Council Pledges Up To £15m for Coronavirus Economic Recovery

A fund of up to £15m is being set aside by Derbyshire County Council to help support Derbyshire’s communities and businesses to recover from the effects of coronavirus.

Announcing the fund at the Derbyshire Economic Recovery Board on Monday 20 July, Derbyshire County Council Leader Councillor Barry Lewis said the fund would focus on creating jobs and growth, supporting the green economy and entrepreneurs and business diversification, as well as apprenticeships and training for young people.

The cash will help to pump-prime the county council’s recovery strategy which is currently being finalised alongside work to identify additional sources of funding from Government to support further measures to get the county’s economy back on track.

Councillor Barry Lewis said: “I’m pleased to be able to announce this much-needed funding to help Derbyshire’s economy to recover from the effects of coronavirus in the coming months and years ahead.

“We initially pledged £1m in March for emergency support to help businesses and residents cope with the immediate consequences of the pandemic and now our focus has shifted to look at what we need to do to revive and reinvigorate our economy over the medium and longer term.

“While the devastating effect of this pandemic cannot be underestimated, we’re keen to use this as an opportunity not just to rebuild our economy, but to build back better with emphasis on supporting our businesses and communities to be greener and creating a brighter future for our young people with better access to skills and job opportunities.”

The Council’s Cabinet, at its meeting on 30th July, will consider a report which identifies £15m as the level of investment required for economic recovery and further plans for the fund will be considered by the council’s Cabinet in the coming months.