The government has signed off Central Bedfordshire Council’s plans to use £3.6million of UK Shared Prosperity Funding over the next two years to help local communities flourish and thrive.

The Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Investment Plan focused on creating a sense of local pride, creating jobs, boosting core skills and supporting people into work across Central Bedfordshire.

The funding will support local people to gain high-quality skills, important training and ultimately rewarding jobs by investing in targeted local initiatives which promote employment opportunities, innovation and productivity in areas where they are most needed.

The Council will also use the funding to improve towns and villages in Central Bedfordshire and support individuals and businesses. The community support includes helping to address the cost-of-living crisis, through measures that improve the energy efficiency of properties and combat fuel poverty. In doing this, the Council will help tackle climate change and support its Sustainability Plan ambitions.

The intention is to enhance the things that matter most to local communities, foster local pride and offer opportunities to all.

The Council has also received close to £1.4million from the government’s Multiply programme, to support adults to improve their numeracy skills and help them into well-paid jobs and has been notified of £1million of government Rural Prosperity Funding, to be confirmed early in the new year, to provide further support for rural communities and businesses. 

Cllr Kevin Collins, Executive Member for Planning and Regeneration, said: “We have secured nearly £6million of government funding in 2022 to enable us to implement targeted initiatives to create thriving local communities. Importantly, this funding will help us to provide significant benefit for residents and particularly those that need extra support so they can fulfil their potential and make the most of their lives.

“This Shared Prosperity Fund fits neatly with our Strategic Plan priorities as we continue to drive our economy onwards and upwards at pace and create the right conditions to see more rewarding opportunities for all our residents.  We are determined to help people feel proud of where they live and everything Central Bedfordshire has to offer now and in the future.”

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund was launched by Government in early 2022 and is central to its ‘levelling up’ agenda, with £2.6 billion for local investment set aside. Projects must be completed by March 2025. 

More information is available at: UK Shared Prosperity Fund | Central Bedfordshire Council