An extra £4.5million is set to be invested in Erewash, meaning a total of £6.5m will be spent to improve life for people in the borough.
The extra millions for the Erewash Investment Fund were approved after the council took on board feedback from residents following its budget consultation earlier this year.
Last year the council allocated £2m to the new fund for projects that would benefit local people. A further £4.5m has been set aside for the Erewash Investment Fund, bringing the total to £6.5m.
The budget consultation found that local people ranked action on empty shops, investment in parks, a council tax freeze and free Saturday car parking as high priorities.
The fund has already seen the announcement of free Saturday car parking, grants to improve shop signage in town centres and funding to back the invaluable local work of Cotmanhay Community Network and Erewash Voluntary Action.
Further proposed investments include improving empty shops, support for local events which includes activities at Erewash Museum and improved Christmas Lights Switch On events, support for the markets in Long Eaton and Ilkeston, and more.
Leader of the Council, Councillor James Dawson said: “We care about local people and want to invest in them. We’ve also listened to people’s responses to our Budget Consultation and want to ensure our borough is a vibrant place to live, work in and visit. This funding will support this shared vision and brighten the future of Erewash by investing in those communities, our economy and environment, and making life more affordable for local people.”
