Single Regeneration Budget IV (SRB IV)

The Single Regeneration Budget supports regeneration initiatives to improve the quality of life of people living in deprived areas by reducing the gap between have and have-nots.

It supports projects aimed at:

• Improving the employment prospects, education and skills of local people
• Addressing social exclusion an improving opportunities for the disadvantaged
• Promoting sustainable regeneration, improve and protect the environment and infrastructure, including housing
• Supporting and promoting growth in local economies and businesses
• Reducing crime and drug abuse and improve community safety

SRB is delivered through the regional development agencies – in the Island’s case SEEDA. More than 900 schemes have been approved nationally, worth over £5.5 billion.

SRB comes in six annual rounds. The Isle of Wight Economic Partnership co-ordinates and facilitates four of those on the Island.

SRB IV - Building a Community Bridge to Employment

Project Descriptions:

• BMX/Skateboard Facility Park
• Bridging Initiative
• CAP Scheme
• Christopher Cockerell Memorial Playground
• Cowes Business Challenge
• Cowes Deal (Mentoring)
• Cowes Extension College
• Cowes Health Centre
• Cowes Learning Town
• Cowes Mapping
• Cowes Sports Football Club Development
• Cowes Yachting
• Cross Street Enhancement
• ECYFC
• East Cowes Skate Park
• Employers Needs Survey
• Frank James Hospital Development
• HECK
• Heritage Trail
• Ladders
• Learning to Learn Together
• Meadow Road, East Cowes Play Area
• Northwood House Feasibility Study
• School Industry Links
• Scout Hall Improvements
• Youth Internet Information

BMX/Skateboard Facility Park

The centre of Cowes and the seafront parade have a history of being ‘plagued’ by people riding BMX’s and skateboards. This project was designed to solve that particular problem by building a purpose-built facility in Northwood Recreation Ground.

This satisfies the need to increase and improve leisure facilities specifically for the youth on the Island and will provide opportunities for personal development, acquiring new skills, reducing crime and vandalism, building self esteem and building a sense of community spirit and pride in Cowes.

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Bridging Initiative

For a number of years schools and, latterly, the government have recognised that the full academic National Curriculum is inappropriate for the most disaffected students at KS4. Recent legislation has allowed enhanced, properly managed work experience programmes to be used for these students instead.

Cowes High is at the forefront of such change and has offered students in Year 11 the option to join the Bridging Group. Around fifteen students annually are selected with full parental permission and placed on this alternative curriculum which consists of:

• 2 days in school on National Curriculum subjects
• 1 day in school, Project 2000, behaviour management skills, etc
• 2 days option choices at the College and work experience

Funding was sought to pay for the employment of personnel essential to the successful continuation of the programme.

Organisation:	Cowes High School
Project Website:	www.coweshigh.org.uk
Project Leader:	N/A
Project Status:	Archived
Tel:	N/A
E-mail:	N/A
Project Start Date:	December 1998
Funding Complete:	March 2003
Funding Total:	£101,709

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CAP Scheme

Cowes is a town dependant on yachting and summer tourism which means that many of the shops close down over the winter months when visitors are at a minimum. This can leave the town with a dismal and unfriendly air to the High Street.

The Conservation Area Protection Scheme in Cowes has three main aims that funding was sought to help with:

• Provide incentives for people willing to invest throughout the year
• Repair and preserve the historic buildings the Conservation Area
• Produce a range of benefits which can be sustained

Organisation:	IW Council
Project Website:	www.iwight.com
Project Leader:	N/A
Project Status:	Archived
Tel:	N/A
E-mail:	N/A
Project Start Date:	April 1999
Funding Complete:	March 2002
Funding Total:	£10,000

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Christopher Cockrell Memorial Playground

The primary aim of this project was to provide a safe activity area for young children with seating for parents and carers in a central location in East Cowes. The area chosen was the Jubilee Recreation Ground where no such provision existed.

SRB funding was sought because East Cowes Town Council did not have the resources available to meet the full cost. The specific objectives were:

• To provide a ‘Pirate Play Ship’, swings and seating
• To fence the play area and provide safe access through a gate

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Cowes Business Challenge

This project was designed to enhance the training and community involvement of small to medium sized private companies on the Island by developing a partnership approach with a number of local organisations. The scheme works by identifying the training and staff development needs of the companies and matching them with voluntary organisations that can provide the necessary experience.

The project was developed as a pilot scheme in the Cowes area for future replication on the Island as well as other regions, creating cross-sector dialogue and a model of good practice.

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Cowes Deal (Mentoring)

This project was put together to support and develop the work of up to 100 voluntary mentors who’s role it is to help young people under the age of 30 into business and create jobs. Previous to this project there was very little available to assist them in the important work they do. The mentors are paired with a business for three years and meet on a monthly basis to provide guidance and support in their business development.

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Cowes Extension College

The aim of this project was to develop a community college within Cowes by extending the opening hours of Cowes High School to allow wider community access to courses and facilities. For 80% of the time, some of the best computer and high-tech facilities in the South of England go unused. This project ensures that:

• The school is open from 0800 to 2000 hours
• The canteen is open from 1500 to 1930 for snack and drinks
• An enhanced post-16 arts programme will be provided between 1530 and 1700
• The school will be open to the wider community from 1800 to 2000 when a range of basic skills courses will be offered.

Organisation:	Cowes High School
Project Website:	www.coweshigh.org.uk
Project Leader:	N/A
Project Status:	Archived
Tel:	N/A
E-mail:	N/A
Project Start Date:	January 2000
Funding Complete:	March 2003
Funding Total:	£150,150

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Cowes Health Centre

The aims of this project were:

• To provide a wider entrance door to give wheelchair and pram access to the Health Centre
• To improve the service to the local population of Cowes and improve the working conditions within the building
• To provide more contact time and support between staff and patients
• To provide a covered foyer for prams and pushchairs

The new front door opens back against the building. A level platform is maintained at the bottom and top of the ramp together with a kerb fitted to the outer edge of the ramp. Additional signage was installed to direct users from the disabled parking to the correct entrance and all routes have been given improved lighting.

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Cowes Learning Town

The project was developed to establish baseline data in order to undertake a feasibility study looking at the potential for creating a learning town, a new focus to co-ordinate and develop a learning environment in which local people can access existing and new learning opportunities.

It focused on key aspects which determine the viability and relevance of creating a learning town:

• Nature and scope of current learning provision
• Levels of take-up and attainment
• Needs and barriers
• Extent to which a ladder of opportunity exists for local people
• The impact of lifelong learning and the extent to which ‘glass ceilings’ exist to inhibit career progression
• Comparative analysis with other areas
• The existing and potential role for partnership learning

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Cowes Mapping

The aim of this project was to undertake a comprehensive mapping of all organisations in the Cowes and East Cowes area so as to aid strategic development of the two towns. Funding was granted to allow a consultant from Mth Consulting to carry out the work.

The primary objective was to contact a range of statutory, private, voluntary and community organisations to:

• Ascertain the current and future plans
• Consider existing and potential sources of funding
• Highlight gaps and areas of duplication

Other objectives include:

• Raising the profile of the SRB IV programme
• Providing a means by which a co-ordinated strategy for Cowes and East Cowes can be developed
• Creating a community resource

More Examples

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