March Newsletter

March 2021

Dear john,

I hope you and your family are keeping well.

This month we continued our fantastic progress with vaccinations. Now over 30 million people have had their first dose. All our continued efforts at tackling the pandemic meant that schools were able to open earlier this month, and from today, we are able to take part in organised sports and see six people outside. I would like to pass on my thanks to all those that helped to make this happen.

We also had the Budget this month which was full of good news for people across Tynedale and Ponteland and the country as a whole. Despite the difficult circumstances, The Chancellor extended support schemes to help people and businesses through this difficult time.

This newsletter outlines some of the new and exciting announcements from the budget and beyond which will help us build back better from the pandemic.

I am always keen to hear from people on local issues, so I have launched my 2021 Residents’ Survey.

Click here to take part

CLOSING SOON: Nominate an unsung hero to be a Coronavirus Community Champion!

It is always brilliant to hear people tell me of their gratitude to a particular individual, business or organisation that has gone the extra mile to help them through this difficult time. But most of these acts of kindness that are being carried out every day are largely going unrecognised.

That is why I am delighted to launch my Coronavirus Community Champion Awards, created specifically to recognise people who have gone above and beyond to help others during this pandemic.

I want to hear from you about the people who have gone out of their way to make life a little bit easier over the last year, by nominating them for a Coronavirus Community Champion Award.

This could be a teacher, delivery driver, care worker, shop worker or someone who has gone out of their way to help their vulnerable neighbours, to list just a few examples!

So if you would like to say thank you to an unsung hero of this pandemic, please nominate them for a Coronavirus Community Champion Award using the button below.

Click here to nominate

Announcement of Broadband Investment for Northumberland

This month, the Government announced £5 billion for Project Gigabit which will see more than one million hard to reach homes and businesses benefit from lightning fast broadband.

This is great news for homes and businesses in Northumberland which are now at the front of the queue for faster broadband. Alongside Northumberland County Council, I have worked really hard to push this forward and am delighted with this package of policies and commitments. This crucial infrastructure investment really will make a difference for local people here in Tynedale and Ponteland

Click here to read more

Signing of the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal

I'm delighted that the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal has been signed. As the first cross border Deal, covering the largest area of any of the growth deals agreed to date, it is truly distinctive. It commits fresh investment into our region and will be jointly funded by the Scottish Government (£85m) and the UK Government (up to £265m), to bring a total contribution of up to £350m. This will be supported by up to £100m of local funding.

This Deal will help our region reach its potential for everyone, delivering green growth and attracting new businesses and investment. It will improve our connectivity, deliver skills and innovation, and improve our places to support their longer-term resilience. It will also attract new residents and welcome more visitors to enjoy the beautiful natural environment of our vibrant, inclusive region.

Click here to read more

Funding Opportunity for Local Environment Projects

An unmissable opportunity has opened up for environmental charities and their partners to secure grant funding for projects focusing on conservation and restoration.

The Green Recovery Challenge Fund, working in partnership with the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Natural England, the Environment Agency and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, is set to support nature projects across England with a second round of funding worth up to £40m. This follows on from the first round of funding awarded in December 2020.

Successful projects must deliver on at least one of the Green Recovery Challenge Fund's three themes- nature conservation and restoration, nature-based solutions and connecting people with nature.

The deadline for applications is 14th April 2021 (£50,000 to £250,000 level) and 22nd March 2021 (£250,000 to £2m).

Click here to read more

Guy Opperman

1 Meal Market

Hexham

Northumberland, NE46 1NF

United Kingdom

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