Community and Council leaders meet to discuss future of Amble
A round table meeting of representatives from Amble and Northumberland County Council has taken place to discuss future opportunities, including securing investment in the town.
đź“· Julia Aston, Amble Development Trust; Cllr Luke McTaggart, Amble Town Council; Cllr Glen Sanderson, Northumberland County Council
Northumberland County Council (NCC), Amble Town Council and Amble Development Trust met to discuss developing a Town Investment Plan which will include a feasibility study to understand opportunities and develop proposals for improving the town.
The meeting took place soon after NCC announced it would not allow the community access bid for the old school sports hall. They cited the impact on existing plans for the new school as a reason not to allow the transfer to take place.
Council Leader, Councillor Glen Sanderson said: “I am really pleased that we have been able to get together and discuss these vital next steps for the town. It is by working together that we understand the needs of residents and businesses, and further outlines our joint commitment, to improving Amble and surrounding areas.”
“We have a strong track record of working together over the years with our partners in Amble – the Seafood Town project and Amble Bord Waalk projects which boosted the town. We are now looking to build on this with a new pipeline of projects to improve the town together.”
He added: “Our commitment to the Town Investment Plan, I hope, gives reassurance to residents that securing investment in Amble is a top priority and together we can make a strong case for the next wave of improvements to the town”
“Securing investment in Amble is a top priority.” Cllr Glen Sanderson, Leader NCC
Amble Development Trust alongside Amble Town Council have proposed a range of positive ideas for future projects that could enhance community, sports, leisure and cultural provision in the town, as well as measures to ensure Amble is well connected. Representatives from both organisations welcomed the opportunity to develop the Town Investment Plan, in partnership with the County Council.
Councillor Luke McTaggart, Mayor of Amble Town Council said: “Whilst we are disappointed at the outcome of the Asset Transfer for the Sports Hall, I am pleased that NCC have listened to Amble’s concerns and needs.
“Work will now begin on a Town Plan, that NCC  have offered to provide some feasibility funding for to support the development of the plan, and to explore ideas for community-led sport, leisure and cultural activities that the Sports Hall project sought to deliver.
“It’s important we work on this at pace and secure more tangible commitments very soon.”
Julia Aston, Director of Amble Development Trust said: “We were extremely disappointed at the outcome of the Community Asset Transfer, however looking to the future, we will be working with NCC and ATC to build an economic plan for the town, investigating projects that will hopefully fulfil community requirements.  We hope this process will be developed at pace to ensure momentum is not lost.”
NCC has indicated that as the Town Investment Plan is developed, there will be further engagement with all public, private and community stakeholders in the town and the whole community.
