Goole residents invited to share thoughts on Town Investment proposals through Goole Town Deal website

Residents and businesses in and around Goole are encouraged to share their thoughts on the ambitious and aspirational proposals to be detailed in a Town Investment Plan currently being developed.

The proposals for Goole have a key focus on regenerating the town centre, and thoughts and comments can be submitted via the recently launched Goole Town Deal website at www.gooletowndeal.co.uk

The Town Investment Plan is being developed by the Goole Town Deal Board in partnership with East Riding of Yorkshire Council and it is the route to securing up to £25million of Town Deal Government money to:

• create economic growth
• deliver investment in economic assets
• develop enterprise opportunities
• increase leisure, recreation and sports offers
• enhance digital connectivity
• celebrate heritage and the built environment
• bring buildings back into use
• enrich the town centre public realm and social spaces.

Town Deal funding will be even more important in the current climate, to aid the recovery of the town and its people following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Joseph Richardson, chair of the Goole Town Deal Board, said: “Since the first meeting of the Board in March 2020, a key part of the preliminary work has been focused on identifying the best strategic projects that offer the greatest short-, medium- and long-term benefits for the communities and businesses in Goole.

“The Board has been mindful of suggestions and ideas from the community in order to influence and prioritise interventions that will make a difference and lead to other things.

“Due to COVID 19, face-to-face consultation hasn’t been possible, and social distancing has prevented direct-engagement events from happening. With this in mind, others avenues have been explored to capture residents’ suggestions and ideas through social media and the My Town portal. We have also taken into account conversations Board members have had within their own industry sectors.”

As of December 2020, the My Town portal for Goole and the Facebook page has received over 200 comments, and these have been factored in to develop a long list of project ideas which, in turn, have been assessed to become a shortlist of capital interventions that the Town Deal Board would now welcome residents’ comments on the Goole Town Deal website.

Councillor Richard Burton, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “The website gives its readers an opportunity to learn more about the hugely anticipated Town Deal and comment on the proposals people have said matter to Goole.

“All the latest information about the progress of the Town Deal will feature on the website, and it will be the place to access regular progress updates, and a place for the businesses and communities to continue help shape and rebuild a bright future for the town centre.”

The Town Investment Plan will be submitted to the Government by Friday, 29 January 2021 and the outcome of the funding request is expected by 31 March 2021. Residents can register their comments by no later than Friday, 15 January 2021.

Similar to the vast majority of towns which have already submitted their investment plans in ‘cohorts one and two’ which focus on six to nine major capital proposals, Goole’s Town Investment Plan is likely to do the same. The Towns Fund, whilst not a grant giving scheme, is infrastructure-focused to achieve the objectives of the Town Deal.

For further information, please either visit www.gooletowndeal.co.uk  or the East Riding of Yorkshire Council website at https://eryc.link/regeneration-and-renaissance-partnerships-goole

Also, please contact either Helen Hoult, programme manager at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, or Leigh Johnson, local growth co-ordinator, on (01405) 767654, or email helen.hoult@eastriding.gov.uk or ring 07810794820.

Photo credit Janine Cocker