Cash boost for North Northants to help commitments to prosperity and net zero

05 November 2021

A funding injection of almost £3million into North Northants will help boost the local economy and launch innovative projects that will shift the area towards its net zero carbon goal.

A number of cutting-edge enterprises have been awarded the Government cash to invigorate initiatives, which include the development of local energy projects, delivering an app to monitor food-waste and offering training and support to ex-offenders.

The funding from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities under the Community Renewal Fund comes during the COP26 climate change conference and shortly before the council’s very own online zero carbon summit – NNClimate21.

This is great news for North Northants – I’m absolutely delighted that we will receive this funding to help boost some key projects in the area.

These are beneficial to creating employment opportunities and boosting the local economy and there is a strong focus on initiatives that are seeking clever low carbon solutions.Cllr David Brackenbury, North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive member for Growth and Regeneration

With the COP26 conference taking place at the moment, it’s clear that combatting the effects of climate change and protecting the environment is a significant piece of work for all of us.

I’m delighted that this has been recognised in the funding from the Government for these innovative projects right here in North Northamptonshire and goes to show how everyone’s focus is now fixed on reducing carbon emissions.Cllr Harriet Pentland, the Council’s Executive Member for Climate and the Green Environment

As a council we are committed to creating an area which offers prosperity for our residents while at the same time being mindful of the need to move towards net zero.

Funding such as this is essential so that we can deliver on both fronts and this really is a step in the right direction.Cllr Jason Smithers, Leader of the Council

The Community Renewal Fund was launched by the Government in March 2021 and aims to support people and communities most in need across the UK, with the council submitting bids in the summer after approval at its Executive.

There are a number of funded projects in North Northamptonshire: 

• Construction Skills Programme - £90,033
• Green Recovery and Innovation programme - £507,767
• Greenway and River Ise, Green Infrastructure Feasibility Study - £122,400
• In2work - £758,080
• Knowledge Exchange for Better Business (KE4BB) - £342,489
• North Northamptonshire to Net Zero (NN2NZ) - £550,157
• Parish Asset Mapping - Northamptonshire Devolution Project - £281,625
• Sustainable Food Network North Northamptonshire - £108,375
• The Skill Mill - £91,800

More details of the council’s own virtual climate change conference on November 16 can be found on the dedicated pages on our website.