Lancashire projects awarded Shared Prosperity Fund grants

The government's Levelling Up department has allocated more than £30m from the Shared Prosperity Fund for projects across Lancashire.

However, while the funds were welcomed by the councils, several noted that the amount received is much less than the European support which the programme has replaced.

The largest amount, £6,784,314, has been issued to Blackburn with Darwen Council which will be used to advance the £250m masterplan for Blackburn Town Centre and the £100m Darwen Town Deal.

Coun Phil Riley, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "We are pleased that our plans for almost £7m from the Shared Prosperity Fund have been agreed by government. We worked really hard with partners on an ambitious bid for Blackburn with Darwen focused on new business growth and skills opportunities, culture and place-making, and supporting young people.

"While this really is good news for the borough, I do want to stress that while we work hard to ensure we secure as much funding as we can – targeting strong initiatives to deliver good outcomes – we continue to work against a really difficult backdrop of a history of significant underfunding in Blackburn with Darwen.

"The money we will receive through the Shared Prosperity Fund is much welcomed and will be put to very good use, but in reality it is significantly less than the European funding it is replacing."

Preston City Council has received £5.2m to invest in various projects, with themes including addressing energy efficiency and reducing fuel poverty, improving parks and green spaces to increase sports activities, tackling digital exclusion and launching a city centre events programme.

Coun Matthew Brown, leader of Preston City Council, said: "We are pleased that our proposed investment plan has been approved by government, and we can get started on delivering a comprehensive programme of activity with our community partners across the city in line with our values and priorities. This significant investment will allow us to make a difference in many ways, improving the lives of many in our communities.”

Burnley secured £3,488,102 to be invested in promoting local business growth, improving people’s skills and learning, and supporting community projects.

Coun Mark Townsend, the council’s executive member for economy and growth, said: "It’s great news to see almost £3.5m of funding is being invested in our borough and it’s another example of Burnley Council’s ongoing drive to bring much-needed investment into our area. The focus will be on supporting local business growth and entrepreneurship and boosting our communities and supporting the skills of our residents and businesses."

Council leader Coun Afrasiab Anwar said: “At the time the money was initially earmarked I said it was disappointing that we’re receiving less money than before through EU programmes, but any investment in our borough has to be welcomed. We will use this funding as effectively as possible to make sure we squeeze every bit of value we can out of it."

Hyndburn has received £2,943,592. Coun Miles Parkinson, leader of Hyndburn Borough Council, said: “This is fantastic news and I would like to thank everyone involved in making it happen.

"Hyndburn’s partnership board have led this work and our submitted projects for the funding include greening of Accrington Town Centre, a curated programme of arts, cultural and heritage events, plus a master plan for the Arndale Centre. All this is designed to generate footfall, kick-start economy growth, support local businesses and improve wellbeing for the people of our Borough."

Rossendale has received £2,643,864 for various projects including works to improve the centre of Haslingden, developing an action plan for the centre of Waterfoot, improvements to Victoria and Whitaker Parks, creation of town improvement teams creation of a business advisor post.

Alyson Barnes, leader of Rossendale Council, said: "The Shared Prosperity Funding announcement is incredibly welcome news for the borough as a whole. This three-year investment plan will allow us to begin to make real strides in numerous projects in Rossendale and we will start allocating the funding in the New Year so the real work can begin as soon as possible.

"This news is indeed encouraging, and we hope it’s an indication that the decision on our Levelling Up Fund bid will follow shortly, and that we will see the same success."

Pendle received £3,626,135 to be invested in supporting households with energy needs, helping community groups reach out to children and young people, improving town centres and helping businesses become more energy efficient and carbon neutral.

The Ribble Valley received £1,967,754 and Lancashire County Council secured £5,911,987 to invest in highways, adult and children's social and education to the other six boroughs.