Communities and Local Government

• Cities and regions
• Single Regeneration Budget

Cities and regions

Single Regeneration Budget: Background and Overview

On 9 March 2001 the Deputy Prime Minister announced a new package of measures for the Regional Development Agencies, including giving them more flexibility in the way they use uncommitted funding There will be no more national rounds of the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB). Regional Development Agencies will meet their commitments to SRB rounds 1-6 from Single Programme (Single Pot) resources which began in April 2002.

The SRB, which began in 1994, brought together a number of programmes from several Government Departments with the aim of simplifying and streamlining the assistance available for regeneration.

SRB provides resources to support regeneration initiatives in England carried out by local regeneration partnerships Its priority is to enhance the quality of life of local people in areas of need by reducing the gap between deprived and other areas, and between different groups. It supports initiatives that build on best practice and represent good value for money. The types of bid supported differ from place to place, according to local circumstances. to obtain funding, organisations have to demonstrate that their bid meets one or more of the eligible objectives: for example, the Round 6 Bidding Guidance provided for:

(a) improving the employment prospects, education and skills of local people;

(b) addressing social exclusion and improving opportunities for the disadvantaged;

(c) promoting sustainable regeneration, improving and protecting the environment and infrastructure, including housing;

(d) supporting and promoting growth in local economies and businesses; and

(e) reducing crime and drug abuse and improving community safety.

Schemes aimed at tackling the problems faced by communities in the most deprived neighbourhoods are also normally expected to include the following four key objectives.

(a) tackling worklessness;

(b) reducing crime;

(c) improving health; and

(d) raising educational achievements.

SRB partnerships are expected to involve a diverse range of local organisations in the management of their scheme. In particular, they should harness the talent, resources and experience of local businesses, the voluntary sector and the local community. Schemes can offer support to build the skills and confidence of the local community so that they can play a key role in the regeneration of their areas.

The SRB is administered at regional level by the Regional Development Agencies and, in London, by the London Development Agency.

Under rounds 1-6 1027 bids were approved, worth over £5.7 billion in SRB support over their lifetime of up to 7 years. It is estimated that these will attract almost £8.6 billion of private sector investment and help to attract European funding. The SRB is expected to involve over £23 billion from all sources of funding.

Updated: 29 November 2004