£10k boost offered to country’s Town Teams
Last updated at 09:07, Monday, 10 September 2012
TOWN Teams at Whitehaven and Cleator Moor are set to get £10,000 each from the government to help with town centre revitalisation.
The offer has been made to all the 392 places who were unsuccessful in their bids to be selected as Portas Pilot towns.
An application has to be made for an individual project to benefit and the offer is dependant on local MPs, in Copeland’s case, Jamie Reed, being prepared to get on board. Mr Reed has indicated he is happy to give his support.
Besides the £10,000, each town will also be given support from the ATCM, the Association of Town Centre Management, which has over 20 years of experience in helping towns improve their prosperity.
Local government minister Grant Shapps, who has led the government’s ‘no High Street left behind’ initiative, has written to all MPs in bid areas, to take the lead and show support for their own Town Teams by applying for them to become Town Team Partners. “I am determined that the remaining bidding teams are not forgotten,’’ says Mr Shapps.
His letter to Jamie Reed says: “I would like to invite you to put your town first, by personally taking the lead for your community and showing your support for your local Town Team(s) by applying for them to become Town Team Partners.’’ In becoming a Partner, town teams are making a commitment to deliver part of their plan.
ATCM yesterday launched the support programme in London. It will be followed up with action across the country with a two-day World Café of Ideas event in October, in Birmingham, and other meetings in the regions. Mentors and professional experts will engage with each Town Team.
In two rounds, 27 towns were selected to become Mary Portas Pilots and benefit from a million pound plus pot of money. The governmenmt is keen for the energy that process generated to retain its momentum.
As well as working with Town Team Partners to identify their needs and requirements, ACTM will also run information events, provide an advice line and offer a network of advisors to help improve local towns.
Whitehaven Town Team, chaired by gift shop owner Shelley Williamson, has continued to drive forward its vision and will meet again at the end of September to decide which aspect of its plan to submit for the £10,000 grant.
“It’s great news,’’ said Shelley.
“It’s not a huge amount of money but it will help. And support from our MP and practical help from the ACTM can only be a good thing.’’
Cleator Moor’s Town Team’s spokesman Dave Farrell (Chamber of Trade), said he was delighted at news of the £10,000 offer. The team was keen to take it up and explore how it can assist in efforts to revitalise the town. “We are keen to tap into any support that is being offered,’’ he said.
First published at 11:05, Thursday, 06 September 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk
10k is not to be derided peeps. My hope is that this money is used more for intangible than tangible, 'buy something today and it's gone tomorrow'. Why not get the most important of stakeholders on-board in the decision making process of how this money should be invested in our common good? Who are these stakeholders? Simply people like you and I, the people who live within our borough. Would that not be rather refreshing, I think it will be? When the people who are there to guide and do their best run out of ideas surely it is in all of our interests to get new blood involved? Makes sense? Thankyou.
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Well I've heard it all now! £10,000 to help Cleator moor. Its nothing more than a insult, when Copeland council helped to get the Moor in the state it is today!!!...by putting those stupid railings around the square and killed our Friday markets, and letting every empty shop into yet another take away..how many takeaways does one small ghost town need? I personally would like to see those railings taken down, and get the community back on its feet.
Posted by Jo on 13 September 2012 at 01:02