The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has announced that Rutland County Council (RCC) and Melton Borough Council’s (MBC) joint levelling up bid has been successful.
RCC and MBC submitted a joint bid to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF) round 2 in August 2022. The joint bid sought £23 million investment from the Government to deliver upgrades along three key themes.
This funding is part of more than 100 projects across the UK that have been awarded a share of £2.1 billion from round 2 of the Government’s flagship Levelling Up Fund.
Alicia Kearns MP raised RCC and MBC’s joint Levelling Up Bid with the Prime Minister this week, watch here.
Alicia Kearns, MP for Rutland and Melton said:
“I am absolutely delighted that Rutland and Melton’s Joint Levelling Up Bid has been successful! This is the most fantastic news and will change the future of so many of our communities. I have worked hard alongside Councillor Joe Orson and Councillor Lucy Stephenson to promote our wonderful Levelling Up Bid focused on rural innovation and I am just so pleased that our work has paid off. Rurality should never serve as a barrier to our thriving communities, and this funding will be truly transformative in promoting our local culture, health and transport infrastructure. Thank you to everyone involved and I look forward to seeing our plans become a reality!”
Cllr Joe Orson, Leader of Melton Borough Council said:
“This is absolutely fantastic news for Melton and alongside the pre-Christmas announcement on the relief road, will provide a massive boost to the economy and regeneration of our borough. The delivery of these projects will enhance our reputation as the Rural Capital of Food, providing economic opportunities and support for established business and start up producers. Moreover, the creation of an event space at the Stockyard and investment into the theatre will together enrich our cultural offer and events, which will support the town centre and its expanding evening economy. I’m excited we can now start working with our partners on this long term project to ensure the proposals set out in the bid are delivered to our community as soon as possible.”
Cllr Lucy Stephenson, Leader of Rutland County Council:
“We are delighted that our joint bid was successful and that we’ve been awarded this funding to invest in Rutland and Melton. This money will help us to support key priorities around reducing health inequality, increasing highly skilled job opportunities, improving transport and connectivity in our area and enhancing access to the county’s unique cultural attractions.”
