The members of the board formed to oversee the £20m Levelling Up money for Spalding has been revealed.
The Spalding Town Board met for the first time last night (Monday) in a meeting held behind closed doors.
The board is to be made up of:
- Chair: Robin Hancox, Lincolnshire Field Products
- Alistair Main, Lighthouse Church
- Petronella Keeling, Spalding Gentleman Society
- David Ball, Bridge Farm
- Craig Delaney, Spalding Business Board
- Catherine Duce, Spalding Business Board
- David Jones, Chairman, Pedals
- Emma Tatlow, Active Lincolnshire
- Charlotte Goy, Destination Lincolnshire
- Stewart Elderkin, Pedals
- Tracy Stringfellow, Heritage Lincolnshire
- John Bland, Spalding and District Civic Society
- Claire Foster, Boston College
- Marc Jones, PCC
- Inspector Matt Dickinson, Lincolnshire Police
- Sir John Hayes, MP for South Holland and The Deepings
- Coun. Nick Worth, Leader South Holland
- Coun Gary Taylor, Lincolnshire County Council
- Coun Rob Gibson, Spalding Town Forum
A spokesman for the board said: “The new board will oversee the development of a long term plan for Spalding which will set out a ten-year vision for the town along with a three-year investment plan.
“The plan will identify targeted activities that can bring improvements around safety and security; high streets, heritage, and regeneration, and transport and connectivity.
“At the heart of creating a long-term plan for Spalding is community engagement, and at their first meeting, the Spalding Town Board emphasised their commitment to listening to local people’s aspirations for their town.
“The Spalding Town Board will provide opportunities for engagement for the community and local stakeholders over the coming months, with the Long Term Plan for Spalding set to be submitted to government by August 1.”
Robin Hancox, managing director of Lincolnshire Field Products and Fresh Linc has been appointed chair of the Spalding Town Board. Robin said: “The £20M Long Term Plan for Towns funding represents an exciting opportunity for Spalding, and the chance for us to bring improvements that will make a significant and sustainable impact.
“Community engagement and consultation are absolutely integral to the development of this plan, and over the coming months we will be inviting people to share their views and ideas on what they would like to see for their town.
“It is fantastic that the Town Board is now established, with such a breadth of knowledge, experience, and skills, and we will begin working towards creating a plan that delivers what Spalding needs.
“I look forward to working with board members, local people, and South Holland District Council to develop a long-term plan for Spalding.”
South Holland District Council is the accountable body for the funding and will be delivering the long-term plan once it is produced.
Coun Nick Worth, leader of South Holland District Council said: “This funding will play a pivotal role in maximising Spalding’s potential, and will have far reaching benefits for our community.
“I am delighted to join the board and get involved in shaping a vision for the town, which will be informed by feedback from local people because community engagement is absolutely at the heart of identifying how this funding should be invested.
“The Long Term Plan for Towns funding builds on the Levelling Up investment which
has already been announced for Spalding for the new South Holland Health and
Wellbeing Hub and the A16 improvements.
“Together, the combined investment in our town will help to create new opportunities for our whole community.”
Sir John Hayes MP said: “Establishing the Town Board provides a great opportunity for local people to see how our area benefits from the extra money given to South Holland from the Government.
“This huge investment must be used to make our area as good as it can be. I look forward to working with other members of the Town Board on this exciting endeavour.”
