An Overhaul for Lincolnshire's 'Left Behind' Towns
Three towns in Lincolnshire, often referred to as 'left behind', are due to benefit substantially from a new government initiative. £20 million in funding has been allocated to Boston, Skegness, and Spalding as part of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's 'Long-Term Plan for Towns'.
A total of 55 towns throughout the UK will share in the £1.1 billion 'levelling up' investment, aimed at revitalising local communities and tackling inequality. The funds will be invested according to the priorities of the local populace, such as regenerating high streets and town centres or enhancing public safety.
Enabling Local Leaders to Take Action
To ensure the most efficient use of the funds, town boards will be created. These boards will comprise community leaders, employers, local authorities, and the local MP, tasked with shaping the long-term plan for their town and seeking local populace's perspective. Moreover, towns will be empowered to attract more private sector investment by reforming licensing rules, opening up retail vacancies for auction and supporting more housing within the town centres.
"Towns are the place most of us call home and where most of us go to work. But politicians have always taken towns for granted and focused on cities. The result is the half-empty high streets, run-down shopping centres and anti-social behaviour that undermine many towns’ prosperity and hold back people’s opportunity – and without a new approach, these problems will only get worse. That changes today."
Said the Prime Minister, underlining the urgency of this policy change during his announcement on October 1.
'Long-Term Plan for Towns'
This new initiative launched by the Prime Minister is designed to complement the wider levelling up programme and is set to run over the next decade. The plan requires town boards to develop their own long-term local plans, addressing the issues identified as most important by local constituents.
"We know that in our towns the values of hard work and solidarity, common sense and common purpose, endeavour and quiet patriotism have endured across generations. But for too long, too many of our great British towns have been overlooked and undervalued."
Notes Levelling Up Secretary, Michael Gove, stressing the government's ambition to empower communities to take back control of their future through localised decisions that favour local interests.