Scarborough News readers state what they think £20million government funding should be spent on
Scarborough is set to receive up to £20m of government funding - we asked you to tell us which projects you think should benefit from the money.
Scarborough News readers state what they think £20million government funding should be spent on
The funding has been awarded to Scarborough as part of a national programme to bring major investment to towns across the country, aiming to support community-based projects that can bring long-term benefits for the area.
The Scarborough Neighbourhood Board is responsible for co-ordinating how the funding will be spent in the town, working with North Yorkshire Council – and has identified 11 local projects that could benefit from the money.
They are:
♦ the Old Town Regeneration project
♦ redevelopment of Square One (SQ1)
♦ Sprucing Up Scarborough
♦ We Are Scarborough Volunteering Hub
♦ The Scarborough Fair
♦ Turning Tides
♦ Dads Behaving Madly Wellbeing Hub
♦ Scarborough Youth Spaces Network
♦ Stephen Joseph Theatre improvements
♦ Scarborough Watersports and Sea Centre
♦ and the Scarborough Community Grant Fund.
There was a ground swell of support for Dads Behaving Madly Wellbeing Hub and many people felt that all of the projects had merit and that the money should be shared equally between them.
Other projects were also cited as being worthy of investment, such as town rejuvenation as well as a bus and train transport interchange. There was also a large focus on facilities for young people in the area.
Sally Wilson said: “ I think it should be spent on the youth of Scarborough. The next generation needs input. We need to look to the future- and the future is the youth of today, it needs to be inclusive of all youths and be part of the diversity of the younger generation. Let the younger generation make this decision. What do they think Scarborough needs ?”
Lewis Scott said: "Children's play parks need renewing; they're looking tired. Peasholm needs some money spent on it as well- it looks like it's been left to rot!”
Many wanted to know how the list was finalised and how projects were evaluated. Rose Brooke said: “How many women drew up this list? How many people with special needs were included to meet diversity targets? How many from ethnic minorities were engaged? What was the process?”
The town centre was also a main point of discussion, with people voicing a need for money to be spent on new shops and entertainment.
Sammy Dobson said: “Have some better shops in town centre instead of barbers or charity shops etc, because it's boring in town.” While Janet Wilkinson said simply "toilets!"
The Scarborough Neighbourhood Board is currently seeking residents, businesses and visitors to have their say on each project as part of a five-week consultation.
The consultation will be ongoing until 5pm on Friday, February 13.
Visit www.northyorks.gov.uk/pride-in-place to take part.