Have your say on Plan for Neighbourhoods programme

Paul Crofts, vice chair of Dudley Neighbourhood Board, Lauren Burgess Primrose Hill Community Church and Councillor Simon Phipps, cabinet member for economy and infastructure

People who live or work in an identified area of Dudley are being invited to have their say on potential funding by taking part in an online survey.

Running from Priory to Dudley Wood, the area is one of 75 in England to benefit from the central government’s ‘Plan for Neighbourhoods’ programme and incorporates Dudley town centre.

Paper copies of the survey are being posted through letterboxes in the area and a Dudley Neighbourhood Board has been set up.

The board will manage the fund and is made up of community groups, community representatives, politicians, the police, anchor institutions and businesses operating in the area.

Closely supported by Dudley Council, the board is currently chaired by Neil Thomas with Paul Crofts, CEO at Dudley Canal and Caverns, recently appointed as vice chair.

Engagement work is underway with representatives from 18 community groups, who have trained to lead engagement conversations, and the survey is open until September 12 for residents, businesses and stakeholders to share their views on priorities for the programme.

Engagement events will be held over the coming weeks, where people will have the opportunity to speak to those involved with the programme and take part in the survey.

Full details can be found on the Regenerating Dudley website.

Money can be spent on a wide range of things aligned to three goals of the programme: thriving places, stronger communities and taking back control.

Identified themes cover public spaces, high streets and heritage, housing, skills, employability and business growth, community cohesion, health and wellbeing, transport, safety and security, families, and early years and education.

Councillor Simon Phipps, cabinet member for development and regulation, said:

“This exciting £20 million programme will run over the course of 10 years, and the board is putting local people and their priorities at the centre of the process.

“I would encourage anyone who lives or works in the defined area to take part in the survey, which will close on 12 September.”

Paul Crofts, vice chair of the Dudley Neighbourhood Board, added:

“It's my pleasure to join the board and support Neil as Chair. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a meaningful difference for both the area and the people of Dudley and the identified area.

“How the funding is spent is shaped by our communities, and the survey is a great starting point for this.”

People can find out more about the programme and take part in the survey here.

To find more on the wider government programme people can visit www.gov.uk/government/collections/plan-for-neighbourhoods