Funding to boost community cohesion after riots

Government money has been given to Tamworth to help build stronger community relationships following riots in the summer.

Tamworth Borough Council met on Thursday and approved plans to spend part of the £600,000 on two community projects to reduce the risk of problems reoccurring.

The riot on 4 August involved a mob attacking and setting fire to the Holiday Inn Express, which was housing asylum seekers.

It was one of several incidents of disorder that broke out in the UK after misinformation was spread about the identity of the alleged killer of three girls in Southport.

Councillor Sarah Daniels, portfolio holder for community partnerships and anti-social behaviour, said the money would be used "to enhance community cohesion and rebuild social trust in Tamworth".

The council has commissioned the Belong Network - a charity that brings communities together - to host a series of workshops and have "honest conversations" with local people.

Daniels said it would help them "talk about and challenge their feelings and beliefs about people with different backgrounds".

The aim is to "promote social integration, address inequalities, and combat discrimination", she added.

Work is already under way and once complete, an action plan will then be drawn up.

About £90,000 of the government's Community Recovery funding will also be spent working with Spacehive, a social crowdfunding platform, for the next three years.

It helps local communities raise funds to improve their local areas through various different projects.

To date, Spacehive has helped fund more than 200 ideas, providing everything from spruced up playgrounds and new street markets, to city farms and learning hubs.

The council said that while the initial two projects would look at "community cohesion", it was also looking at ideas around connecting people through "sport, possibly football, food and art".

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