Major boost for towns in West Midlands with new levelling-up plans
55 towns will receive funding and support totalling up to ÂŁ20 million.
The Government is publishing guidance and setting out initial funding to enable four towns in the West Midlands to develop their long-term plan.
This follows the Prime Minister announcing the 55 towns that will receive funding and support totalling up to ÂŁ20 million, as part of a ÂŁ1.1 billion levelling-up investment for towns that have been overlooked for too long.
Smethwick, Darlaston, Bilston and Dudley will each receive up to ÂŁ20 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 ÂŁ13.75 million of capacity funding for each benefiting local authority to receive ÂŁ50,000 to support the appointment of an independent chair for the Town Board who will begin community engagement. This will be followed by a further ÂŁ200,000 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 said:
“We’re giving under invested towns the much-needed funding and support to get going on their long-term plans.
“Our £1.1 billion 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.
The Long-Term Plan for Towns is one part of the government’s wide ranging levelling up programme, and designed to complement other types of funding.
Dudley, for example, is receiving ÂŁ25 million capital regeneration funding for investment in local skills, with a new University Centre offering state of the educational facilities.