Thanet council says it is considering spending Pride in Place funding for Thanet of £1.5m on “one or two larger, defined projects rather than several smaller ones.”
The authority says this “will help create a tangible difference.”
In September Thanet was allocated £1.5million under the government’s new Pride in Place programme.
The isle was one of 339 towns and districts- many in deprived coastal areas- to be earmarked for the targeted funding, aimed at reversing years of decline and cuts to local authority funding.
An initial list of potential projects and initiatives which could be supported will be drawn up. This will be evidence-based, using data to help determine what is considered for delivery.
Once a list of potential options is created, there will be engagement with the district’s two MPs, all members of the council, and town and parish councils. Further engagement and participation from residents will guide the final decision.
The existing Thanet Regeneration Partnership Board will provide a strategic sounding board for the council when reviewing proposals and ideas for the funding. The Board includes representatives from the public, private and community sectors in Thanet.
Cllr Ruth Duckworth, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Property at Thanet District Council said: “We’re delighted to have received this further tranche of funding that can be used across Thanet. There are significant sums already allocated to Ramsgate as part of the wider Pride in Place initiative as well as regeneration funds in Margate, but the levels of deprivation and historic underfunding mean that this additional support is very welcome.
“The Pride in Place Impact Fund specifically focuses on ways to breathe new life into areas that need it most. We want to deliver improvements that reflect the unique character of our district and the aspirations of our residents.
“Our approach presents a fantastic opportunity for our communities to get involved and to take the lead in shaping where they live. The desired outcome is that there’s a stronger sense of pride and belonging across Thanet.”
The funding is designed to support three core areas; Community spaces, public spaces and high streets and town centres.
Community Spaces: Investing in community facilities to give local people greater control over the spaces that matter to them. This includes refurbishing or taking ownership of underused buildings to create welcoming places for connection, support, and shared activity.
Public Spaces: Enhancing the physical environment to help communities feel safer, more connected, and proud of where they live. Improvements to green areas, play and leisure facilities, and thoughtful design features will make spaces more inclusive and inviting.
High Street and Town Centre Revitalisation: Regenerating high streets and local shopping areas to make them more attractive and welcoming, boosting footfall, supporting small businesses, and creating opportunities for social and cultural activity.
The council will manage the funding which includes assessing projects, approving how much funding is allocated and day-to-day monitoring. This forms part of the obligations it has as the fund’s accountable body.
The council will also report on stakeholder engagement and fund progress to central government, with initial reports due in February 2026. Detailed summary information for every local project supported by the fund will be made publicly available online until June 2027.
The Pride in Place Impact Fund is for capital projects, usually involving physical assets.
There have been calls for funds to be used in Broadstairs, particularly to buy the former Pierremont Park council depot which is being put on the sales market by TDC, and/or to secure the future of the Sarah Thorne Theatre which is on Kent County Council’s asset disposal list.
In the last five years Margate and Ramsgate have received a number of government funds.
These include the Margate Town Deal £22.2m; Ramsgate Levelling Up £19.8m; Margate Levelling Up £6.3m and Ramsgate’s Future High Street Fund £2.7m.
In addition, this year there has been a further £20m allocated to Ramsgate under the new Plan for Neighbourhoods with the aim for it to be invested into towns to create growth and opportunities.
This means there has been £28.5m for Margate and £42.5m for Ramsgate. Broadstairs has not been a recipient of regeneration funding from these government pots.
Should be used to buy the Pie factory building for the youth.
“High Street and Town Centre Revitalisation: Regenerating high streets and local shopping areas to make them more attractive and welcoming, boosting footfall, supporting small businesses, and creating opportunities for social and cultural activity.”
How many times has this been tried and been unsuccessful. High streets are never going to be what they once were and the sooner people accept this and decide to turn unused buildings into desperately needed homes the better it will be for everyone.
Any moment now Checksfield will pop out from under the stone he lives under and suggest that the money funds something in Birchington, like free ruebarb for the over 60s or some such nonsense.
£1.5m is not enough ought to do any good, but is enough to cause a row,as TDC will undoubtedly want to spend the money on some assets they have spent the last 40 years ruining.
Here is my suggestions:
1.Buy some landlords to increase the number of allotments and then hand tge management and ownership to the Town in which they are situated with the proviso that anyone in Thanet can apply for a plot.
2. Subsidise bus fares for the under 22’s to enable them to get to work, education, or socialise.If this money is combined with the money gathering dust in the parking account, it should last a while. At the same time start installing some decent bus shelters with real time I formation boards, as seen in other more progressive parts of the UK.
3. Buy as many houses off the developers for social housing, or CP some of those abandoned shops and convert those into housing.
The £1.5m is all capital. It must be spent on assets (buildings, equipment, etc). It can’t be spent on subsidising bus fares, or paying people to do things, which would be a revenue cost.
Fine Rick, build the bus stops or buy some social housing or buy up some empty shops, but do something, anything, but not fixing up TDC’s run down estate.
But it does show what a waste of effort these penny pot funds are in the scheme of things.
You have been given plenty options, just carry out action this day.I did know that it was a capital only fund, but as the parking revenue is hardly ever spent, a general local bus improvement project, which would aid mobility, employment and social interaction.
Under 22s can cycle. Even in my 40s, I’d cycle 12 miles each way to work.
Concentrate on the youth of Thanet
Mr Nokes. – what an earth is your obsession with Mr Checksfield? I would suggest you seek counselling before it damages you.
I think he has a crush on me.
Yes I have a crush on him, but only with a steam roller.
Taking your advice is like seeking the time from a stopped clock; not very useful.
Careful “George”, we know who you are… and why you hide behind an alias so not to be scrutinized.
Really.How would I be scrutinised exactly? What would I need to be scrutinised about?
You less than glorious track record as a cllr. Not quite the picture you like to paint on here, eh?
Been to Thanet lately?
Didn’t realise Checkers lived under a stone ?
Always believed he was a caravan dweller.
I wish. Always loved caravan holidays in Camber Sands as a kid.
I just can’t believe the Government are happy to keep throwing cash at TDC despite their track record of wasting money hand over fist.
Millions upon millions given to TDC. I won’t believe Rachel Reeves at the Budget when she stands there and tells us there isn’t any money to spend.
I would like to replace the statue of the Drowning Man outside Turner with Checksfield. Who will join me in a fundraise for this writing superstar?
“Kiss the Carp” – your comment is ambiguous. it’s not quite clear whether you’d like a statue of Peter Checksfield in the sea near the Turner, or the man himself. If the latter, hang on to your pseudonym.
I’d like a huge statue of Rees on the white cliffs of Dover. We need an effective deterrent.
To be fair, I probably look more impressive without clothing than the statue there at the moment.
honestly why are they the government giving TDC more money they are simply not capable ? They haven’t yet delivered one project from the last town funding. the deprivation stats are appalling in Thanet and Ramsgate has suffered the most. Heads need to roll.
Having just returned from a rare trip to Margate, I don’t think there’s much to choose between the two towns.
I think you are barking up the wrong tree
PC, but I will leave things there.
TDC,will waste it as per usual
Giving any money to TDC initiative will surely be yet more taxpayer’s cash straight down the drain.
The clowns at TDC haven’t a clue… so it will get squandered along with our council tax, parking fines etc. etc.
Let us guess-it will go on the ‘arts’ like every other grant in Thanet-while all else is left to rot. I was just watching an episode of Yes Minister where this was the running gag-giving everything to the snobby elitist few, while ignoring things that benefit the majority of the populace. Showing things haven’t changed in forty plus years.
Ramsgate has not benefitted from the 19.8 million awarded. Perhaps TDC can account for it? If I remember rightly it was to eaise the road level, remove the pedestrian crossing to make this busy main route (Harbour Parade) from the Mariners to the Royal, more Pedestrian friendly, Not one of the best decisions.