Context
The MP expressed gratitude for the Minister's visit to Arbroath earlier this year and acknowledged the hard work of Peter Stirling and members of the town board in developing bold plans. He highlighted community support and thanked his colleague, Dave Doogan, for their efforts.
Question
May I put on record my thanks to the Minister for visiting Arbroath? It was good of him to do that, and I join him in congratulating Peter Stirling and members of the Arbroath town board. We have seen how hard-working they are and the way the community really got behind the project. Will the Minister work with the Treasury to ensure that there is maximum flexibility for local communities in Arbroath and elsewhere in the UK, to ensure that we can bring these projects to full fruition?
Answer from Alex Norris
That is a very important point. We wanted to keep the promise made to the people of Arbroath, which is why I am very pleased that we have been able to do so through the long-term plan for towns. Going forward, as I have said to other colleagues, we want to see a longer-term, more allocative settlement that is driven by local people. As I stood in the church hall, with board after board after board of feedback from local residents about what they wanted to see, it only firmed my resolve that they should be in charge, rather than us.
Not addressed: The Minister did not specify how he will work with the Treasury or provide maximum flexibility for local communities.
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