Agenda item

To consider the report of the Chief Executive, (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive informing Members of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) 2025 / 26 allocation from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

The Lead Speciality Prosperity presented the report, advising that in the Autumn Budget 2024 the Chancellor had confirmed continuation of the UKSPF for a further year, allowing local authorities to invest in local growth, in advance of wider funding reforms. It was noted from the report that the MHCLG had issued details of allocations in December 2024 and confirmed that the Maldon District would receive £327,146 split between capital and revenue expenditures. Maldon District Council was the Lead Local Authority (LLA) for administrating and managing the fund. The Officer advised Members that should they be mindful to agree recommendation (iii) this would need to be a recommendation to the Council. This was duly noted.

The report highlighted and provided further details of the existing UKSPF interventions which for 2025 / 26 the MHCLG had mapped into ‘mission-led themes’ across three priority areas. It was noted that LLAs were not required to submit a revised investment plan but were expected to continue engaging with and seeking support from local partners and routine reporting periods would update the MHCLG on proposals and delivery progress. Further details of the fund were set out in the report and it was noted that a report would be brought to the March meeting of this Committee outlining the proposals to manage, administer and monitor the fund.

The Chairperson moved the recommendations set out in the report and these were duly seconded.

During the debate that ensued and in response to questions raised, the Officer provided Members with the following information:

·            Subject to approval of the recommendations, Officers would be working with the Corporate Leadership Team and Chairperson of this Committee to identify projects that could be brought forward. Members were assured that consideration would be given to projects across the entire District.

·            There was not a definitive list of projects, however Officers had ideas which would need assessment, and they were working with the strategic group to bring forward any such projects.

·            Officers expected, due to the timeframe of the fund, this would be more of a direct delivery rather than establishing a grant programme.

In response to a query regarding recommendation (ii) and the involvement of the Leader of the Council as well, the Officer confirmed that they would be delighted to work with the Leader. Councillor R H Siddall proposed that recommendation (ii) be amended to include the Leader of the Council. This was duly seconded.

Councillor Siddall, Leader of the Council, advised that Officers were working with the Strategic Asset Working Group and agreed that it was important for the Council to have oven-ready projects not just for the UKSPF but the future. He advised if Members had assets within the District that needed support, they should bring them forward.

The Lead Specialist Prosperity was thanked for her report.

The Chairperson then put the recommendations, as amended, and these were duly agreed.

RESOLVED

(i)         That Members noted the opportunity presented for investment in the District by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund 2025 / 26 allocation and the Council’s role in delivery and administration;

(ii)        that Members noted the aggressive pace of work required to identify projects that are suitable for delivery within the timeframe and the Corporate Leadership Team in consultation with the Chairperson of Strategy and Resources Committee and the Leader of the Council be granted delegated authority to identify such projects and report back to the next meeting of this Committee for approval;

(iii)       that Members approve that the One Maldon District Partnership continues to act as the Local Partnership Group for the duration of the fund.

RECOMMENDED

(iv)       that Members consider the opportunity to 100% match fund the Council’s allocation to maximise delivery opportunities for the benefit of communities and the District;