Cash must go to right projects says Labour chief
THE leader of Northumberland Labour has called for more consultation on large-scale regeneration plans for two of the county’s most deprived towns.
Coun Scott Dickinson said he and his Labour colleagues welcomed any money being spent in Blyth and Ashington, but stressed that it was important that the funds were allocated to the right projects.
Concerns were raised about the reliance on consultations conducted in 2017 for some of the proposed plans.
It comes after the publication of the Hirst Masterplan by the council, outlining ambitious regeneration plans for the Ashington area.
The plan was described as the council’s biggest-ever regeneration project – but there were concerns about consultation as well as where the money for the proposals will come from.
Responding to the concerns, the council insisted that residents would be consulted on plans.
It was also pointed out that there is an unprecedented amount of investment going into both towns.
Coun Dickinson said: “Everybody is happy about money coming to Ashington but we are concerned that the plans are seven years old.
“There has been a lack of inclusion with local members.
“Things are being done to towns rather than working with local people. You have to take the towns with you, local members have to be involved.
“So much has changed in seven years. Is everything still valid for Ashington and Blyth?
“The Conservatives have got all the political agreement now. We just need to make sure it works. It’s about being pragmatic and having the discussions.
“With Blyth, we have got to have a mixture of leisure, retail and anchoring retail that brings people in, otherwise you will have a town centre full of students who aren’t going to have loads of money to spend.
“We all need to work together. We welcome the investment, but if you do something to a town that people don’t want, people don’t use it, they don’t support it and it gets a negative start before it is even built.”
Addressing the Ashington plans, a spokesperson for Northumberland Labour, representing the six councillors, said: “By engaging genuinely with the residents of Ashington, we can address challenges and secure the best outcomes from this funding.
“We value the insight and guidance provided by Ashington residents and seek authentic, transparent engagement with them.
“Recognising that plans from seven years ago may no longer align with current needs, they advocate for a fresh evaluation of Ashington’s requirements through open consultation to ensure effective progress without delays. “Ashington has a bright, inclusive future by working with local county councillors more collectively with updates and putting local people first in decision-making.” Responding to the comments, a spokesman for Northumberland council said: “We’re investing more money in these towns than at any time in the history of the council – with well over £150m being spent in Blyth and Ashington in the coming years.
“We have always been clear that we want to bring people with us on this regeneration journey, which forms such an important part of our commitment to tackle inequalities in the county.”