10 June 2009
£8.4 million boost for North West coalfield communities
The North West Coalfield Communities Regeneration Programme
(NWCCRP) has received a £8.4m boost thanks to the Northwest
Regional Development Agency’s (NWDA) approval of a second phase for
the programme. The NWDA will fund £4.35 m towards the programme,
with an additional £4m coming from a range of public and private
funders.
Over the next three years (until March 31, 2012), the programme
will aim to address and reduce high levels of worklessness and
develop a culture of enterprise and entrepreneurship within
coalfield communities.
The key objectives of the NWCCRP’s second phase are to:
• Increase engagement of workless people into employment,
education and training opportunities
• Improve employability and occupational skills
• Promote an enterprise culture
• Encourage and enable employers to recruit workless residents
and retain people in work
• Improve business survival
The programme which is managed by Wigan Council on behalf of the
NWDA, aims to regenerate former coalfield communities in eight
local authority areas:
• Allerdale Borough Council
• Bolton Council
• Copeland Borough Council
• Knowsley Council
• Salford City Council
• St Helens Borough Council
• Warrington Borough Council
• Wigan Council
Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive at the NWDA said:
“We have been delighted with the progress that has taken place
since the launch of the North West Coalfield Communities
Regeneration Programme in 2004. This has included an improvement in
health, employment levels, educational achievement and housing.
“The NWDA recognises the need to continue with the programme
throughout these challenging economic times, creating further
opportunities that support economic growth, improve skills, attract
investment and create areas where people want to live, work and
invest.”
Cllr Terry O’Neill, Chair of the NWCCRP Board, the NW Alliance
and elected member for Warrington Council said:
“It is excellent news that the second phase of the NWCCRP has
been approved. The £4.35m will make a huge difference to the
North West’s coalfield communities.
“We are very grateful the NWDA has shown confidence in the
partnership, as the second phase will make a real difference to the
targeted communities and meet the NWDA’s overall objectives.”
The Audit Commission has recently hailed the first phase of the
NWCCRP a huge success. Its report, ‘A Mine of Opportunities – Local
Authorities and the Regeneration of the English Coalfields’,
praised the NWCCRP for its effective partnership working and was
highlighted as a key driver for regeneration.
Cllr Keith Cunliffe, Wigan Council’s representative on the
NWCCRP board and Cabinet Member for Healthier Communities
said:
“The approval of phase two brings the overall programme value
including match funding to a whopping £30m for both phases, which
is fantastic news for the region’s coalfield communities.
“The success of the first phase of the NWCCRP and the approval
of phase two is the result of excellent programme management by
Wigan Council’s Economic Regeneration Office and the strength of
the partnership between the eight local authorities.
“The strong partnership has created a unique programme, which is
being used as an example of best practice throughout the
country. I am very proud that Wigan is co-ordinating and is
part of such a prestigious partnership and I am positive that the
second phase will prove to be just as successful as the initial
programme.”
For more information about the North West Coalfield Communities
Regeneration Programme (NWCCRP), please contact Stuart Hurst,
NWCCRP Co-ordinator on 01942 828975 or S.Hurst@wigan.gov.uk
-Ends-
Notes to Editor
For further information contact:
Claire Walsh, Marketing Officer
Wigan Council
Direct line: 01942 828996
Extension: 3996
Direct fax: 01942 828992
Email: claire.walsh@wigan.gov.uk
Website: www.wigan.gov.uk
The North West Coalfield Communities Regeneration Programme
(NWCCRP) is funded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency
(NWDA) and other partners for the regeneration of eight former
coalfield communities in England’s Northwest: Allerdale,
Bolton, Copeland, Knowsley, Salford, St Helens, Warrington and
Wigan. The £8.365m programme seeks to address the economic,
environmental, social and health legacies resulting in the demise
of the mining industry.
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the
economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is
responsible for:
• Supporting business growth and encouraging
investment
• Matching skills provision to employer needs
• Creating the conditions for economic growth
• Connecting the region through effective transport and
communication infrastructure
• Promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life