£1 million boost for Mid Sussex parks, community hubs and youth employment from Shared Prosperity Fund
Mid Sussex has been awarded funding of £1 million from Government to invest in local parks, community hubs and youth employment support over the next three years. This follows a successful bid to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund by the Conservative Council and Mims Davies MP.
The Government has introduced the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) to enable Councils to support the levelling up agenda at a local level. Funding is being provided to support projects that boost productivity, pay, jobs and living standards, improve public services, empower local leaders and communities, or restore a sense of community and local pride. The UKSPF succeeds the old European Union structural funds that Mid Sussex never benefited from.
Mid Sussex has received a UKSPF allocation of £1 million for the next three years and the Government has now approved an Investment Plan submitted by the Council, which sets out measurable outcomes that meet local needs.
The Council is focussing the UKSPF investment on the improvement of local parks and community hubs.
Community hubs in Haywards Heath (Barn Cottage), Burgess Hill (The Cherry Tree Centre) and East Grinstead (Quarry Café & Community Fridge) will all receive funding. These projects will help expand community buildings and enhance support provided to residents.
The funding will also support the delivery of the Council’s parks masterplans to improve play facilities, sports provision and accessibility at Mount Noddy in East Grinstead, Victoria Park in Haywards Heath and St John’s Park in Burgess Hill. Grant funding will be provided to support events within the three parks that bring the community together and make best use of the facilities.
There will also be funding to support young people who are not in employment, education or training (NEET).
Conservative Council Leader Cllr Jonathan Ash-Edwards said:
“The Shared Prosperity Fund will help us to enhance our local area, build on our strengths, and ensure Mid Sussex remains a place we are proud to live and work. Our investment plan focuses on improving our local parks and community hubs because they make such a big difference to our quality of life.
“Public open spaces not only provide us with somewhere beautiful to relax and unwind, but they are also a hub for sports activities and are important places for people to come together and socialise. We’re proposing to invest in one major park in each of our three towns to ensure people right across the District benefit from improved facilities and an enhanced environment.
“Local voluntary groups also make a massive contribution to our local community. We’re so fortunate to have a dedicated and diverse army of volunteers here in Mid Sussex and this funding will help them to continue and expand on the excellent work they are already doing to support those in need.”
The bid was supported in Westminster by Mid Sussex MP Mims Davies, who said:
“I’m absolutely delighted that Mid Sussex will receive £1 million through the new UK Shared Prosperity Fund over the next three years provided by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. It reflects the quality of our bid and that Mid Sussex will be part of this important next stage as look to level up the country. I look forward to seeing the projects brought forward focused around investment in community hubs, parks and events alongside additional support for young people who are seeking employment. I look forward to seeing the difference it makes to our communities and how this will impact brilliant projects and organisations who deliver great things in our community”.
