Biddick Hall residents invited to have their say on how £20million funding should be spent
Biddick Hall residents are being urged to have their say on new Government funding.
Biddick Hall residents are being invited to give their views on how up to £20million of Government funding should be spent over the next 10 years.
The funding has been awarded to the area as part of the Pride in Place Programme, which aims to develop a strong community ethos for areas by putting the decision-making in the hands of local residents.
A critical step of the process is for the community to form a local ‘Board’ that will be headed up by a local independent Chair, who must be someone very closely connected to Biddick Hall.
The Board has to be made up of a majority of local residents to ensure that funding decisions reflect what local people are asking for.
Emma Lewell, the MP for South Shields, is leading on the new funding initiative with the support of South Tyneside Council.
She said: “Residents themselves already know what is needed in their own area. It is not me, or the Council, or the councillors who will decide what this money is spent on.
“We need local people, who feel strongly enough to speak out and may have never done so before, to come forward and grasp this new project firmly, making sure that it truly meets the requirements of their area.
“We need people of all ages and all backgrounds, including local businesses and community projects, to come forward, and no matter what amount of involvement you want to have, I do want to hear from you as soon as possible.
“South Tyneside Council and our brilliant community organisations are fully supporting all of this activity and they are already working closely alongside my team to make sure that we do not miss anyone.”
Cllr Tracey Dixon, Leader of South Tyneside Council, added: “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Biddick Hall, and what makes it so powerful is that it puts local people firmly at the heart of shaping their own future.
“Residents know better than anyone what matters most in their neighbourhood, and this programme gives them the chance to turn those priorities into real, lasting improvements.
“I'd encourage everyone in Biddick Hall to get involved however they can.”
The drop-in events are as follows:
- Tuesday, March 31: 1.30pm until 3.30pm - All Saints Community Association.
- Tuesday, April 7: 11.30am until 12.30pm - Key Community Bus at Biddick Hall and Whiteleas Family Hub.
- Friday, April 17: 5pm until 9pm - ‘Climb/BBQ’ at Simonside Climbing Wall (event for young people).
- Tuesday, April 21: 11.30am until 12.30pm - Key Community Bus at Biddick Hall and Whiteleas Family Hub.
- Friday, May 1: 10am until 12pm - Action Station.
- Tuesday, May 5: 11.30am until 12.30pm - Key Community Bus at Biddick Hall and Whiteleas Family Hub.
- Tuesday, May 19: 11.30am until 12.30pm - Key Community Bus at Biddick Hall and Whiteleas Family Hub.
- Thursday, May 21: 10am until 3pm - All Saints Community Association.
- Wednesday, May 27: 10am until 3pm - Action Station.
For any queries or to be put forward for Board chair or membership, contact: 0191 4271240 or e-mail: [email protected].
Correspondence via post can be sent to: One Trinity Green, Eldon Street, South Shields, NE33 1SA.
Full details can be found at: https://lewellemp.com/pride-in-place-drop-in-events/ or https://www.southtyneside.gov.uk/article/29257.
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