Council approves £18.9m investment in jobs, safer neighbourhoods and support for residents

The fund will invest £6.3 million each year until 2028/29 in projects that improve residents' lives while strengthening the council's long-term financial resilience. Rather than responding to increasing demand after problems arise, the fund focuses on early intervention. It will help residents find work, improve support for vulnerable residents, support people to live independently for longer, prevent homelessness, support cleaner streets and safer neighbourhoods, and invest in children and young people.

The approved programme includes investment to:

• support young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) into positive futures
• expand the council's employment support offer, building on the success of Connect2Work to help hundreds of residents develop skills, access employment and improve their financial resilience
• create community digital hubs and pilot a small grants programme to expand digital skills support helping more residents access education, employment and essential online services
• major investment in children and young people, including additional support for care leavers
• build on improvements already made in the town centre with a programme to further improve safety, support vulnerable individuals and significantly expand events and cultural programme
• introduce a new approach to tackling bins left on pavements through education, engagement and enforcement
• improve support for people living with dementia and their families
• use modern technology to help older and vulnerable residents live independently for longer
• strengthen homelessness prevention and improve supported housing services
• invest in the council's workforce and digital innovation to deliver better services and greater value for residents

Councillor Tahmina Saleem, Leader of Luton Council, said: "This fund is about prevention by investing in people and places earlier.

"We know that helping people early delivers better outcomes. Whether that's supporting someone into work, helping an older resident remain independent longer, preventing the causes of homelessness or creating cleaner, safer neighbourhoods for all of our wellbeing. These investments will improve people's lives while ensuring every pound spent is impactful.

"Long-term resilience brought about by early intervention and investment goes hand in hand with better outcomes for residents. That is what counts. By modernising services, embracing technology and intervening earlier, we can help residents live healthier, more independent lives while ensuring the council remains financially sustainable”.