East Suffolk to get £4 million in funding to tackle cost of living crisis
The funding comes from government grants
Last updated 3rd Nov 2022
Almost £4m of new funding has been agreed to help support high streets in East Suffolk - as well as to help those affected by the cost of living crisis.
It's after East Suffolk Council put in application to several government funds.
The Council was required to submit an Investment Plan to the Government on how the funding allocation would be spent, key points of which can be seen below.
The cash will be used to provide support for local businesses, as well on the creation of warm rooms and on community food projects.
The East Suffolk Investment Plan contains a number of programmes, based on new and existing schemes to be delivered either locally or collaboratively with other local authorities in Suffolk. These programmes are:
• East Suffolk High Street Improvement Programme - a three-year programme that will offer grants to improve high streets and town centres across the district.
• Using place to support the cost-of-living crisis: a three-year programme comprising two key projects; East Suffolk Community Food Network which will bring food producers, suppliers and community food projects together to address the cost-of-living crisis as well as reduce food waste, and East Suffolk Warm Rooms, which will see the creation of a network of warm rooms for those who are struggling to pay their home energy bills. The allocation will be combined with council funding to support community pantries, cooking classes and a field-to-fork grant scheme to enable community growing spaces.
• Suffolk business support programme: a free fully-funded business support programme covering the whole of Suffolk providing free advice and a small grants scheme to support business growth.
• Business start-up programme: training packages designed for both new enterprises and those seeking self-employment across East Suffolk.
• East Suffolk Small Business Move to Net Zero grant scheme: a small business grant scheme that all sectors can access to help them make net zero adaptions.
• East Suffolk capital business and workforce skills grant programme: a grant programme for communities, education providers and business centres that have training spaces that need to be upgraded in line with local skills needs.
• Suffolk wide skills programme: focusing on youth participation, adult unemployment, apprenticeship support and workforce development.
• East Suffolk local economy and community skills programme: a review of the skills needs and requirements of our local economy.
• Voluntary skills provision: supporting vulnerable young people referred by Suffolk County Council to transition into education, employment and training.
All programmes are expected to be completed by 31 March 2025.
In a joint statement, Cllr Craig Rivett, East Suffolk’s Deputy Leader and cabinet member for Economic Development and Cllr Letitia Smith, cabinet member for Communities, Leisure and Tourism said: “Working with other Suffolk local authorities and partner organisations, this funding will allow us to provide a multi-year package of support for new and existing businesses, increase the opportunities for skills development and training to those most in need, reinvigorate our high streets and offer real help to East Suffolk residents who are struggling with the rising costs of food and energy.”