'Take your chance to shape £20m renewal'

LAST week, something extraordinary happened for our city. Ubberley and Bentilee - proud communities at the heart of Stoke-on-Trent Central were named one of just 25 Trailblazer Neighbourhoods in the country.

- Gareth Snell - MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central

The new Labour Government has backed us with £20 million of long-term investment to support community-led regeneration.

This is not another short-term scheme or empty promise. It’s serious, sustained funding over 10 years - announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in her first major spending review - and it’s designed to do things differently.

This isn’t about Whitehall deciding what's best for us. It’s about us - residents, families, volunteers, youth workers, faith groups, local businesses - deciding what our community needs, and leading the change ourselves.

That's why together we need Stoke-on-Trent City Council, community groups, and every resident in Ubberley and Bentilee to seize this opportunity.

We can set a national example of how a community can lead its own renewal. Let's show what Stoke-on-Trent can do when given the tools and the trust.

Trailblazer Neighbourhoods were chosen because they face significant social and economic challenges. Let's be honest - for too long we've seen local assets neglected, community spirit stretched, and opportunities disappear.