Five towns across Norfolk and Suffolk have been invited to develop proposals for a new generation of multi-million-pound Town Deals.
Local Government Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP has today (6th September) announced 100 places eligible for support from the £3.6billion Towns Fund.
Ipswich, Norwich, King’s Lynn, Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft are among the 100 towns on the list.
Communities, businesses and local leaders will be invited to draw up plans to transform their town’s prospects with a focus on improved transport, broadband connectivity, skills and culture.
New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership has welcomed the news that five local towns are set to benefit from the Towns Fund.
Chris Starkie, Chief Executive of New Anglia LEP, said: “This is great news for Norfolk and Suffolk. Additional funding will help to support projects to improve productivity and skills and deliver inclusive growth.
“New Anglia LEP has proven success in bidding for government funding through our Growth Deal and City Deals – which have secured over £290m to be spent locally – and we are keen to play a role in helping our towns submit compelling bids.”
Local Government Secretary, Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP, said: “Ensuring that prosperity and opportunities are available to everyone in this country, not just those in London or our biggest cities, is at the heart of the mission of this government.
“We want to level-up our great towns, raising living standards and ensuring they can thrive with transformative investment in transport, technology, skills and culture.”
The government will soon publish a prospectus to guide towns through the process and set eligibility criteria for funding.
Once approved, new Town Deals will improve connectivity, provide vital social and cultural infrastructure and boost growth – with communities having a say on how the money is spent. Decisions on funding any proposals will be made in due course.
