£20 million investment offers "huge boost" for Meir North

Meir North is set to receive up to £20 million of Government funding over the next decade, with local leaders saying the investment could transform the area - but only if residents are placed at the heart of deciding how the money is spent.

The funding forms part of the Government's Pride in Place programme, which aims to help communities tackle long-standing issues by giving local people greater control over regeneration. Meir North is one of 244 localities across Great Britain selected to receive the funding, which will be invested over a decade long period through a locally led Pride in Place Board.

The programme is designed to be community-led rather than council-led. A new Board, made up of residents, businesses, community organisations, the local authority and the area's MP, will work with local people to identify priorities before producing a long-term investment plan. The funding could support anything from improving parks and public spaces to community facilities, youth provision, skills, high streets and initiatives that make neighbourhoods cleaner and safer.

The first major step in the process came with the appointment of Catherine Kilvington as Chair of the Meir North Pride in Place Board. Catherine has more than a decade of experience leading community projects and will oversee the development of the area's ten-year vision.

Speaking to The Staffordshire Signal, Meir North ward councillor Lauren Davison described the funding as an opportunity to change both the area and the way investment reaches communities like Meir North.

"This is a huge boost for Meir North – £20 million is a massive opportunity but I also think it's the start of something bigger.

"Places like Stoke-on-Trent were left competing against each other for scraps under the last Tory Government, whilst too much investment flowed to the same parts of the country. That approach didn't work.

"We are now seeing a different direction of travel – which Pride in Place was the start of. The funding recognises talent and potential exists in every neighbourhood and it's about rebalancing where power and investment goes.

"It's up to us to make the most of it and show what our area can achieve when it's properly backed."

While there has already been considerable interest in what the funding should be spent on, Cllr Davison said it would be for the Neighbourhood Board and local residents to determine those priorities together.

"At this stage, although I'll be on the Board as the ward councillor for the area, there'll be lots of others on there too – so I'd not feel comfortable pre-empting or speaking for the Board and residents who will be the ones to decide. That will be decided upon in the coming weeks and months – I'm really excited to be part of those discussions!"

Stoke-on-Trent South MP Dr Allison Gardner, who will also sit on the Board, echoed that message, stressing that the programme's success will depend on local people shaping its direction.

"£20 million is a significant investment in Meir North and a real chance to build on everything that's already great about our community. I'm really pleased we have just appointed our fantastic Chair, Catherine Kilvington, who will lead the Neighbourhood Board.

"The most important thing is that local people will help shape what comes next. This isn't for me, or any one person, to decide. The funding will be guided by the Neighbourhood Board, bringing together residents, community groups, businesses and local partners. I'm proud to be one member of that board, but the decisions will be made collectively, with the community at the centre.

"I'm looking forward to working with everyone involved to make the most of this opportunity and ensure this investment delivers lasting benefits for Meir North."

The Government has made clear that Neighbourhood Boards must be established by 17th July, after which they will begin engaging with residents to develop a ten-year investment plan. Funding will then be released in stages over the coming decade as projects are agreed and delivered.

For Meir North, the announcement brings about a feeling of hope for a part of the city that has been overlooked for far too long. Unlike many previous schemes, Pride in Place is built around the principle that the people who live in an area should decide how it changes. Whether that ambition can be realised will depend not only on the investment itself, but on how successfully the Board engages the community in shaping Meir North's future.

We look forward to reporting on the successes that arise from this in the coming months.