Council Leader excited by opportunity to boost Bemerton community
The Salisbury community will benefit from £20m of Government funding over the next decade
The Leader of Wiltshire Council has told us he's excited to make difference to a community in Salisbury, thanks to £20million in Government funding.
It's part of No. 10's new Pride in Place programme, which aims to allow communities to take control of future plans.
The council is set to receive £2m per year to spend on boosting spaces for everyone and breathing new life into the area.
"The opportunities, I think, are transformational and what's really important is here the role of the local community in absolutely directing this entire project," Cllr Ian Thorn told Greatest Hits Radio.
He says it's vital local people are involved in the process to ensure the needs of the community are recognised and met.
"If you bring people with you, if there's a really good understanding of what we can achieve, but potentially what we can't achieve because the money only goes so far, then we can make progress," he said.
However, he warned that not all demands may be possible to meet. Cllr Thorn said: "The government's very prescriptive in terms of how they see the structure of decision making.
"But it does mean that it provides an opportunity for residents, for community groups and organisations to be part of the decision making process."
He added that it's important that a significant community conversation is had about what's important, what can be achieved and what it will cost.
"What's critical about that is that we have as many voices, diverse and different points of view, that come into that discussion and can sign up potentially to what will be, I think, a wonderful opportunity," Cllr Thorn said.
The Council is awaiting further information on how the money can be spent, with Cllr Thorn calling it "quite prescriptive".
"The government's talked about investing in underused community facilities, so we could well be talking about bricks and mortar and opportunities to invest in wider community facilities, things that people really want and really need," he said.