CITY Labour chiefs have set out their priorities for future investment in Worcester should be it be successful in its bid to secure £25million of Government cash.
The key priorities identified by Worcester’s Labour Group are based on conversations with local people and include better buses, better community centres, ‘green’ affordable housing, more outdoor play areas and help for those with difficulty getting into work.
Coun Joy Squires, deputy leader of the Labour group said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to invest in Worcester’s future. The Government’s Towns Fund is intended to ‘unleash economic potential’ and ‘level up communities.’ To achieve that, any money allocated to Worcester must be spent in ways that will benefit every community in our city.
As your local Labour councillors, we have taken the time to outline some of the priorities for post-Covid Worcester.
“The ideas we are putting forward have at their heart Labour’s values of fairness and equality. We know that Worcester faces challenges such as rising deprivation, limited social mobility and lower than average skills development. The COVID-19 crisis is likely to make this worse with higher levels of unemployment expected and local businesses impacted.
“It is crucial that the voice of Worcester people is heard when decisions are made about how this money is spent. We would encourage everyone to take the opportunity to put forward their ideas and priorities for our city,” she added.
The five priorities set out by Labour Councillors are:
Better buses – access to reliable, affordable, electric buses. So every resident can travel easily to any part of the city for work, training, education, medical appointments, shopping or socialising.
Better community centres – investment in the existing centres to become energy efficient and have high speed broadband. So the centres can become training and jobs hubs tailored to the needs of business and local communities.
Building on the city council’s existing Inclusive Growth Fund, to develop more sustainable businesses, improve skills and expand apprentice opportunities. So more people, particularly those who face difficulties, are helped into work.
The ethical regeneration of unwanted office and retail space into good quality, sustainable housing for rent. So more people can have a decent home they can afford.
Investing in more green spaces and outdoor play areas. So all children and families across the city can walk to a park or green area.
A Town Investment Board has been set up by the City Council in Worcester with representation from the business, education and voluntary sectors, as well as Worcester City Council.
The ‘MyTown’ campaign has also been launched to get people’s views on how to improve their area and residents can submit their own ideas for Worcester via the MyTown website.
