The Prime Minister has appointed Adam Hawksbee as
interim Chair for the new high-powered Towns Unit to ensure the
voices of UK towns are heard loud and clear across government and
that vital regeneration comes to life.
Adam, Deputy Director of the think tank Onward, will help deliver
the government’s Long-Term Plan for Towns, backed by £1.1 billion
overall, to regenerate 55 towns around the country so people can
feel proud of the place they call home.
Each town will receive a 10-year endowment-style fund with £20
million of funding and support to deliver long-term projects
focused on the issues that matter most to local people, including
regenerating high streets, protecting local heritage and cracking
down on anti-social behaviour.
The Unit will ensure the Long-Term Plan for Towns delivers its
promise by supporting local leaders to develop proposals,
encouraging further investment from businesses and making sure
that Towns Boards become long-term institutions that serve their
communities.
Adam will be visiting towns up and down the country and reporting
directly back to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State
for Levelling Up on how these places can better
level up.
This work as part of the Long-Term Plan for Towns will help local
people continue to feel the benefits of a bettering economy –
ensuring a brighter future for Britain and more opportunity for
generations to come.
Towns Unit Chairman Adam Hawksbee
said:
It’s an honour to be heading up this vital work, which will
empower communities to transform their towns. The Long-Term Plan
for Towns puts local people at the heart of change, letting them
choose their own priorities. Whether that’s making high streets
safer and cleaner, improving transport links or celebrating local
heritage, we will help towns to rebuild a sense of pride.
Levelling Up Minister said:
Towns have been taken for granted for too long and local leaders
need long-term funding that goes directly to community
priorities, instead of being caught up in public sector red tape.
I am excited to be working with Adam to deliver our Long Term
Plan for Towns to put power in the hands of communities so that
they can decide on local priorities and what’s best their future.
Adam’s work to date has focused on increasing economic growth and
strengthening communities across the UK.
He has published research on a range of topics including
empowering regional mayors, tackling antisocial behaviour and
reforming technical education. He was also previously Head of
Policy to , Mayor of the West Midlands.
Adam will be undertaking the role on a part-time basis, alongside
his position as Deputy Director of Onward.
