Unadopted streets in Keighley could be made up by local youngsters working on the government's new welfare-to-work programme.
New Deal trainees would surface at least 14 unmade streets in the poorest areas of town over three years. The £400,000 scheme, funded jointly by the SRB board and government, would take 16 young people off the dole queue. It would be aimed mainly at Keighley youngsters who wish to work in the construction industry.
The young people would form part of New Deal's local Environmental Task Force, organised by the council's Economic Initiatives Division.
SRB cash could prop up Keighley Furniture Store for 12 months while it works to secure its long-term future.
The store provides second-hand furniture and basic household items for local people who receive welfare benefits. It enables single parents, pensioners, ex-prisoners, and homeless and jobless people to take up council and private tenancies.
Keighley Voluntary Services has pledged £5,000 for 1998/99 to replace income lost when Bradford council refused to renew the store's annual grant. The SRB board has been asked for £1,500.
The store has applied for Lottery cash for 1999 to 2001, and by 2002 hopes to become self-financing by increasing income from selling furniture from £11,572 to £20,000 a year.
Local Asians with drug and alcohol problems could be helped by a new SRB project.
Two Asian workers would be appointed by the Project 6 advice agency as part of the £60,000 initiative. The agency says that although drug and alcohol use is a problem within the Asian community, local users and their families are not seeking help.
The SRB board has been asked for £31,255 over two years. The rest would come from Bradford Council social services, Keighley Drug/Alco-hol Reference Group and the Drug Action Team.
Holy Family School could be given £10,000 towards the cost of employing a counsellor for the next 12 months.
The counsellor would help students keep away from crime, drug abuse, truancy and anti-social behaviour. He or she would work with families so that younger brothers and sisters could benefit from the same support.
Some youngsters might be referred to other agencies such as Bradford council social services for specialist help. Teachers would refer children to the counsellor if they felt they were at risk of truancy or criminal behaviour.
The counsellor would also be funded by Holy Family, Keighley Catholic Schools Partnership and the Diocese of Leeds Social Services.
A project manager could be appointed to oversee plans to unite voluntary groups with activities at Keighley Health Centre.
The SRB board has been asked for £20,000, half the cost of employing someone to ensure the 'Link' project is successfully completed.
The project aims to bring together the health centre and next-door Oaks Resource Centre as one building. On offer would be rooms for meetings, fitness sessions, alternative medicine treatment, equipment demonstration and drama therapy. Permanent accommodation could be available for voluntary organisations, Airedale NHS Trust, Bradford Council, Holycroft GPs and businesses.
An apprenticeship scheme for Keighley engineering trainees could be boosted with £42,208 of SRB cash.
The £117,808 scheme would address a local skills shortage by providing the first year's training for 20 recruits aged 16 to 24. The 36-week programme, run by Keighley College and training organisation KADTAL, would take the young people to NVQ level two.
Organisers hope local companies will continue to train and employ the youngsters, and invest in other Modern Apprentices from day one.
Training Vouchers could be given to local workers to encourage their employers to help them learn new skills.
Each SRB-funded voucher would be worth up to £400 but the amount will have to be matched by the employer. Workers could spend the voucher on a range of training including basic literacy and numeracy, foreign languages or multi-skilling.
Organisers hope local firms will realise the benefits of training existing employees instead of moving elsewhere or advertising nationally for new workers.
Local firms have had a problem for several years with school leavers achieving below-average results at GCSE and not having basic skills.
Businesses thinking of moving to Keighley will be offered cash and expertise to retrain their workforce.
Keighley and District Training Association (KADTAL) has been given £28,000 for a pilot 'training aid' scheme. It will help devise training plans for companies who face significant changes through expansion, new technology, property development, changing working practices or a move to Keighley.
Firms will contribute to the scheme, as well as gaining access to other financial packages including property grants and training programmes.
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