The Glastonbury Town Deal has secured £23.6 million investment for the town, representing a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver the objectives outlined in the Town Investment Plan

Community views and Board members sought for multi-million Glastonbury Town Deal vision

Glastonbury Market Cross
Glastonbury residents and community representatives are being invited to step-up and have their say on the town's future.

Glastonbury residents and community representatives are being invited to step-up and have their say on the town’s future.

The recruitment of Town Deal Board members and a Chair, is now underway. In addition, a website has been launched for people to submit their comments online about their vision for the town as it bids for up to £25 million in Government funding.

Late last year, the Government announced Mendip District Council would act as the lead local authority in pioneering plans to invest in the town, working in close partnership with Glastonbury Town Council, Somerset County Council and other local stakeholders.

Following an ‘interim’ meeting in January, held with local MP, James Heappey, and representatives from business, education and health, the Board is now seeking a Chair, ideally from the private sector, and a small number of business and community leaders, including a youth organisation representative.

The Board will act as an advisory panel to the Local Authorities, including Mendip District Council as the lead local authority. Its function, in consultation with communities, will be to develop a Town Investment Plan for Glastonbury by summer 2020, providing a clear vision for building on the town’s unique strengths, and its iconic appeal to visitors from across the world.

In addition to seeking representatives from across the public, private and voluntary sectors, to sit on the Board, the local community are being invited to have their say. Working together, both the Board and Glastonbury people will be at the centre of the scheme. They will decide on how the Government funding can be used to regenerate the area, create new enterprises, new jobs and open up for further skills and training opportunities.

Glastonbury was one of 101 places chosen to pioneer Town Deals, and can bid for up to a maximum £25 million. The scheme was designed by Government to ‘level up’ all parts of the country, by regenerating town centres to boost businesses, improve infrastructure, encourage enterprise and bring communities together.

James Heappey MP said: “This is a potentially transformative opportunity for Glastonbury and it’s great to see such enthusiasm from the board to deliver a winning bid for Glastonbury.”

Economic Development Portfolio Holder at Mendip District Council, Cllr Peter Goater, said: “I am delighted to be involved in the Glastonbury Town Deal. The District Council is eager to ensure the best possible outcome for Glastonbury through collaboration with all our partners, in the public, private and community sectors. I look forward to working with the other members of the panel to achieve this.”

Cllr Ian Tucker, Glastonbury Town Council, said: “This is a huge opportunity for the town not only to enhance the tourist experience but to rebalance the economy with creative new jobs, skills and career options, and to address some of those losses felt in the community, from the closure of the old manufacturing companies.”

Do you have a vision for Glastonbury? Post your comments online here: https://mytown.communities.gov.uk/

For more information about the Chair and Board Member positions, please visit: www.mendip.gov.uk/glastotowndeal