Stockport Council provides £2m boost to the economy

STOCKPORT Council is investing £2m in 24 different projects to boost the borough’s economy and improve life for residents.

The council’s Executive committee has approved the final list of schemes contained in two special ‘priorities’ funds.

The first amount of cash, amounting to £1m, is the ‘Priority Initiatives Fund’ or PIF, earmarked for one-off schemes in 2010-2011 to help the economy and complements the Stockport Boost campaign.

Another £1m is permanent funding – called the ‘Priority Improvement Provision’ (PIP) – for long term improvements on things residents feel is important to them.

This work – in key areas in the borough – is expected to start later this year.

The PIF fund will be allocated to: youth unemployment and enterprise (£60,000); enhanced apprenticeships (£41,000); improved street lighting (£120,000); vacant shops occupation (£50,000);’Signpost Stockport’ for carers (£54,000); and Stockport Market’s 750th anniversary celebrations (£100,000).

Additionally, it will also be used to fund: the refurbishment of the ‘Learning Disability and Disability Residential Centre’ (£50,000); local centres and shop front improvements (£150,000); call centre training and development (£100,000); tackling child emotional abuse (£250,000); and a domestic Abuse worker (£25,000).
 
The PIP fund has been allocated to: enhanced CCTV monitoring (£20,000); ‘Proud of Stockport’ awards (£25,000); roving stewards (£79,000); tackling draining ‘hotspots'(£140,000);  and more litter bins (£97,000).
 
The permanent funding will also be used to fund: Christmas waste and recycling collections (£80,000); enhanced extra care housing service (£250,000);
‘re-ablement’ services (£89,000); burial and ash provision – new plots and plinths (£50,000); improvements to Willow Grove Cemetery (£40,000); sport engagement and development (£50,000); town and district centre events (£50,000); and maintaining and improving boroughwide signage (£30,000).

Leader of Stockport Council, Councillor Dave Goddard, said: “We are determined to deliver our vision.

“We are spending an extra £2m on the people of Stockport to help residents gain employment and to improve their quality of life in a major way especially for communities who need extra help. 

“These special funds strengthen services for people throughout the borough, and are quite literally cradle to grave services.”

“The 24 schemes and projects reflect the key priorities of the Council, and will not only improve performance but will also promote long term improvements in key areas of the borough.”

In addition to the £2m, the council is also investing a further £2m over the next financial year in improvements to the road network which was badly affected during the severe wintry weather.