In order to continue to ensure Mansfield remains at the heart of the Levelling Up agenda, Ben Bradley MP has joined the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill Committee. The bill will put in place the foundations for delivering the Levelling Up agenda and ensuring all parts of the country share equally in the nation’s success.
Bill Committees are committees set up by the House of Commons to examine the details of proposed legislation line by line. As a key advocate for Levelling Up, Ben was selected to be a part of this committee so that he can bring Mansfield and Nottinghamshire’s perspectives to the scrutiny of this bill.
A key topic of the committee is providing councils with more levers to plan and redevelop town centres. This is particularly crucial for Mansfield as the area currently has a bid in for the Future High Streets Fund to help secure funding to revitalise and rejuvenate Mansfield town centre.
Included in these additional levers for councils is the ability to redevelop derelict buildings. These planning powers can help transform many town centres across the UK and is a key part of Mansfield’s plans with the council having bought the former Beales Department Store for redevelopment.
Another key aspect of the bill is the engagement of councils with those they represent. Ben spoke on this subject during the committee and asked the government to allow more flexibility in the way councils hold meetings with residents. Currently it is illegal for councils to hold zoom meetings with residents, however Ben advocated that allowing online meetings can help produce better engagement between councils and residents and allow for more effective local governance.
Commenting, Ben Bradley stated:
‘This is a really important bill for our region and the levelling up ambition as a whole as it provides the legislative basis for many of the projects we have been working on locally, such as our landmark devolution deal. ‘
‘The Levelling Up Bill is the key piece of legislation that will unlock the powers and funding secured in our landmark devolution deal. This includes increased powers for our local East Midlands Development Company on issues such as planning. Providing these powers means they will be able to work effectively with private business and help plot out how the East Midlands economy can develop.’
‘These new powers for councils and the East Midlands Development Company all tie into the many local projects we have ongoing in our region. If we look at the transport hub at Toton for example the Development Company will be key to progressing this project and realising the economic vision for the East Midlands that we have worked hard to develop.’
‘It is a pleasure to be on the committee scrutinising this vital piece of legislation and to be delivering both nationally and locally. I look forward to further detailed examination of this bill to make sure it benefits Mansfield and the East Midlands in the best way possible.’
