£370m plans to be given green light

Sunderland City Council Cabinet is set to green light £370million-plus spending plans aimed at creating thousands of jobs

Plans for almost £400million spending to create thousands of jobs across Sunderland will go before council bosses next week.

A report on the four-year capital spending programme to go to Sunderland City Council’s Cabinet on Wednesday outlines how £158million is earmarked for new projects, on top of £219million already committed for existing plans, a total of £376.923million.

It includes a council contribution of £41million over the next four years to a new Civic Centre and Public Sector Hub development at the Vaux site.

With Government grants and other external funding, other major projects for 2019/2023 include:

£61million on more development at the International Advanced Manufacturing Facility to help create more than 7,000 jobs and attract more than £400million of private sector investment;

on Phase 3 of the Sunderland Strategic TransportCorridor,thedualcarriagewayintothecitycentrefromthe south of the Northern Spire;

£10million on Coastal Defence works.

The four-year plan also includes £4.9million for a new Willow Fields Primary School, a £21million update with external funding of Sunderland Museum, Winter Gardens and Central Library, £15million on highways and bridge maintenance, and £3.9million on new vehicles, plant and equipment.

CabinetSecretaryCounPaul Stewart said: “Investment helps upgrowoureconomy,promotes our city, makes us more resilient,andmoreattractiveforresidents, visitors and investors.”

Other proposed investments for 2019/2023 include:

£2million at the Port of Sunderland.

£3.5million investment in Roker Park.

£3million on redevelopment of the Parsons and Jack Crawford depots, including electric vehicle infrastructure.

£0.75million Hillthorn lorry park.

£1million on re-building Panns East Quay.

£0.4million of riverside investment.

£4.5million day centre updates.

£5.5million empty homes and neighbourhood renewal.

£2.3million homeless accommodation;

£0.080m improving children’s homes.