Sutton Coldfield’s £20m cash to be spent by new local council

A £20m Government handout to improve Sutton Coldfield will be managed by the town and not the town council, the Minister for Upgrading has confirmed. Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council will oversee the appointment of a new town council, which will be responsible for how money is spent on town projects over the next 10 years.

Sutton was one of 20 towns across the UK to receive cash in the latest wave of the Long Term Plan for Cities leveling programme. Around 55 towns, including four Black Country locations – Bilston, Dudley, Darlaston, Smethwick, were initially selected last September.

The aim is to put the money in the hands of local people to decide how it is spent, and it has been delivered in towns with “run-down centres, empty, boarded-up shops, litter, appalling anti-social behavior and people left angry. and frustrated by negligence’.

Read more: Huge £20m boost to city budget with ‘levelling’ fund.

It was not initially known whether Birmingham City Council or Sutton City Council would oversee the fund. But Jacob Young MP, the Leveling Up minister, has written to the local council’s chief executive, Olive O’Sullivan, to confirm that the town council will be “responsible for the day-to-day delivery and governance” of the programme.

Mr Young said: “Well-run and effective parish and town councils have an outstanding record of being close to the communities they represent and supporting their development. I understand that there have been ongoing discussions in relation to Birmingham City Council devolving some elements of this program to the City Council.

“Given the current situation at Birmingham City Council, we have taken the decision that the City Council will have no formal role in the governance of the programme. This is an exciting opportunity for Royal Sutton Coldfield and I look forward to working closely with you and the Borough Council as you develop your long term plan.”

The local council has been told it has until July 1, just over seven weeks to set up Royal Sutton Coldfield Borough Council. This will include the city’s MP, Andrew Mitchell, two city councillors, local councillors, a senior police representative, community partners from the community, faith, charity, neighborhood forum, youth groups or volunteers.

They should also have local business and social enterprise representatives. But it will be led by a non-politician – the president cannot be an elected official.

It will be up to the council to then come up with a “long-term, 10-year plan” to identify where the money should be spent on the city’s priorities. This can be anything from safety and security to high streets, heritage, regeneration or transport and connectivity.

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The aim is also to attract domestic investment and create jobs. An initial sum of £50,000 will be awarded to “support the convening of the city council”. “Local authorities should be ‘engaged throughout the development of the plan’. But the council must come.

Leader of Royal Sutton Coldfield Borough Council, Cllr Simon Ward (Four Oaks, Cons.) told BirminghamLive: “This is a community-led initiative. We are in the process of assembling a substantive city council with a chair who is not a politician. They will be a notable local figure.

“It’s long-term funding to improve the city in all sorts of ways. The council’s first task will be to come up with a plan how this £20m funding will be spent over 10 years.

“The fund is to be used for the city in its broadest sense. It’s not just about the city center. It’s a big vote of confidence in the city council and the city and generally a lot of things in the city in terms of heritage, the park as we knock on the door of the 500 in the city. ^th anniversary (in 2028). What a brilliant way to invest in all aspects of the city.”

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Asked how the city fund will be spent, given the city council has millions in the bank which it has struggled to spend since it was set up in 2016, Cllr Ward said: “I would urge Birmingham City Council to work as part of the municipal council. , that is, the delivery of the city fund.

“That means all parties have to be prepared to work together to deliver it for the benefit of the city. We have had some challenges working with Birmingham City Council. I would really hope, not least because of their financial difficulties, that we can work for the benefit of the people of Sutton Coldfield.”

He added: “We are calling for people to be put forward for the board.” Details of who can apply can be found in the ‘who can be on city council’ section here. Anyone who would like to get involved or knows someone who would like to be considered for the new town council should email Olive O’Sullivan at: [email protected]

Andrew Michell added: “The city council is now inviting those with the relevant experience and a deep love for our royal city to apply to be part of the Board that will decide how this money should be spent. If you or someone you know is interested then please get in touch with Olive O’Sullivan, Chief Executive of Royal Sutton Coldfield Borough Council.”