'Wonderful £20m cash boost must be used sensibly'

Two areas of Coventry are to receive up to £20m from a government scheme which aims to invest in communities.

Tile Hill and Hillfields are the latest areas selected to receive funding through the Pride in Place programme, which was set up to help "overlooked" communities in the UK.

One resident said the funding was "wonderful" and called for it to be spent on fixing roads, tackling empty shops and supporting young families in the area.

Taiwo Owatemi, Labour MP for Coventry North West, described it as a "huge investment" and one she had been pushing for.

Jacqueline Cashmore, 81, has lived in Tile Hill for about 19 years and volunteers at a local charity shop.

She said the roads needed doing, pointing to "great big pot holes", and a number of "abandoned shops".

"I think they [should] get something going for the younger generation [and] young mums," she said.

"This is a charity shop and we get people in here that look about 16 and they bring babies in the freezing cold weather."

She added: "I think it's a wonderful thing it has been awarded but it needs to be used sensibly and not just put into the first thing they think about.

"They need to help the people of Tile Hill."

Last month, the government announced the £5bn scheme would be extended to 40 more areas in England, and give people a say on how funds should be spent.

About 380 areas will receive money - including Willenhall, which was announced last year.

The funding, worth £2m a year over 10 years, will support improvements to high streets, parks, community facilities and essential services, as well as projects that strengthen community life.

As part of the programme, communities will also have new powers to take control of local assets, deal with vacant or derelict buildings and shape the future of their neighbourhoods.

Owatemi added: "From speaking to residents, it's clear that people want to see real improvements – whether that's supporting local businesses, cleaner and safer streets, better access to services like a local pharmacy, or more investment in community spaces.

"I will be working closely with local residents to ensure that this investment reflects the priorities of the community and delivers meaningful, long-term change."

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