As the chair of the Labour MPs group on local growth funding, I work with colleagues from across England, Scotland, and Wales, many of whom represent some of the most disadvantaged areas.
In collaboration with the Industrial Communities Alliance, we’ve presented an ambition statement outlining key proposals for the upcoming spending review.
Among these proposals is a call for funding allocation formulas that better reflect the true needs of our communities and for greater devolution of power to local leaders.
Connecting to jobs is important, but equally important is the need to support existing businesses and be an enabler for new opportunities.
We are all very aware of vacant, decaying buildings owned by absentee landlords on our high streets.
Work is already underway to identify these vacant properties.
The council and my office are making great efforts to engage these landlords in positive discussions about how we can bring these properties back into use for the benefit of the local community.
Some of these properties have been vacant for over a decade.
In Leigh town centre, many landlords have been identified as a result of preparations for the Leigh Town Centre Building Grant Scheme.
This scheme will see 27 properties benefit from grant funding for conservation-led repairs and improvements to shopfronts, enhancing existing historic features such as windows, doors, brickwork, timber details, and more.
The project is planned to be completed in March 2026.
In December, the government also gave local authorities new High Street Rental Auctions (HSRAs) powers.
These powers aim to prevent disengaged landlords from leaving properties vacant for more than 365 days in a 24-month period, allowing councils to step in and auction a one-to-five-year lease.
It’s important to me that we empower businesses with genuine stakes in the areas they’re based.
That’s why I’m advocating for these powers to be used in Leigh and Atherton by Wigan Council.
Across Leigh, Atherton, Tyldesley, Lowton, and Golborne, I have met countless businesses and Community Interest Companies (CICs) eager to support and regenerate their communities.
They are at the forefront of my mind when I think about economic growth and revitalising our high streets.
I’m focused on supporting the businesses that we already have in our towns, improving connectivity to areas where growth is happening, and creating an environment in which jobs can be created, and skills and training can be fostered.
If you are one of my constituents, or a business or CIC based in Leigh and Atherton in need of assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office.
As always, my dedicated staff, including a specialist advisor, are here to help.
You can contact me via email at jo.platt.mp@parliament.uk.
Note: This article was originally published on the Leigh Journal website, on Thursday 20 February, 2025.