Decision details

To seek the Leader’s approval to submit the UK Shared Prosperity Fund Investment Plan (UKSPF Investment Plan) to the Department for Levelling Up, Communities and Housing (DLUCH) for their approval to access the Council’s £2,866,555 allocation and to seek approval in principal to the content of the Investment Plan recognising that there are further approvals required should the bid be successful.

That the Leader of the Council:

i) Note the content of the Report.

ii) Approves the submission of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) Investment Plan to the Department for Levelling Up, Communities and Housing (DLUCH)

iii) Agrees in principle to proposals in the bid, subject to any future approvals being obtained should the Investment Plan be approved.

To note the UKSPF programme and implications for the Council and to agree to the submission of the UK SPF Investment Plan

The Council has the option not to submit a UK SPF Investment Plan but this decision would adversely impact upon the borough. Although the full impact of the loss of EU funding to support business support and skills and training programmes across the borough is currently being assessed, the UK SPF is a resource that can mitigate against the potential risk of services being withdrawn due to funding. It also provides funds that can support a range of low value revenue and capital projects within the borough.

The UK SPF Investment Plan has been developed in line with the requirements of the funding, the priorities and interventions are evidenced and have the endorsement of the LPG. The option of an alternative plan would therefore not meet the priorities of the borough or funding requirements.