Funding which will help transform Redcar and Cleveland was today welcomed by the Council.
Just over £20million will be invested in key projects across the Redcar and Cleveland area following a successful bid for the Government’s levelling up partnership fund by Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council.
Levelling up partnerships, announced in the spring budget, will see tailored regeneration plans rolled out across twenty of England’s areas most in need of levelling up. The areas have been selected based on analysis set out in the levelling up white paper which considered places against measurements such as educational attainment, gross pay, and life expectancy.
A total of £20,076,700 million will now go towards funding a number of projects across the area. These include:
- building the Tees Valley All Access Academy at Redcar and Cleveland College, bringing together scaffolding, working at height, working in confined spaces, steel erecting and rigging programmes, additional welding training alongside health and safety qualifications. These are essential skills needed at the neighbouring Teesworks site. The academy would also significantly increase the capacity of the engineering, electrical and plumbing department, supporting an additional 236 learners in the first year of operation, increasing to 332 additional learners in the second year;
- work with partners to expand and refurbish the Daisy Lane site as a single point of access for the public, and to offer increased employment and learning opportunities at the site. The work would deliver multiple benefits including training apprenticeship opportunities in health and care, improved links with local Colleges and Universities and developing the site as a hot bed for learning. It would also act as a catalyst for the wider regeneration of the area, supporting more people to live independent lives through integrated and sustainable support, availability of more community space and the development of a community Mental Health Hub to improve local access;
- investment in Tuned In! to revitalise the building and improve and enhance what it offers. The ground floor will be developed to create a welcoming reception area, new bar/café and box office with vibrant layout, decor and furniture. The studio theatre will be redesigned, dressing rooms created, and new seating will increase capacity. The first floor will be improved, and a new multifunctional studio created. The recording studio rooms, and rehearsal spaces will be fully refurbished and will benefit from new technology;
- enhancement and improvements of five family hubs in the area. The improvements include outdoor space facilities and sensory stimulation areas as well as kitchen improvements and a community café at Skelton family hub;
- offer targeted supported accommodation for disadvantaged 16- to 17-year-olds in partnership with a local housing provider. To include the purchase of properties to provide an additional 10 placements and work with Beyond Housing to provide a further 14 properties;
- purchase and fit out two properties suitable for use as residential children’s homes. The Council would work with a local children’s home provider who would then operate the homes. The plans would increase the number of children’s home places in the borough, provide quality alternatives to higher cost out of area options, provide local placements for local children, create safe and secure care, support the move to independent living and provide a dedicated resource for Redcar and Cleveland children;
- redevelop Redcar Central Station which would see the grade II listed railway station building restored to its former glory. This would include comprehensive conservation work to transform it from an empty run-down shell into a vibrant gateway for the town. As well as rail facilities such as ticket machines, travel information etc the work will also deliver retail and leisure use as well as food and drinks outlets throughout the day and evening;
- investment in the areas CCTV and camera infrastructure. The work includes a completely remodelled control room, operating out of a local Cleveland Police building as well as full camera replacement.
- working in partnership with Thirteen Housing Group to renovate five homes in the South Bank area to help address poor quality housing in the area;
- facilitate a community grants scheme, which looks to invest in local community based organisations to assist in developing facilities that provide key services for the local community.
Commenting on the funding announcement, Cllr Alec Brown, Leader of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, said:
“We welcome this investment in Redcar and Cleveland and have worked positively with the Department for levelling Up, to make the most of the funding on offer to ensure we continue to deliver for our residents.
“Our plans are designed to improve and enhance the lives of our communities by not only investing in major infrastructure projects but also investing in the people of the borough and their future.
“I am passionate about everyone having the opportunity to achieve their potential and by providing great education, training and employment opportunities whilst also supporting the most vulnerable, young and old, in our communities, I want to create the opportunities in Redcar and Cleveland for everyone to thrive.”