Construction of Blackpool’s £100m new Civil Service hub is ahead of schedule while steps are being taken to protect Levelling Up funding earmarked for two other key regeneration projects.
That is the message from Blackpool Council leader Coun Lynn Williams after the authority came under fire from Conservative group leader Coun Paul Galley.
He said council-led projects such as the Holiday Inn, Winter Gardens Conference Centre and tramway extension had been hit by delays, while alarm bells had rung over the future of plans to convert the former Abingdon Street Post Office into a hotel, and the viability of a town centre traffic scheme.
But Coun Williams said: “Over the last 15 years we have delivered dozens of major regeneration projects around Blackpool to create jobs and boost the local economy. That regeneration has been recognised by Government, and is a key reason that we continue to receive funding for major projects.
“Each project has different challenges, but it’s important that we use public money wisely. For the Abingdon Street Post Office, that means we’re carrying out extensive site investigations so we are confident the scheme is viable before starting the works.
“Like many highways schemes that were funded through the last Government’s ‘Levelling Up Fund’, the Town Centre Access Scheme is still awaiting Government sign-off, which was delayed because of the general election.
“However, the current funding criteria would be to start and complete a £15m scheme within the space of 12 months, which seems unrealistic and we are waiting for an update on the Government on the scheme.”
Coun Galley had blamed the transfer of key roles to the private sector for the delays, and said the council should restore its Capital Projects Division thereby keeping its expertise in-house.
But Coun Williams said austerity cuts had forced the council to reduce its workforce.
She added: “Our successful Growth and Prosperity team have led on the £2bn regeneration of our town. We use our funds wisely, we can’t afford to maintain resources that aren’t fully employed.
“We will continue to deliver for our town and I am more than happy to explain to Coun Galley how we continue to deliver projects including our amazing new housing at Grange Park for example, or the Civil Service hub which is ahead of schedule.”
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