Spalding Town Board is progressing well with work to develop plans for multi-millionpound funding coming into the town.
Following the government’s announcement of the Plan for Neighbourhoods programme – replacing the Long Term Plan for Towns – the Board has taken steps to update its structure and governance to meet the new guidance.
In line with the additional themes now covered under the funding, some new members have joined the Board and theme leads have been drawn from the membership to focus knowledge, experience, and skills in key areas.
The Board is also getting ready for a period of engagement and consultation which will place local people at the very heart of the proposals that are being drawn up, ensuring that these are shaped together with the community.
This engagement will include consultation that will be carried out by South Holland District Council on its heritage strategy and design guide.
As the Board plans for the future, it is already seeing the impact that funding has had in the town through the hotspot policing pilot. The Board made the decision to invest in the pilot scheme in direct response to feedback from consultation carried out in 2024 which showed people would like to enjoy Spalding safely.
A report was presented to the Board this week on findings from the first phase of the project, which showed that the hotspot pilot had created a measurable decline in antisocial behaviour, with reductions in street drinking, vehicle-related nuisance, and youth disorder during patrol hours.
Feedback from residents and businesses welcomed the pilot as “a welcome and visible deterrent”, reporting fewer incidents of shoplifting and intimidation, particularly in the evening economy, whilst highlighting an increased feeling of safety when uniformed patrols were visible.
Trained officers worked in collaboration with CCTV operators and local authority community safety teams to provide stronger coverage of known high-risk areas across flexible patrol hours, with a particular focus on early intervention with vulnerable individuals and safeguarding concerns, including lone females at night and young people at risk of exploitation.
Following the report the Board voted on plans to extend the pilot to a Phase 2, which was unanimously supported.
Robin Hancox, Chair, Spalding Town Board said: “It has been a very busy time for the Board as we’ve been focused on doing everything that is necessary to respond to the new government guidance,
“The Board has been working together collaboratively to reset and I am really grateful to all our board members over the last eighteen months who have shown such commitment to making sure this funding makes a difference for our community.
“The next step is for us to get out there again and talk to our residents and businesses about their priorities and what they think. Local residents gave their feedback so generously last year and we will be asking once again for people to share their thoughts on the proposals that are being prepared.
“The Board is committed to our town, and to realising this huge opportunity by working together with local people. It is an exciting time for Spalding.”
Councillor Nick Worth, leader of South Holland District Council said: “It is fantastic to see the early results of the Board’s hard work making a real difference to our town, residents and businesses. This is shown through the excellent results of the hotspot policing pilot, which has been proven to help people feel safer and happier in the town and has brought about a clear reduction in anti-social behaviour.
“It is great to see this important work extended, meeting one of the key needs and desires that was shared with us during the consultation process. We need to make sure this funding has the biggest and best impact possible, and people taking the time to share their thoughts and feedback is crucial to help us to achieve this.”