The Deputy Chief Executive & Monitoring Officer has decided to accept an uplift in funding to run a heritage training programme and repair the Town Pound in Swaffham.

URL: https://democracy.breckland.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2487

Decision Maker: Deputy Chief Executive & Monitoring Officer - Rob Walker

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: Accept uplift of £56,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to run a heritage training programme and repair of the Town Pound in Swaffham as part of the Swaffham – A Historic Market Town Project.

Content: Accept uplift of £56,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to run a heritage training programme and repair of the Town Pound in Swaffham as part of the Swaffham – A Historic Market Town Project. To accept an uplift in funding offered by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to support the Town Pound Heritage training and repair project. Summary The project will repair a listed building in a Conservation Area, stop its deterioration and prevent it from being at risk. It will also provide heritage work experience for up to 20 young people at risk of unemployment. The project is a collaboration between the High Street regeneration project – Swaffham – A Historic Market Town, Volunteer It Yourself (VIY) – who challenge young people to learn trade and employability skills by helping to fix local community spaces and BOOST – who support 16 -30-year-olds across West Norfolk by providing skills and improved job opportunities. The Swaffham Town Pound is a key part of Swaffham’s heritage as a Market Town and bringing it back into use fits into the overall High Street regeneration programme.   Aims 1 – The main aim of this project is to connect young people with the historic environment. The 20 young people working on the project will spend 25 hours working on the project and as part of this gain an insight and understanding of local heritage. These will be hard to reach young people who are not the general audience for heritage. The local museum will support in educating the volunteers about the Town Pound and its importance. Once repaired, interpretation for the Town Pound will be added and also promoted through the Town Council, heritage website, local newsletter and project blog so that more local people are aware of it as a heritage asset.   2- By having young people repair a heritage site in their own community we are looking to instil pride and give ownership to local people. By moving young people closer to employment, we are aiming to improve local prosperity, the project also aims to bring more heritage locations into use near the High St boosting footfall and the local economy.   3 – The project will stop the Town Pound being at risk. It will be repaired using traditional techniques and materials. The inappropriate repairs will be reversed, and it will be in a good condition with a maintenance plan in place. The site will once again be accessible with signage and interpretation allowing the public to understand its importance.   Target Outputs ·         20 local young people participating as learners - all 16 years+ Not in Education Employment or Training and/or economically inactive. ·         75% of the learners gaining a City and Guilds, an introductory Award in Employable Skills (5546-01) Accreditation no is 601/3625X. The unit ref number is 347 - Introducing Brickwork Skills. ·         50% also gaining a City and Guilds, Health and Safety Unit, ref 341 - Introduction to Site Health and Safety. ·         75% reporting improved broader employability/interpersonal skills. ·         90% reporting raised job/career aspirations. ·         90% feeling more confident about getting a job in the future. ·         90% feeling more aware of employers' expectations. ·         90% feeling more aware of opportunities in building/construction and heritage preservation. ·         80% reporting an improved feeling of physical health, happiness and   wellbeing through volunteering.   In addition to the £56,000 from the Heritage Fund, the project will also bring in additional match funding from BOOST (£2500) and Volunteer It Yourself (£10,000). The project also commits to use £3150 of the allocated Conservation Architect funds from the current project but no additional Breckland funds are needed.   Funding Table:   None.

Date of Decision: August 6, 2025