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A
study of the potential to enhance the green and
open spaces of Stocksbridge SRB5
Report by Jim Flanagan and Sheffield Wildlife Trust
for SVP 8.0. NEXT STEPS 8.1. Sources of funding The current climate of regarding money for regeneration is positive. Many sources are becoming available or in the pipeline with especial attention now focussing on the forthcoming Objective 1 for South Yorkshire. Heritage Lottery money is having an increasing impact, particularly with wildlife management and other environmental aims. Community partnerships within Stocksbridge such as STEP already have much expertise in securing funds and the intention here is to just give an indication of some of the latest developments in sources of funding available to regenerate Stocksbridge. 8.1.1. For community environmental regeneration The Stocksbridge SRB Community Initiatives Fund can provide much impetus to the implementation of a range of small projects which community groups can access. Some innovative local funding sources such as the Employment Bond run through South Yorkshire Community Foundation have already been used to create jobs involving open space in Sheffield. New Opportunities Fund is also potentially a major source of revenue. 8.1.2. For social exclusion Social exclusion is also high on priorities and many grants have been specifically created to address this problem. Grant aid can enable young people to get involved in regenerating open space. A Community Resource Fund (from Home Office) is being piloted to enable small community groups tackle social exclusion (South Yorkshire is one of the pilot areas for this £150k project). Neighbourhood Support Fund aims to integrate disaffected young people (not in work, training or education between 13-19 years) by reconnecting them to local communities, including through volunteering (money is provided by DfEE through Voluntary Action Sheffield). There is also a South Yorkshire Key Fund (Phase 2) for grants to community/voluntary groups of between £1,000 - £25,000 for volunteering activities or job creation or getting people 'job-ready'. 8.1.3. For management of wildlife Heritage Lottery money is soon to be used for the management of New Hall Wood. There are also Woodland Grant Schemes (WGS) in operation. The Woodland Trust has obtained money from this source to manage its Bitholmes Wood reserve. SCC are also in the process of renewing their WGS agreements (usually operate for five years) for New Hall Wood, Pot House Wood and Fox Glen. SCC haver secured further WGS agreements to cover Morehall Dam Woods, Firth Wood and Bitholmes (SCC-owned portion). Two Countryside Stewardship agreements operate for land within the SRB5 boundary including Wharncliffe Heath and Chase. Charitable Trusts are also a major source of funds for such work. 8.2. Next steps This Feasibility Study shows that there great potential for regenerating open space in Stocksbridge and Deepcar. However, much has been achieved in enhancing and improving open space and countryside by SSVUDP, community groups and local industry. Action is already taking place to further develop many of the ideas in the feasibility study. An environmental improvement project team is being currently formed by SSVUDP. A Team Supervisor and a core of volunteers, recruits through Intermediate Labour Market and people on Environmental Task Force (New Deal) are potentially the equivalent of the environmental stewards this study proposes establishing. Work with schools could help to also establish something equivalent to the proposed young persons' environment team. More effective support to community groups is planned with the recent purchase of a community tools store and other resources such as training, knowledge of fund raising etc and links with other groups and organisations. The aim is to enable groups to become self-supporting and take ownership of local projects. The Feasibility Study makes the following recommendations to further development of community environmental regeneration using the example of Castle and Manor:
SRB funding could be used to fund the community environmental regeneration worker for a year but it will be increasingly crucial to obtain more funding to enable the post to develop to secure consistency and boost the confidence of local communities that are target of this assistance. The community project officer will really need to be funded on a fairly long-term basis and the opportunity to extend the post may coincide with Objective 1 funding to come on stream within the next couple of years.
Menu for this Section is in the right hand column
Stocksbridge SRB5 Greenspace Audit undertaken by Jim Flanagan for Sheffield Wildlife Trust - see their Community Action Handbook - full of good ideas for your local site |
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