Boston Borough Council confirms £750,000 accelerator projects under Towns’ Fund

At Full Council on Monday 10^th August 2020 Boston Borough Council approved a range of exciting projects that will be delivered through the Government’s Towns Fund Accelerated Funding.

The Borough Council and the Boston Towns Deal Board are already in the process of producing a Town Investment Plan which will be the basis of their bid for up to £25million of funding from the Towns Fund to help level-up the town, but it was announced last month that Boston would also benefit from £750,000 Accelerated Funding to help deliver projects in this financial year.

At their meeting this evening Boston Councillors agreed a shortlist of six projects that they are looking to take forward to access this funding, these are:

Haven High Academy – 3G Pitch Development Project

Haven High Academy is applying to the Football Foundation for funding towards a full size floodlit 3G Football Turf Pitch on the site in Marian Road.  The academy is keen to provide high quality facilities that will not only benefit their students but turn the venue into a hub for the local community.

Boston College Digital, Transport and Logistics Academy

Boston College’s Digital, Transport and Logistics Academy (DTLA) is proposed to introduce new courses that will provide skills training for Lincolnshire’s established logistics and transportation industry and is set for completion in November this year. Following consultation with the logistics industry, including the Port of Boston, the College have identified what equipment is required to accelerate the support for skills and employment and help the DTLA become fully operational in time to support the local economy as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Having been supported by Councillors this evening these projects will now be submitted to Government to ascertain their suitability for the Accelerated funding. Whilst not all the projects will be able to access the funding, as their funding request exceeds the £750,000 allocation, there is still potential for those that miss out to be included in the Town Investment Plan which will submitted later this year.

Councillor Nigel Welton, Portfolio Holder – Economic Development and Planning, said: “These are all incredibly deserving projects, each of which would help us and the Towns Deal Board deliver long lasting positive change for Boston and our residents. Since its inception in January, the Towns Deal Board has placed an emphasis on collaboration and partnership working and that is something that underpins each and everyone of these projects.

“Through discussions with the Board and from the feedback we’ve received through the #MyTown project, we have been able to identify some key areas that it is clear local communities want to see supported, including enterprise and skills, sport and health, and support for our High Street. These projects will help meet each of these key themes; providing the maximum benefit for our residents and I look forward to seeing them be delivered.”