News that Bolsover District Council has received £1.9million from the Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund has been welcomed but with an air of scepticism.
Every district and unitary authority across England has received a pot of money and once again the government have shown what it thinks of our area. The list below shows how much each Derbyshire authority will receive and Bolsover District is the second lowest in the county.
- Derby City Council - £7,483,738
- Derbyshire County Council - £3,762,842
- Amber Valley District Council - £2,977,839
- Erewash Borough Council - £2,789,198
- Chesterfield Borough Council - £2,693,257
- North East Derbyshire District Council - £2,568,204
- High Peak Borough Council - £2,412,072
- South Derbyshire District Council - £2,156,374
- Bolsover District Council - £1,963,993
- Derbyshire Dales District Council - £1,954,752
Liz Smyth, Labour councillor for the Ault Hucknall ward said, “Any money we receive is hugely welcomed, but in reality we should be getting this money anyway! The government are billing it up as Levelling Up, but the money is based upon population and not areas that actually need it. So all that spiel you hear about ‘we are looking after people’ is nonsense. The affluent areas with big populations will get better and the rural areas like Bolsover District are left with the scraps. This government is simply not dealing with the inequalities in the country or putting the money where it is needed most.
“We have big plans which have been identified through our Vision Bolsover prospectus that will make a real difference in our communities. We have sent this to every government minister, but had no response or offer of assistance to see how we can implement them. Once again this bureaucratic and ‘strap-line’ government are holding Bolsover District back.”
Council Leader, Steve Fritchley said, “We have a great proven track record of delivering high value good quality projects. You only have to look at our B@Home and Bolsover Homes house-building schemes, our Go! Active leisure facility, the refurbishments of our Independent Living Schemes and the work we are doing to improve the environment through our tree planting schemes to see we can and are delivering.”
And to top it off, if the government agree with the Combined Authority proposal submitted by the Tory-led County Council, it is likely that the money will be given to the County Council to spend in other areas of the region if they so wish – so once again Bolsover District could be left with nothing!
Steve added, “If county and city council Leaders have their way, there won’t be local district council’s anymore, it will be a large authority covering Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire. This would leave Bolsover residents with no voice.”