Town Board will help drive long term plans for Ashton

A new Town Board is being created to help drive forward and support the long-term plans for Ashton.

Last year Ashton was one of fifty-five towns awarded additional funding from the Government to support regeneration priorities in its ‘Long Term Plan for Towns.’ The additional £20m will provide both revenue and capital monies to support plans in the pipeline over the next ten years.

The new Board will help provide a governance structure for the funding and allow work to start work on a Town Plan which will set out the priorities Ashton linking together key projects within the Ashton Growth Corridor including St Petersfield, Ashton Moss, and Ashton Town centre.

The approved plans for the transformation of Ashton Market Square and Town Hall funded by the £20m Levelling Up funds are due to start on site later this year and will be completed by March 2025 so the additional funds will continue that journey.

The board will be supported and overseen by a Towns Taskforce, part of Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DHLUC) reporting directly to the Secretary of State and Prime Minister.

The Board will be in place from April this year and provide oversight of the delivery projects, identifying opportunities and working with local partners as well as continuing public engagement. The Chair of the Board will be Phill Brown MBE, chairman of Benchmark Building Supplies, other Board members will include a Local MP, Councillors, Police and other representatives.

Councillor Jack Naylor, Tameside Council, Executive Member for Inclusive Growth, Business and Employment said: “The Town Board and Plan will be the driving force and shape Ashton over the next ten years. Putting the right people together is imperative along with keeping the conversation open for residents to be able play their part in shaping ideas and continue to have their voices heard.”

“There’s already a lot going in Ashton which will boost both the town and borough’s economy, improve transport while helping to help provide jobs and skills for generations of Tameside residents to come.”

To find out more go to www.tameside.gov.uk/ashtontowncentre.