Cabinet support for Levelling Up bids

PLANS to bid for Levelling UP Fund monies to kickstart an ambitious transformation of Cleethorpes, and re-invent Grimsby Town Centre have been approved by North East Lincolnshire Council’s Cabinet.

Supporting the three bids to Central Government, which are being worked up for submission in early July,  Council leader Cllr Philip Jackson, who has Portfolio Holder responsibility for regeneration, said:

“Our ambition is real and these bids show how we are prepared to look at ways in which we can realise positive and true change that will benefit our town centre economy in Grimsby and our local and visitor economy in Cleethorpes. We now look forward to what we hope will be a successful bidding round and we can move forward.”

The authority is allowed to submit one bid for each constituency – so one for Cleethorpes and one for Grimsby, with another ringfenced for transport projects. The following are being worked up:

• A constituency bid of up to £20m for Cleethorpes which will incorporate schemes identified in the Cleethorpes’ Masterplan as important strategic development locations, and deliverable within the timescales. The area of focus is Market Place, Sea Road and Pier Gardens, and, if appropriate, strategic site acquisition.
•  A constituency bid of up to £20m for Grimsby. As reported, this would be used to carry out work, which was to be funded by the Future High Streets Funding (FHSF). This is already secured for the reinvention of the western end of Freshney Place and the Market Hall to bring leisure activities to the town centre. If formally approved, that pre-secured FHSF leisure scheme monies will be used to buy Freshney Place. Again, as reported, the shopping centre purchase is subject to Full Council approval, having also been approved by this week’s Cabinet.
• A transport specific bid of up to £20m for the development of a transportation hub in Grimsby Town Centre with potential additional projects to be considered around the electrification of buses and repairs to strategic bridge infrastructure.