Last year, the Prime Minister launched the Government’s Long-Term Plan for Towns - a core part of their levelling up programme. The Chancellor has confirmed new funding and support worth £400m to extend this programme to 20 more towns across the UK, which brings the total number of towns benefiting from the long-term plan programme to 75.
In the Spring Budget last week, Essex towns Canvey Island and Harlow were announced as two of those joining the Government's Long-term Plan for Towns Scheme. Each will receive up to £20 million of funding and support over 10 years to invest in communities and regeneration.
Rebecca Harris was pleased that Canvey Island has been chosen for this massive funding boost, on top of the previous £1 million Levelling-Up funding the Government gave for the Borough. If used wisely, could give Canvey a massive and well-deserved refresh.
Rebecca commented: “I arranged for Jeremy Hunt to visit Canvey Town Centre a few years ago to meet and hear from local businesses and it looks like that groundwork has seriously paid off! I’m hugely grateful to him and the Prime Minister for this massive vote of confidence in our Island!”
Each town will receive ‘endowment-style' funding and support worth up to £20 million, to give them the certainty to deliver projects over the 10-year lifespan of the programme and the flexibility to invest in interventions based on local needs and priorities.
Essex County Council has welcomed the funding and the difference it will make to local communities in these areas. Councillor Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Levelling Up, Communities and Business Engagement said: “I am pleased the Chancellor has recognised the untapped potential of our local towns by allocating additional funding to regenerate areas of Canvey Island and Harlow. The funding will help to build on the work already being done as part of our Levelling Up programme across the county to transform opportunities for local people. Whilst this particular funding was not part of a Council bid, it does demonstrate the strength of working together and I would like to extend my thanks to local MPs, Rob Halfon and Rebecca Harris who have worked hard to successfully secure this additional funding. I look forward to working with them, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and our partners to support both towns in the coming years.”
Councillor Lee Scott, Cabinet Member for Planning a Growing Economy said: “This funding will make a significant difference to not only the people that live in Canvey Island and Harlow, but those chose to work or do business there. With regeneration comes a world of opportunities, whether that be employment opportunities or creating the right environment for businesses to grow and flourish. Both areas are full of potential, and this announcement will help us and our local council partners build an even better Harlow and Canvey Island.”
The Long-Term Plan for Towns is a fundamentally different way of approaching the challenges towns face, putting power back into the hands of local people so that they can decide on local priorities and what is best for the long-term future of the places in which they live.
