Battersea gets £1m funding for regeneration

Battersea residents have been given £1million in funding to improve their area.

The investment has come from the Big Lottery Foundation and means new community facilities will be constructed. By the time the scheme has been completed, the area will be more desirable for anyone seeking flats to rent in Battersea.

Local people will decide exactly how the money should be spent, but there are likely to be provisions made to tackle anti-social behaviour and provide youngsters with activities and various training schemes.

The Clapham Junction and West Battersea area has been chosen by Wandsworth Council. It is one of eight London communities taking part in the Big Local Initiative and they have all been given seven-figure sums to invest over a ten-year period.

Residents will form a Big Local Partnership that will set about putting a plan in place of how to allocate the funding. According to the local authority, instead of just giving out grant money, people will be "encouraged to use different, more sustainable ways of financing, for example giving loans or funding social enterprises, where money could be reinvested in the community".

The first meeting will take place after May and anyone is allowed to attend and offer up their ideas and opinions. Some £20,000 will immediately be freed up for community work.

According to Big Local, the main thinking behind the programme is that people who live in the area are in the best position to judge what it needs. As the process continues, the organisation also hopes that communities will improve their skills and persist in identifying potential areas for improvement.

A mechanism will be created whereby progress is to be reviewed on an annual basis and any adjustments to the plan that are required will be made. Up to £3,000 can be spent each year on running costs, while as much as £15,000 can be allocated as 'quick wins' in an attempt to keep people incentivised in the scheme.

Posted by Ben Carter

Published 30th March, 2012

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