COALFIELD regeneration is a success story – particularly in the North West.
A new report highlights the North West Coalfields Communities
Regeneration Programme – which involves Warrington and seven other
councils – as an effective example of partnership working across
borders and different levels of government.
The report by the Audit Commission reviews 10 years of regeneration in areas afflicted by pit closures.
Warrington was not directly affected by pit closures, but many miners
lived in the borough – particularly in the Burtonwood area.
The borough council joined with St Helens, Wigan, Salford, Bolton,
Knowsley, Allerdale and Copeland to form a partnership to regenerate
areas hit by the closure of Parkside Colliery at Newton-le-Willows and
others in Wigan, St Helens, Golborne, Haydock, etc.
The Audit Commission says England’s coalfields are a success story of
physical renewal and economic growth, and local authorities deserve
much of the credit.
Effective partnership working across the North West has been
highlighted as a key driver for regeneration in the independent
spending watchdog’s report.
However, the research shows that the job of regenerating the coalfields is not complete.
Many remain among the most deprived districts in England.
The report praises progress on greening mineworkings, building new
homes, roads and commercial sites and creating jobs. But it finds that
nationally councils must gear up to support residents by addressing
problems of bad health, poor school results, poor motivation and low
skills. Some councils are tackling these issues but the rest need to
follow suit.
Remaining problems in the coalfields around education, health and low
employment expectations will require innovative actions by councils and
their partners.
The creation of the North West Coalfield Communities Regeneration
Programme (NWCCRP) is highlighted as an effective example of
partnership working across borders and different levels of government.
It provides a straightforward way for funding to be managed and
directed to where it is required.
The report makes recommendations to help communities facing economic decline in the current climate:
* Act quickly when unemployment strikes. If a major industry sheds jobs
local, regional and central government need to act quickly to help, to
stop joblessness becoming a long term social problem.
* Link jobs and people. Councils should not see job creation as an end
in itself. A balance needs to be struck between securing employment
opportunities and ensuring that local residents are sufficiently
healthy, skilled and motivated to take them up.
* Work with neighbours. Councils should not be fixated on creating jobs
within their own boundaries. Local economies run across council
boundaries and many people travel outside their local authority area
for work. Councils should recognise that co-operating with neighbours
for job growth may bring the best results.
* Work with your partners. By co-operating local authorities and
service providers can share facilities, employment possibilities and
funding.
* Involve residents. Local people usually know best what will work for them.
