Nearly three million pounds has been confirmed by the government for projects to support Mansfield’s businesses and communities.
Mansfield District Council has been allocated £2.955m from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) for over three years. The funds will be used for community projects, business support, and to promote new skills and employment opportunities.
It will also help to deliver the aspirations in the Making Mansfield strategy, which sets out council aims and ambitions between now and 2030.
Elected Mayor Andy Abrahams said: “I am thrilled we have been successful in securing these resources to bring more opportunity and investment to Mansfield.
“The £2.955m will help support long-term fundamental change, growth and regeneration across the district and open up more opportunities across Mansfield bringing new jobs and skills opportunities.
“The creation of a dedicated community grant will also have a huge impact, and I believe it is a core and innovative feature of our approach. Local community groups know best what their communities need, and will now be able to make a difference on the ground. I look forward to seeing this roll-out begin in the New Year.”
The Mansfield Community Grant Fund will offer a maximum of £15,000 in grant for community and voluntary groups to apply for projects that will make a difference in their local neighbourhoods. The council will work collaboratively with Mansfield Community and Voluntary Service. It is expected it will be open to applications shortly.
There will also be an opportunity for direct bidding for projects over £15,000 that must demonstrate that they contribute to the council’s communities and place ambitions. Applications will be invited directly from Mansfield District Council.
The plan will see the council deliver some of the projects itself, some via partners and commissioning, and others through grass-roots activity, targeted towards priority areas and themes and carried out in collaboration with community groups and partners. Plans for business support projects and skills related activity will follow in future financial years.
Councils in England have drawn up the plans with a wide range of local partners that deliver for people in their areas. The authorities have chosen to spend the money on a range of initiatives, such as supporting people into jobs, helping local businesses to grow and fighting anti-social behaviour, and can now begin to deliver these.
The Mansfield submission reflected on local opportunities and challenges to ensure the programme reflected local needs.
The UKSPF marks the first availability of funding to replace EU funding streams previously available and was approved by Government on 5 December.
Levelling Up Minister Dehenna Davison added: “We are taking full advantage of being outside the European Union and unlocking billions of pounds of investment to help level up communities and spread opportunity across the UK.
“The UK Shared Prosperity Fund will have tangible benefits for people up and down the country, from a young entrepreneur in need of a helping hand or those who want to gain the skills they need to secure a decent, well-paid job.
“The UK government has worked closely with local leaders across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, giving them a greater say in how this money is spent and ensuring funding is directed to where it is most needed.”
The Government’s approach also means that councils and local partners will have the opportunity to adapt each plan to reflect new economic priorities over the period to 2025.
Elected Mayor Andy Abrahams added: “We have looked to work closely with our partners on the submission, not least via the Place Board and we are pleased to have had their support. We look forward to continuing this relationship as the programme develops.”