Chesterfield was selected by the government in 2023 as one of initially 55 towns to receive almost £20 million worth of funding over ten years, from 2024 to 2034, to invest in local people’s priorities.

This was announced as part of the government’s Long Term Plan for Towns initiative.

A new and independent board, called the Chesterfield Town Board, was formed to oversee this investment.

The board is made up of local business and community representatives, together with public sector organisations including Chesterfield Borough Council. Local people will be asked to have their say on how the money should be spent, in line with the government's guidelines.

This section will be updated with the latest information as plans progress, including details of how you can get involved.

What’s happening?

In September 2023, Chesterfield was announced as one of 55 towns across the country to receive almost £20 million of funding to help pay for local projects over a period of ten years (2024 to 2034).

This endowment-style funding was part of the government’s Long Term Plan for Towns initiative, designed to give local communities a greater voice in shaping local improvements.

During June 2024, Chesterfield Town Board ran a survey, along with a range of targeted engagement activities, to understand where people, businesses and groups across the borough think funding should be invested. The online survey closed on Monday 24 June 2024. Through these activities and the online survey, around 1,700 people were engaged as part of this process.

Following the change of government in July 2024, the programme was paused as consideration was given to whether towns would still receive the funding. During this time, the board continued to meet in order to be ready to set out its priorities, taking account of the extensive community engagement. A draft vision and investment plan were prepared in line with the guidance from the original programme.

In October 2024, the new government confirmed that Chesterfield would receive the funding previously announced for this programme (£20m over ten years). Further details are due to be published setting out how the funding should align to the priorities of the new administration. The funding will now cover ten years from April 2026.

What can the money be spent on?

The work to date has explored how funding could be used against the three key themes from the original programme: 

• safety and security – this could include projects which help to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour, for example

• high streets, heritage and regeneration – this includes projects which would enhance the town, making the place more attractive and accessible to residents, businesses, and visitors

• transport and connectivity – this could include projects which support improved access to the town centre, including work to support greener modes of travel, as well as public transport options

However, with the change of government, it is likely that there will be some changes to the themes and types of intervention for which the funding can be used.

What area does it cover?

The initial funding allocation applied to Chesterfield including neighbouring areas. It did not cover the Staveley area, as this has already received over £25 million of government funding through the Staveley Town Deal.

Who decides where the money is spent?

A new and independent Chesterfield Town Board has been set up to oversee how and where the funding should be spent, in consultation with local people.

In line with Government guidance, Chesterfield Borough Council was asked to act as the accountable body for the funding, with the board members making decisions on the priorities for how to use will decide how the £20m worth of endowment-style funding over ten years.

What happens next?

Once a new prospectus is issued by government, the board will use the previous valuable community engagement together with the outputs of its meetings during the summer and autumn to agree priorities for the funding.

It is hoped that early delivery could begin in 2025, before the main funding is due to be allocated from April 2026.

How can I get involved?

An initial period of public engagement ran in June 2024. More information about any future public engagement activities will be provided on this web page.

About the board

The Chesterfield Town Board was established in April 2024, in line with government guidance.

It is made up of several key partners across Chesterfield – from the private, public and community and voluntary sectors – working together as a group, and using feedback from local people.

Board members

The board is chaired by local business leader Dominic Staniforth, who sits alongside 18 other board members:

• Dominic Staniforth (Chair) - BHP
• Emily Bowman - Junction Arts
• Canon Patrick Coleman - Chesterfield Parish Church
• John Croot - Chesterfield Football Club
• Simon Davidson - RP Davidson Cheese Factor
• Hannah Grainger - Bottle and Thyme
• Andrew Kelly - Parkside School
• David Kirby - Derbyshire Police
• Mahmud Nawaz - Chair of Chesterfield Royal Hospital
• Nicolle Ndiweni - Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner
• Kathryn Mitchell - University of Derby
• Laura Jo Owen - Adorn Jewellers
• Toby Perkins MP - MP for Chesterfield
• Councillor Carolyn Renwick - Derbyshire County Council
• Julie Richards - Chesterfield College
• Councillor Amanda Serjeant - Chesterfield Borough Council
• Angela Stansfield - Department for Work and Pensions
• Jacqui Willis - Derbyshire Voluntary Action
• Simon Wright - Banner Jones

Board meetings and papers

The Chesterfield Town Board meets several times a year.

In line with government guidance the meeting is not open for the public to attend, but meeting agendas and minutes are published below.