Government has allocated Herefordshire £7.545m of UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF) to be spent between 2022/23 and 2024/25 (including circa £800K to be spent in this financial year). However, in order to access these funds the council has to submit a multiply (adult numeracy) investment plan by the 30 June 2022 and a UKSPF Investment Plan by the 1 August 2022.

The UKSPF Investment Plan is a significant element of work requiring in depth evidence base and analysis of local issues and needs, review of the impact of previous programmes, as well as engagement with businesses, voluntary sector, communities, HE/ FE, and a broad range of public partners. The funding allocation also represents circa 33% of the funds available through the previous EU programmes, as such the development of the UKSPF Investment Plan will need to carefully consider prioritisation of future activities.

The council is also committed to developing a new Big Economic Plan, the UKSPF Investment Plan and the Big Economic Plan need to aligned, based on the same core evidence base and priorities.
Metro Dynamics have significant experience of working in Herefordshire, having led the development of the Marches Strategic Economic Plan and Local Industrial Strategy on behalf of The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership. Given the urgent timescales required to meet the government deadlines, and due to their existing experience and knowledge, Metro Dynamics have been appointed by way of a direct award to lead this work.

Value for money has been assured, as the tender is based on the same day rates set in the Homes England Research Framework.