To seek cabinet approval to submit the Rural England Prosperity Fund (RPF) Addendum (Appendix A) to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Investment Plan to government on 30 November 2022. Government has allocated Herefordshire £1,705,669 of RPF, subject to the submission, and approval, of an Addendum.

The cabinet member environment and economy introduced the report. Cabinet members welcomed the funding but noted it was less than the county had typically received under European funding programmes which this was intended to replace. It was hoped that further funding would be made available in the future.

Group leaders gave the views and queries of their groups. The funding was welcomed but there was disappointment at the level of funding offered. The needs of rural areas and businesses were highlighted.

It was resolved that:

a)             Cabinet approve the submission of the Herefordshire Rural England Prosperity Fund Addendum to government, in order to secure up to £1,705,669 of funding for the county;

b)             Authority to make any final technical amendments to the Addendum submission is delegated to the Corporate Director for Economy and Environment following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economy and Environment;

c)             Should the Addendum be approved, the Council agrees to be the accountable body for the implementation of the RPF 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 30 November 2022 deadline.