BOLTON City Challenge was recently granted Band 1 status by Government Minister Alistair Burt for the second year running, but what does that mean?

Simply speaking, it means Bolton City Challenge is in the top rank of City Challenges in the country and has the continued support of the Government.

When City Challenges were set up a few years ago, a three tier banding system was created to ensure that the organisations met their targets and objectives. If not, funding could be taken away from them.

It is a way of ensuring City Challenges are monitored by outside agencies so they are accountable and are able to justify expenditure by achieving set results.

Bolton City Challenge is reviewed twice a year by Government agencies and must show it is on course to meet its objectives. Set up in April 1993 and awarded £37.5 million to be spent over a five year period on regenerating the Halliwell area, Bolton City Challenge is a limited company which draws directors from the private, public and voluntary sectors.

It is responsible for a broad range of regeneration projects covering economic development, training, the environment, youth, community, health and education issues.

To date, the partnership has created over 1,000 jobs, is responsible for preserving nearly 2,000 existing jobs, helped 122 new businesses get started, given advice to another 1,750 businesses and created 104,151 square metres of new or improved office space. Chairman, Cllr Bob Howarth, said: "Bolton City Challenge has achieved tangible results which have helped improved the quality of life of many people in Halliwell by creating jobs, improving housing and through innovative health and community schemes.

"We are delighted this hard work has been recognised by the Government which has once again granted us Band 1 status."

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