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Community representatives in Oakengates have vowed to work
with Telford & Wrekin Council to together continue the town's
regeneration and further build its reputation.
This follows a meeting between Council leader Andrew Eade, Eric
Carter, cabinet member for regeneration and the mayor of Oakengates
Town Council Hilda Rhodes and members of the Oakengates
Regeneration Forum.
This underlined the important part that Oakengates plays in the
Council's Borough Towns Initiative - its drive to regenerate towns
and local centres across the borough.
Cllr Eade also reaffirmed his commitment to continue investing
in the town and that Telford & Wrekin Council and its partners
would work very closely together to achieve more for the town.
Following the meeting, the partners have committed to work
together to hold a consultation with people and businesses in
Oakengates to establish their regeneration priorities and this will
shape future regeneration plans for the area.
Cllr Eade said: "Our meeting showed there is a very strong will
among people in Oakengates and Telford & Wrekin Council to
continue and build on the regeneration initiatives in the town and
we feel we are all heading in the same direction.
"We now look forward to harnessing this energy and ambition that
will help to make Oakengates a thriving, well-supported community
with its own distinct character and heritage that attracts people
into the town both at day and night.
"I am confident that we can now work together ever more closely
to help achieve for Oakengates.
"While there had been some ill-informed voices claiming that not
enough was being done in Oakengates, I think that this new pledge
to work together has dispelled this myth once and for all."
Telford & Wrekin Council has committed £40,000 for
regeneration schemes in Oakengates this year and is in discussion
with the Oakengates Regeneration Forum on priorities for this
money. Oakengates can also bid for an additional £250,000 community
pot established as part of the Borough Towns regeneration
project. |