I will support local communities, given their importance in South Shropshire, by addressing the unique challenges of rural areas and attracting investment for community groups.
Our local communities are what makes South Shropshire such a wonderful place to live. They are where we work, enjoy our free time and come together with one another. Our local communities are also a major tourist attraction, with the beautiful market towns providing fantastic food and cultural entertainment.
I know how much people appreciate their local community, so it is hard to hear when constituents feel like their rural community is neglected in the national conversation. Rural areas already contribute over 15% to England’s economy, which amounts to over £270 billion of our national GDP. They are a crucial lifeblood of our nation, but they face very specific and unique challenges.
It is my commitment, as a part of my five point plan, to support local communities. This means understanding the challenges that are faced, such as internet connectivity or community energy initiatives. This also means campaigning for meaningful change to ensure that local communities continue to improve.
The £2.6 billion Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) has seen more than £12 million invested across South Shropshire to support businesses and communities including:
- £150,000 for Crowdfund Shropshire - a civic crowd funding platform for community groups to access support from public donations, launched in October 2023. An opportunity to bring forward an impactful project in the neighbourhood and receive financial support from the Council and the local community - via crowdfunding - to help make it happen.
- Vibrant Shropshire: A Cultural Compact Grant Scheme of between £1,000 to £5,000 to deliver innovative cultural projects that will make a real difference in local communities. In 2024, Vibrant Shropshire awarded 29 projects across the county with UKSPF grants reaching a total of over £115,000.
- £95,000 has been allocated to support a community facility to support local artisan makers and producers on Bridgnorth High Street which had previously stood empty.
- Marches Energy Agency (MEA) secured funding for a community climate connectors (CCC) project to build capacity and empower community group volunteers to help everyone in their community keep warm, save energy, and cut carbon.
- The Beacon on the Hill - Funding has been allocated for the creation of community facilities, heritage interpretation, and activities to celebrate heritage at St John's Church, Doddington.
- Arts Alive has received funding, enabling the organisation to expand the breadth of their work and further expand the communities that they are able to serve with culture hubs in Shropshire Market Towns and satellite villages.
- Hands Together Ludlow, by reducing isolation, poor health and wellbeing and financial hardship.
- £12,000 for Footprint Gallery, situated in the heart of the Ironbridge World Heritage Site. Adjacent to the beautiful Jackfield Tile Museum, it is a community resource for visitors to Telford, Shropshire, and the wider tourism market.
As Member of Parliament for South Shropshire, I am committed to:
Listening to the challenges facing local communities;
Supporting our communities by raising their profile locally and nationally, helping connect communities together;
Delivering the changes necessary to help local communities thrive.
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