We are proud of where we live – and now the government is helping us fund that pride
From The House by Sarah Owen, Luton North MP
Lutonians are proud of where we live. We’re proud of our manufacturing heritage, our diversity and cohesion, our football team (what a win last week!) and our history of standing up for what’s right in the face of hate.
But being proud of where you live is more than just about the past – it has to be about the future, too. It has to mean looking around your neighbourhood and feeling proud of the little things: the community shop, lush green spaces, good housing, places to play and relax. And too often in the last decade or so, the things that bring pride in our neighbourhoods have been cut or neglected.
Austerity hit towns like ours hard. It cut back on services, left councils to do more with less, and hurt that sense of community pride. When this Labour government came in, we promised that there would be no return to austerity. Instead, we’re putting money into communities like ours in Luton North.
Marsh Farm will be getting £20million in funding from the government to restore the pride that has been lost. It’s not up to London civil servants or the council where this money is spent – it’s up to Marsh Farm’s residents.
A neighbourhood board, formed of Marsh Farm locals and community leaders, will decide where the money is best spent. As long as it is helping the community, there is no restriction on where it could go. It could be cleaning up some neglected spaces, building new facilities or supporting local clubs or community groups.
This is in addition to a £1.5million grant from the government for the whole of Luton North and £20million which will be going into the town centre. This kind of support for Lutonians is game-changing. It will make a massive difference to our communities and give them both the power and the resource to change things for the better.
I know times have been tough for a lot of people in Luton North. Since the election, change hasn’t come as quickly as I’d like. But programmes like this Pride in Place funding show that we now have a government that cares about towns like ours and will provide the funding to prove it.
If you live in Marsh Farm and would like more information on this funding, please do send me an email at [email protected]. I can’t wait to see the difference this money will make.