An investment of almost £19m has been backed by Luton Council, as part of a drive to support neighbourhoods, jobs, and local people.
The cash injection of £18.9m will be delivered in annual instalments from the Resilience Fund until 2028/29, with the move aiming to strengthen early intervention and the ‘long-term financial resilience’ of the council.
According to the council, the projects are designed to enhance the lives of residents by helping them find work, as well as addressing homelessness, increasing neighbourhood safety, and providing support for vulnerable people.
Among the areas that the programme will target investment towards are: young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), the expansion of the council’s employment support offer, town centre improvements, and those living with dementia and their families.
It will also include a boost delivered for the local authority’s workforce and digital innovation services, in addition to establishing community digital hubs and a small grants programme to advance digital skills support.
Cllr Tahmina Saleem, Leader of Luton Council, said: ‘This fund is about prevention by investing in people and places earlier.’
She added: ‘Long-term resilience brought about by early intervention and investment goes hand in hand with better outcomes for residents. That is what counts. By modernising services, embracing technology and intervening earlier, we can help residents live healthier, more independent lives while ensuring the council remains financially sustainable.’
