In our first two years in office we have made significant progress in getting the council’s finances in order whilst delivering an ambitious programme of change for Northumberland residents. The position we inherited was one of budget gaps and spiralling debt and as we enter the budget setting cycle for 2020/21 there can be no doubt our county will be in a better place at the end of our first term than it was under Labour.
The uncertain national position makes it hard to plan and the Government have sensibly set a one year spending round rather than a 3 year spending review. The early signs are that this will be good for Northumberland and we are determined to make sure our county gets a good share of national spending. In the past two years this Conservative administration has secured some significant Government investment in Northumberland.
In my own portfolio we have recently secured £12m North of Tyne funding for broadband and £2m Borderlands funding which we will add to another £3m council funding to improve connectivity. In other areas it’s a similar picture with extra funding for other projects including those listed below:-
- £2.9m for restoration of Seahouses pier to protect local houses and businesses.
- £3.7m for flood protection of Hexham Industrial Estates.
- £1.85m extra funding for pot holes.
- Up to £2.4m heritage action zone funding for Hexham
- £3.14m funding to restore historic Union Chain Bridge.
We’re working hard at a national level to deliver for residents in Northumberland and have played a major part in securing £600m North of Tyne funding and £394m Borderland Growth Deal funding for Northumberland and the wider region. Whilst other parties talk Conservatives are getting things done for Northumberland.
