Coastal funding is an opportunity to invest in local business
National Federation of Builders
Complex procurement procedures can make it difficult for SMEs to win work
Communities Secretary James Brokenshire has announced the fifth round of the Government’s Coastal Communities Fund (CCF), which will see £36 million of funding to help develop tourist attractions, create jobs and promote socio-economic growth.
The Government selected 26 projects, which are forecast to create 15,000 jobs and attract £40 million in additional investment from the public and private sector.
Brokenshire said: “The sheer range of ideas demonstrate the potential of our coastal communities and will all create good jobs, boost growth and improve people’s lives now and in the future.”
The National Federation of Builders (NFB) welcomes the funding, which will unlock vital opportunities in our coastal communities, and invites the Government to assess whether the future procurement decisions will truly create and sustain employment.
Richard Beresford, chief executive of the NFB, said: “SMEs train more than two-thirds of construction apprentices and typically employ within fifteen miles of their head offices, but complex procurement procedures can make it difficult for them to win work.
“With most funding for individual projects falling below the OJEU procurement threshold of £4.5 million, we can ensure that locally-employing and investing companies can compete for work and not be subject to complex, expensive and unreasonable procurement processes.”
