Sir John Whittingdale, MP for Maldon, welcomes the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s announcement in today’s Spring Budget that his constituency has been allocated £5 million in capital funding to finance local cultural projects.
This funding comes as part of the Government’s Levelling Up agenda and recognises the crucial role culture can play in supporting pride in place. Sir John is delighted that the Government is ensuring areas like Maldon, that the Government has previously said are a priority for the Levelling Up Fund, will now see the benefit from this investment in the local community.
Sir John looks forward to seeing how this funding can significantly regenerate the local economy and cultural activities, be it maritime tourism, local libraries, grassroots sport, and may more projects in need of fresh investment. He will soon meet with Maldon District Council to discuss an investment plan for this funding, focused on supporting cultural activity in the local area. The Government has invited the Council to draw up its own plan for where it thinks the funding ought to be best distributed. Sir John and the Government believe this is the best approach, as engagement and collaboration with local stakeholders is critical to the success of funding delivery.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities will work closely with the Council to finalise their plans and reach agreement on them.
Sir John is pictured with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, The Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP
