As part of the Grimsby Together journey, we’ve brought together a new Fund & Governance Taskforce to focus on two important questions:
- How can the Plan for Neighbourhoods fund have maximum impact in Grimsby?
- How can this money truly be owned by the town?
Who’s in the Taskforce?
The group is chaired by Simon Beeton (Navigo) and includes Simon Green (Humber Freeport), Spencer Hunt (NELC), Andrea Stone (community leader), David Talbot (Catch UK), Claire Thompson (NELC) and Julie Walmsley (Doorstep). Two members represent the Greater Grimsby Board with the remaining members recruited through an open process to ensure a broad mix of perspectives.
Up and Running
At their first meeting, the taskforce described this as a once in a generation opportunity for the town. The group talked about how the Plan for Neighbourhoods fund could:
- Leave a lasting legacy that continues beyond the ten-year programme
- Be shaped and supported by the people of Grimsby
- Build a model that encourages cooperation and participation in the common good
- Support sustainable change and help keep more wealth in the town
- Unlock the ambition and action already happening in communities
There was also a shared commitment to learning from the past. Too often, place-based funds have ended without leaving long-term benefit. The taskforce is determined to take a different approach.
What is the taskforce’s role?
The taskforce will not be making decisions on how funding is allocated. Instead, its role is to explore how the fund can best support the town over the next ten years. This includes:
- Considering different options for how the fund could be governed
- Exploring how decisions could be made with local people
- Looking at how the money could unlock other forms of support or investment
- Helping to shape a lasting model that reflects the ambitions of Grimsby
This work will form part of the wider Grimsby Together plan and will be shared for public input as it develops.
What’s next?
We’ll be sharing regular updates from the Fund & Governance Taskforce, alongside all of the other working groups across the coming weeks.
Together, we can make sure this £20 million opportunity builds a long-term legacy for Grimsby. A legacy that is owned by its people, shaped by shared ambition and focused on what matters most.
