Communities benefit from £6 million-plus investment
More than £6 million invested in the Borough over the last four years will have short and long-term benefits, says a report.
Thousands of people and hundreds of businesses and projects have benefited from the scores of projects successfully delivered.
Analysis of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) investment managed by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council showed value for money, that schemes and projects meet community need, and that they were delivered in-budget.
Simon Tagg, Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, said:
Our successful delivery of the first three years of UKSPF meant we were eligible to apply for a final fourth year, which was worth another £1.5 million to our communities.
The analysis of the work programme confirms what we have been able to see for ourselves: these schemes have been a great success with a focus on giving residents opportunities to improve their skills, and supporting local businesses and communities.”
The programme has already supported more than 445 businesses, directly created 115 roles and reached nearly 1,000 people through business support initiatives.
And the ‘Supporting Local Businesses’ projects also led to 44 new enterprises by bringing together people whose businesses were too small to go through the usual larger support networks.
Linking businesses with training, advice, student internships, and academic expertise from the universities of Keele and Staffordshire has also paid dividends, developing products and finding local talent. More than 50 organisations said that they had adopted new or improved products or services, as well as 154 research and development projects.
Significant community benefits include the planting of 26,900 trees, improvements to Clough Hall Park and the canal-side area of Kidsgrove, as well as the creation or enhancement of 14 community facilities.
Funding supported a range of learning and community events at the newly opened Keele in Town venue on Ironmarket, and Philip Astley Centre on Merrial Street, while there have been more than 70 community-led arts, cultural, and heritage events, and the creation of 250 volunteering opportunities.
Simon Tagg, Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council said:
Successfully bidding for and then delivering these projects has helped businesses develop and individual people get a job, or improve their employment prospects.
Some benefits, like having a wage, or learning a new skill are obvious immediately, but some of connections between businesses and universities, or through improving community centres and public spaces and facilities, will be felt for years to come.”