£20m in government cash has been secured to bolster communities in and around Chirton, Percy Main and North Shields.
Funding and Scope
North Tyneside Council chiefs signed off on the receipt of £20m, to be distributed over the next 10 years, in Pride in Place (PIP) funding to bolster an area which stretches from east Howdon to Alexander Scott Park in North Shields. The area was selected after being identified as being “doubly disadvantaged” by government statistics as part of a nationwide £5bn project.
Leadership and Community Input
The former elected Mayor of North Tyneside Dame Norma Redfearn DBE has also been appointed to chair the neighbourhood board. The money can be spent on a variety of things, ranging from improving parks, supporting local groups, building repairs, and community activities.
The incumbent mayor, Karen Clark said: “This is an exciting opportunity for the Pride in Place area, it is really significant government investment. I am really excited about the fact it is going to be directed by local people, which is so important and we all know how significant and meaningful that is in terms of really positive change.
“I am also delighted that Dame Norma Redfearn is chair of the board, and I think the board and people of the Pride in Place area are very lucky to have someone with those credentials in that chair.”
Deputy Mayor Carl Johnson said: “Dame Norma Redfearn represented all the communities in the pride of place area from 2004 until she became the elected mayor in 2013 and represented them for another 12 years after that. She knows that inside and out and will be a fantastic chair and a fantastic representative of our community.”
Residents’ Priorities
The local democracy reporting service spoke to residents and visitors in Percy Main last week to gauge what they wanted the money spent on. Jacquelyn Hancock, 61, who was just moving into the area, wanted to see improved disability access to local amenities and further funding for libraries and community centres.
Kirsty Fuller of Meadow Well told the LDRS that more needs to be done to keep children and young people occupied and out of trouble. Local pharmacist Allan Hogg added that the surrounding greenery needs attending to.
North Shields Green Party councillor Martin Osborne said: “The Pride in Place funding in Percy Main presents a huge opportunity for investment in the area, and it is great to see that there has been a strong response to the survey about this. It is important that the ideas come from the community, and I’ve spoken to several residents and community groups on the North Shields side of the area that have some fantastic ideas from street art, investment in parks and green spaces, improvement to housing, and more.
“I look forward to working with the Board members over the next few years and seeing the Regeneration Delivery Plan emerge over the coming months.”
