A “bidding process” that has seen Bolton compete with other towns around the country for millions worth of funding is set to be replaced. In recent years, Bolton has won major bids for multimillion pound projects including the new £40M Bolton College of Medical Sciences and £20M funding for the town centre. But these came as part of the previous government’s levelling up programme, which is now set to change after the change in government at the last election.
Addressing a meeting of Bolton Council, leader Cllr Nick Peel said: “I think what we will see from the new government is immediately a change in attitude towards its relationship with local councils as well as a much less competitive bidding process and having to fill in forms. “That’s already a clear commitment that the bidding process will be replaced.” The fund could be used for a range of town centre projects (Image: Bolton Council) Cllr Peel had been speaking as part of a council cabinet meeting called to discuss demands from the last government for a “productivity plan” justifying the authority’s spending.
The plan was roundly criticised, given that it had come in the wake of years of spending cuts the borough had endured. But the meeting also heard criticisms of the outgoing government’s handling of how levelling up funds were given out. Last month, Cllr Peel told The Bolton News that a £20M fund granted as part of the last round of levelling up funding aimed at transforming the town cent.