Issue - decisions

Date of Decision:

1^st February 2024

Title:

UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) years 2 and 3 – allocation of funding to projects and organisations

Decision Maker:

Jo Brown, Assistant Chief Executive

Details of Specific Cabinet Delegation

or Delegation contained in the relevant Sub-Scheme of Delegation.

Minute (43) of the Cabinet decision on UKSPF of 7^th August 2023 delegates authority to the Assistant Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to determine revised and final allocations for the UKSPF. This is to include provision for other eligible actions within the use of the fund should it not be possible to achieve full spend of the grant through the allocations set out in the Cabinet report.

In line with appendix 9, section 4C2 of the Council’s Constitution, the Assistant Chief Executive is authorised to discharge executive functions in relation to: (6) Performance, Intelligence and Improvement, including Policy and Partnerships.

Decision:

Resolve to:

Confirm the allocation of £3,475,224 funding to Council directorates and external partners for the following UKSPF projects that have been approved by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA):

·       Business incubation centres enhancement- £234,870, RMBC Regeneration and Environment

·       Social value- £156,383, RMBC Assistant Chief Executive; £28,500, Go4Growth; £26,100, Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce

·       Children’s capital of culture - £893,166, RMBC Regeneration and Environment

·       Rotherham community support - £487,496, Voluntary Action Rotherham (Open Arms Rotherham and First Step projects); £100,000, RMBC Assistant Chief Executive (Reaching Out project)

·       Town centre events - £280,000, RMBC Regeneration and Environment

·       Visitor and leisure economy - £429,000, Maltby Learning Trust; £390,000, Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust; £234,000, Gulliver’s; £15,709 RMBC Regeneration and Environment

·       Rural business grants - £200,000, RMBC Regeneration and Environment

Reasons for the Decision:

Following endorsement of the programme by Cabinet in August 2023, detailed project proposals have been developed and those listed above have now been approved by South Yorkshire MCA.

The funding allocated to these projects and the activities proposed are consistent with the Cabinet report. Overall, they support the Council’s ambition to create a more inclusive economy. This includes wide-ranging support for local businesses and an integrated employment and skills programme.

Details of alternative options considered and rejected:

Alternatives have not been provided as the projects are in line with the proposals endorsed by Cabinet. 

Conflicts of interest declared by any Cabinet Member consulted by the decision maker which relates to the decision:

There are no conflicts of interest.

Consultation has taken place with the Leader of the Council as Cabinet Member.

Dispensations Granted:

(If any)

None.

Reports or parts of reports considered

UK Shared Prosperity Fund - years two and three, report to Cabinet, August 7^th 2023