Five towns earmarked for government’s new quicker-fix Impact Fund
It's aimed at making quicker improvements than major regeneration schemes
Five Pendle towns could benefit from new government cash aimed at making quicker improvements than major regeneration schemes which last years.
Earby, Barnoldswick, Colne, Barrowford and Brierfield could get a share of £1.5million from the government’s new Pride in Place Impact Fund. It aims to revitalise high streets and public spaces in shorter-term work, and restore neighbourhood pride.
Leading Pendle’s councillors on its executive are due to agree which areas will receive a share. The new fund comes after the government launched the long-term Pride in Place Programme earlier this year. That involves allocations of £20million phased over ten years. Nelson is included in that so it will not receive funding from the new Impact Fund.
Nelson has also had the previous Nelson Town Deal of £25million, arranged under a former Conservative government. That has focused on major property regeneration and business development grants. The new Pride in Place scheme is more community-focused.
Councillor David Whipp, leader of Pendle Council, said: “We are looking to invest in towns and parishes across Pendle which haven’t benefited from previous funding streams targeted at specific areas.
“Our intention is to fund work in the townships and surrounding areas outside Nelson, which is receiving funding separately. Once the areas have been agreed, we’ll be engaging with representatives from local communities to identify exactly how the money should be invested in each area.”
Eligible activities must fall within one of three objectives:
Community spaces; To create, extend, improve or refurbish community facilities and let community organisations take control or ownership of under-used but valued local assets.
Public spaces. To enhance green spaces or squares, improve outdoor play, sports and leisure spaces; install street furniture, public art or way-finding signs or fixtures.
High street and town centre revitalisation. To make areas more attractive and welcoming such as shop front improvements, changes to bring premises back into use, street improvements, public art, trails and way-finding, and creating or improving regular market infrastructure.
Announcing the Impact Fund, the government said in a statement: “Whilst the Pride in Place Programme targets transformation over the longer term, we also recognise there is a need for immediate support to ensure other areas are able to deliver visible improvements to high streets and improve places and spaces of community value. The Impact Fund provides that support.”