The Press – Friday September 13, 2019

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ONE PAPER ... ALL THE NEWS from Dewsbury, Batley, Ossett, Mirfield, Liversedge, Birstall, Heckmondwike, Cleckheaton & Spen Valley

Friday September 13, 2019

No. 911

All change at Community pitches the Bulldogs in on bridge project Sport

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£25m WINDFALL: ELECTION BRIBE? By Zoë Shackleton News Reporter zoe@thepressnews.co.uk

DEWSBURY could be in line for a £25m Government windfall – but the news has been met with scepticism by opposition politicians. The Conservatives have announced that 100 towns across England will receive extra funding from a pot of £3.6bn to regenerate areas that have struggled with post-

industrial decline, austerity and long-term under-investment. Dewsbury is the only town in Kirklees to make the Stronger Towns Fund list, with Morley and Wakefield also named. Councils will work with businesses and community groups to bid for up to £25m for each town. Although local politicians believe the money could help tackle the decline of places like Dewsbury, some are suspicious that the present government won’t follow

through with their promises and claim it could also be seen as an election ‘bribe’. Research has shown that 94 out of the 100 towns announced are in Leave-voting areas, mostly in the north or midlands, that could be considered Tory target or marginal seats in a looming general election. Mark Eastwood, the Conservative parliamentary candidate for Dewsbury, is more positive about the scheme. He said: “I am thrilled Dewsbury

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WEDNESDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER, 5.30pm-7.30pm Upper Batley High School, Batley Field Hill, Batley, WF17 0BJ Tel: 01924 326343 Fax: 01924 326348 Email : office@ubhs.co.uk Headteacher Ms Sam Vickers

will receive a share in the £3.6bn Stronger Towns Fund and local business and community leaders can come up with the proposals to help regenerate the community here. “As someone who has lived in the town for a good number of years, I firmly believe Dewsbury still has great potential and possibilities and this vital funding will have a big impact in helping us improve the lives of people here. “Whilst this investment is great

news for Dewsbury, since its formation in 1974 Kirklees Council has put forward several plans and frameworks for our town, all of which have failed due to taxpayers’ money being frittered away on ill thought-out vanity projects. “Therefore it is important that this extra funding is invested correctly and I am looking forward to working with people to develop the right plans to benefit everybody

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