A multi-million pound programme to breathe new life into the region’s former coalfields has been hailed a huge success after creating hundreds of new jobs and business opportunities.
The North West Coalfield Communities Regeneration Programme (NWCCRP) has invested £30m over the past seven years in the targeted coalfield communities and has positively benefited the lives of many thousands of people.
The programme has delivered a package of support to help reduce high levels of worklessness and develop a culture of enterprise and entrepreneurship within coalfield communities.
Successes:
- 948 unemployed people moved into a job
- 6656 people with increased skills
- 250 business created
- 315 business supported
- 10,349 people supported through the programme
The programme was managed by Wigan Council on behalf of the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and Coalfield Regeneration Trust (CRT), aims to regenerate former coalfield communities in eight local authority areas:
- Allerdale Borough Council
- Bolton Council
- Copeland Borough Council
- Knowsley Council
- Salford City Council
- St Helens Borough Council
- Warrington Borough Council
- Wigan Council
Cllr Terry O’Neill, Chair of the NWCCRP Board, the NW Alliance and Leader of Warrington Council said: “This has been an excellent programme and the £30m has made a huge difference to the North West’s coalfield communities.”
"We are very grateful the NWDA has shown confidence in the partnership, as the NWCCRP programme has made a real difference to the targeted communities and met the overall objectives. The board has been praised for its effective partnership working and was highlighted as a key driver for regeneration.”
Cllr Keith Cunliffe, Wigan Council’s representative on the NWCCRP board and Cabinet Member for Adults and Health, said: “The success of the whopping £30m NWCCRP is due to, excellent programme management by Wigan Council’s Economic Development Office and the strength of the partnership between the eight local authorities.
“The strong partnership has delivered a unique programme, which is being used as an example of best practice throughout the country. I am very proud that Wigan has co-ordinated and be part of such a prestigious partnership.”
The programme was supported through the North West Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and Coalfield Regeneration Trust (CRT).
- For more information about the North West Coalfield Communities Regeneration Programme (NWCCRP), please contact Stuart Hurst, NWCCRP Co-ordinator on 01942 489182 or S.Hurst@wigan.gov.uk
