East Devon gets cash for high streets

MP calls for strong bid for Exmouth

East Devon District Council will receive £230,992 from the government to prepare its high streets, town centres and seaside resorts for summer, and support plans to bid for further investment. It's from a scheme called the Welcome Back Fund to help towns prepare for the return of shoppers and tourists. 

The area's Conservative MP, Simon Jupp, is calling for the council, currently under the control of a minority administration of independent councillors, to prepare a strong bid for Exmouth's High Street and surrounding area.
 
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has set out how the money or part of it can be used to bid for the government’s multi-billion-pound Levelling Up Fund and Community Renewal Funds.
 
The Levelling Up Fund is currently open for applications of up to £20 million to regenerate and improve High Streets. The new fund builds on the work of smaller schemes which predate the pandemic, including the Future High Streets Fund. Some councillors recently accused Mr Jupp of promising money from government schemes in order to win his seat in the 2019 general election. East Devon, and its predecessor constituencies, have been Tory since Victorian times.
 
Mr Jupp said: “I have spoken up for Exmouth in parliament and now funding which can be used to develop plans to improve our town is on the way. East Devon District Council needs to submit a strong bid to be considered for up to £20 million for Exmouth’s High Street. I hope the council will work with me to grasp this opportunity for the good of our town.”