Support for the creation of the new Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) was reportedly given unanimous approval by the local council, despite the towns Labour group previously raising concerns over its governance .
Monday 5th December 2022 06:59am
Twenty Million Pounds worth of investment is set to come to the Hartlepool following the councils approval which would see the creation of a new Mayoral Development Corporation designed to kickstart a number of projects in the area.
Since the plans were reportedly mulled over back in April 2022, its been reported that the Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has now wrote to the Secretary of State to have the MDC officially established, with board members on that corporation said to include a number of business leaders from the local area.
Oaksway Industrial Estate, one of the areas potentially set to see investment following the creation of the new MDC
The MDC would cover areas of the town such as the Oakesway Business Park, retail parks and leisure land – as well as sites such as the Mill House Leisure Centre and Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, along with public realm and civic buildings.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “It’s great that Hartlepool Borough Council has now officially nailed its colours to the mast and come out in favour of our ambitious plans. I didn’t doubt for a second that, when they understood the huge benefits the scheme could bring, they would agree that this was the best way forward.
“From boosting our brilliant businesses to making our streets cleaner and safer, from capitalising on our existing assets to ensuring future funding is maximised and used in the best way possible, this scheme will be a game-changer for the town.
“The time for talk is over – it’s now about action. We need to work together to maximise the opportunities for the town and deliver the real change and improvements that our local people deserve.”
Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council Cllr Shane Moore said: “The new Mayoral Development Corporation has the potential to build on the fantastic regeneration work that is already underway and unleash Hartlepool’s full potential by attracting much needed jobs and investment.
“We absolutely want this to be a success because we want Hartlepool as a Borough to succeed. That is why it’s important to grasp this opportunity with both hands and I am pleased full council unanimously agreed the recommendations.”
Labours Jonathan Brash, was one of the councillors who raised "concerns" over the scope of powers the MDC would have & its governance .
The Hartlepool Labour Party had previously raised concerns over the governance & accountability of the new Mayoral Development Corporation being created, claiming that the MDC had the potential to strip local planning powers away from the local council itself, leading to what many claimed would see swathes of public assets handed straight to private developers.
A motion by the Labour Party asking for further “assurances” by the MDC was voted down by the Independent / Conservative Coalition who hold the largest majority on the local council at an extraordinary council meeting held just a few weeks ago, with one Independent councillor saying to vote in favour of Labours proposals would have seen the potential for the MDC to “walk away” from investment in Hartlepool, something the Hartlepool Councillor claims he didn’t want to see happen.
The creation of the MDC is poised to help reshape Hartlepool, making it a more attractive place to work, live & visit, with the corporation set to further help local businesses, drive up investment in the town and to maximise future funding further down the line. .
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