Jacob Young, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, was welcomed by Jill Mortimer MP on Thursday 8 February to see the ongoing improvement projects in the town, funded by the Conservative Government’s Levelling Up.
Jill Mortimer MP was joined by Jacob and representatives from Hartlepool Borough Council for a walking tour of the on-going levelling up projects around the town, made possible by the combined Levelling Up grants of over £60,000,000.
The tour began at Hartlepool’s Production Village, which has been funded by £16.5 million from the Conservative Government to attract future national film and television projects. This is in partnership with the Northern School of Art, and intends to cement Hartlepool as a hub of creativity in the North East.
From there, the group walked across to view projects included in the £20 million Town Deal. This includes the restoration works at Wesley Chapel which will renovate the Grade II listed building into a boutique hotel and the reimagining of Middleton Grange Shopping Centre which will shape the heart of the town.
The Town Deal will also provide skills based training facilities to open employment opportunities, with a new Civil Engineering Academy which will offer learning and skills development in the trades of rail infrastructure, welding and fabrication, groundworks and wider civil engineering activities, and a new Health and Social Care Academy in partnership with North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust.
Finally, the group walked through the high street, where Conservative Leader of the Council, Cllr Mike Young, outlined plans for the Future Towns Fund. The £20m over a 10 year period will focus on residents’ priorities, making the town centre a welcoming and safe place to visit, shop, work and live. The money will be put towards tackling crime, enhancing the offerings in the town centre, and improving transport.
Jill Mortimer MP said:
“Despite the poor weather, spirits were high as we walked through Hartlepool town centre.
“When the projects are laid out in front of you, it’s astounding how much the Conservative Government are delivering for our town, and the sheer number of on-going projects which will change the face of Hartlepool for our future.
“I felt incredibly proud to welcome Minister, and neighbouring MP for Redcar, Jacob Young to demonstrate the improvements this funding will make to the lives of every Hartlepool resident and the opportunities it will open for generations to come.
“The Production Village, new Civil Engineering Academy, new Health and Social Care Academy and Future Town funding are exciting projects which exemplify just how the Conservative Government is creating a long term plan for Hartlepool’s future.”