Withdrawals lead to rethink on town's ‘hub’

'One-stop shop' for council services to be replaced by substitute schemes

- Phil Corrigan

PLANS for a multi-million pound 'one-stop shop' for local services have had to be overhauled after partner organisations pulled out.

Kidsgrove's Town Deal from the Government included £6.5 million for a shared services hub in Meadows Road, enabling people to access various public sector services.

But the hub is now considered 'untenable' due to various service providers withdrawing from the project. Kidsgrove Town Deal Board has now drawn up proposals to spend the cash on a range of substitute schemes.

These include a community learning hub and new small-scale enterprise units, along with further canal footpath and highway improvements.

Cabinet members at Newcastle Borough Council, the accountable body for the Town Deal, were updated on the progress of the various projects.

They approved the submission of a project adjustment form to the Government covering the proposed changes.