North West coastal communities get boost with new funding

The minister for coastal communities, Mark Francois, has given the nod of approval to 13 teams that will transform the seaside towns of the North West.

The government is providing over £1m for the new Coastal Community Teams to stimulate job creation and growth, and revive prosperity in the region’s beach towns and cities. Each team will work to coordinate regeneration projects in their own areas and get the opportunity to influence the next wave of the Coastal Communities Fund, which was announced in last week’s Budget.

Mark Francois commented: “This one nation government is determined to devolve powers and funding so that no corner of the country is left behind. This includes our historic coastal towns and cities that have in some cases fallen into decline in the past but can now ensure that the economic recovery is coming back to them too.

“Coastal Community Teams in the North West will help decide where that investment goes because local people know best what is needed to grow their local economy.”

He added: “We are backing them with £1m of direct support and the Budget also confirmed last week that at least £90m more will be spent in the coming years through the Coastal Community Fund, which these teams will have access to.”

In addition to each area receiving £10k, the North West’s 13 Coastal Community Teams will be able to apply for up to a £50k share of a £3m Coastal Revival Fund, which will help them restore and support local heritage and facilities.

Historic England’s chief executive, Duncan Wilson, said: “Heritage is an integral part of the English seaside; piers, bandstands, theatres and promenades are the backdrop to many happy summer holidays, but these kind of historic buildings often need money to help with repairs.

“Coastal Community Teams have fantastic ideas on revitalising and reusing their most precious buildings and this Coastal Revival Fund offers an excellent opportunity to get those projects up and running.”

Launched three years ago, the Coastal Communities Fund has so far allocated almost £119m to 222 projects all over the UK, which is launching over 10k training and apprenticeship positions and creating more than 13k jobs.

Last week’s Summer Budget revealed that the Coastal Communities Fund will now run to 2020, with at least £90m in additional funding.

Blackpool City Council has already been given £2m to revamp the town’s illuminations, while the Morecambe Bay Partnership has been awarded nearly £300k for improving Morecambe’s cycling infrastructure and enhancing tourism services.