Agenda item

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

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive informing Members of the projects proposed for delivery under the 2025 / 26 UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) allocation from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the Council’s 100% match funding.

The Chairperson drew Members’ attention to an Addendum report which had been circulated prior to the meeting and provided details of the 2025 / 26 Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) allocation from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

The report provided information regarding the UKSPF allocation for the year 2025 / 26 and how delegation had been granted to the Corporate Leadership Team to identify projects for delivery, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Chairperson of the Strategy and Resources Committee. Members were reminded that the Council had previously agreed to 100% match fund the UKSPF 2025 / 26 allocation from the Council’s Reserves. This meant the total delivery fund was £654,292.

Members were advised of the criteria used to identify suitable projects and Appendix 1 to the report detailed the proposed projects for delivery, which had been approved by One Maldon District Partnership, acting as the Council’s Local Partnership Group. Allocations for 2025 / 26 would be paid following submission of a forecast report and agreement of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Members were advised that the MoU had been signed and returned as per the requirement, and to ensure projects were not delayed the Council should commence delivery on 1 April 2025.

During her presentation of the report the Lead Specialist - Prosperity advised that Appendix 1 did not include any projects identified by the Strategic Asset Management Working Group. In response to a question, she explained that development of the application process to the fund would commence once the Council had approved that the proposed projects could be delivered. Members’ attention was also drawn to Project 11 an 18-month Fixed Term Contract position which would support delivery of the fund and assist applicants with the process. Officers would also carryout some work to identify where the fund could be targeted in accordance with the Council’s priorities.

In response to some concerns raised, the Leader of the Council provided further detail regarding use of the funds and the previous decision to use the Council’s reserves to match fund. The funds were open to any Community Group or organisation across the District, where possible Ward Members would be notified of bids and a review of bids allocated to ensure a fair representation across the District would be undertaken.

The Lead Specialist – Prosperity then referred to the Addendum and presented this report which set out the Council’s REPF allocation for 2025 / 26. It was noted that the REPF was a rural top up to the UKSPF and provided allocations for eligible Local Authorities to help address the additional needs and challenges facing rural areas.

In response to a number of questions raised, the Officer clarified that the requested draw down from reserves was for the 2026 / 27 financial year. It was felt that for organisations to respond and deliver a capital project within the timescale would be extremely challenging and could result in a claw back of the grant from DEFRA. Officers’ proposal was to ensure the Council had a deliverable capital asset and the fund would be replenished as a capital grant fund once the additional resource was in place and established grant schemes were operational. At this stage it was felt the council would be able to offer better support to the community alongside providing support in bid and tender writing.

Councillor W Stamp proposed that recommendation (i) on the Addendum be amended to include Ward Members to identify projects for delivery. This was duly seconded.

The Chairperson then moved recommendations (i) to (iii) from the UKSPF report, and upon a vote being taken this was duly agreed. He then moved recommendations (i) to (iii) from the Addendum paper, subject to the amendment proposed by Councillor Stamp. This was duly agreed.

RESOLVED

UK Shared Prosperity Fund 2025 / 26:

(i)             That the work undertaken to identify projects under the delegation granted to Corporate Leadership Team in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Chairperson of the Strategy and Resources Committee be noted;

(ii)            that the proposed projects for delivery under Appendix 1of the report be agreed and delegated authority be granted to the Corporate Leadership Team to progress within the funds provided;

(iii)           that the commencement of delivery from 1 April 2025 be approved, in advance of receiving the funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities, Housing and Local Government (MHCLG). Updates on delivery will be provided to Performance, Governance and Audit Committee for the duration of the fund;

Rural Engagement Prosperity Fund 2025 / 26:

(iv)           That the delay in receiving confirmation of the Council’s Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) allocation, the impact on delivery this has be noted and delegated authority be granted to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, Chairperson of the Strategy and Resources Committee and Ward Members, to identify projects for delivery;

(v)            that the commencement of delivery from 1 April 2025 be approved, in advance of receiving the funding from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA);

(vi)           that the REPF allocation be replenished from reserves to deliver a public grant scheme in 2026 / 27.