MP welcomes £1m lottery fund for Dearne
MP John Healey has welcomed news that a second part of the Dearne will receive £1 million in Lottery funding.
The money from the ‘Big Local’ programme will go to Goldthorpe and Bolton-on-Dearne over the next 10 years.
It was announced earlier this year that Thurnscoe is also part of the scheme, which will benefit 150 areas.
Mr Healey, who attended a reception in Parliament this week today to hear more about the programme, said:
“It is really good news that Goldthorpe and Bolton-on-Dearne will receive £1m over the next 10 years.
“I am pleased local people will have the power to decide how it is spent and I would encourage people to come forward, have their say and be part of improving their community.
“People round here are keen to see their area improve but aren’t usually given the chance or the tools to make it happen.”
The MP is currently campaigning for more lottery funding to come to South Yorkshire’s coalfield communities, following a report revealing Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster have lost out on more than £83m since lottery funding began.
In addition, research by Mr Healey showed that funding is below average for most constituencies in Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster.
The Wentworth and Dearne constituency received £12.7m from 1995 to 2011 – just a third of the national average (£38m).
The MP added: “The Dearne is bearing the brunt of government spending cuts and that is putting local facilities and services under threat and limiting the good work charities and community groups can do. This is a time when we need support more than ever.
“Including the Dearne in the Big Local programme is recognition that this area needs help but has been overlooked for lottery funding in the past.”