A new fund to help support much loved seaside towns like Morecambe create
new jobs and prosperity was launched today by Government Communities Secretary Eric
Pickles and Chief Secretary Danny Alexander.
The £23.7million Coastal Communities Fund has been created to
provide struggling coastal communities all across the country with
money to support new opportunities that can make their town prosper.
Today a variety of organisations are being invited to apply
for the funding, first announced by the Chief Secretary, to diversify
and transform seaside economies by allowing them to rejuvenate
traditional assets or exploit new emerging industries.
Seaside groups could use the money to start programmes that
can deliver skills training, offer apprenticeships to school leavers,
create new workspaces or support small-scale transport improvements.
Successful applicants can expect to get a grant of between
£50,000 and £2 million. Mr Pickles said he would especially like to see
quality bids come in from social enterprises, charities, local
businesses or local enterprise partnerships.
“Seaside towns and coastal communities have huge
potential for economic growth that we simply can’t afford to waste –
this fund can make all the difference to these places we all know and
love,” said Communities Secretary Eric Pickles.
“This is a great opportunity for long overlooked seaside
towns, large and small, to grab a chance to grow through imaginative and
innovative projects that create, skilled workers, and provide year
round jobs that build stronger local economies.”
“Having grown up in a coastal community in Scotland, I am
only too aware of the vital role these communities play in the UK,” added Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander. “It
is fair that we share the Crown Estate’s marine revenues equally and I
am delighted to launch the Coastal Communities fund prospectus today.
“We look forward to receiving innovative bids from
charities, businesses, social enterprises and local organisations, which
support the economic development of the community.”
The Fund will be financed by the Government from revenues
from the Crown Estate’s marine assets. It will be UK wide, with
funding allocated to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on
the basis of revenue generated by these marine assets. The Fund will be
delivered by the Big Lottery Fund’s ‘BIG Fund’.
• A prospectus setting out eligibility, suggestions of how to use funds and details of how to bid was published today: www.communities.gov.uk/publications/regeneration/coastalfundprospectus. Applications will be accepted in April.