A £1.5million investment that will bring three youth support, skills and economy projects in Hampshire a step closer has been pledged by County Council Leader, Councillor Roy Perry.
At his Decision Day on 12 December 2014, Cllr Perry agreed funding to organisations developing projects in Ringwood, Test Valley and Winchester to help them deliver their ambitions – subject to them raising other funding they need.
Ringwood Town Council’s dreams of a purpose-built youth drop-in centre next to a new skate park has been given a £400,000 boost from the County Council, just over half of the total they need to raise.
Support totalling £1 million – part grant and part loan – was committed by Councillor Perry towards a Technology and Skills Centre at Andover College to provide enhanced technical training facilities for young people. This is a one-off award that will provide Andover College with the essential match funding it needs by a particular deadline in order to draw down funding from the Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership that will enable the project to go ahead.
The new £3.2million education centre at Winchester Cathedral, which receives thousands of young people from schools every year, was granted £150,000 for the final stage of work to create facilities in keeping with the 21st Century and maintain its position as a key heritage asset and tourist attraction.
Councillor Perry said: “Successful partnerships like these enable us to maintain investment in Hampshire, especially of benefit to Hampshire’s young people, at a time when we are dealing with significant cuts in our budget, redesigning services and having to make taxpayers’ money go further. We acknowledge the important role of these schemes within their communities, backed by the huge commitment shown by the partners.”
“The Town Council and the local community in Ringwood are to be commended for their plans and for their willingness to put up some of their own funding, both towards the building costs and supporting the youth workers, for what will become a significant youth facility, with regular activities and sports and access to advice and support on a wide range of issues such as health and learning and development. It will be a big improvement on the tennis pavilion they have been operating in up to now.”
“Our capital funding support for Further Education accommodation in Test Valley will help tackle the number of youngsters not in work, education or training and improve skills relevant to the local area while supporting local economic activity.”
“The Education Centre at Winchester Cathedral will maintain the Cathedral’s position as a key heritage asset and tourist attraction within Hampshire. The Centre will significantly improve the education experience for thousands of young people – some of whom will have never stepped foot inside a cathedral before – as well as bringing further economic benefits.”
