{"id":105406,"date":"2025-03-05T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-05T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/?p=105406"},"modified":"2025-03-05T11:22:22","modified_gmt":"2025-03-05T11:22:22","slug":"million-pound-investment-neighbourhoods","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/million-pound-investment-neighbourhoods\/","title":{"rendered":"Multi-Million-Pound Investment to Transform West Midlands Neighbourhoods"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Several towns across the West Midlands are set to benefit from a <strong>\u00a3120 million investment<\/strong>, aimed at revitalising neighbourhoods that have long been neglected. The funding forms part of the \u00a31.5 billion Plan for Neighbourhoods, an initiative designed to empower local communities and enhance public spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Local leaders have hailed the investment as a significant step towards addressing regional inequalities. The scheme will enable neighbourhoods to determine how to allocate <strong>up to \u00a320 million per area<\/strong>, with a focus on improving infrastructure, supporting businesses, and strengthening community services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Investment to Regenerate Town Centres and Public Spaces<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The funding will be directed towards various initiatives, including revamping high streets, upgrading parks, restoring cultural venues, and bolstering local wellbeing services.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Communities including <strong>Bedworth, Bilston, Darlaston, Dudley, Sutton Coldfield, and Smethwick<\/strong> are set to receive a share of the \u00a3120 million funding, according to government announcements. The investment aims to improve public spaces, support businesses, and enhance community services across the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>New neighbourhood boards will be established to oversee the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/tax-hikes-or-spending-choices-rachel-reeves\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"104136\">spending<\/a><\/strong>, ensuring that residents and businesses play a central role in decision-making. Options under consideration range from pavement repairs and public safety improvements to the creation of low-cost community grocers and co-operatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mr <a href=\"https:\/\/uk.linkedin.com\/in\/richard-parker-6aa03511\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Parker <\/a>described the funding as a \u201cfantastic\u201d opportunity, stating: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cFor far too long, our towns and communities have been overlooked and left behind &#8211; and it\u2019s my job to make sure we get the investment, jobs, and infrastructure we deserve.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Local Control Over Spending Priorities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A key feature of the Plan for Neighbourhoods is its emphasis on localised decision-making. Rather than central government dictating how funds are spent, communities will have greater control over their own economic and social development, according to Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ms Rayner highlighted the importance of allowing<strong> local people <\/strong>to shape their own neighbourhoods: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cFor years, too many neighbourhoods have been starved of investment, despite their potential to thrive and grow. Our fully funded Plan for Neighbourhoods puts local people in the driving seat of their potential.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The initiative is expected to bring much-needed improvements to local services, business opportunities, and public amenities, supporting long-term <a href=\"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/uk-economy-avoids-recession-growth-weak\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"104105\">growth <\/a>in the region.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mr Parker stressed that this funding is only the beginning, adding: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cBy working together, we can rebuild pride in our communities, unlock opportunities, and create a West Midlands where everyone benefits.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The West Midlands is set to receive a significant investment boost, targeting areas long left behind. From high streets to community hubs, the funding aims to reshape local neighbourhoods. Residents will take the lead in deciding how the money is spent.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":105408,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-105406","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-housing","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-33","no-featured-image-padding"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105406","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=105406"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105406\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":105432,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105406\/revisions\/105432"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/105408"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=105406"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=105406"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=105406"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}