One North East, the Regional Development Agency for North East England, has devolved resources and power to four Sub-Regional Partnerships, of which Tees Valley Partnership covers Darlington.
Single Programme provides funds for mainly large-scale, strategic projects, with the aim of enhancing the economy. The principles of the funding are as follows:
- Current funding allocations cover the periods 2002 - 2005 and 2005 - 2008
- Funding is allocated on a sub-regional basis, not by local authority area
- Tees Valley has been allocated approximately £75 million for 2005 - 2008
- A three year Delivery Plan details which projects the money will be spent on in the Tees Valley
- Projects included in the Delivery Plan must be strategic and meet the aims of the Regional Economic Strategy
- Darlington has been successful in securing funding for a number of projects worth nearly £7 million which include the following:
Darlington Gateway
- Pedestrian Heart is now complete
- Development of industrial land at Faverdale
- Refurbishment of two key railway bridges
- Grant scheme for restoration of original features to buildings in Northgate
Skills for Success
- Training needs analyses and grants for companies to aid their survival and growth
- A service offered through Lascelles Into Work to increase the employability of unemployed people and assist them into work
- Self-development grants for unemployed individuals to help them secure employment and newly self-employed individuals to aid their business start-up
Community Regeneration
Extension of current community regeneration programmes to cover additional wards
Support for the Local Strategic Partnership, the Darlington Partnership
Targeted projects to improve individuals' employability
Railway Heritage
- Joint project with Stockton-on-Tees, Sedgefield and Durham councils
- Themed visitor packages based on the area's rail heritage
Further information on the Single Programme or any of the projects listed can be obtained by emailing external.funding@darlington.gov.uk