Decision details

Summary

The Portfolio Holder for Economy, Culture and Leisure introduced the report which outlined the processes in place for submission of the Council’s investment plan for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) which it was hoped would unlock £3.8 million of investment within South Lakeland.

In addition to the recommendations as outlined in the report, it was proposed that recommendation 2.1(6) of the report be updated for the delegation to the relevant officers to include authority to enter into agreements to make onward payment of the funding in response to successful business cases received.

The Economy, Culture and Leisure Portfolio Holder referenced the evidence base and draft interventions list attached in appendices one and two. Finalisation of the investment plan would be subject to the approval of the Local Partnership Group and Shadow Authority at their meeting on the 22nd July 2022. The deadline for submitting the investment plan to DLUHC was 1st August 2022.

The Portfolio Holder drew attention to the challenges and opportunities that had been identified, including, low productivity, and the importance of local business support and development of people and skills.  The Portfolio Holder also drew attention to the long list of potential interventions.  Members expressed concern regarding timelines in light of local government re-organisation.  It was noted that there was a requirement for the application to the scheme to be submitted by the sovereign authority and that the first part of the funding (approximately £400,000) would be for payment during the current financial year.   

During discussion, Members noted that the challenges faced by rural communities needed to be acknowledged and prioritised. 

The Economy, Culture and Leisure Portfolio Holder acknowledged that transport was a major strategic issue and noted that whilst this particular fund was a step forward in local government being afforded more flexibility regarding how allocated funding could be spent, there was a need to follow the criteria set by central government in relation to the funding stream.

Decision

RESOLVED  –  That

1)    The evidence base and draft interventions list in appendices 1 and 2 be noted.

2)    Authority be delegated to the Director of Customer and Commercial Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economy, Culture and Leisure authority to finalise the investment plan (based on the evidence base and draft interventions list) subject to approval of the Local Partnership Group and Shadow Authority at their meeting of the 22nd July 2022.

3)    Authority be delegated to the Director of Customer and Commercial Services and the Portfolio Holder for Economy Culture and Leisure the authority to approve any minor amendments that may arise following consideration of the selected interventions by the Local Partnership Group and Shadow Authority at their meeting on 22 July 2022.

4)    Subject to resolutions 2.1 (2) and (3) authority be delegated to the Director of Customer and Commercial Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economy, Culture and Leisure authority to submit the investment plan to DLUHC by the 1st August 2022 deadline.

5)    Authority be delegated to the Director of Customer and Commercial Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economy, Culture and Leisure authority to agree a business case development process to accept specific projects into the investment plan.

6)    Authority be delegated to the S151 officer and Monitoring officer in consultation with the Director of Customer and Commercial Services and Portfolio Holder for Economy, Culture and Leisure authority to accept or enter into any agreement, conditions of any grant determination letter, memorandum of understanding or any other mechanism specified by government to allow the Council to accept the funding and make onward payment of the funding in response to successful business cases and for the S151 officer to set up relevant budgets.

Reasons for Decision

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund has wide reaching implications for the delivery of Council Plan priorities and will to a greater or lesser degree help deliver many of those priorities. Specifically: working across boundaries; delivering a balanced community; a fairer South Lakeland; and addressing the climate emergency.

Alternative Options

The alternative option would be to not submit an investment plan, this would prevent SLDC from accessing the £3.8m allocation and harm delivery of critical projects within the district.