For nearly 11 years Hastings Regeneration Partnership has directed the spending of the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB). The programme finishes in March of next year when SRB support for projects will end, although much of this local work will continue with funding from elsewhere. The Partnership will be formally disbanded in December.
The tangible benefits of regeneration schemes are measured by counting outputs. Outputs are what a project can deliver, for example the number of jobs created or the number of people benefiting from community safety initiatives. We have shown some of the SRB programme outputs in previous issues but there are often other beneficial outcomes that cannot be so easily measured. As mentioned in the last issue, a full evaluation of the programme will soon be underway to assess what has been achieved and the difference it has made to the town.
Alongside physical regeneration activities, and the work of Neighbourhood Renewal, future activity in Hastings will continue through SEEDA’s Area Investment Framework (AIF) and, following a successful bid by Hastings Borough Council, the Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI). The delivery of activities within these programmes will be directed by a new partnership, The Hastings and Bexhill Economic Alliance.
The Economic Alliance was established last year with the primary purpose of driving forward work to achieve economic regeneration and inclusion objectives. It does this through activities such as the allocation of AIF funding, overseeing the LEGI programme and co-ordinating local input into SEEDA’s Regional Economic Strategy. It also oversees the delivery and monitoring of economic targets contained within the Hastings Borough Council’s Community Strategy and the Local Area Agreement. Much of its work is around enabling economic inclusion. This means expanding the workforce and its skill level, raising incomes and ensuring that everyone in Hastings and Bexhill fulfils their economic potential, and therefore their quality of life.
The Economic Alliance consists of representatives from the following stakeholder organisations; Hastings Borough Council; East Sussex County Council; Rother District Council; East Sussex Economic Partnership; Sea Space; South East England Development Agency; Sussex Enterprise; 1066 Enterprise; and Sussex Learning and Skills Council. Hastings and Bexhill each provide three representatives from the voluntary sector.
There are also working groups with a wider membership that focus on jobs and prosperity, economic inclusion, learning and skills and physical regeneration.
Working together with Bexhill brings about greater benefits. In economic terms, Hastings and Bexhill are related, for example residents of one town often work in the other. The success or failure of one town affects the other. The Hastings & Bexhill Taskforce and their development company Sea Space have been working in the two towns for some time now. It therefore makes sense to add value to existing work by doing likewise.
There any many advantages to working together. It is clear that one organisation alone cannot deliver regeneration by itself. Usually a range of actions by several service providers is needed to improve the circumstances of a local area. Service providers have a shared responsibility to deliver results for the benefit of local residents and this requires not only joined-up thinking but real co-operation. Working together in this way avoids duplication of activity and spending and ensures that valuable resources are used effectively.
The AIF is intended as a means of identifying all the resources that come into play in terms of economic development and inclusion across a specified geographical location. This enables local partners to identify gaps in provision and plan appropriately. SEEDA devolved funds are applied to innovate, and to pump prime activity. The AIF, along with other Sussex AIFs, assists SEEDA, our Regional Development Agency, in its investment planning.
The fund is worth £1 million per year and is guaranteed until March 2008. In the past two years the AIF has funded a number of projects that aim to develop our local economy.
This is a central government funding pot available to local authorities that receive Neighbourhood Renewal Funding. Hastings is one of only ten areas to be successful in the first round.
LEGI aims to tackle the deep-rooted barriers to enterprise, employment and economic inclusion in the heart of our most deprived communities. The Hastings LEGI programme is called “Climbing the Ladder” and will deliver a package of 18 pre-determined and inter-connected projects. It is an innovative programme that relies on partners from all sectors working together to ensure that all the residents of Hastings can benefit from regeneration activities.
Hastings will receive over £3.9m in LEGI funding over three years that will be matched by a substantial amount of money from private, public and voluntary sector. The first LEGI projects have commenced and more are on their way.
The work of the Economic Alliance is an exciting opportunity to create an environment for a vibrant economy that we can all benefit from. To illustrate this we will be featuring activities funded from the Area Investment Framework and Local Enterprise Growth Initiative. Look out for the Economic Alliance logo in future issues of About.
Hastings Regeneration Partnership brings together the voluntary, public and private sectors to spend £26 million Single Regeneration Budget money provided through South East England Development Agency. With matched funding, the 100 local projects pull in a total of £128 million for social, economic and physical regeneration.
The Partnership can be contacted on 01424 451781.
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This page last updated: 12/09/2006