Cornwall Council has submitted a £100 million funding request in response to the Government’s Towns Deal Fund call for new and ambitious regeneration projects for Camborne, Penzance, St Ives and Truro.
As announced in September 2019, Camborne, Penzance, St Ives and Truro were among the 100 towns invited by the Government to put forward a Town Investment Plan and each seek up to £25million funding for transformation projects that would boost the local economy and open up new opportunities for Cornwall’s residents.
The towns were chosen due to a number of factors linked to their economic and social position and related investment opportunities. Since the announcement, Cornwall Council has been working closely with the four Town Deal Boards and the Local Enterprise Partnership to develop “an ambitious, yet realistic vision” through the Town Investment Plans.
The projects – which total over £160 million when including additional private and public co-funding – have been submitted to support the transformation of the local high streets and boost economic growth through improved transport, broadband connectivity, development of skills and culture, whilst ensuring the plans align with Cornwall’s ambition for sustainable and green economy.
The four Towns Investment Plans include projects that focus on:
- Enhancing natural and cultural capital, supporting biodiversity to promote wellbeing and productivity.
- Resilience to climate change impacts, ensuring greener, safer, healthier and resilient communities and businesses.
- Empowered, equitable, connected and circular local economies that all members of the community contribute to and benefit from.
- Regenerated vibrant towns and town centres providing important functions relevant to the residents and business community, as well as its historic, natural and cultural assets.
Councillor Tim Dwelly, Cornwall Council Portfolio Holder for Culture, Economy and Planning, said “Our town vitality team at Cornwall Council have worked extremely hard to help the four town boards submit these impressive proposals. With Covid hitting Cornwall’s economy hard and the G7 summit approaching, I hope the Government will look to fund these bids in full. If they do, the towns can look to a much brighter future in coming years.”
Mark Duddridge, chair of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership, added: “Town Deals are a cornerstone of the Government’s promise to iron out the UK’s lopsided economy.
“The LEP has helped shape all four Cornish bids and what connects them is a golden thread of ambition. Our towns will always be centres of commerce, community and culture, but they are having to adapt to a changing world, accelerated by the pandemic. These deals respond to that change in a positive and dynamic way. We are totally behind all four submissions and urge Government to give them their full support.”
More information about each Town Deal Board can be found on their dedicated websites below:
