£20m Blyth funding package gets the green light

A major £20m initiative to help further transform Blyth has been given the green light.
A ten-year funding package will help to further transform the town with a clear focus on community and business-led improvements. By giving local people greater influence over the future of where they live, work and socialise; funding will be spent on a range of local priorities; including reviving high streets, tackling anti-social behaviour, youth and community, cultural and sports facilities, improving transport and growing the local economy.  
The Pride in Place Programme is a UK Government initiative which supports local communities to take back control and shape the future of their neighbourhood, revitalise their high streets and restore a sense of pride in their place.
The County Council’s Cabinet approved the proposals last autumn and now the initiative has been given the go ahead by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government – meaning work can get underway.
It will add to the work already underway through the £95m Energising Blyth regeneration programme to grow, renew and connect the town.
Councillor Richard Wearmouth, Deputy Leader of Northumberland County Council and lead on regeneration and also Vice Chair of the Blyth Pride in Place Board, added: “The town is on the up, being well positioned as a leading clean energy sector, the new rail line and major improvements delivered to kick start the renewal of the town centre.
“The Pride in Place Programme will build on this enabling new projects in Blyth which focus on community and business-led improvements.. We have listened carefully to what local people and our partners in the town want to achieve and this investment over the next decade means we can go even further to transform the town.”
Alan Ferguson, Chair of the town’s Pride in Place Board, said: “We are so proud to receive confirmation of the Blyth Pride in Place funding.
“As Chairman, I thank all the Board members for their hard work and commitment through the consultation phases and preparing our bid. We can now put all our plans into action with our community.”
Vice Chair Tony Quinn said: “We can build from the solid foundations of the investment over the past few years.
“The Board have seen amazing transformations in Blyth and we want to ensure Blyth embraces the technology we are developing here at the Catapult Centre, along with the Energy Central Learning Hub which offers a huge range of training and education that will equip the next generation to work in high quality jobs and raise their families here.”
Claire Young, member of the Blyth Pride in Place Board and local community volunteer with Blyth Community Volunteers, Friends of Ridley Park and Friends of Blyth Tall Ship, said: “I joined the Energising Blyth Board last year which brings together people from the community as well as private and public sector partners who are all passionate about Blyth and want to ensure it has a vibrant future.
“Being involved in community and volunteer activities in the town, I’m really excited to be part of this phase of Energising Blyth and as Chair of the Communications group, there is a lot to do in coming months.”
More information on the Pride in Place Programme is available online at www.northumberland.gov.uk/BPIPP