Success stories
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Regeneration
Regeneration at LCDL is in the business of turning strategies, project ideas and grant programmes into activities, buildings, services and practical partnerships that make a real difference to economic prosperity of Lancashire's people and companies.
What we do
Working in the context of the Lancashire County Council's Economic Strategy and through the emerging framework of Local Area Agreements for Economic Development, we seek to bring added value to the social and economic regenerative efforts of many other organisations. Our constant aim is to work alongside partners to ensure that regeneration programmes not only fit closely with strategies and initiatives but that they actually do make a noticeable and lasting difference to all sections of Lancashire's population and businesses. By ensuring that all sections of the community are actively included we help to make Lancashire a place where everyone matters.
The success and impact of regeneration work supported by LCDL is largely down to the enthusiasm and expertise of people who commit time through our partners and our own team. However we are also able to add money to this expertise through the unique financial model which LCDL operates, recycling income from the company's business parks alongside externally sourced grant funding for the benefit of the lancashire economy.
How we work
LCDL's Regeneration Team works closely with our colleagues in the 12 district councils across Lancashire, liaising regularly with the county's District Partnership Officers, feeding into the Local Strategic Partnership structures and attending the emerging Locality Focus groups.
We are also committed to working closely with various agencies such as Business Link, Learning & Skills Council, Job Centre Plus, Lancashire Economic Partnership, Government Office North West and North West Development Agency to deliver a joined up approach to some of the more deep seated social and economic needs in the county.
As the county council's economic development company, LCDL also engages across all directorates to optimise the economic impact of Lancashire County Council's modernisation agenda, for example:
- Purchasing goods and services from local companies
- Raising the profile of enterprise and achievement through Adult and Children's Services
- Strengthening the role of the Voluntary, Community & Faith Sector in forging new service delivery models through social enterprises
- Bringing economic and regeneration considerations to the fore in decisions over planning and highways issues.
Although our focus is clearly on delivering practical projects, we do maintain a strong presence in the review and development of regeneration strategies and initiatives such as Local Area Agreements, Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI), Elevate Housing Market Renewal, City Region Development Programme.
Project selection process
New projects come into LCDL via a variety of different routes and need to pass two key milestones before they are accepted into the programme :
An internal appraisal process which checks that the idea fits with the priorities and policies of the county council, our partners and the wider landscape of regeneration strategies. This stage also refines the business case for the project and checks its long term viability.
Formal approval by our board of directors where any financial commitment will be agreed and where output targets will be set (e.g. How many new jobs will be created? how much new business space will be created?)
Some of our Lancashire success stories...
Foundation Apprentices
LCDL has teamed up with Connexions Business Services to pioneer a new approach which matches 60 sole traders across Lancashire with sixty young people who do not have the necessary qualifications on leaving school to access a standard apprenticeship.
Connexions provide all of the support to the employers and prospective apprenticeships, LCDL provide a leadership role in steering and monitoring the project as well as part financing the apprenticeship wage costs.
The initial two-year pilot scheme won an award through the Regional Centre of Excellence (RENEW) as an exemplar project. Meanwhile LCDL has launched a successor scheme which aims to repeat the previous success with greater participation from under-represented groups.
Adrenaline Gateway
LCDL is a core stakeholder in this strategic initiative to develop the existing outdoor sports facilities in Rossendale into a major national tourist attraction, centred on Rossendale and linking to facilities across Lancashire.
Work has focussed on the feasibility and the scale of the vision to ensure that it is underpinned by a solid business plan with wide multi-agency support.
This type of project involves a considerable lead-in period, with a development phase of approximately two to three years. LCDL will be at the forefront of the partnership team which are engaged to begin constructing the facilities and infrastructure.
Thrills, spills and cycling fun!
Adrenaline Gateway Mountain Bike Event Singletrack Classic Weekender 3rd and 4th July, 2010
The Singletrack Classic Weekender Event will once again be held at Lee Quarry, Bacup on the 3rd - 4th of July and includes three different races - speed trials, downhill and cross country races, all on one bike!
This event, organised by Lancashire County Council, Rossendale Borough Council and Singletrack Mountain Bike Magazine offers a full weekend of light-hearted or competitive cycling.
All of the rides will take place on routes forming part of the Adrenaline Gateway Project, which is fast becoming one of the most innovative and accessed trail centres in the UK based in the Lancashire hills near Bacup.
For further information about the event including a timetable of activities for both days visit www.singletrackworld.com/weekender.