£4.8 million for community projects
Community projects will benefit from £4.8 million over the next two years.
Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council successfully bid for the funding from the Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
From business enterprise coaching to a homeless hub, the scheme will deliver a range of benefits within three key themes of community and place, people and skills and supporting local businesses.
Simon Tagg, Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, said:
We are delighted to have secured this vital investment on behalf of our residents.
This will drive real change across the borough, helping to cement a feeling of community and define a sense of place, alongside improving opportunities for people and enhancing their skills, as well as supporting local businesses.
The projects included in the programme were chosen to create a specific network of action that will deliver for the borough as a whole.”
The network of projects will include community hubs at community managed libraries, nature recovery in urban spaces and enhancements at amenity spaces including Brampton Park, Clough Hall Park and the Trent and Mersey Canal.
A range of projects targeted to supporting local businesses will also be included, such as an enterprise support, a small business space planned at Kidsgrove Town Hall and advanced digital technology and innovation support for businesses.
Cllr Tagg added:
The award of this funding is an acknowledgement that the Council’s vision for the borough can drive major improvements for our communities, businesses and most importantly, our people.
I look forward to leading the council on this transformational two-year project – and working alongside our partners as we take the first steps on this exciting journey.”
More information, including a film outlining the programme is available now at https://youtu.be/ekqSZe18w6c .
Notes to editors
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus or https://www.newcastle-staffs.gov.uk/business/shared-prosperity-fund-spf