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For immediate use
8 May 2008
Oakengates and Council agree joint approach for town’s regeneration
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.