorities and the Government’s long-term Plan for Change missions: breaking down barriers to opportunity and kickstarting economic growth.
Through our ambitious devolution plans already underway, creating the greatest shift in power from Whitehall to local areas across England – change and growth for every corner of the country is already being seen. Leaders with skin in the game are finally able to take the lead on decision making, tackling the issues that matter to voters, breaking down barriers to opportunity and boosting economic growth.
