The leader of Knowsley Council has called on the UK Government to put its money where its mouth is as it gears up for a second bid for Levelling Up funding.
Last year, the authority’s application for £20m to transform Huyton was rejected by Whitehall bosses as it asked for £20m to help deliver an ambitious 10 year master plan which involves the development of a new commercial district, enhanced public spaces, improving transport access and support for local businesses. Cllr Graham Morgan, who was named leader of the council for another 12 months when it met earlier this week, said its second application would help turn Knowsley’s plans for the borough into reality.
He said: “To help us turn our plans into reality as soon as possible, we will be seeking support from the latest round of the government’s levelling up fund. We must all hope the government chooses to give it the bit of attention it deserves this time, unlike last time, when they overlooked our bid for Huyton although all our officials who advised the government agreed we had a solid and justified proposal.
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“They made the decision to overlook Huyton and direct funding to other areas even though they weren’t in the areas of most deprived in the levelling up funding. Let’s hope they put their money where their mouths are this time.”
Huyton’s £20m regeneration plans will once again make up one of Knowsley Council’s bids when it applies for the second round of funding. The successful bids are expected to be announced in October.
A second bid, submitted jointly with St Helens Council, will look to reposition both Prescot and St Helens town centres. The eagerly anticipated Shakespeare Northern Playhouse in Prescot will open next month with the town’s levelling up bid aiming to strengthen the area’s heritage, cultural and leisure offer.
The third bid is looking to gain support for the development of local provisions in Halewood - an area with a growing population which is set to be bolstered by a number of large scale housing developments. The deadline for the bids to be submitted is July 6.
