New coastal teams to create jobs, bring business and help local economies thrive
Seaside communities are being urged to create dedicated Coastal Community Teams to drive forward economic regeneration.
- coastal areas to get a boost from new community teams
- economic potential of coastal communities to be unlocked
- local expertise and heritage will help create jobs
Seaside communities are being urged to create dedicated Coastal Community Teams to drive forward economic regeneration and a long-term vision, by new Coastal Communities Minister Mark Francois today (16 June 2015).
The government is providing over £1 million to set up 110 Coastal Community Teams to deal with the specific economic challenges faced by seaside towns and take forward a local strategy for success.
In a letter to coastal MPs, the minister said the creation of these new teams would make sure the economic recovery is felt across the country – helping areas deal with specific coastal challenges and achieve their potential to develop strong and vibrant local economies.
Coastal Communities Minister Mark Francois said:
Unlocking the potential of our seaside towns is a priority for this government and securing the economic recovery in all parts of the country.
We want communities to drive forward their vision, harness local expertise and make the most of their local heritage to create jobs, unleash business opportunities and boost the local economy.
The creation of a coastal community team will be a catalyst for change and help secure the future of our seaside towns. I urge seaside towns to come forward and take this opportunity.
Coastal towns and villages often have individual projects underway to boost the local economy – such as a publicly funded skills scheme, a high street revival programme or plans by the council – but these can work in isolation. The creation of a local team will ensure, for the first time in some areas, that local people, councils and businesses work together in a coordinated way.
The creation of Coastal Community Teams builds on the successful town team model for high streets which is revitalising town centres across the country. The first 12 Coastal Community Team pilots were announced in March 2015.
See details of how to become a Coastal Community Team. The deadline for applying to be a Coastal Community Team is 30 June 2015.
Along with each area being awarded £10,000 to kick-start work, coastal teams will also be able to bid for a share of the new £3 million coastal revival fund to support or restore local heritage and facilities which benefit the wider community and the surrounding economy. Details of how to apply for this will be available in the summer.
The government is committed to supporting coastal communities and since 2012 has spent over £117 million funding 222 projects across the UK through the Coastal Communities Fund. The fund is creating almost 12,400 jobs and providing more than 6,000 training places and apprenticeships.
19 of the 39 Local Enterprise Partnerships are in coastal areas and as part of the government’s growth deals, over £700 million has been committed to projects in these areas to improve transport infrastructure, broadband connectivity, improving flood defences and improving opportunities for local people.
8 out of the 24 enterprise zones are in coastal areas which offer incentives for businesses to start up or expand including Business Rates relief, superfast broadband and simplified planning. Coastal enterprise zones have delivered over 5,300 jobs to date and helped to secure nearly £275 million of private sector investment to coastal areas. Two enterprise zones in coastal areas – Blackpool and Plymouth – were announced in the Budget.
The first 12 pilot areas to set up Coastal Community Teams announced in March are:
- Blackpool council, Lancashire: the Blackpool Coastal Communities Team will comprise of public, private and community groups. It will also support delivery of the Coastal Communities Funded “LightPool” scheme which will deliver a major impact on the visitor economy offer and support the retail sector
- Brighton and Hove seafront, East Sussex: the Coastal Communities Team will bring together public, private and business expertise to support the city council in developing a new Seafront Investment Plan that will help the seafront fulfil its potential and benefit the city as a whole
- Eastbourne, East Sussex: the Coastal Community Team will build on the significant momentum already developed to enhance the economic, environmental and social regeneration of the town; the council is keen to work with the team delivering overarching projects that contribute to these regeneration objectives
- Felixstowe, Suffolk Coastal district council: will engage existing community networks and groups around a holistic, place-based plan to achieve a true sustainable community and include the development of key heritage assets within the town
- North Shields Fish Quay, North Tyneside council: the grant will be utilised initially to refresh existing partnerships as well as bring together key partners, who will use their knowledge and expertise to deliver the Fish Quay vision for the area
- Hull City Centre, Kingston upon Hull city council: the Coastal Community Team will build on existing partnerships and have a vital role in providing a strategic overview, boosting the local economy and reviving the heritage of the local area
- Ipswich, Suffolk: the Coastal Communities Team has identified 9 priorities and will work with all their key partners to achieve their ambition of Ipswich being represented as East Anglia’s premier waterfront town
- Jaywick, Tendring district council: the Coastal Communities Team will ensure that through the development of both emerging and existing partnerships, community lead regeneration will generate much needed economic stimulation and improvements to infrastructure
- Lincolnshire county council: the Coastal Communities Team will work with businesses and communities near the 2 new visitor centres and the Seal Colony in the north to tap into this expanding market and help them to provide quality facilities, develop their marketing offer, and increase footfall
- Lowestoft: the Coastal Communities Team will complement existing partnerships which are tackling the town’s key challenges and will support the development of key heritage and cultural assets in the town such as the East of England Park at the UK’s most easterly point
- Penzance, Cornwall council: Penzance Coastal Community Team will support delivery of key regeneration projects and build on the initial Coastal Community Fund investment in Jubilee Pool and trigger wider economic and physical regeneration of key sites across Penzance
- Redcar-Coatham, Redcar and Cleveland borough council: the Coastal Communities Team will foster long-term, community-led regeneration. The area is currently investigating how a Community Plan can be delivered which combines a strategic plan for local growth with the active participation of the local population
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