Published: 07/06/2021
THE community of Cleator Moor is celebrating being offered multi-million-pound funding for the town.
The Cleator Moor Town Deal Board, with the support of Copeland Council, has been successful in its initial application to the Government’s Towns Fund and has been offered investment of £22.5 million.
Copeland Council was invited to bid for funding on behalf of Cleator Moor (incorporating Cleator) in January last year, and a Town Deal Board made up of community representatives has worked with the support of the council to produce its Town Investment Plan.
The Government announced the funding offer for Cleator Moor today (Tuesday). The Town Deal Board and Copeland Council now have a short window to formally accept the outline offer, followed by a further year of work to develop the projects to the point of investment.
Mike Starkie, Mayor of Copeland, said: “I am thrilled that this significant investment for Cleator Moor has taken a major step forward, and I’d like to congratulate everyone from the Town Deal Board and Copeland Borough Council who have worked so hard on the bids thus far. We also thank the NDA and Sellafield Ltd for their continued support.
“This investment that has been offered will help create a sustainable – and prosperous – future for this wonderful town. It will encourage employment, harness growth and innovation, improve health and wellbeing, facilitate regeneration, and enhance our visitor economy, transport and accessibility.
“We now look forward to working with the Town Board to work up the project detail.”
Trudy Harrison, MP for Copeland, said: ““As the Member of Parliament for Copeland, I am proud that this government has delivered on its promise to regenerate our towns.
“For the residents of Cleator Moor, this is the most significant public investment in living memory.
“The scope of these programmes is unparalleled and will kickstart the much needed change that the town deserves.”
Kayleigh Daniels, Chair of the Cleator Moor Town Deal Board, said: “This really is fantastic news for Cleator Moor. Over the past years, even decades, the town has been home to so many passionate people with a desire to do good for our town. This result really feels like the culmination of all that hard work.
“As a board we are already fully bought-in to Cleator Moor as the place to be to set up a business, raise a family, and socialise with friends; but with this money and the proposed investments, we can build on this momentum, while laying a solid foundation for future generations to build on for years to come.”
Communities Secretary, Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP, said: “We are levelling up towns and cities across the country by building stronger and more resilient local economies, boosting prosperity and opportunity in our communities, and helping them build back better from the pandemic.
“Today I am announcing new town deals in 26 areas, backed by over £610 million investment from the Towns Fund. This will support locally-led projects to transform disused buildings and public spaces, deliver new green transport and create new opportunities for people to develop new skills. This is a boost for communities and businesses across England.”
For more information on the Cleator Moor Town Deal Board, visit www.copeland.gov.uk/towns-fund-cleator-moor
To view the Government's full funding announcement, visit Twenty-six towns to share over £600 million to help communities build back better - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
** An announcement on Millom’s application to the Towns Fund is due in the next tranche.
