Timeline set out for Spalding’s £20 million ‘forgotten town’ money

Council bosses are going through the details of how the £20million ‘forgotten town’ money can be spent – months after the Government first announced the win for Spalding.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made a surprise announcement in October that 55 places which are due to get a share of a £1.1 billion ‘levelling up’ funding pot which aims to ‘provide long-term investment in towns that have been overlooked and taken for granted’. The town now has the first quarter of the year to get a new group together – and must get a plan sorted for spending the cash by the summer.

Spalding was listed, along with Boston and Skegness, because of issues with skills, productivity, health and pay and will be getting the money over a decade to tackle these problems.

The Government has now finally issued the guidance of how this money could be spent.

Coun Gary Taylor, deputy leader at South Holland District Council, said: “We are pleased to see the guidance published for how we can use this vital funding from the Government and make sure we use it to make a real, positive difference to Spalding and South Holland.

“Our officers are currently working through this guidance to help understand the opportunities it presents and identify how these funds can help to support our town, businesses and local communities.

“Once these details have been worked out we are looking forward to getting started and working closely with our communities and businesses in the coming months and years to continue to improve Spalding together and make it a great place to live, work and visit.”

The government says this fund will ensure that residents can develop plans to deliver community priorities to change their town’s long-term future.

A Town Board will need to be set up by April 1 and decide where best to make investment. It is supposed to be made up the MP, businesses and other community groups with a stake in the town’s future.

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The new board will need to develop and submit its plan for spending the money by August 1 at the latest.

The Government has also confirmed Spalding will get £50,000 to support the appointment of an independent chair for the Town Board who will begin community engagement. This will be followed by a further £200,000 once boards are in place.

What do you think should be a priority for this money? Post a comment below.