During Prime Minister’s Questions today, Gedling’s Conservative Member of Parliament Tom Randall said “Getting investment into Gedling is important. At a previous PMQs I put aside my political differences with Labour-run Gedling Borough Council to champion its Levelling Up fund bid, which, like others funding bids it’s made, were sadly unsuccessful.”
Tom went on to ask the Prime Minister “Does my Right Honourable Friend agree with me that it important that councils like Gedling now take stock and learn from this experience and can he confirm that help from Government will be available to do that, so that in future hopefully Gedling can make more successful bids?"
The Prime Minister replied: “Yes of course. We are very happy to help Gedling and other Labour-run Councils to get their act together where necessary and to put those bids in. More Levelling Up Fund bids come due in the spring of next year and I wish Gedling well in their future bid.”
In March 2021, the Conservative Government launched the ‘Levelling Up Fund’ which was announced at the Spending Review to invest in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK. The £4.8 billion fund will support town centre and high street regeneration, local transport projects, and cultural and heritage assets and all local councils were invited to submit a bid for funds.
A total of 305 Levelling Up Fund bids were received on or before the funds closing date, including Gedling Borough Council’s, and were assessed in line with the three staged approach set out in the Levelling Up Fund Technical Note. Sadly, Gedling Borough Council’s bid was unsuccessful.
Speaking after PMQs, Tom said, “Securing investment into Gedling has been a priority of mine since my election in 2019. That includes this Conservative Government giving Gedling £210,000 Welcome Back Fund to plant more trees and fit benches on our high streets; £311,436 to help provide temporary accommodation for Gedling residents; £1.25 million and £350,000 for Arnold Market and Carlton Square renovations; over £13 million which supported Gedling’s businesses during the pandemic and saved jobs; £725,000 of Green Homes Grant which is making private and social housing across Gedling more environmentally friendly; and rebuilding both the QMC and City hospitals.
“I share the disappointed that Labour-run Gedling Borough Council have submitted three failed bids for more investment into our communities, two of which were before I was elected. The political leadership at the Council must learn from these mistakes and I am pleased the Prime Minister has confirmed that the Government will help them to do so. I have already asked to meet Department for Levelling Up officials to discuss Gedling’s bid and I will also be meeting Ministers to discuss future funding opportunities.
“Despite their social media barbs, I look forward to working constructively with the senior leadership at Gedling Borough Council on improving their bids so that our communities can benefit from future funding opportunities.”
You can watch the question and answer here: https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/1cca9bf5-0921-4302-90c1-9848a9ab3…
