To seek cabinet approval to submit the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Investment Plan to government on 1 August 2022. Government has allocated Herefordshire £7.6m of UKSPF, subject to the submission and approval of an Investment Plan.

The leader of the council introduced the report and welcomed the allocated share of £7.6m from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Cabinet members noted that while Herefordshire was an attractive place to live, it still had pockets of deep deprivation. It was important to plan how to deliver the projects identified so that they could start as soon as the funding was confirmed by government.

The director of economy explained that the proposed bid would build on activity already delivered and look ahead for the next two years. The projects would like to the economic plan and a further report would be brought to cabinet in the autumn with more detail on the activities and shape of the board.

Group leaders and representatives gave views and comments from their respective group. The funding was welcomed and it was noted that:

·       The schemes would need to be able to achieve their aims within the funding currently available as the revenue funding would not necessarily continue beyond this point;

·       Fuel poverty and energy efficiency were highlighted as key issues to address.

It was unanimously resolved that:

a)    Cabinet approve the submission of the Herefordshire UK Shared Prosperity Fund Investment Plan to government, in order to secure up to £7.6m of funding for the county;

b)    Authority to make technical amendments to the final Investment Plan submission is delegated to the Corporate Director for Economy and Environment;

c)    Should the Investment Plan be approved, Herefordshire Council agrees to be the accountable body for the implementation of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocation and the resulting projects; and

d)    Authority is delegated to the Chief Executive Officer and the Section 151 officer to formally submit the bids by the 1 August 2022 deadline.