Calderdale Council is celebrating the news that Mixenden in north Halifax has been awarded £20 million by the Government, providing a significant investment in the local community.
The funding, which is from the Pride in Place programme, will provide an annual grant of £2 million per year, for the next decade.
Local people will be at the heart of decisions about how the money is spent within their local community, so that it is invested where it is needed most.
Leader of the Council, Cllr Jane Scullion said:
“This is fantastic news for Mixenden and North Halifax.
“Our Vision 34 is for Calderdale to be a place full of opportunity, where everyone can thrive. Last year we worked with local communities and partners to develop the North Halifax Strategy, an ambitious 10 year plan which is already transforming the area.
“Local people told us then how proud they feel about where they live, about their aspirations for the future and about the challenges which we need to overcome together to make it even better.
“This funding will help us to deliver that, building on the investment which has already seen the opening of the new Mixenden Community Hub, which includes a new library and Primary Care Network Hub.”
The Government has announced that the Pride in Place funding will be used by communities to provide investment and support including:
· Community Right to Buy: handing local people the power to buy beloved assets, helping them turn around derelict pubs, create new parks and regenerate treasured spaces in the heart of their communities.
· Compulsory Purchase powers: allowing communities to buy assets and eyesores like boarded up shops and derelict abandoned businesses, allowing new local start-ups to thrive. For larger sites, it could even see new health centres opening up, or local housing.
· The power to block unwanted shops: empowering Councils in England to say no to new betting shops, vapes stores and fake barbers.
· Giving residents the power: spending will only be approved if community groups, local organisations and social clubs have been included in decisions on how the money should be spent.
Vision 34 is a shared, long-term ambition to work towards over the next 10 years to make Calderdale a better place for everyone, based on the stories that unite us.
The Vision 34 themes are enterprising, opportunity, kind, welcoming, hope, heritage, nature and creativity.
Through these themes, organisations and people from all walks of life are encouraged to share their positive stories about life in Calderdale.