Blueprint for eight multimillion-pound Town Deals in West Mids revealed
The blueprint for a new generation of multi-million pound Town Deals in the West Midlands was has been announced by Communities and Local Government Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP.
Dudley, Smethwick, West Bromwich, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Nuneaton, Rowley Regis and Bloxwich among 100 places in England to benefit, including a share of £16.4m of government funding to help councils access £3.6 billion Towns Fund
The Towns Fund prospectus provides information to councils for 100 places in England chosen to pioneer Town Deals. They will receive a share of £16.4 million capacity funding to kick-start their innovative plans and bring their communities together.
The eight places in the region will have the opportunity to bid for funding worth up to £25m as part of the Government’s £3.6bn Towns Fund.
The funding could be used to redevelop vacant buildings and land, drive private sector investment by supporting small businesses and ensure young people have the skills they need to get good jobs. Communities will also be able to consider how they can boost their transport links and increase access to high-speed broadband.
Communities and Local Government Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said: “This government is committed to levelling up all parts of the country. We created the £3.6bn Towns Fund to help businesses grow, connect communities and give people the skills they need to succeed.
“But no place is exactly the same. That is why we want to help local people in the West Midlands to decide how this investment of up to £25 million in each town from the Government can help create new businesses, new jobs and new homes for generations to come.”
The announcement follows the launch of the My Town campaign, giving local people the chance to share what they love about their town and how they want to see it grow. In just one week, the campaign has drawn over 10,000 responses from across the country.
Lead councils in each place will now bring together a Town Deal Board including representatives from across the public, private and voluntary sectors to develop bespoke Town Investment Plans by summer 2020.
