Decision details
Decision to approve and deliver 1-2-1 business support to Herefordshire cultural organisations up to 31 March 2025 as part of the UKSPF Investment Plan
Decision Maker: Corporate Director – Economy & Environment
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
Purpose:
In April 2022, the government launched the UK
Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), to replace the European Union
funded structural funds.
The primary goal of the UKSPF is to build pride in place and
increase life chances across the UK. This aligns with the Levelling
Up White Paper missions. Funding is targeted where it is needed
most: building pride in place, supporting high quality skills
training, supporting pay, employment and productivity growth and
increasing life chances.
The council has been allocated £7,545,330 to be spent between
2022 and 2025, of which, £903,194 is for
‘Multiply’ adult numeracy support which is subject to a
separate decision. The government announced approval of the
Investment Plan on the 5 December 2022, and Cabinet took the
decision to accept and spend these funds on 15 December, 2022
https://councillors.herefordshire.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=9216
This commission relates to a package of business support to be
delivered up to end of March 2025. Under the Community and Places
Investment Priority, this business support will deliver measure E4,
which supports enhancing existing cultural, historic and heritage
institutions and results in an improved perception of facilities
and amenities in Herefordshire, increased footfall, and more events
and participatory programmes.
The tailored business support will help Herefordshire cultural
institutions to improve their business performance or operation,
and include business operation advice, marketing and branding
expertise, innovation and the adoption of digital technology, help
to reach new customers and markets, staff training and support in
applying for arts funding to improve future sustainability.
Any organisation or business with a legal status will be eligible
for support. This may include local authorities, public sector
organisations, higher and further education institutions, private
sector companies, voluntary organisations, registered charities or
local cultural businesses. The advice will not be open to
individuals, unconstituted organisations or those registered
outside Herefordshire.
A third party consultant will be contracted according to council
procedure rules to deliver the project. The consultant will manage
the relationship with local cultural organisations and deliver
advice and training on behalf of Herefordshire Council to meet
agreed outcomes and outputs. The project will be overseen and
administered by the Culture and Leisure Lead for Herefordshire
Council.
Contact: Ross Cook, Corporate Director - Economy and Environment Email: ross.cook@herefordshire.gov.uk.
Publication date: 30/11/2023
Date of decision: 27/10/2023
Accompanying Documents: