Projects set to benefit from £10m through Team Derby partnership

Five projects are set to benefit from £10 million of government funding through the Team Derby partnership.

Over £6 million alone is due to be invested in improvements to Derby city centre as part of the scheme to boost growth in the city and wider region.

A multi-million investment in the city centre’s public realm will see improvements in areas such as lighting, active travel, landscaping, wayfinding and public safety.

Other plans include a proposal to expand technical education provision for 16 to 18-year-olds, through partnerships led by the University of Derby.

There will also be investment to create a Skills Hub in the city centre to bring together employers, education providers and young people; an extension of Derby City Council’s Vacant to Vibrant scheme, which brings unused commercial spaces back to life; and a project to establish a World Craft Academy and Craft Skills Observatory at QUAD.

Councillor Nadine Peatfield, leader of Derby City Council, said: “Recent months have seen some very positive economic developments for the city, with the announcement of the Great British Railways headquarters and Rolls-Royce securing a £2.5 billion government contract to build the next generation of jet engines.

“Team Derby is about ensuring this success continues by providing the pipeline of skills our successful businesses need and ensuring the city is a place where people want to live and work.

“By improving our city centre environment and investing in the next generation of local talent, we’re ensuring the foundations are in place for future growth.”

Team Derby is a partnership of Derby City Council, East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward and Derby’s MPs, alongside partners from business, education and central government, aims to bring about real improvement for communities through job creation, skills development and regeneration.

It seeks to position the city as a leading UK location for innovation and industry collaboration, particularly across the defence, clean energy and rail sectors.

The initiative is designed to support local people into skilled jobs, strengthen supply chains, and ensure investment benefits communities across the city.

The investment in city centre improvements recognises the role that high-quality public spaces play in supporting economic growth.

These plans are designed to increase footfall, improve perceptions of the centre, strengthen commercial activity, and create the conditions for further development in future.

And the proposed expansion of technical education provision will help to provide the future talent for Derby’s key sectors of aerospace, rail, nuclear, advanced manufacturing and clean energy.

Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said: “Team Derby is a great example of what we can achieve when employers, educators and government work towards a shared ambition for the future of our region.

“The announcement of these five projects, backed by £10 million of funding, is an important step in turning that ambition into real opportunities for people across Derby and the wider East Midlands.”

Baggy Shanker, MP for Derby South, said: “These plans would give people more to enjoy in our city centre, bring empty properties back into use and help our local businesses attract more customers.

“Expanding technical education provision would give more young people the skills to start good careers in the city they call home.

“We’re investing in the places people spend their time and the opportunities their families can build a future on.”

As the city council is the accountable body for Team Derby, its cabinet members will be asked to note the funding allocation and delegate decisions on individual projects to the appropriate officers and cabinet members, at their next meeting on Wednesday 11 November.