, Mayor of York and North
Yorkshire, has contributed around £600,000 to the North Yorkshire
Village Hall and Community Buildings Programme which will help
fund vital renovations to up to 21 community halls and hubs.
Mayor Skaith was inspired to commit extra funding after seeing
the impact North Yorkshire Council's (NYC) previous investment
using the Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) had on the 43 village
halls and community buildings it supported.
He said: “We live in a unique region, with vast and beautiful
landscapes, but that can often lead to isolated rural
communities. I am so pleased to be able to help expand this
amazing programme by supporting improvements for up to 21
community buildings, from village halls to cricket clubs, in some
of the most rural patches of North Yorkshire.
“For so many residents, these vital community hubs are a social
and emotional lifeline, providing opportunities to socialise,
access services, sports, and activities that is so important to
support wellbeing and create healthy and thriving communities.
“I am very excited to see the fantastic things the halls and hubs
will do with the funding, and the impact that will have on
people's everyday lives, ensuring we all feel the benefits of
devolution.”
The funds will help make essential changes to ensure the
buildings can improve or extend their offer, and support their
future sustainability.
Fund recipient for Tadcaster and Rural CIC David Gluck said, “The
funding means that I can replace an out-of-date central heating
system throughout our fabulous but cold building, creating a warm
space for everyone in the community to enjoy! Huge thanks to
who has made this possible.
North Yorkshire Council leader Carl Les said: “It has been
brilliant to see the positive impact that Shared Prosperity Fund
investment has made on village halls and community buildings
across North Yorkshire over the last two years. These buildings
play a vital role in the communities they serve, and it is great
news that the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority (YNYCA)
have committed to build on the work started by North Yorkshire
Council so we can work together to support even more buildings
with funding for improvement projects.”
About the fund
The Mayor is giving in the region of £600,000 from his Mayoral
Investment Fund to the Village Halls and Community Hubs fund to
help up to 21 buildings across North Yorkshire.
Some examples are:
- The Barn, Tadcaster and Rural CIC
- Burniston and Cloughton Village Hall, Scarborough
- Great Ouseburn Village Hall, Harrogate
- Sessay Village Hall, Thirsk
More details regarding projects involved in the funding will be
shared at a later date.
