Town deal board calls for ideas to help shape ambitious plan for town

The Hastings Town Deal Board met last week for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic and is calling on residents and businesses to put forward their ideas to shape their plan for the town.
 
Hastings residents and businesses are being encouraged to put forward their ideas for the town by the completing the project proposal form available on the Hastings Town Fund page on the Hastings Borough Council website. 
 
The fund offers Hastings the opportunity to bid for up to £25m of funding to continue with the regeneration of the town and now also to help it to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 crisis. 
 
Graham Peters, co-chair of the Town Deal board, said
 
"The government has stated that the main objective of the Town Fund is to drive the 'economic regeneration of towns for long-term economic and productivity growth'. The Town Board agreed to bring forward firm and ambitious proposals, developed in close working relationship with our communities, businesses, and private and public investors to produce a Town Investment Plan and then a Town Deal. Both proposals will need to be approved by the government before the Board can start bringing them to life.
 
"The fund is primarily for capital projects. However, the board recognises that by themselves capital projects cannot deliver the growth in prosperity or improve the opportunities and income levels of Hastings residents, unless supported by improvements in skills, education, family support and health, and wellbeing. The board welcomes the opportunity in the prospectus to work with other government departments and funders, to develop an all-encompassing long-term approach to transform Hastings for all, to become a thriving coastal and green town that's a great place to live, work and visit."
 
Carole Dixon, co-chair of the Town Deal board, said
 
"We are excited to begin work on the town plan once again. As the recovery from the impact of COVID-19 moves forward, we are able to focus on the future and developing a plan for the Town Fund which will help the town thrive. 

"The board has made the decision to invite Hastings' residents and businesses to put forward ideas for the town by completing the proposal from on the webpage. We are at an early stage of developing proposals and the board welcomes ideas for the town that fit within the government's published guidelines.

"We want to ensure that the town's residents, businesses, organisations and communities are fundamental to building this plan, which is why we are encouraging people to get involved. Going forward, there will be events, consultation and engagement activities that will help shape the proposal.

"Meanwhile, the board acknowledges that there is a need for greater diversity in our membership. We are keen to hear from black and other minority ethnic groups who are interested in being part of what we are doing. We need to work together to shape the future of our town for all."

Cllr Kim Forward, leader of Hastings Borough Council, said,

"We are really pleased to see the important work of the town deal resume. This funding was welcome before the COVID-19 pandemic and will play a part in how the town recovers. It is really important to us that our partners and residents and businesses are involved and help shape this plan, and we look forward to seeing what ideas come forward."