A national platform for Heywood regeneration project

Vicki Devenport, Chief Executive of New Heart for Heywood with Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families.

Vicki Devenport, Chief Executive of New Heart for Heywood, was amongst the invited guests in Liverpool yesterday when the Prime Minister Gordon Brown and all members of the cabinet met with business leaders and the public to discuss the impact of the economic downturn on local people and places.

The focus was on jobs, the economy and how to deal with the credit crunch and Ms Devenport was invited in light of the New Deal regeneration work underway in Heywood.

“I got a chance to talk to Hazel Blears about what the Government is learning from the New Deal for Communities Programme," she said. "She was delighted about the regeneration going on here in Heywood, and reiterated how important it is that projects like this get the local community involved at every level. She was pleased to see us promoting Heywood and understands the difference the work is making.”

Crime, employment initiatives and community safety were also discussed at the event.

“Gordon Brown said all of the issues raised will now be discussed by cabinet and we’ll get a response in terms of what is going to be done as a result. It was good to be there. I also spoke with Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families and it was really beneficial to have the opportunity of talking with ministers.”