Page 7 - City Life Magazine - Spring 2021

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LEADERS’ MESSAGES

Despite the adversities we have new Office for Environmental Protection
all faced over the last 12 months, here in Worcester is further evidence
Worcester is about to enter a more of the foundations for future economic
positive period with record levels growth that are now being put in place.
of external investment from the
Government and other sources. Since The City Council itself is also continuing
the last edition of City Life we have to look at ways in which we can help
received confirmation of the £18m people and businesses recover from the
Future High Streets Fund bid, and we ravages of the virus and has, through its
have also now sent to the Government budget, agreed a number of measures.
our even more ambitious £28m Towns These include additional resources
Fund proposal with its exciting Shrub for the Citizens Advice Bureau and
Hill regeneration scheme and plans to the creation of a new £70,000 fund to
improve the riverside and cycleways, support communities’ recovery. We are
amongst many other initiatives. also continuing to distribute millions
Marc Bayliss to businesses that have been forced
If successful with the Towns Fund to close or have seen their turnover
proposal, Worcester will have received significantly cut.
around £50m in regeneration funds in the
last three years alone. This record level of The last year has been difficult for us all
investment is clear evidence that places – but I sincerely believe that in addition
like Worcester really are benefiting from to the vaccination programme, there are
the Government’s “levelling up” agenda, also a whole range of positive economic
which seeks to see economic growth and initiatives that will help Worcester to
opportunity more equitably spread across bounce back in 2021.
the whole of the UK rather than focused
on London and the South East. The Councillor Marc Bayliss
decision by the Government to base its Leader – Worcester City Council

Worcester people have suffered over But there is a shortfall in the financial
the last twelve months. We have support available. Full cost recovery
seen businesses fail, jobs go, lives for 100% of lost wages, lost income
lost, education put on hold, events for business, and lost opportunities is
cancelled and genuine hardship grow. not on offer. The losses that have been
As we have across the UK of course, incurred, the stalling in momentum
and those of us with families dotted of enterprise and the wider economic
around the country have had that impact, locally and nationally, is yet to
additional burden of distance and become clear.
isolation. But as I write we have a
roadmap that attempts to end the Most of all young people have missed
persistent stumbling and fumbling. out, not just in education but in social
Good. But the virus is still here, so interaction, meeting friends and family,
continue to stay safe. and hanging out. That is why I was
pleased to see the City Council agree
Adrian Gregson The City Council carries on to place young people and children
successfully passing Government at the centre of our policies and plans
grants on to people and companies moving forward, including appointing
who have lost the most, through a Children’s Champion to oversee
closure and hardship. We have progress. This has to be a sustainable
tried to identify those in need but commitment for the future of Worcester.
many have slipped through the net.
Freelancers and the self-employed, Two final points about moving forward
casual staff in hospitality and creative and planning for the future – don’t
industries and people who rely on forget the Census on 21 March. For a
events and attractions have all been historian like me, the importance of this
marginalised. We are a city where data for future generations cannot be
this is particularly important, as we over-estimated. And secondly of course,
treasure our heritage, sport and visitor the elections planned for May, when the
attractions and the support industries safest way to vote is by post!
that come with them. Hopefully some
of this recovery can begin in the Councillor Adrian Gregson
summer months. Deputy Leader – Worcester City Council

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