News: Review shows coalfields communities need local approach
Local Councils should have a central role to play in the next phase of coalfields regeneration according to a new report welcomed by Housing and Local Government Minister Grant Shapps.
Mr Shapps said the review by Michael Clapham showed that while much had been achieved regenerating former coalfield areas there is still work to do. Improvement and economic recovery was still fragile and deeply embedded worklessness remained in some former mining areas.
The Report argues local authorities are best placed to understand their own areas and therefore have a central role to play with an increased emphasis on partnership working and flexibility at local level. But traditionally too much funding from central government had restrictive conditions and there was no flexibility to meet local specific needs. In the future, local and national partners need to come together to develop an integrated local programme approach.
Grant Shapps said: "It's crucial that former mining areas continue to get the support they need to move on from the devastation caused by the collapse of the coal industry.
"I am extremely grateful to Michael Clapham and his Board for offering their time and expertise to undertake this important Review. As they have highlighted, there is more to be done to help former mining communities where there are still ingrained social and economic problems."
The cooperative approach of the local authorities of Rotherham and Barnsley was highlighted in a Audit Commission report on the regeneration of the coalfields.
Through partnership work and securing significant funding, the former coalfields in the Dearne Valley were reclaimed as part of the UK's largest Enterprise Zone. The area is now a significant employment site, home to companies such as HeroTSC, Next, Martek Marine and Virginia KMP, plus a number of successful start up enterprises.
Since the Dearne Valley was designated as an Enterprise Zone in 1995 it is estimated that around 10,000 jobs had been created in the area by 2002.
A Review of Coalfields Regeneration
Mr Shapps said the review by Michael Clapham showed that while much had been achieved regenerating former coalfield areas there is still work to do. Improvement and economic recovery was still fragile and deeply embedded worklessness remained in some former mining areas.
The Report argues local authorities are best placed to understand their own areas and therefore have a central role to play with an increased emphasis on partnership working and flexibility at local level. But traditionally too much funding from central government had restrictive conditions and there was no flexibility to meet local specific needs. In the future, local and national partners need to come together to develop an integrated local programme approach.
Grant Shapps said: "It's crucial that former mining areas continue to get the support they need to move on from the devastation caused by the collapse of the coal industry.
"I am extremely grateful to Michael Clapham and his Board for offering their time and expertise to undertake this important Review. As they have highlighted, there is more to be done to help former mining communities where there are still ingrained social and economic problems."
The cooperative approach of the local authorities of Rotherham and Barnsley was highlighted in a Audit Commission report on the regeneration of the coalfields.
Through partnership work and securing significant funding, the former coalfields in the Dearne Valley were reclaimed as part of the UK's largest Enterprise Zone. The area is now a significant employment site, home to companies such as HeroTSC, Next, Martek Marine and Virginia KMP, plus a number of successful start up enterprises.
Since the Dearne Valley was designated as an Enterprise Zone in 1995 it is estimated that around 10,000 jobs had been created in the area by 2002.
A Review of Coalfields Regeneration
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