Community to help shape Scunthorpe's UK Town of Culture bid

COUNCIL LEADER PROMISES CONTRIBUTIONS WILL PLAY A PART GOING FORWARDS

- By IVAN MORRIS POXTON

NORTH Lincolnshire Council's leader has promised contributions from Scunthorpe's councillors and the community will play a part in its UK Town of Culture bid, should it progress further.

Cllr Rob Waltham (Conservative - Brigg and Wolds Ward) made the commitment as his Labour opposite highlighted a lack of consultation of the town's councillors before Scunthorpe's bid was made.

The UK Town of Culture is a newly created scheme, looking to imitate the UK City of Culture, which Hull hosted in 2017. The overall winner will get £3m from Government and host cultural events throughout 2028.

Towns had to submit expressions of interest by March 31. Grimsby, Boston, Stamford, and Grantham have bid to be the first-ever UK Town of Culture, as well as Scunthorpe.

Scunthorpe's inclusion came as the deadline to bid loomed and so unlike Grimsby, it did not carry out a public consultation to shape its initial bid.