Community hub set to be awarded £1 million funding from Wakefield Council

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority has secured the money for the region from the Government’s Getting Building Fund, which will support local projects designed to boost the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

This newly submitted funding application to West Yorkshire Combined Authority, if successful, will increase the overall funding of the project from £3million to £4million.

The Knottingley Community Hub will occupy the site of the former Kellingley Miners Welfare Club and provide a facility that will be at the heart of the community, driving forward economic growth in the area.

It will provide support for people in the area to develop their work skills, employability, education and training and there will also be enterprise support, including a base from which effective business networks can be developed - offering help to local businesses and start-ups.

People will also be able to take part in a range of sports activities and health and wellbeing initiatives. Plans also include a café, meeting space for community groups, business space and digital area.

Coun Maureen Cummings, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Communities and Poverty, said: “The Hub will be a great asset to the community, enabling people to take part in activities including sport and health boosting initiatives as well as access within their local area to advice and support to help build work skills.

“This additional funding would be extremely welcome as the district begins to recover from the effects of coronavirus.

“It will help residents and businesses alike by upgrading local infrastructure and boosting skills, which in turn will create jobs and improve the lives of local people.”

The Council’s Knottingley Vision and Action Plan sets out commitments and actions to support regeneration in the area. It is closely linked to the district’s Playing Pitch Strategy which makes commitments to enhance and improve playing fields within the Knottingley area. It will support existing and new teams and clubs, encourage people to get involved and support community groups to upgrade their facilities, whilst making them more widely available.

Members of Wakefield’s Cabinet are meeting virtually on Tuesday 8 December at 10.30am to discuss the plans. The meeting can be watched live or later on the Council’s website.