Earlier this year, Rebecca welcomed the Government’s Spring Budget as it was announced that Canvey Island will receive up to £20m of funding and support over 10 years to invest in the community and oversee huge regeneration projects. As the next stage of this, on Thursday, the Towns Unit Chairman Adam Hawksbee visited Canvey Island to learn more about local plans to improve the town.
Local plans for the Fund were discussed including improvements to:
• Public Safety
• Canvey High Street, Heritage and Regeneration
• Local Transport and Improved Connectivity
A new Town Board will now be established in the coming weeks to oversee these funds and decided upon the proposals that will see huge investment in the area. This Board will be made up of Rebecca Harris MP, local community and business representatives along with council members.
Rebecca Harris MP said;
“It was good that the Head of the Government Towns Unit came down to meet some of the businesses and community groups on the Island to explain how the £20 million can be used. It was made clear that it has to be the local community in the driving seat for this, with an independent Towns Team Board responsible for deciding just how this money is spent. I look forward to hearing what residents of Canvey want to do with this huge amount of money to improve the Island.”
Mr Hawksbee was taken on a tour of the local area and shown the town centre, including Knightswick Shopping Centre, the High Street, the Paddocks community centre and the seafront.
He said: "I was delighted to be in Canvey Island this week to discuss the Long-Term Plan for Towns, and how the programme is putting local people in control of the important decisions being made about its future. It was fantastic to meet community leaders with so much passion for their town, and hear about their work. This funding will support the Canvey Island Towns Board to invest in making Canvey Island an even better place to live, so local people can reach their full potential. I am excited to see what the future of the town holds."
