Have Your Say on £20M Investment in Boston

Posted on Thursday 16 May 2024 - A press release from Boston Town Deal

People are being asked to share their hopes and ideas for Boston's brilliant future and help to decide how £20M is invested in the town.

In 2023, it was announced that Boston would receive £20M in Long Term Towns Funding for improvements that will be delivered over the next ten years. The funding will be used for projects and interventions around the themes of safety and security; high streets, heritage and regeneration, and transport and connectivity.

At the heart of the funding and the development of a long-term vision and an initial three year investment plan for Boston is the local community - and local people are now being invited to have their say on how the money is spent in a number of ways:

• Boston town residents will soon be receiving a survey in the post which they can return Freepost
• People can also share their thoughts and ideas in an online survey which will take about 10 minutes to complete: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/bostonsbrilliant
• There will also be a programme of community events taking place, the details of which will be promoted on the Boston Town Deal website Long Term Plan for Towns - Welcome to Boston Town Deal Website and social media channels.
• Anyone who would like a hard copy of the survey or the survey in a different language can get in touch with the team: bostontowndeal@boston.gov.uk
• Paper copies of the survey are also available to complete at Boston Borough Council, Boston Stump, the Guildhall, Geoff Moulder Leisure Centre, and Boston College.
• And, people can also share their thoughts in an online feedback form: Long Term Plan for Towns - Welcome to Boston Town Deal Website or email their views to bostontowndeal@boston.gov.uk

Neil Kempster is Chair of Boston Town Board which is overseeing the development of the long term plan for Boston. He said: "The Long Term Plan for Towns funding builds on the transformational funding that is already coming into Boston through the Towns Fund and Levelling Up, and it offers another fantastic opportunity for the town.

"Listening to the views of local people, finding out what matters to them, and what improvements they would like to see, is vital and will inform decisions on how this money is invested. It is your opportunity to help shape the future of your town.

"I would ask people to please take a moment to tell us what you think, and help to make a difference for Boston's brilliant future."

Cllr Anne Dorrian, Leader of Boston Borough Council, said: "I'm thrilled to see Boston's bright future taking shape with another investment of £20m. This is a fantastic opportunity for our community to shape the future of our town. Your ideas and input are crucial in deciding where this funding goes. I want you to know that your voice matters so please share your thoughts online, or reach out directly to the team or look out for one of the consultation events which will take place in local settings. Let's work together to make Boston an even better place to live, work, and thrive. #BostonsBrilliant."

Matt Warman, MP for Boston and Skegness said: "Boston has secured long-term funding which will support projects over a ten-year period. The aim is to be genuinely transformative, and leave a legacy for years to come. It's great news and it shows that the successes of our Town Deal board are just the start. In addition to the £21.9 million that's building the Boston college's flagship Mayflower Centre, reinventing the Geoff Moulder and renovating the railway station, we've had £14.8 million funding through the Levelling Up partnership for the PE21 masterplan. We know that #bostonsbrilliant - please do have your say through this consultation to help make it even better."

Feedback from the community has previously helped to shape how the Towns Fund is being invested in the town. For example, consultation found that people value the heritage of the town and would like to see the most made of Boston's assets - which is happening now through the exciting Town Deal projects.

The closing date for feedback is 10th June. The vision and three year investment plan will be submitted to government in August.