Torbay Budget Boosts Deprived Communities With New Grant Fund

Torbay areas with issues will get money. The council plans to spend £200,000 on improvements. This money targets areas with high needs. Torquay and Paignton town centers need help, and Upton, Hele, and Watcombe also require improvements.

A project named “Making Melville Marvellous” succeeded, improving Abbey Road and nearby areas. Now, more projects like it are planned. The council intends to fund similar local projects.

Council leader David Thomas talked about the fund, stating it’s for areas that need it. This offers new chances for those communities and builds on the Melville project’s success. The new fund is bigger and available widely.

The council needs to decide how to access this fund and will call it the Community Grant Fund. Councillors and locals can suggest ideas. Alan Tyerman wants lasting improvements and expects the community to propose ideas.

The council plans a 4.75% council tax increase, which is slightly below the government’s limit. Two percent will help adult social care, and the rest supports other council services. They avoided the higher advised tax.

Tyerman said they understood people are struggling and provided a little help. Other budget highlights include housing support, with £1.4 million allocated for council housing. Play parks will get £500,000 across Torbay, and children’s services gain £3.7 million more.

Events get £150,000 including Bay of Lights, and sports will get £75,000 across the bay. Two operations get £300,000 total. These operations improve town centers and also make the Bay brighter.

The council will discuss the budget next week on Thursday, February 27th. Final tax levels must include other authorities, these authorities are fire, police, and Brixham council.