Withernsea, Patrington, Easington, Holmpton, Holym, Kilnsea, Winestead, Welwick and Skeffling will share £20 million to spend over the next decade as part of the new ‘Pride in Place’ scheme.
Graham has launched a survey to get the conversation going, with around 40 people having replied already with suggestions from rebuilding Withernsea Pier to new playground equipment.
Graham is keen to make sure the funding has a long-term impact and can support businesses and community spaces for decades to come.
The scheme is designed to give support to areas which need it the most, with Southern Holderness identified by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government as being in need of support.
Graham has been asked to join the Pride in Place Board, which will be composed of figures from town and parish councils, East Riding Council and other notable people.
The scheme will give communities the funds to make a tangible difference to the lives of everyone who lives in and works in the southern Holderness areas.
Communities will have the power and funds to:
- Buy beloved assets such as at-risk pubs.
- Acquire assets such as boarded up shops and derelict businesses.
- Block unwanted shops, such as betting shops, vape stores and fake barbers.
Residents will have the power, with funds only disbursed by the Ministry if community groups, local organisations and social clubs are involved in the decision-making process.
Graham has long been at the forefront of getting more support for places like Withernsea, including a digital workshop from Google, more buses along the southern Holderness coast, improving NHS capacity at Withernsea Community Hospital, securing a new Banking Hub and promoting businesses and tourist attractions around the peninsula.
Graham said, “It’s great that Southern Holderness will be given this government money, and we should all think about how we can improve our areas because, and we mustn’t understate this, £20 million could transform Withernsea, Patrington, Easington, Kilnsea, Winestead, Welwick, Skeffling, Holmpton and Hollym for ever.
“And I want it to be community led, which is why it’s so important that we get your ideas out there and start talking about what we can do going forward.”
Ward Councillors Lyn Healing and Sean McMaster said, “Its quite something to be told that your community is getting £20 million to improve it, and it’s up to us to make this count.
“We want to make sure communities from Kilnsea to Withernsea all benefit from this windfall and help us all level up.”