Levelling up Wyre
In 2022 our investment plans for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) were approved by government, which means that we will receive £3.9 million as part of the government’s Levelling Up agenda.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is providing a total of £2.6 billion funding and all areas across the UK will receive an allocation of the fund. The overarching aim of the funding is to build pride in place and increase life chances.
UKSPF Investment Plan
To secure the funding, we submitted an investment plan proposal to government outlining potential projects that the funding would be used for. The plan and the priorities it identified were written in consultation with Wyre’s Town Centre Partnership boards and organisations who can deliver county-wide initiatives. It supports strategic business recovery in key economic centres in the borough and includes a range of projects that focus around seven themes, which in turn contribute to the government’s set priorities:
- Town centre improvements
- Wyre gives back
- Wyre moving more
- Arts and culture
- Visitor economy
- Wyre backs business
- Wyre net zero
You can download a copy of Wyre Council's UKSPF Investment Plan Summary. This document may not be fully accessible. Please contact communications@wyre.gov.uk if you need this in an alternative format.
Projects
There are many projects currently progressing across the borough, which range in scope from local creative activities like events, festivals and arts programmes, through to larger scale projects that support businesses, existing town centre CCTV upgrade, the development of community facilities and improvements to our parks and public realm, as well as a multitude of other exciting projects in between for heritage, climate change, community and voluntary group development and more.
Cleveleys
Multiple Arts project – Events include community arts projects to enliven the town, engage people, promote reuse and recycling, improve busy gateways and build on the existing Mythic Coast narrative. There are a number of planned events and activities in planned, which are in brief: · Cleveleys Arts festival, bringing the Mythic Coast to life, supported by the globally recognised artist Christian Fenn · Winterval, a series of themed activities, events and entertainment through to mid- February · Celebrate Cleveleys, a celebration of the town, its people and its volunteers in a harvest festival/thanksgiving theme · Home-grown street theatre, working with local performing arts schools/colleges to develop its own street theatre based around the story of the Mythic Coast.
Public realm – The Cleveleys Together Partnership Board submitted the Transport Study and a resultant public realm project as one of their key priority projects for UKSPF. The study, and a working group of key stakeholders have been established. Proposals have been presented to residents and high street businesses for their input and feedback. Public realm improvements funded by UKSPF are being commissioned and delivered in year 3.
Tourism Mural project – This project will create a suite of tourism assets for Wyre, aiming to draw locals and visitors alike to key locations and highlight unique aspects of our borough.
Fleetwood
Blue Plaque project – The aim of the project is to create a trail of blue plaques in and around Fleetwood, installed on the outside of buildings and sites that are of important historical significance, or that have a connection to a person of important historical significance. A trail will be produced with additional historical information for residents and visitors, and the culminating event for the project would be an unveiling event to officially launch the new trail, which will serve to increase pride in the town.
Community Dance Festival project – An inclusive dance, music and arts festival programme for the whole community. The project uses the medium of dance to bring people together, strengthen communities, and build pride in place. The public festival planned for Memorial Park, Fleetwood in August 2024, and will be accompanied by a series of pop-up performances through the summer.
HAZ Cultural Programme event – The project will create an enhanced opportunity for Fleetwood residents and visitors, of all ages, to engage with the unique heritage of the town in a way that has never been seen or experienced before. The event will be delivered over three days in December 2024. Inspired by Fleetwoods 3 lighthouses the project culminated in a 3 day light show featuring 7 historic town centre locations.
Inside Number 8 – 8 Queens terrace is one of the oldest buildings in Fleetwood, dating back to 1839. The building was designed by architect Decimus Burton. The project will restore original features where possible and it will become a display home where the public will be able to experience guided tours providing a fascinating view of life through the ages for those who lived there.
Fleetwood Market Improvements – The project has reinstated historic features of the nineteenth century Market Hall and improve its appearance and working environment, supporting Wyre Council’s aspirations to improve the townscape along with the heritage and cultural offer in the town centre. Photovoltaic panels, LED lighting, removal of fossil fuel gas heating will achieve significant energy and cost savings demonstrating a strong commitment to achieving our net zero targets.
Tram Sunday and Spare Parts Festival – UKSPF has enabled this two-pronged project to introduce a new community arts concept, that enhances and expands the Festival’s artistic parade through content made and co-curated by the community and professional artists. The town centre and adjacent Mount ward sit in the top 10% of most deprived neighbourhoods (IMD 2019) and many of the town’s young folk have never experienced being part of live theatre and events. The parade gives them this experience.
Garstang
Community Matters Carers Group – The ‘Community Matters’ Carers Group officially launched at Garstang Methodist Church hall. These drop in sessions take place on the first Wednesday of each month and provide a comfortable, relaxed space for local carers of all ages and the person they care for, to get together, share experiences, knowledge and concerns, and access information on local services, support and topics.
