£20 million regeneration boost for Black Country neighbourhood
An area of the Black Country is to receive a £20 million boost after securing the funds through a government regeneration scheme.
Tividale will receive £2 million a year for the next 10 years after being one of 40 neighbourhoods selected through the Government's £5 billion Pride in Place initiative.
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A local board of volunteers will be set up to decide how the money is spent.
West Bromwich MP Sarah Coombes, who campaigned for the investment alongside Sandwell Council leader Councillor Kerrie Carmichael and Tividale councillor Maria Crompton, celebrated the announcement.
Miss Coombes said it was a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the area.
She has launched an online survey for people to express their views on how the money should be spent.
Early suggestions included a community centre and youth club, she said.
"There is a problem with anti-social behaviour in Tividale, young people are standing around in the streets drinking and taking drugs, so if we could have more youth clubs and activities to give them something to do, that would be a help.
"There is also a lot of fly-tipping, and the green spaces could do with a bit of sprucing up. But £20 million is a lot of money, so there is also the potential for some very big projects."
A call has already gone out for people to volunteer to sit on a local board that helps coordinate the project.
Communities will also gain new powers to seize boarded-up shops, block nuisance businesses and buy beloved local assets before they close.
Miss Coombes said: “When I was elected, I promised to stand up for the people of Tividale and fight for the funding that we deserve.
“Working with Sandwell Labour Council we have delivered this £20 million investment for the community.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity and Tividale residents will decide how every penny of this money is spent, whether on youth centres, high streets, parks and more.
Councillor Kerrie Carmichael, leader of Sandwell Council said the investment would be a major boost for the area.
"From regenerating our high streets to opening new learning campuses and investing in our award-winning parks and green spaces, we are focused on making a difference for our residents so everyone can feel proud to call Sandwell our home," she said.
“We welcome this investment in Tividale, and will work with our community to agree how this can best be spent so we can keep making real changes which will benefit our residents for generations to come.”
Councillor Maria Crompton, who has represented Tividale ward since 2003 said: "We are very fortunate to have received this funding, and it will make a huge difference for the community.”
The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “We’re investing in the UK’s future, by backing the true patriots that build our communities up in neighbourhoods across every corner of the country. Because it’s people who bring pride, hope and life to our communities.”
People wanting to take part in Miss Coombes' survey on how the money should be spent can do so on the website survey.labour.org.uk/tividaleprideinplace.
