Maltby’s £800k for High Street ‘not enough’, says councillor

AN OPPOSITION councillor says Maltby’s High Street would need double RMBC’s incoming investment to bring meaningful improvement

Rotherham Council’s cabinet is set to allocate £823,000 on Monday (7) for refurbishment focused on footpath surfaces, soft landscaping and street furniture.

Conservative Cllr Adam Tinsley, Maltby East ward, said: “We are only getting £800,000, which is still a substantial amount, but it’s not enough.

“We’ve been pushing from our side for investment as much as possible. Originally, I think, you were only expected to spend around £50,000 per ward.

“You’ve had Dinnington and Wath, but Maltby High Street was sort of left out. We think there’s money in the pot where they could do the whole project. I could be selfish and say we should have the £2million.”

But he added if the council came back with another £400,000 or £800,000 that could be “job done”.

Alexander Stafford, the Rother Valley MP, celebrated the funding announcement, saying: “Maltby and Hellaby councillors and their tireless work supporting Conservative aims of regenerating all of Rother Valley’s towns and villages have secured £824,000 towards fulfilling the plans to improve Maltby High Street.”

Asked if Mr Stafford’s comments were “justifiable” – meaning it was the ward councillors’ effort that secured the cash – Cllr Tinsley said they had worked with council officers to make it happen.

However, he added, they had been originally told to only bid for £50,000 at the time. He said: “In our bid, we asked to buy units, new street furniture and CCTV.”

He added Maltby “was neglected for years” and they put pressure on the council to get things done.

Heather Saunders-Upfold, who runs the Stuart Saunders butchers on the High Street, reiterated that they needed more money.

“We’d love more”, she said. “It’s not enough and we’d like the refurbishment here down this end as well as up that end of High Street. If they could spend it on parking, that’s what we want because we rely on passing trade.”

Cllr Sarah Allen, cabinet member for neighbourhood working, said: “We are investing in Rotherham’s future, by transforming our towns and villages. To show our commitment to this, members will be asked to agree to pour a significant amount of council money into Maltby, which is one of our key district centres.”

Further consultation is planned.