James Duddridge, Member of Parliament for Rochford and Southend East, has pledged to become a Town Team Partner next month when applications for the scheme are being accepted.
The Town Team Partner scheme is a new venture introduced by the Department for Communities and Local Government that is designed to revive high streets across the country. The scheme enables local authorities to gain access to workshops, provide them the opportunity to meet with town teams across the country and join an online community which will provide advice to the users from retail experts.
Southend Borough Council initially applied to become a Portas Partner following the Mary Portas Review earlier this year. Unfortunately, Southend was unsuccessful in this bid, however the opportunity to join the similar Town Team Partner scheme will arise in September.
James said
‘I think that the Town Team Partnership scheme is a fantastic idea and becoming a Partner for Southend would be invaluable. Southend is a fantastic place to live, work and visit. That doesn’t mean however, that we shouldn’t look at ways at improving and enhancing our good work.
I have already written to Grant Shapps MP, Minister of State from the Department of Communities and Local Government who has responsibility for regeneration and local government, indicating my interest and I will be submitting an application as soon as possible.”