close
close

Sutton Coldfield’s £20m cash to be spent by new local council

A £20m Government handout to improve Sutton Coldfield will be managed by the town and not the town council, the Minister for Upgrading has confirmed. Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council will oversee the appointment of a new town council, which will be responsible for how money is spent on town projects over the next 10 years.

Sutton was one of 20 towns across the UK to receive cash in the latest wave of the Long Term Plan for Cities leveling programme. Around 55 towns, including four Black Country locations – Bilston, Dudley, Darlaston, Smethwick, were initially selected last September.




The aim is to put the money in the hands of local people to decide how it is spent, and it has been delivered in towns with “run-down centres, empty, boarded-up shops, litter, appalling anti-social behavior and people left angry. and frustrated by negligence’.

Read more: Huge £20m boost to city budget with ‘levelling’ fund.

It was not initially known whether Birmingham City Council or Sutton City Council would oversee the fund. But Jacob Young MP, the Leveling Up minister, has written to the local council’s chief executive, Olive O’Sullivan, to confirm that the town council will be “responsible for the day-to-day delivery and governance” of the programme.

Mr Young said: “Well-run and effective parish and town councils have an outstanding record of being close to the communities they represent and supporting their development. I understand that there have been ongoing discussions in relation to Birmingham City Council devolving some elements of this program to the City Council.

“Given the current situation at Birmingham City Council, we have taken the decision that the City Council will have no formal role in the governance of the programme. This is an exciting opportunity for Royal Sutton Coldfield and I look forward to working closely with you and the Borough Council as you develop your long term plan.”

The towns fund cash could be spent anywhere in Sutton Coldfield, not just the town centre, town council leader Cllr Simon Ward said – perhaps even much-loved Sutton Park.

The local council has been told it has until July 1, just over seven weeks to set up Royal Sutton Coldfield Borough Council. This will include the city’s MP, Andrew Mitchell, two city councillors, local councillors, a senior police representative, community partners from the community, faith, charity, neighborhood forum, youth groups or volunteers.

Related Articles

Back to top button