Delight as deprived area gets £20m funding boost

The £20m fund is hoped to bring opportunities to people living in Meir North

A £20m cash boost for a disadvantaged neighbourhood has been described by leaders as "fantastic" and a "major boost".

Meir North in Stoke-on-Trent is one of hundreds of deprived areas set to receive £2m a year over the next decade from a £5bn government Pride in Place investment.

The government said residents would get to decide how funding was spent, such as on improving community facilities or tackling empty shops.

Meir North resident Elaine Wright called for investment into parks and facilities for pensioners and said: "It's great that we're getting this funding, it's just what the area needs."

The funding news follows Bentilee and Ubberley in Stoke being announced as a "trailblazer" neighbourhood for the same programme back in June.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council said it had already started working with the communities to understand their priorities, although it was still awaiting government guidance for the scheme.

Meir North councillor Lauren Davison said the money could bring lasting benefits.

"This investment from the government is fantastic news for Meir North and Broadway. I am absolutely delighted as I know how much my residents want to see change," she added.

City council leader Jane Ashworth called it "a major boost and another huge vote of confidence that this city can deliver".

Councillor Lauren Davison says her residents want to see change

"As a parent, one thing we could do with around here is more investments in parks. We go to Longton Park, but there's nothing in the area like that," Ms Wright added added.

"We also need more facilities for older people. There are a few pensioners who live on our street but there isn't really anything for them to do."

Stoke-on-Trent South MP Allison Gardner said she had spent months "fighting" to make the case for the Meir North investment.

She added a community survey would be carried out in the coming weeks.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.