£234million investment plans set out for the city

Boosts for housing, schools, business, transport, culture and allotments are set out in a £234million spending plan for Sunderland.

City leaders have set out their budget proposals for 2021/22, which include a rise in council tax bills of 4.99%.

More than half a billion pounds of investment, £623million is earmarked over the next four years. And ‘new starts’ of £234m are included in the budget for the next financial year, discussed bySunderland’srulingcabinet yesterday.

Investments include: Riverside Sunderland, including the plans for the new high-level footbridge over the river (£32m) as a centre piece of the development. Developing ambitious plans to enhance the cultural offer through the new Culture House (£27.2m) and the Washington F Pit visitor centre (£4.6m).

Vaux Housing and the Future Living Expo, to showcase regional skills and housing innovation (£40m).

NorthernSpireParkinvestment to develop the site for housing (£23m). The site has been identified for more than 1,000 homes.

Further investment in supported living for adults (£16m at Willowfields Supported Village) and for those facinghomelessness(£7.2mfor an Inspiring Futures scheme). Investment in transport,the redevelopment of Sunderland Station(£28m)andcyclingnetwork plans (£5.6m).

Housing Innovation Construction and Skills Academy, to develop skills in construction (£11m).

Refurbishment of Barnes Junior and Fulwell Junior schools (£5m).

Furtherallotmentandopen space proposals to meet growing demand (£3.5m).