Deprived area Palfrey given £1m lottery windfall
Lottery funding of £1 million has been awarded to Palfrey to help make it a better place to live, it was announced today. Residents will help decide how the cash boost should be spent over the next decade.
Palfrey is one of 50 deprived areas across England to benefit from the Big Lottery Fund's Big Local programme. Hateley Heath, in Sandwell, has also been granted a cash injection.
In Palfrey, residents and community groups will be able to apply for a slice of the money to fund projects that matter to them.
A panel will now be set up to work with people and groups in the area south of Walsall town centre around Broadway West, Weston Street, West Bromwich Street, Corporation Street and Wednesbury Road.
An independent chairman is expected to be appointed to share out the money over the next 10 years.
Among the issues currently facing the Walsall South area are anti-social behaviour, the sex trade, improving educational achievement and road maintenance. Council chiefs today hailed the cash boost as "great news" for the area.
Communities boss Ian Shires said: "This is a real opportunity for residents and local organisations to come together to pool their talent, ambitions, skills and energy to make a positive and lasting difference to their communities.
"As well as the money, residents will also receive training and support to help them identify priorities and develop a plan to bring about real improvements in the things that matter most to them."
Walsall Voluntary Action helped Walsall Council to win the money.
Chairman Carl Rice said: "I have no doubt it will have a huge impact on bringing people and groups together to build an even stronger and much improved local community."
