Issue - meetings

       To receive a report from the Corporate Director, Place.

Resolved:

That Cabinet note:

a)    The extension of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund

That Cabinet approve:

a)    The prioritisation of the UK Shared Prosperity Funding for 25/26 and

b)    Delegate to the Corporate Director for Place to implement UKSPF activities and decisions in line with the Investment Plan and subsequent prioritisation

c)    Delegate to the Corporate Director for Place to make amendments to the Investment Plan in line with delivery requirements

Reason for Decision:

To agree the activities to be supported through the UK Shared Prosperity

Programme next year.

Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of the Council presented the report seeking approval for the prioritisation of activities for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund 2025/26.

The Leader commented on the Prosperity Fund progress since its inception in 2016 and its aims to deliver support across the three themes of Communities and Place, Supporting Local Businesses and People and Skills. Wiltshire has been awarded £1,875,033 for 2025/26, representing a substantial reduction on the funding received for 2024/25. He thanked officers for their input in managing the various streams of the programme. 

Questions were received from the public in relation to this item as detailed in the published Agenda Supplement 1 along with responses.

Cllr Jerry Kunkler, Chairman of the Environment Select Committee reported that he had received a briefing on the report on 28 January 2025 and was briefed on why this fund was created, what had been delivered and the reasons for this report. The briefing also considered what challenges were faced and what had been the most successful programmes. Questions were raised about the future of this type of government funding. Cllr Kunkler noted that the Council had made the best of this funding and though there is a transition away from these funds, it was good to see the most successful programmes will be supported into next year

Resolved:

That Cabinet note:

a)    The extension of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund

That Cabinet approve:

a)    The prioritisation of the UK Shared Prosperity Funding for 25/26 and

b)    Delegate to the Corporate Director for Place to implement UKSPF activities and decisions in line with the Investment Plan and subsequent prioritisation

c)    Delegate to the Corporate Director for Place to make amendments to the Investment Plan in line with delivery requirements

Reason for Decision:

To agree the activities to be supported through the UK Shared Prosperity Programme next year.