People in Spalding are being asked to have their say and help to determine how £20M will be spent in the town.
In October 2023, Spalding was announced as one of the recipients of the government’s Long Term Plan for Towns funding, which will be invested in the town over the next ten years.
Now, the public is being invited to share their thoughts as part of a consultation that will help shape a long-term vision and initial three-year investment plan for Spalding.
Through the engagement, people are being asked for their thoughts on the priorities for Spalding around the themes of safety and security; high streets, heritage, and regeneration, and transport and connectivity, the cornerstones of the funding.
In addition, ideas are also being sought on topics such as improving the waterfront and events and activities for the town centre, which build on the findings of the consultation that took place in 2023 around town centre use and access.
There are a number of ways for people to have their say:
- Spalding residents will shortly be receiving a copy of the survey in the post to complete and return to Freepost
- In addition, an online version of the survey can be completed here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/spaldingambition
- Paper copies of the survey are available in the South Holland Centre and Boston College.
- Anyone who would like the survey in a different language can get in touch at SpaldingTownBoard@sholland.gov.uk
- People are also able to share their ideas in an online form on the Spalding Town Board website lovespalding.co.uk
- Events are also being planned for the town and will be promoted on the website lovespalding.co.uk and on the social media channels: Facebook and LinkedIn
The closing date for all feedback is Monday 10th June.
The consultation aims to complement previous surveys and builds on feedback provided by local residents previously. For example, the Long Term Plan for Towns consultation looks at themes such as improving the waterfront and making the town centre more appealing, topics which were highlighted in feedback given previously by Spalding residents.
The Long Term Plan for Towns funding offers us a hugely exciting opportunity for Spalding, the chance to bring significant improvements that meet the needs of our town and local people.
The new funding complements the investment that is already being successfully delivered in the town, such as through the construction of the new South Holland Health and Wellbeing hub.
At the very heart of the Long Term Plan for Towns funding is the community and we really want to hear the public’s thoughts and ideas so that we can create a vision and a plan that reflects local people’s ambitions and aspirations for our town.
We know from previous consultation how invaluable feedback is from the public, and if like us you Love Spalding, please do get involved and have your say today. We are listening.
Robin Hancox,Chair of Spalding Town Board
I really look forward to hearing from the community on how they see Spalding in ten years’ time and how we can use the £20m funding to make a real difference to the look and feel of the town. Feeling safe, making the most of our heritage and the many beautiful buildings in the town centre and importantly making it easily accessible for cycling and walking are all important elements of this. Let’s really think outside the box and come up with some innovative ideas. Please do let us have your thoughts - it is your town.
Councillor Nick WorthLeader of South Holland District Council
I have always believed that it is vitally important that popular views should shape how this money is used to best effect. I speak to countless people in and around Spalding all the time about the difference we can make, so I would encourage them to respond to make their views known.
Sir John HayesMP
The £20M Long Term Plan for Towns builds on other government funding, which is supporting the development of the new South Holland Health and Wellbeing Hub and the A16 improvements.