Decision details

In relation to the allocation of funds for year 1 of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UK SPF), the Portfolio Holder for Business and Economic Growth and the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Finance and Governance approve the following:

a)    £48,000 is allocated to the ongoing scheme at the Starlings Site in Dovercourt;

b)    £41,000 is allocated to the recruitment of an Operations Manager for, and marketing of, the ongoing Jaywick Covered Market and Managed Workspace project;

c)    £10,000 is allocated to small grants for community organisations with the aim of widening participation in sports and leisure activities;

d)    £10,203 is allocated to assist residents with the cost of living.

More detail on this project will be provided in due course, as details of it have yet to be determined.

e)    £10,000 of capital funding is allocated to extend and repair an existing beach access slope to comply with current regulations; 

f)     £25,000 is allocated to a comprehensive feasibility study, delivered in partnership with the University of Essex, to inform the development of a Business Support Centre based at the Freeport East, Bathside Bay, Harwich site.

g)    To agree that all future decisions on spend will be made by the Corporate Director (Place and Economy), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Business and Economic Growth.

To set out projects which will have funds allocated to them from year 1 of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, for approval by the Portfolio Holder for Business and Economy.  

UKSPF funding is allocated across each of the following financial years; 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25, and is disbursed by government each financial year. Government mandates spend of the first tranche by the 31st March 2023 on interventions Officers outlined in the Investment Plan submitted in Summer 2022.

In recognition of this timescale, projects within TDC and adhering to the Corporate Plan and adopted strategies were chosen, in order to complete spend by the deadline.

Interventions were chosen alongside a Partnership Group of local stakeholders before submission and therefore the projects outlined in this Executive Decision respond to local need and also the requirements of the UKSPF timelines.

An open call for projects in years 2 and 3 will be opened shortly to consider other projects which can run over a longer timescale.

A request for EOIs was carried out to understand local priorities for delivery, and to establish best value for money in the current financial year. This informed the plan for delivery of year 1 and a call will be opened shortly for years 2 and 3.