Investing in communities across our district
Monday, November 09, 2026
A £2.86m Forgotten Communities Fund is set to be approved by senior Councillors to support local priorities and community-led projects. The new fund is about making sure that no community in Wakefield district is left behind, building places to be proud of.
“Helping our towns and villages to succeed is one of the main reasons I came into politics. Too many of our areas have been left behind for far too long.
“That’s why we’re announcing a multi-million pound commitment to our most deprived communities today. This is all about placing our resources where it will have the most impact, ensuring all areas have regeneration opportunities."
Cllr Matthew Pinder
Cabinet Member for District Regeneration and Regional Growth
The £2.86m of funding will focus on improving town centres, neighbourhoods, and communities with visible improvements supporting local businesses and enhancing our places.
The Forgotten Communities Fund will prioritise local projects in Normanton, Knottingley, South Elmsall, Moorthorpe, Hemsworth, Pontefract, Fitzwilliam, South Kirkby, Kinsley and Ferrybridge. It will help reduce inequalities between communities and support long-term improvements in these places, with projects delivered in phases.
Money for projects needs to meet the needs of local communities, so Councillors will be involved in the process, with the fund allocating:
• £500,000 for South Elmsall, South Kirkby and Moorthorpe
• £500,000 for Pontefract
• £450,000 for Knottingley and Ferrybridge
• £450,000 for Hemsworth, Fitzwilliam and Kinsley
• £325,000 for Normanton
• £640,000 of contingency funding
Cllr Pinder added: “Investment into communities that have been left behind by political choice for generations, has driven me to ensure regeneration funding is directed towards some of our most deprived areas.
“Regeneration sometimes involves major projects. But smaller improvements can often make huge differences too. This funding will help make sure communities across our district benefit from the investment they need to succeed, and that no community feels forgotten.”
The Council’s Cabinet will consider the report at its meeting on Tuesday 17 November at 5.30pm. The meeting can be watched live or later at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLilikhJ0zt3272-X321ObPci8srBgmT2e