Issue - items at meetings - UK Shared Prosperity Fund

This report sets out the conclusions of a light touch officer review that has been undertaken, looking at progress/implementation of the investment. The report makes recommendations that a number of non-material changes be made to the investment plan to ensure the efficient and effective use of the remaining funds and to maximise alignment with current priorities.

Resolved:

i. Agreed to the following non-material changes to the York SPF Investment Plan:

a. Skills funding is concentrated on inclusion and a new Construction Skills Initiative to ensure maximum impact and deliverability by March 2025;

b. High street improvement funding on intervention E1 is allocated to Phase 2 improvements to Acomb Front Street, including further engagement with the local community to respond to the petitioners’ concerns to allow completion of the Acomb Front Street works and maximise impact and deliverability;

c. Unallocated capital funding from E22 (capital workspace) is re-focused to support other priorities in the Business Investment strand (revenue) and E1 (capital high street improvements), recognising the need to focus on project deliverability in the remaining 18 months of the plan;

d. Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) funding implementation plans are further refined in consultation with rural stakeholders, with recommendations to be brought back to the Executive Member early in 2024. To ensure

that remaining rural funding reflects the needs of rural communities and businesses.

ii. Agreed that the revised investment plan is implemented by extending the current delegation to the Corporate Director of Place in consultation with the Executive Member for Economy and Transport and taking advice the York SPF Partnership Board.

Reason: To enable efficient and effective decision making and implementation of programme priorities.

iii. Agreed that the Council seek to proactively influence the future governance and approach to the York and North Yorkshire investment plan for SPF from April 2025 onwards, including seeking devolved responsibility for specific elements of the programme to a local level where appropriate.

Reason: To ensure that MCA investment of SPF funds continues to reflect York place priorities.

iv. Agreed that the York SPF Partnership Board is expanded to include rural representation and trade unions and that the minutes and papers of future Partnership Board meetings are published.

Reason: To ensure good, open governance of the programme.

The Corporate Director of Place outlined that the Council was halfway through the three years of Share Prosperity Funding (SPF) of which it had been allocated £5.5 Million. He confirmed that future funding would likely go directly to the new Combined Authority.

The Executive Member for Economy and Transport confirmed that the Executive had been reviewing the allocation of SPF and wanted to allocate these in line with Executive’s policies. Funding for skill development in the city was discussed including encouraging more green construction skills.

The Executive also expressed its disappointment in the first phase of redevelopment of Acomb front street and the installation of 146 bollards. They confirmed that the second phase would alter the bollard installation and confirmed that funding would be used in consultation with residents.