REPF Canal Tow Path project – The Lancaster canal infrastructure is over one hundred years old. Wyre Council is working with local councillors and the Canal and River Trust to identify sections of towpath, within the Greater Garstang area, to incorporate improvements that support active travel and the increased use of the towpaths for improved health and wellbeing, along with better connectivity for communities and visitors
Public realm – Arcadis consultants have been commissioned to deliver the study, with a working group of key stakeholders established. Residents and high street businesses are involved in consultations on the initial findings and proposals, with feasible public realm improvements being delivered in 2024/25.
Garstang Waves event – WAVES is a celebration of sound and light in Garstang, planned for February 2025.
Poulton
Wanderland – Wanderland will be the first Family Festival of it’s kind in Wyre. The festival will take place at Cottam Hall Fields on Saturday 27 July and promises to be a fun filled day for the whole family to enjoy. There will be chance to celebrate Hey Duggee’s 10th Birthday and dance along to songs from the smash hit TV series at intervals throughout the day; enjoy a live stage performance from Mr Bloom, CBeebies favourite gardener and join in with the fantastic live karaoke party with Massaoke – as seen at Glastonbury! There will be 3 themed areas, Wyldwood, Dreamfields and the Fun Field for even more walkabout acts, accessible activities, selfie stations, rides, games, free gifts to create and take home. There will be mermaids to meet, giant inflatables to enjoy, a creepy crawlies roadshow, face painting, giant games to play and so much more! Everything inside the festival is included in the ticket price except food and drink
Community Garden at Cottam Hall – The project has created a community garden with the help of the In Bloom team and a gardening club meeting regularly. The community garden will host a programme of activities including creating hanging baskets and growing edible plants on pots etc. to help with the cost of living.
Cottam Hall Playing Fields Masterplan – The master plan for the ‘Fields’ and redevelopment of the pavilion will serve to inform and create a high-quality and well-designed leisure and recreation space, to which local people of all ages will feel connected to, enjoy and be proud of. It will inform how the current Fields’ offer can be enhanced to create an improved multi-functional area promoting interaction between visitors, and accommodating use by community and sports groups.
REPF Gateway to Wyre Estuary Country Park – The project will create a welcoming and accessible gateway to Wyre Estuary Country Park. It will improve access for all provision on the public right of way between Skippool and Stanah and at the picnic areas, improving green space.
Wyre wide projects
REPF Business Grant Programme - Wyre have entered into a partnership agreement with Lancashire County Council for them to deliver the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) business grants programme
Wyre Boost - Boost is a business support programme aimed at helping Wyre’s businesses start, grow and thrive via Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub.
CCTV Project - The project seeks to significantly improve community safety, protecting people and assets, and supporting Lancashire Police with the detection and prevention of crime.
Low Carbon Business - Wyre Council have contracted East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce to offer free expert advice and support to businesses helping them to make a plan to transition to Net Zero and achieve their low-carbon ambitions.
Shaping Brighter Futures - Positive Footprints aims to change the way that primary school children in Wyre see themselves, their future and the world of work. The project aims to inspire 1600 children, provide 480 hours of learning, and create £284,160 in social value.
Together We Make a Difference - This is an asset-based community project, that serves to enhance the support and connectivity between third sector organisations/ community groups across Wyre by providing events and workshops according to locally identified needs, which vary across the borough. The project also manages Wyre’s community REPF elements delivering the community infrastructure grant programme in year two (£40,000), and the circular economy project in year three (£20,000).
Rural England Prosperity Fund
Wyre Council has also been awarded £400k in REPF funding, to be invested in initiatives such as farm diversification, projects to boost rural tourism, and community infrastructure projects including electric vehicle charging stations. The funding will also help people start up local businesses to supercharge growth and create employment opportunities for rural areas.
Rural Community Circular Economy Fund – Grant applications open now until Sunday 28 April
Applications are now open for community projects that use and develop skills in rural areas of Wyre using a circular approach to materials. A circular economy is an approach to life where everything has a value and little is wasted. With funding from the Government UK Shared Prosperity Fund, £20,000 is available to support these community projects over the next 12 months.
This grant includes provision of premises/ tools or equipment to support the circular economy project. The overarching aim of the fund is to strengthen our social fabric and foster a sense of local pride and belonging, through investment in activities that enhance physical, cultural, and social ties and amenities. This includes community infrastructure, green spaces, and community-led projects such as the creation or enhancement of rural repair cafes or mend workshops for example.
How to apply
Please view the grant application guidance and the eligibility criteria. If you need this in a different format, please contact communications@wyre.gov.uk.
Please view the eligibility map of Wyre for this grant, purple zones are excluded.
Applicants should register an informal expression of interest by contacting Alisa Wilson, Senior Community Engagement and Research Officer via email at alisa.wilson@wyre.gov.uk
Please provide details of your organisation, a brief overview of project and a contact telephone number.
Applications open on 25 March 2024 and close on 28 April 2024.
Learn more
For more information, please email ukspf@wyre.gov.uk.
We are supporting a range of projects across Wyre with our allocation of UKSPF money. Please subscribe to our e-news to get all of the latest news and updates on our UKSPF projects or look for updates on our social media:
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