Investment Targeted at Jobs and Skills

South Tyneside Council is planning investment to help residents into jobs and boost skills.

Budget proposals over the next five years are aligned to the Council's 20-year Vision to make South Tyneside a place where people live happy, healthy, and fulfilled lives.

Proposals will see investment targeted at major schemes to boost economic growth and infrastructure projects to improve local and regional connectivity.

There will be continued partnership work to bring forward major schemes including the relocation of South Tyneside College into South Shields town centre and further investment in the ongoing development of the International Advanced Manufacturing Park, leading to the creation of more than 7,000 jobs.

Alongside investment in regeneration and town centre schemes, there will be capital investment in core infrastructure such as the Flags to Flexible programme to improve footways; a car park resurfacing project, as well as securing external funding for road safety initiatives and pothole repairs.

Cllr Joanne Bell, Lead Member for Governance, Finance and Corporate Services, said: "The Medium-Term Financial Plan has been prepared using evidence and feedback from our communities and investment will be targeted to address people's concerns.

"In line with our ambition of connecting people to jobs, skills and learning, we are bringing forward the college relocation to ensure our future workforce is well equipped to capitalise on the opportunities we are creating in key sectors like the green economy.

"Continued investment in schemes of national significance like the IAMP will create thousands of jobs which our residents will have the skills, knowledge and confidence to apply for.

"Alongside this, capital investment in our infrastructure including roads, footpaths and car parks is vital for supporting sustainable growth and helping people to move around the borough and wider region to access jobs and learning."

The Medium-Term Financial Plan will be considered by Borough Council on 23 February 2023.