Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Strategy and Resources that updated the Committee on the delivery of Maldon Districts UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocation. A supporting document was attached at appendix 1.

The Chairperson introduced the report and deferred to the Lead Specialist Prosperity to present the detail. For the benefit of the new committee Members she provided some background detail on the fund advising that it was part of the UK Government’s levelling-up agenda and will provide £2.6 billion of new funding for local investment by March 2025. All areas of the UK had received an allocation via a funding formula rather than a competition; meaning it was a guaranteed investment. Funding was allocated to Mayoral Combined, Greater London Authority and District / Unitary Local Authorities as a Lead Local Authority for their area.

The Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) confirmed on 13 April Maldon District’s allocation of £1,000,000 to be spent by March 2025. The funding was tapered as per the issued guidance with agreement for 6% of the revenue to be used for management and administration. A full breakdown was provided under section 3.2 of the report.

The Chairman moved the recommendation which was seconded and opened the discussion. Members congratulated Ms Cable, Lead Specialist Prosperity, for all her hard work on the UKSPF.

In response to a question around the use of the funding to support children with Special Educational Needs And Disabilities (Send), the Lead Specialist Prosperity advised that no specific provision had been made for Send and the Council had limited sway given it was not the Lead Educational Authority. However, later in the year the ‘Rural England Prosperity Fund’ would be coming forward with an open grant programme whereby community groups could bid for funding to provide services in the local area that were currently not available. In response to a query around using S106 funds in this regard the Director Of Strategy and Resources said that this funding was normally ring-fenced to a prescribed activity, but that he would review and report back.

There being no further discussion the Chairperson put the duly seconded recommendation to the Committee and it was agreed by assent.

RESOLVED that the Committee acknowledged the update provided on the Maldon UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocation and continued to monitor the delivery.