Bedford’s Town Deal Board met for the first time on Monday 20 January to look at ways the town can bid for £25m of government regeneration money.
In September 2019, the local government secretary, Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP, announced that Bedford was among 100 towns eligible to bid for investment of up to £25m.
He said,“I hope these deals will provide the investment and the impetus for long-term renewal ensuring each town can look to the future with a new optimism.”
Read: Bedford among 100 towns invited to bid for £25m regeneration fund
The Bedford Town Deal Board is made up of businesses, landlords, industry leaders, cultural organisations, Bedford Borough Council and the local MP.
It will produce a Town Investment Plan which will form the basis of negotiation with government over a Town Deal and the amount of funding available.
Bedford Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Towns Centres, Cllr Henry Vann said, “Bedford is an exciting, vibrant town with a unique offer, and it was wonderful to attend the inaugural meeting of the Bedford Town Deal Board with so many local organisations, educational bodies and representatives from business and industry.
“Already there are exciting ideas being considered and – whilst there is a national crisis affecting towns across the whole country and local authority budgets have been cut by multiples of this latest offer – it is welcome that the Government are putting some funding towards our towns.
“We, our partners, and I know local residents, are working hard to help as we put together an exciting bid for the funding Bedford needs and deserves.”
