Newsham Park £4.5m Heritage Bid 

I have been alarmed that the bid we reviewed at the special meeting of 17h July had not progressed. As a consequence I have written to Cllr Bernie Turner and had the following reply from lead officer Paul Scragg. Since then I understand progress has been made over the £4.5m bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

 'The Newsham Park Forum took place last night and Councillor Radford raised a question regarding the progress and production of an Executive Report relating to the approval of a submission to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF)  for Newsham Park. As Members are aware this has been the subject of discussion and work by the Forum for a considerable period of time.

The Forum were already aware of the September deadline for the submission of an application by LCC to the HLF and a meeting regarding consultation and agreement on the scope of the bid took place with the Forum where a number of Ward Councillors were also present. Councillor Radford requested that the answer be circulated to Ward Members.

 I confirm that as part of the Council’s budget considerations going forward a review process of all capital projects has been initiated by Executive Management Team to help inform spending priorities for the authority. The Newsham project is currently going through  this review process which needs to be completed before an Executive Board Report can move forward.

 Regards

Paul Scragg

Manager Parks and Environment "

 For too long work for Newham Park has been bypassed

Cllr Steve Radford - Leader Liberal Party Group