Page 4 - City Life Magazine - Summer 2021 Edition

4 Issue 55 • July 2021

NEWS

Worcester secures £19.6m to boost

jobs, active travel & skills training

Worcester is to receive £19.6m Severn Centre for Wellbeing in

to deliver long-term economic Hylton Rd - artist’s impression
growth for the city and support
recovery after COVID.

The award follows the submission of a successful bid by
the City Council to the Government’s £3.6 billion Towns
Fund.

Worcester was one of 101 towns across the UK to be given
the opportunity to create a Town Investment Plan, making
a compelling pitch for the funding.

“I am delighted that the Government has decided to award
the city almost £20 million more to back our regeneration
plans,” says Councilllor Marc Bayliss, Leader of Worcester 177 suggestions on how the money could be spent were
City Council. submitted to the Worcester Towns Fund Board, which
comprises 14 local organisations.
“This money is on top of the £18 million we were awarded
last year from the Future High Streets Fund and together The Board will be meeting in the near future to consider
these funds provide us with a once-in-a-generation the details of the award.
opportunity to create an even better city, fit for the 21st
Century and which helps all our communities to meet their www.worcester.gov.uk/council/worcester-towns-fund-
potential.” board

Meet Worcester’s

new Mayor

Councillor Stephen Hodgson has taken over the chain
of office from the outgoing Mayor, Cllr Jo Hodges. Cllr
Hodgson’s theme for the mayoral year ahead will be
‘Coming Together,’ as the city emerges from the pandemic
and people reconnect with one another.

He said: “It’s a great privilege to be chosen as Mayor of
Worcester, having lived in the city for over 30 years.

“It’s now time for us to come together and celebrate England, graduating from Northumbria University. He has
our great city, as we move forward and recover from the worked in the logistics industry throughout his career and is
pandemic. There will be plenty of opportunities to do so currently employed by a major dairy based in Droitwich.
over the coming months.”
Stephen has been a city councillor for Warndon Parish
Stephen’s two nominated mayoral charities are Aspie (www. North since 2004. His wife is Councillor Lucy Hodgson, who
aspie.org.uk), a self-help and motivation group for adults represents the neighbouring Warndon Parish South Ward
with Asperger’s Syndrome; and the Stroke Association (www. and was herself Mayor of Worcester in 2008/9. This is the
stroke.org.uk). Stephen’s wife Lucy suffered a stroke earlier first time a married couple have both served as mayor of
this year but is making a good recovery. Worcester. Stephen and Lucy live in Warndon Villages and
both serve on Warndon Parish Council.
Stephen Hodgson has lived in Worcester for over 30 years,
moving to the city in 1990. He was brought up in North East Cllr Adrian Gregson is Worcester’s new Deputy Mayor.

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