Super-council must carry on good work in Wansbeck

Posted by The Journal on Mar 1, 09 08:35 AM in Councils

Vital regeneration work in a former Northumberland coal mining stronghold must not be slowed down by the looming arrival of a single, super-council for the whole county, it is claimed.

Millions of pounds have been invested in improving Wansbeck over the last few years, and district council chiefs say further funding of £33m has been secured to boost employment and local quality of life between now and 2011.

Major town centre regeneration schemes are in the pipeline for Ashington and Bedlington - following the £12m investment in 2007 to give Newbiggin-by-the-Sea a new coastal defence breakwater, beach and offshore sculpture.

Now district leaders have issued a plea for the momentum of the economic and social revival to be maintained when unitary local government begins on April 1, and Wansbeck Council is abolished.

It has been made following a cabinet meeting which discussed a report on a raft of regeneration projects waiting in the wings, together with statistics on the funding which has been levered into the district by the council's small regeneration team.

Dave Ledger, deputy leader of Wansbeck Council, said: "This report amplifies the great work that has been done in this district to turn the corner, so far as bringing in the regeneration investment we have been starved of in the past.

"This council and district have moved forward so far in recent years, always with the support of local people.

"Now the new authority must maintain that impetus and momentum to build on the good foundations we have established, and continue to drive forward the regeneration and revitalisation."

Councillors were told the £33m funding up to 2011 could potentially be tripled by matching cash and private investment.

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