Plans to Spend £19.5m on Scarborough Projects Moves Forwards

A long term investment plan for Scarborough is moving forwards with the council set to submit an initial three year plan to the government in August.

The town was awarded just under £20m of government funding back in 2023.

Since then the Scarborough town Board have been working on proposals which are now going to be formally put forward for funding.

Scarborough was included as one of 55 initial towns to receive the endowment style funding over the next ten years through the government's Long-Term Plan for Towns programme. This provides an opportunity to build on the work of the Town Deal and other regeneration initiatives to achieve positive change for the residents and visitors to Scarborough. Towns have until the 1st of August 2024 to submit a ten-year high-level Vision document and an initial three-year Investment Plan

North Yorkshire Council's Executive Member for Business is Councillor Mark Crane.

An initial three-year Investment Plan which indicates what interventions the first £6.876 million of funding will be spent on needs to be submitted by August 1st.

Council Greg White says that to see the full benefit of the cash there also needs to be investment in roads and rail.

The £19.51m needs to be spent on projects which align with three key investment themes:

• High Streets, Heritage and Regeneration: Enhancement of town centres, making them and their buildings more attractive and accessible to residents, businesses, and visitors in a post Covid environment.
• Safety and Security: Tackling crime and anti-social behaviour to turn around local areas and ensuring business can thrive.
• Transport and Connectivity: Ensuring that residents can access high streets, jobs and local shopping

Scarborough Councillor Heather Philips has welcomed the development and is keen for the council to press on with securing the initial tranche of funding.

An egagement excercise has already taken place to gather thoughtss from the local community as to the priorities for the use of teh monet.

The key outcoems from the engagement were:

Improving the Town Centre: Residents expressed a strong desire for a cleaner, more attractive town centre. Specific concerns included the pervasive mess caused by seagulls and general grime that detracts from the town centre’s appeal. Enhancing the appearance of shop fronts was also highlighted as a priority to improve the visual aesthetics of the town.

Public Transportation Needs: There is a significant demand for more frequent bus services, particularly for teenagers and the elderly in areas like Sandybed and Barrowcliff and better early morning connections to the Hospital for staff. Residents highlighted that current transportation options are inadequate, making it difficult for these groups to access the town centre for work, leisure, and other activities – often having to rely on taxis, which is not sustainable.

Balancing Resident and Tourist Needs: Residents raised concerns about the balance between their needs and those of tourists. There is a call for more affordable and free activities for children and families, such as fountains and paddling pools that allow for easy supervision. This feedback highlights the need for amenities that serve both residents and visitors, ensuring that locals feel valued and their needs are met.

Public Space Enhancements: The community expressed a strong desire for more public spaces, including a town square, fountains, and seating areas that encourage socialising and relaxation. Residents feel that these enhancements would create inviting areas where people can gather and interact.

Public Toilets: A significant number of residents requested the addition of more public toilets, particularly in busy areas like the town centre and parks. They feel that accessible and clean public toilets are essential for them to consider town centre visits with the wider family, as well as increasing dwell time individually.

Youth Provision: There is a strong desire for youth-led provisions and social spaces within the town centre to better cater to the needs of younger residents. This feedback also highlights the need to address youth anti-social behaviour through positive community initiatives.

Addressing Anti-Social Behaviour: Residents are concerned about anti-social behaviour in the town centre, particularly issues related to alcohol and substance abuse. There is a call for measures to reduce these behaviours and provide supportive services for vulnerable individuals.

Executive Member for Culture, Arts and Housing, Councillor Simon Myers, says it's great to see investment coming from central government.

North Yorkshire Council's Executive has this week delegated authority to the Corporate Director for Community Development and Corporate Director for Resources, in consultation with the Executive Member for Open to Business, to submit the final ten-year Vision document for Scarborough and the initial three-year Investment Plan to the DLUHC by the 1st August 2024.