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Plans on how to spend £19.5m regeneration cash awarded to Farnworth over the next 10 years have been approved by Bolton council. The funding was originally awarded to Farnworth under the Plan for Neighbourhoods scheme under the previous Conservative government. The current Labour administration later confirmed the cash and renamed the scheme ‘Pride in Place’, with many of the same objectives. A special meeting of Bolton council’s cabinet heard from assistant director of development and regeneration, Paul Whittingham, who said the implementation and priorities of the scheme would be led by the community. Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE He said: “This plan represents a long process but does create the opportunity to look at the next 10 years. “This is a community led scheme with the council there for guidance and overseeing the financial side of things. “This is a long term, once in a generation project to drive forward regeneration with local community in charge. “We’ve had local community groups and children saying ‘this is what we want for the future’. This represents a really good opportunity to drive forward change.” A neighbourhood board will deliver the plan and set priorities. The board will include a chair, two MPs, two councillors, a senior police officer and a representative from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. There will also be representatives from the private sector, up to four from the community and voluntary sector and up to three from the local community. There will be up to three representatives for young people, and a senior council officer. A report on the key priorities for ‘Pride In Place’ over the first four years said there was ‘a mismatch between the locations of service provision and the preferred locations by users’. The report, said: “Some residents indicate a lack of confidence moving around even within Farnworth and a strong identification with their immediate environment. “For example New Bury is perceived as a separate community from Farnworth town centre. “To address this a review of community facilities is proposed. This review will identify community facilities across the town and the demand for space to provide services. “Through a process of consultation with service users, space owners and service providers, the review will deliver an updated network of services that meets user requirements making use of community spaces that are convenient for local residents.” Other areas of investment include a ‘Farnworth fund’ to support community and voluntary groups, investment in CCTV and lighting and investment in play areas in parks. On improving access to green spaces the report said attention would be paid to the revival of Rock Hall, community hubs and play-space revival, along with improvements to Harper Green playing fields. Farnworth councillor Paul Sanders, who is a board member, said: “This is a huge positive for Farnworth. “It’s been a two year process so it’s a sense of ‘hallelujah’ because we had the hiatus of the Conservative administration actually approving this and this government saying we’re good to go. “All who have taken part have contributed to a vision which captures the priorities that people from Farnworth and Kearsley have.”
