NEW 3G PITCH

A state-of-the-art 3G sports pitch is set to be built at Rutland Sports Park in Ilkeston. The third generation artificial grass pitch will be aimed at promoting engagement with sport, especially youth participation in football. The all-weather pitch, at the sports park on West End Drive, will replace the sand-based pitches and will cost around £400,000. It is just one of a number of projects that will be funded through the council’s £2.8 million share of the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund – Investing in Our Communities. The current pitch is situated in the middle of the outdoor running track at the sports park which is owned by Erewash Borough Council and managed by Legacy Leisure.

Councillor Carol Hart, Leader of Erewash Borough Council, says: “This will be another fantastic initiative that will benefit young people in Erewash and improve the facilities that are on offer at Rutland Sports Park. It will be a great place for all young people to work on their football skills with friend and improve their fitness.”

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. Erewash manufacturing businesses are encouraged to apply for Erewash Borough Council’s new Research and Development (R&D) Grant Scheme, starting later this month. The scheme is one of a number of projects being rolled out by the council over the next two years following a successful bid to the Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund. 

The new R&D grants are designed to support local small and medium enterprises in developing and piloting new products or services to help improve their businesses. Erewash based businesses are able to apply for grants from £5,000 up to £20,000 and are required  to provide 33% of match-funding for the projects. Further information about the grants will be available soon on the council website.  Councillor Michael Powell, Lead Member for Regeneration and Planning, says: “This is an excellent opportunity for local businesses to invest in the cutting-edge research and development needed to support UK manufacturing innovation, underpin sustainable economic growth and help to create jobs in Erewash.”

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. 

BOOST FOR EREWASH MANUFACTURING

Erewash manufacturing businesses are encouraged to apply for Erewash Borough Council’s new Research and Development (R&D) Grant Scheme, starting later this month. The scheme is one of a number of projects being rolled out by the council over the next two years following a successful bid to the Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund. 

The new R&D grants are designed to support local small and medium enterprises in developing and piloting new products or services to help improve their businesses. Erewash based businesses are able to apply for grants from £5,000 up to £20,000 and are required  to provide 33% of match-funding for the projects. Further information about the grants will be available soon on the council website.  Councillor Michael Powell, Lead Member for Regeneration and Planning, says:

“This is an excellent opportunity for local businesses to invest in the cutting-edge research and development needed to support UK manufacturing innovation, underpin sustainable economic growth and help to create jobs in Erewash.”

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.

FUNDING BOOST FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS

A new grants scheme looks sets to be launched by Erewash Borough Council which will see community groups able to apply for a share of £80,000 of funding. The Community Grants scheme is just one of a number of Shared Prosperity Fund - Investing in our Communities projects that will be launched over the next two years. The projects have been made possible following a successful bid to the Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund. Council Executive approved receipt of the £2.8m Shared Prosperity Fund funding pot at a meeting on 21st February. 

 The community grants scheme, which will go ahead later this year, would aim to fund at least 24 Erewash-based organisations and increase community engagement in the borough. Groups will be able to apply for a share of £40,000 per year over two years.  Council Executive is set to approve a new grants policy in June. Councillor Paul Maginnis, Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing, says:

 “I am delighted that community groups in Erewash look set to benefit from the Community Grants project. The council’s grant schemes have already helped many groups to pay for items that enable them to carry on the good work they do and this will hopefully encourage more groups to do the same.”

 The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.

KEEP BRITAIN TIDY

Maggie Throup, Member of Parliament for Erewash, is encouraging residents and businesses in Erewash to pledge to do their bit to clear up litter during the Great British Spring Clean 2023. The Great British Spring Clean is the country’s biggest mass-action environmental campaign, now in its eighth year. In 2022 volunteers collected 449,406 bags of litter. This year’s campaign runs from 17th March to 2nd April and aims to bring together individuals, community organisations, businesses and councils to make a difference to the environment on our doorstep. Maggie is calling on residents to show pride in their area by pledging on Keep Britain Tidy’s website to pick a bag or more of litter, helping make a huge difference to the environment. Maggie said:

“I am pleased to support Keep Britain Tidy’s campaign. We all have a duty to keep our community and environment clean and free from litter. I am calling on all Erewash residents to do their bit and pick a bag or more of litter. As well as polluting our streets, parks and rivers, litter harms wildlife, domestic pets and cattle. If everyone could pick a bag of litter, it would make a huge difference to our community. For the last number of years, I have joined schools across Erewash in their pursuit of keeping our community clean and free from litter. This is always something I enjoy, and it is great to know that the school children take so much pride in their community. The Great British Spring Clean is a fantastic way for people to really show their pride in where they live, and connect with like-minded residents, while taking serious and immediate action to protect the environment on their doorstep.” 

COMMUNITY SHUTTLE

A community shuttle that will carry passengers around Ilkeston town centre looks set to be an electric eight-seater minibus with additional capacity for wheelchair access. The community shuttle is just one of a number of projects that will be funded through the council’s £2.8 million share of the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The shuttle would operate regularly throughout the day on a trial basis. It is hoped that it would also take passengers to other attractions in the town such as Victoria Park, Erewash Museum and the planned new nature reserve at the former Pewit Golf Course. Councillor Bryn Lewis, Lead Member for Town Centres, says:  “The Bath Street shuttle will be the ideal solution for shoppers, visitors to our town’s attractions and people who may have difficulty walking up the length of the town’s main shopping street. It’s an incredibly exciting project and I look forward to seeing it in place. It will be a benefit to the town’s businesses, residents and visitors.”

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.