Decision details

To ensure that the council meets the government guidelines associated with the UKSPF and REPF funding, including ensuring that all allocated funding is positively utilised within the financial year 2025/26.

To ensure that the funding makes a positive impact for Cherwell and helps to support the council’s missions.

To support existing projects to continue to contribute positive outcomes to the programme as well as the delivery of new projects.

Resolved

The Portfolio Holder resolves:

(1)  To approve the 2025/26 transition year programme for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) as set out in the report.

(2)  To delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Communities (in consultation with Portfolio Holder for Finance, Property and Regeneration) to agree any change requests.

The proposed 2025/26 programmes for the UKSPF and REPF transition year will enable the council to continue to support key projects that delivered successfully under the 2022-25 programmes and launch new ones, which will bring benefits to businesses, communities and individuals in the district.

The recommendations will allow officers to progress delivery of the proposed delivery programme within the timescales set by government.

The following alternative options have been identified and rejected for the reasons as set out below.

Option 1: Several other projects were considered for potential inclusion within the UKSPF/REPF transition year programme of activity. These included the continuation of other projects that had been delivered through the previous tranche of UKSPF funding. All projects were reviewed for deliverability, value for money, ability to achieve positive outcomes for Cherwell, how they supported the council’s missions and how they fitted within the government’s guidelines for the funding.

None