Stratford-on-Avon District Council invites local organisations to apply for UK Shared Prosperity Funding and Rural England Prosperity Funding

Businesses and communities in Stratford-on-Avon District are set to benefit again from funding secured by Stratford-on-Avon District Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF).

The District Council is inviting eligible local organisations to submit expressions of interest for the second round of funding allocation, which will help support the delivery of projects and programmes that help to build pride in place, provide high quality skills training and increase life chances across the District.

£3.6million was awarded to Stratford-on-Avon District Council by the Government through the UKSPF, with a further £1,015,143 for two years available through the REPF, a separate fund focused on addressing the specific challenges faced by rural areas. All the funding must be invested by 31 March 2025.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is a central pillar of the UK government's ambitious Levelling Up agenda and a significant component of its support for places across the UK. The fund is part of a suite of funding which begins to replace the previous European Structural Funds and aims to empower local lead authorities to identity opportunities to build pride in place, improve the places in which people live and supporting individuals and businesses to thrive, by:

• Boosting productivity, pay, jobs and living standards by growing the private sector, especially in those places where they are lagging
• Spreading opportunities and improve public services, especially in those places where they are weakest
• Restoring a sense of community, local pride and belonging, especially in those places where they have been lost
• Empowering local leaders and communities, especially in those places lacking local agency.

The Rural England Productivity Fund (REPF) provides small scale capital funding specifically in support of:

• New and existing rural businesses to develop new products and facilities that will be of wider benefit to the local economy; this includes farm businesses looking to diversify income streams.
• New and improved community infrastructure, providing essential community services and assets for local people and businesses to benefit the local economy.

The fund is administered by the District Council, with the decision-making process supported by the Local Prosperity Advisory Group (LPAG), established to evaluate the projects received and make recommendations on which schemes should be supported.

LPAG has representation from a number of local organisations and businesses including, Warwickshire Association of Local Councils, Shakespeare's England, Federation of Small Business, Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and Warwickshire & Solihull Community, Warwick University and Voluntary Action.

Eligible local organisations are able to submit their expressions of interest to the District Council from today, Monday 5 June 2023 using the online application form.

Documentation and guidance required to complete the application can be found at:
UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) | Stratford-on-Avon District Council
Rural England Prosperity Fund - Call for projects | Stratford-on-Avon District Council

The deadline for this round of applications is 5pm on Friday 14 July.

Information Webinars
Stratford District Council in conjunction with Warwickshire Community and Voluntary Action are hosting two information webinars on:

• Thursday 15 June from 6pm to 7.30pm
• Tuesday 20 June from 8.30am to 10am

Registration for these events is via Eventbrite: https://bit.ly/42db8wt

Applications are expected to come from statutory infrastructure providers and not-for-profit organisations such as state schools, community groups and registered charities for projects that demonstrate a wider community benefit.

Councillor George Cowcher, Development Portfolio said: "I am delighted that we are able to offer this funding opportunity in Stratford-on-Avon District, and have the opportunity to work with and support local organisations, including parish councils, to make a real difference to our residents, employees and businesses.

"I am looking forward to seeing some innovative and ambitious new projects and programmes getting underway over the next few years, and to witnessing the lasting impact they are able to make for our communities and economy, particularly those that address the infrastructure problems that we have in the District."

In the first round of funding allocation in March 2023, awards totalling just over £406,000 were agreed, supporting 13 separate initiatives across the District, including: £25,000 for Great Alne Parish Council to upgrade the streetlights; £25,000 for Stockton and £2,500 for Snitterfield Playing fields to upgrade and extend the play facilities; £20,000 for Wixford Village Hall to help replace the Village Hall and £25,000 for Volunteer It Yourself CIC to improve Temple Grafton Community Hall.

If you would like further guidance, please contact: UKSPF@stratford-dc.gov.uk

The UK Shared Prosperity fund (UKSPF) is a £2.6 billion funding pot, announced as part of the Government's Levelling Up programme, to be invested in communities by March 2025. Each area of the UK has received an allocation from the fund via a funding formula rather than a competition.

The UKSPF will be mix of revenue and capital funding that can be used to support a wide range of interventions to build pride in place and improve life chances.

Further information regarding the UKSPF can be found here:

• UK Shared Prosperity Fund: prospectus - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

• UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) | Stratford-on-Avon District Council