The new Spalding Town Board has come together for their inaugural meeting as the first steps are taken towards developing a plan for £20M investment in the town.
Bringing together representatives from the community, business, culture and heritage, as well as the public sector, local authorities, and local MP Sir John Hayes, the board has been set up after the government announced £20M Long Term Plan for Towns funding for Spalding in 2023.
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.
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. Councillor 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.”