South Sefton Partnership
South Sefton
Partnership regeneration programme hailed as a major
success
A new report has hailed a £76-million regeneration programme
in south Sefton as a major success.
South Sefton Partnership, which operated in the area for seven
years until March 2007, received £20 million of funding from the
Government’s Single Regeneration Budget. According to the
independent evaluation, the Partnership used this to attract £13.3
million of private sector investment to the area and a further
£43.2 million of funding from other public sector sources. This
investment helped to create 2,200 jobs in south Sefton and to
safeguard 1,500 others. In addition, 1,900 local residents obtained
qualifications, 650 new childcare places were created and 5,500
local homes benefited from community safety and crime reduction
initiatives. Other important projects involved work with local
schools, providing grant support to businesses and community groups
and funding the work of the Environmental Hit Squad which tackles
grotspots and rubbish in the area.
The evaluation - by regeneration consultants CSK Strategies -
says that one of the most remarkable successes of the programme was
to put south Sefton on the map by attracting Antony Gormley’s
iconic Another Place sculptures to Crosby beach.
The report also praises the Partnership for creating South
Sefton Development Trust, South Sefton Investment Centre and
Sefton@Work to carry on its regeneration work in the area.
The evaluation’s overall verdict on South Sefton Partnership
is that it has 'taken partnership working in Sefton and
Merseyside to a new level of maturity and
effectiveness.'
It has also ‘raised the platform from which to launch further
regeneration work and build the economic prospects of the area’.
Partnership Chair, Councillor Ian Moncur, commented:
"I am delighted that the findings of this report have been
so positive. This reflects the commitment and hard work of everyone
involved in the programme, especially local residents.
"It is also pleasing that the Partnership’s work is seen
to be an example of best practice that should be followed by future
regeneration programmes in the area," added Councillor
Moncur.
Last Updated on 1/9/2009