A lookahead to 2024; elections, Be Well and community support

A lookahead to 2024; elections, Be Well and community support

This is my first column of the year and so even though we are now into mid-January, I feel it is still acceptable to wish everyone a Happy New Year!

This time of a new year is a perfect opportunity to map out what lies ahead in the coming months.

Just like 2023, when we had the all-out council elections, 2024 will be another significant one in terms of polling days across our borough.

The local elections will return in early May (although just a third of the council chamber is up-for-grabs as we return to our usual cycle after the all-outs).

On the same day, Thursday, May 2, there is also the Greater Manchester mayoral election.

And, of course, looming on the horizon is the general election.

There has been much speculation about the timing with recent reports suggesting it will not be until the second half of the year – but until the prime minister shares the timeline with the nation, the speculation and predictions will continue.

In Leigh, we hope that the next 12 months will see significant progress made with several projects relating to the town centre.

As you may be aware, £20m and £11.4m has been secured through the Long-Term Plan for Towns and Levelling Up Fund, following a bid from Wigan Council.

We have our own strategic regeneration framework for Leigh that outlines our long-term vision, building on the significant investment of the £2m Youth Hub, £2.5m at Pennington Flash and the regeneration of Leigh Town Hall.

Although our concerns about the current government’s levelling up fund agenda persist, we are confident that these extra funds – along with £1.5m of UK Shared Prosperity Fund cash – will help us move forward with our exciting plans for the town centre.

As it is the start of a new year, please consider joining the borough’s Be Well movement and having a membership to our seven leisure centres.

From gyms, exercise classes, swimming pools and sports halls, there’s something for all of us to take a positive step into 2024.

A current offer sees you get your first two months half price, so it’s worth a look.

This week has also seen Wigan Council launch the latest in its funding schemes designed to help grassroots organisations and projects.

The Supporting Communities Fund can distribute up to £1,000 to local groups for a range of schemes if they are based in our borough.

Full details are available on our Supporting Communities Fund webpage.

Find further information about memberships on Be Well membership webpage.

As written for the Leigh Journal, January 18.