From Saturday 3rd October, members of the public will be able to provide feedback and comments on the town’s proposals for projects to be funded by the Government’s Towns Fund programme.
Burton is one of 100 towns to be selected for up to £25m from the Towns Fund in order to level up the town and support future economic growth. Leading this work is the Burton Town Deal Board, made up of community, public, and private sector representatives, which is chaired by Burton Albion Chairman, Ben Robinson MBE.
As part of this process, the Town Deal Board has been tasked with creating a Town Investment Plan for Burton, which is a document that sets out the vision for the town alongside a number of proposed interventions. In line with the Government’s Towns Fund framework, the projects can’t be ‘business as usual’ type initiatives, such as maintenance, but must be schemes that will help to enhance the prosperity of the town for the future.
In order to support the development of the Town Investment Plan, the Town Deal Board is seeking the views of the residents, businesses, and visitors of Burton on the longlist of proposed interventions. The public feedback will help the Town Deal Board in shortlisting proposals and prioritising which should be taken forward in the Town Investment Plan.
Ben Robinson Chair of the Town Deal Board said: “We have a unique opportunity to create a better, more prosperous future for the town and its residents.
“It’s an important chance to shape our own futures and we need to be bold and imaginative. We also need to ensure that the voices of the people of Burton play an integral part in creating this vision, which is why I would urge people to make their views and ideas count by taking part in the consultation process.
“Today we have received the fantastic news that we have been successful in the application for £750k that has been allocated to improvements to the High Street. This funding is over and above the £25m which the Town Deal Board hopes to be able to secure as part of this Town Investment Plan”.
Cllr George Allen, Deputy Leader for Regeneration, Planning Policy and Business Support at East Staffordshire Borough Council said: “This is a once in a generation opportunity which the Government has given the Burton community. If granted, this funding will see an exciting transformation of the Town with greater opportunities through investment. We are keen to ensure residents locally have an opportunity to have their say on the proposals”.
The consultation process will begin on Saturday 3rd October and close on Sunday 11th October. When it is available you will be able view the documentation and survey via East Staffordshire Borough Council’s website at the following web address: https://www.eaststaffsbc.gov.uk/burton-town-regeneration-programme/regeneration/burton-town-investment-plan
Alternatively, a display board will be set up in Coopers Square Shopping Centre, between Boots and The Fragrance Shop, where information on the intervention proposals will be available. There will also be questionnaire forms and a submission box for any feedback and comments.