16/02/2023: Breckland receives over £1.6m investment for local priorities

Breckland Council has been successful in securing £1.6m of UK Shared Prosperity Funding, with the Council's investment plan agreed by the Department for Levelling Up Homes and Communities.

The money, which is predominantly due to be spent in between 2023 - 2025, will enable the Council to direct resources or funding to key local priorities, particularly those that help vulnerable residents and businesses within the District.The money, which is predominantly due to be spent in between 2023 - 2025, will enable the Council to direct resources or funding to key local priorities, particularly those that help vulnerable residents and businesses within the District.

Almost £500,000 will be put towards investment in skills and training for Breckland residents, including specialist help for people looking to retrain and apply their skills to different careers, dedicated support for vulnerable and economically inactive residents in Breckland. £180,000 will be invested to support low carbon businesses, which will include offering support from new local advisers. Businesses will benefit from understanding how various interventions can help reduce their carbon footprint and save money around energy consumption. 

Over £260,000 will be invested into the expansion and continuation of the Council's Inspiring Communities Programme, with additional investment being made into supporting vulnerable people in need of help with energy and food. The Future Breckland programme will receive over £350,000 to bring forward key aspirations set out in the new programme, which received input from over 20,000 interactions with communities and businesses. This money will be catalytic in bringing forward some of the big ideas in the plans and enable a range of smaller scale activities like events and public realm enhancements.

A further £270,000 will be invested in business support and advice, aimed at those businesses based in rural communities. The programme will see the creation of a new 'Country Rangers' programme for Norfolk, with specialist advisors helping rural businesses navigate challenges like nutrient neutrality and flooding, whilst making the most of new emerging opportunities and tourism.

Cllr Paul Claussen, Executive Member for Economic Development and Growth at Breckland Council commented: "I am delighted to see Breckland Council has secured this national investment, which will have an amazing impact on helping our local communities and businesses thrive, whilst supporting our most vulnerable in our community."