Council’s caution over chance of £25m government fund boost
SEFTON Council has given a lukewarm response to the announcement of a potential £25m investment in Southport, raising caution over the initial lack of detail.
Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick announced a £3.6bn Stronger Towns Fund which will give 100 towns up to £25m to improve connectivity, provide vital social and cultural infrastructure and boost growth.
In a move warmly welcomed by the town’s Conservative MP Damien Moore, Southport was selected as one of the 100 and it was said that decision on how the funds would be spent would be made locally before being pitched to the government.
Mr Moore said: “Southport now has a fighting chance and I am delighted to have delivered the single largest direct investment in a generation.
“For the first time in 20 years, Southport’s voice is being heard at the heart of government.”
But council bosses remained cautious, pointing to a lack of detail in exactly how much would be awarded to each town and surrounding how the money is awarded.
A spokesman said the council was delighted at Southport’s inclusion, but also pointed to the omission of anywhere else in the borough.
Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Labour cabinet member for regeneration and skills, said: “We look forward to understanding how Southport can actually get its hands on its share of this funding.
“Unfortunately, the announcement stops well short of a guarantee to allocate anything to Southport, moreover it simply offers Sefton Council an invitation to bid, and for a figure of up to a maximum of £25m.
“We intend to put the strongest case forward for consideration by government, noting that the early information encourages focus upon investment in transport, technology, skills and culture, all of which are consistent with our priorities and aspirations contained within the Southport Investment Framework, the Local Plan, and indeed a number of other initiatives being pursued by the council and with partners such as Southport BID.
“While I am bitterly disappointed our other town centres such as Crosby and Bootle have been overlooked, we will continue to support and encourage opportunities for investment more widely, and will fight for a fair deal for all of our communities and towns centres right across the borough.”
Announcing the initiative, Mr Jenrick said: “Ensuring that prosperity and opportunities are available to everyone in this country, not just those in London or our biggest cities is at the heart of the mission of this government.
“We want to level-up our great towns, raising living standards and ensuring they can thrive with transformative investment in transport, technology, skills and culture.“