Members and residents of Braunstone Community Association (BCA), which has seen the area transformed by £49.5 million of Government cash, greeted Ms Munn, showed her two of the projects and talked about their aspirations for the future.
Ms Munn said:
“I was pleased to talk to people whose lives are being affected by Government policy and learn as much as I can from those who know most about communities – the people who live there.
“The chief executive, chair, directors and residents have worked hard in partnership with Government to get to where they are now. They and the Government want to build on that success so in five and ten years time there is a thriving, sustainable community ,” said the Minister.
Ms Munn visited the Turning Point Women’s Centre, funded by BCA to run a number of projects to tackle teenage pregnancy, and then went on to Braunstone Leisure Centre, a £10 million state of the art Leisure facility that has been developed as part of the New Deal for Braunstone scheme.
The Minister concluded the visit by taking the time to speak with some of the resident Directors who have been involved in running the New Deal for Braunstone scheme. The discussion on the importance of the contribution of local residents to community regeneration and their role in identifying priorities.
The residents also had the chance to share some of the experience they had gained over the past few years and how they were planning to build on this for Braunstone in the future.
Richard Atkinson, Archdeacon of Leicester and Chairman of the BCA Board, said:
“We felt very priviledged to welcome Meg Munn to Braunstone. The fact that she chose to come and see Braunstone as an example of a successful regeneration programme is another sign of how Braunstone is now at the forefront in terms of community-led regeneration and in particular, the New Deal for Communities programme.
Directors had a useful discussion with the Minister and have invited her back for a more in depth visit when she has settled into the department.”
