Previous News: Funding seen as critical barrier to regenerating the South West

Significantly, the Centre is the first organisation to pull together community groups, local authorities, regeneration practitioners and private enterprise (in fact all those with an interest in making the South West a better place to live and work) by providing a better co-ordination of skills and advice in the region.  

Excitement
This exciting new project, supported by the South West RDA, aims to improve the lives of people in the South West by helping provide advice and information about what does and doesn't work in regeneration.  A total of over 200 people gathered at the events, which were held in Bournemouth, Truro, Bristol, Exeter and Gloucester.   

The major findings at the events were: 

• Just 13% of respondents said that finding funding for regeneration projects in the South West was straightforward
• Less than one third of people in the South West feel that they are fully informed on regeneration projects happening in their area
• Less than one third of people in the South West feel that existing structures and legislation make it easy to set up genuine partnerships between private, public and voluntary sectors
• only half of people in the South West believe that the quality of new building and regeneration in the South West is of an exceptional standard.

Ian Piper, Head of Regeneration at the South West RDA, said, "The events have identified real problems in the region across a number of different areas. A centre dedicated to addressing these issues is clearly much needed. By pushing ahead with the plans we have an opportunity to make a tangible difference to the lives of people in the South West. "   

Dominic Murphy, Development Manager for the Centre, commented, "We are really excited about what the Centre will offer and are building o­n the enthusiastic response shown so far. The feedback from our consultation events - as well as from the survey - are being incorporated into our business planning process. And we will be presenting our plans at a follow up event in August - continuing to engage and involve people in making the South West a better place to live and work."  

ends  

For further information on the South West Regeneration Centre, contact
Kate Love/Tim Ledeboer/Tom Bowden-Green at
Grayling Public Relations o­n 0117 922 7799.
kate.love@grayling.co.uk    

Notes to editors

• For full details of the survey, please contact Grayling PR. For more information o­n the South West Regeneration Centre visit www.creatingexcellence.info or call 0800 328 3234
• The Centre will promote and develop services which make partnership working in the region more effective and efficient.
• The Centre will promote efficient use of funding resources and encourage all those with an interest in funding to work more closely together.
• The Centre will stimulate best design in a built environment which meets the needs of individuals and communities now and for the future.
• The Centre will encourage regeneration and renewal which responds to the economic, physical and social needs of people and communities in the region.

Contact:
Kate Love
Tel: 0117 922 7799
Email: Joanne.ward@southwestrda.org.uk