This month has been big for Bassetlaw, which is now firmly on the map.
A raft of new funding announcements will improve our towns, support families, invest in education, and protect our local heritage.
It is great news for our area and proof that Bassetlaw is firmly on the map.
First, a £20m plan to regenerate Worksop town centre has been given the go ahead by the Government.
The plan has been put together by the Worksop Together board bringing together residents, local businesses, charities, and the local council who will have a say over how the funding is spent and where it will make the biggest difference.
Safer streets, creating a vibrant town centre, and opportunities for young people are all at the top of the agenda.
There is also welcome support for education.
The RNN Group will receive £1.67m for repairs and maintenance across its college sites, including North Notts College. That means better buildings and better facilities for students and staff. It is important that young people in Bassetlaw have places to learn that are safe, modern and fit for the future.
Alongside that, Nottinghamshire is receiving £16.11m in SEND funding. This money will help improve support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. Every child deserves the chance to thrive, and this investment will help make sure more families can get the support they need. There is much more to do, and I will be holding another roundtable meeting for parents of SEND children in the coming weeks.
We are also seeing extra funding for Bassetlaw’s eight Best Start Family Hubs. These hubs will provide services such as activities for children, early language support, parenting support and advice including stay and play activities, SEND support for children with additional needs, and youth services. Support in the early years will make a huge difference to local families.
But there is more.
I have been working with the Department for Work and Pensions and local partners to bring a Youth Hub to Bassetlaw. The aim is to tackle the growing number of 18 to 24-year-olds who are not in employment, education or training. Youth Hubs have been successful elsewhere in helping young people gain skills, find opportunities and move into work.
I strongly support this plan, and I am pushing to move it forward as quickly as possible.
Our local heritage is also being backed.
Creswell Crags has received £184,705 for improvements to the steps leading up to the caves, repairs to the bridge on site, and wider improvements. Creswell Crags is a unique part of our local story, and this funding will help protect it and make it easier for more people to enjoy.
These announcements mean more investment, more opportunity and more support for Bassetlaw.
This really is a bonanza for Bassetlaw.