Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council was awarded funding of £4,028,173 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), for the period 2022/23 to 2024/25.
Intended to reduce inequalities between communities, build pride in place, and increase life chances across the UK as part of the government’s wider levelling up agenda, the fund set out three investment priorities: Communities and Place, Supporting Local Business and People and Skills.
Since acquiring the grant, the Borough Council has utilised the funding for several improvement projects, including the implementation of 24-hour live CCTV monitoring across the Borough, safety and security improvements to town centre car parks, providing a package of support for local businesses, implementing community safety initiatives, and improvements to public services, including recreation and arts facilities.
For the final year of the grant cycle, 2024/2025, the following projects are also proposed:
- Skills training to support the provision of a well-equipped local workforce
- Additional help for start-up enterprises
- Redevelopment of Bedworth Indoor Market to improve the retail experience
- Improved equipment provision to increase opportunities for active recreation
- Implementation of community projects and infrastructure to combat crime, including anti-social behaviour, violence, and domestic abuse
Cllr Kris Wilson, Leader of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council and Portfolio Holder for Business and Regeneration, said:
“The UKSPF funding has enabled us to make real improvements right across our borough.
“Whether this is through employment and skills, business grants, town improvements, or upgrades to local play areas, I have been determined that the whole Borough gets to see the benefits of this funding.
“We have a packed final year of projects to deliver, but I am sure we will deliver them as with the previous two years and make a real difference to our borough.”