‘Have your say’ call on allocation of EU’s £175m funding

Changes to the way the Government allocates the money means the area is receiving significantly less than in previous years which has been the subject of angry protests by MPs.

EU funds were previously handed to regional development agency Yorkshire Forward to invest
but following the organisations abolition by the Government they will now be handled by the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) which brings local councils and business
together to grow the local economy.

Chairman James Newman said: “The LEP believes that it is essential that our strategies reflect the views of all individuals, businesses and organisations that have an interest in EU Funds.

“The LEP will receive about £175m of European funds to invest from 2014 to 2020.

“This is a lot less than had been hoped for, due to Government allocations being changed to our disadvantage.

“With significantly less funding available, it’s important that funds are spent in a way that demonstrates better value for money than ever before.”

It is estimated that the amount of European money the Government will pass on to the Sheffield City Region, an area taking in South Yorkshire and parts of North Derbyshire and North Nottinghamshire, over the next six years will fall by £200m.

Controversially, the change is in part down to a decision by Ministers to “top up” the amounts given to devolved parts of the UK,.

The Government argues far more of the money earmarked for the area will be in local control in future rather than by Government departments in Whitehall,

The consultation event will be held at the New York Stadium in Rotherham, from 9.30am until 12.30pm on Monday.

To register for a place go to www.sheffieldcityregion.org.uk/EU2014.