Harrogate Council attracts £9m in external funding
6 November 2009
Like
all local authorities, Harrogate Borough Council relies on Government grant and local council tax to provide services for its residents.
But it relies even more and more on attracting external funding to support its work.
Figures just in have revealed that over £9M of external funding was raised to support the council's activities in 2008/2009.
Councillor Andrew Jones, Cabinet Member for Resources has congratulated staff who have worked hard to attract outside funding which has all been ploughed back into local council services.
He said: "The housing, environment and economic development teams alone have brought in £6.3M.
This money has been invested in providing housing for local people, a number of sustainable development and energy efficiency schemes, along with regeneration and economic development projects particularly in the market towns of Boroughbridge and Knaresborough.
"All areas of the council have done well in attracting extra funding and all money secured is used to support the council's delivery of priority services."
Other areas of the council to have secured external funding secured support for projects aimed at reducing the number of road traffic accidents, actions to reduce anti-social behaviour, providing environmental and conservation works and also supporting the voluntary and community sector to assist the council in delivering quality services.
"As well as cash amounts, the council also puts a cash value on volunteer time, added Councillor Jones. "We have an army of volunteers who work with the council in all areas of its work.
They make a huge contribution to the quality of life in our community and they deserve our thanks for all they do.
"This year, volunteer support brought to this district from people working with the council was valued at £300,000."
NOTE TO EDITORS:
The housing, environment and economic development teams alone have brought in £6.3M.
This money has included over £3.4m for affordable homes, over £900,000 for energy efficiency schemes, along with over £500,000 for regeneration projects in the market towns of Boroughbridge, Pateley Bridge and Knaresborough.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Councillor Andrew Jones is available for comment 01423 526265 or 07720 717463.
Media Contact Lynne Mee, Communications and Media Manager on 01423 556022 or email lynne.mee@harrogate.go.uk