Councils share £1million boost (From Warrington Guardian)

Councils share £1million boost

GRANTS in excess of £1million have been shared between Vale Royal Borough Council and Cheshire County Council in a scheme encouraging business growth.

The county council has received almost £707,500 while the borough council was given almost £410,000.

Business growth is measured in terms of the increase in a local authority's rateable value during a calendar year.

Councils decide how their reward is spent - whether to provide better public services for their communities, invest in further business growth or to reduce council tax increases.

The awards were announced by Local Government Minister Phil Woolas.

He said: "I am delighted to announce the grant payments for the first year of this scheme, which provides substantial rewards for local authorities.

"Government is committed to devolving powers and to encouraging new business.

"This grant is a huge boost to both goals."

Vale Royal Borough Council intends to use the money to further economic development and regeneration within the borough.

Borough Clr Les Ford said: "The receipt of these funds further underlines the commitment of Vale Royal Borough Council to supporting regeneration projects and highlights our recent successes.

"We are on the brink of the significant regeneration of Northwich town centre with its redevelopment partner Wilson Bowden. It is crucial that we continue to fund and support this activity."

Noel O'Neill, the director of corporate and economic affairs, said: "It is good to see funding coming forward that will help us to continue to support business opportunity and regeneration."

A Cheshire County Council spokesman said: "We are looking at how the money could be used and we accept it should link in some way to future efforts to try and increase new business foundation."