How £40m in funding could be 'monumental' for town

A town has been awarded £40m in funding to revitalise two areas, build civic pride and shape the future of their neighbourhoods.

Stoke Park and Whitehouse in Ipswich will benefit from £20m each from the government's Pride in Place programme.

The scheme promotes community groups, local organisations and social clubs to make spending decisions in partnership with local councils.

Ipswich Labour MP, Jack Abbott, called it a "monumental day" for the town, and said the money would be a boost for some areas that had seen high levels of deprivation.

Ian Fisher, the leader of the Conservatives at Ipswich Borough Council, said the funding could be "transformational".

"Today is a massive boost for our town, in a particular area [Stoke Park] that I think has been overlooked for a really long time," Abbott told BBC Radio Suffolk.

He added: "I really believe that the effects of this will be felt throughout Chantry and south west Ipswich.

"The difference here is that this isn't some top down decision making where someone else in Westminster is going to decide where and how this money is spent.

"This is going to be decided by local people, local communities about where they need that investment the most.

"It is a really monumental day for us here in Ipswich," he said.

Ipswich is among 40 areas in the UK receiving funding to improve communities.

Neil MacDonald, the leader of the Labour-run Ipswich Borough Council, explained the funding would be delivered over the next decade and the council was looking forward to working closely with residents.

"We are thrilled to see Ipswich secure £40m from the government's Pride in Place programme," he said.

"This long-term investment will give communities in Whitehouse and Stoke Park real power to shape their future.

"Residents will have greater influence, stronger local facilities, healthier environments and closer community ties. Opportunities for young people and adults will be identified and driven by the community itself."

The news comes as Ipswich was longlisted in the City of Culture for 2029 and a new music festival was announced to take place in the town.

Fisher said he welcomed the investment from government.

"I do not like to see politics come in the way of what is vital investment into our town," he explained.

"In recent years we have seen the Conservative government give Ipswich a large sum of money from the Town's Fund and now we have the Labour government giving us some money.

"This is great news for our town as long as it is spent where it needs to be. I am glad that the community will be involved in deciding where this money needs to be spent."

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