Peterborough has been allocated £11.5 million to improve the education, work skills and entrepreneurial potential of its residents under an Investing in Communities (IiC) business plan approved by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) in February 2007.

The plan, covering four years from 2007 to 2010/11, is designed to help people in the city’s most disadvantaged communities achieve their full potential and contribute to and benefit from economic growth.

The plan has been drawn up by a range of partners, working under the umbrella of the Peterborough Regional Economic Partnership, and encompasses three principal elements:

• £3.7 million will be invested in giving people the skills, education and training they need to find rewarding jobs. It will target youngsters who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), lone parents and others and will offer employer led foundation courses in construction and catering to fill a much needed gap in these sectors across the city and provide a pathway to existing higher skills courses.
• £3.2 million has been allocated to help entrepreneurs – especially from deprived or underrepresented groups – to start and expand small businesses. This will include providing ‘incubator’ business workspace. Existing small firms will be encouraged to trade in a wider area and become more innovative and a BizFizz programme will aim to reinvigorate local economies.
• £2.4 million has been allocated to improve the employment prospects of vulnerable and excluded groups. This will include funds for Peterborough Primary Care Trust to develop a dedicated ‘Well-Being Centre’ to coordinate health and education services. Economically inactive people, especially those receiving incapacity benefit, will be helped to find work through a Jobcentre Plus ‘Pathways to Employment' initiative.

Funding will also be channelled through the New Link centre to help migrant workers with higher skill levels to make a greater contribution to Peterborough’s economy.

A further £1.3 million will support the city council’s Neighbourhood Investment Plan, which is designed to ensure that resources are targeted at each area’s specific needs.

As well as capital investment, the money will also be used to compile authoritative information on each neighbourhood and consult with local people and resident groups on strategic priorities.

The operational management of the IiC programme is through a dedicated IiC Board, chaired by Claire Higgins, of Cross Keys Homes. The delivery of the programme is through Peterborough City Council.