Lancashire neighbourhood set for raft of improvement and young people must be at the centre

But councillors have emphasised that residents including young people must be at the centre of a new board running the scheme in Digmoor. Councillors have generally welcomed the government cash but one is also wary that the new board could be a ‘quango’.

Digmoor has been selected for £20m Pride In Place cash from the government, phased over ten years. The scheme aims to improve people’s health, skills and job prospects, enhance streets, playgrounds and social amenities, and improve household energy use.

Local community champions and businesses are needed for a new Digmoor board to decide how money is spent. Government rules and early steps in getting people to join the Digmoor Pride In Place board were discussed at West Lancashire Council’s latest full meeting. The government recently released £150,000 to the council to get things started.

Labour Coun Melissa Parlour, a Skelmersdale councillor and lead member for economic regeneration and green growth, put forward some recommendations to establish the Pride in Place scheme.

She said:”We are seeking approval from councillors for details including the governance structure, accountability and establishing a board. This is the first step which will allow officers to start taking action for residents in Digmoor, who will be at the heart of decision-making.”

OWL Coun Neil Furey, also a Skelmersdale councillor, said: “I think all of us welcomed this programme when it was announced by the government. What we did not have was an understanding of how it will be delivered.

“I do think it will be a bit of a quango. There are going to be councillors and our MP involved. I do think we will be setting-up a bit of an administrative function.

“I can also see some possible issues with people in Digmoor arguing about what is going where. We are only getting £2million per year. But the funding is welcome and I look forward to seeing notes from the board.”

Under government rules, only a few councillors will sit on the Digmoor board and Labour MP Ashley Dalton will be involved too.

Labour Coun Gareth Dowling, the council’s deputy leader, believed Digmoor people will get involved. He said: “If Digmoor residents were asked if councillors or residents should make the decisions, I think we know what they will say.”

And Labour’s Mark Anderson, another leading councillor with a finance remit, said: “I’m delighted this new board will include young people. So often we are making decisions about things down the line but young people don’t get a say. But this Digmoor board should include young people.”