Councillors say a new agreement aimed at boosting Burntwood’s town centre will bring real benefits.
The town deal will see Staffordshire County Council, Lichfield District Council and Burntwood Town Council will see them collaborate to improve the area’s shopping offering, health services and transport infrastructure.
Cllr Helen Fisher, Leader of Burntwood Town Council, said: “We all come into local politics to do our best for the communities we represent and I welcome the creation of a town deal that will see us all working together to deliver for Burntwood.”
Her views were echoed by Cllr Mike Wilcox, leader of Lichfield District Council. He said: “We are looking forward to working with our partner councils to deliver what Burntwood needs and what local residents want.
“The creation of a town deal is an important step towards this.”
The town deal will also pull together ideas and projects underway, with Cllr Philip Atkins, leader of Staffordshire County Council, insisting a joint approach can deliver the best results.
He said: “Decisions are best taken as close as possible to where the effect is felt and as decentralisation gains pace, Staffordshire County Council is keen to devolve decision-making more and more to local communities and so I look forward to working with local politicians, people and councils to develop a town deal that will really deliver on the ground for the people of Burntwood.”
The town deal was first proposed by Labour councillors, but questions had been raised by some councillors over the value of such a project.
But Cllr Sue Woodward, Labour county councillor for Burntwood North, said: “I am delighted that all of the councils covering Burntwood are committed to working together to craft a town deal for Burntwood.
“I am grateful to Cllr Atkins for his enthusiasm in taking forward this proposal, to Cllr Wilcox for his commitment to making it happen and to the new Burntwood Town Council Leader, Cllr Helen Fisher, for seeing the opportunities open for us all.”
