Purpose

To agree the Council’s approach in
allocating the Rural England Prosperity Fund and the appropriate
programme parameters

Content

The Cabinet report set out
details of the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF), which was
announced by DEFRA in September 2022.
 
The REPF was a new capital fund
from DEFRA and was a ‘top-up’ to the UKSPF. It was part
of the succession from the EU funded LEADER and Growth Programmes,
which were part of the Rural Development Programme for England and
hugely successful in Buckinghamshire with over 50 businesses
supported.
 
The Council submitted its
Addendum to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Investment Plan
in November 2022. DEFRA had now approved the addendum and
Buckinghamshire Council had been awarded £1.8m to deliver the
Rural England Prosperity Fund Capital Grants programme over two
financial years up to 31st March 2025.
 
The Cabinet report proposed the
delivery approach and governance needed by the Council to ensure
high quality delivery and value for money that would support growth
for rural businesses and support a vibrant Buckinghamshire rural
economy. A suggestion was made to provide maps to ward members to
indicate which rural areas could apply for grant
funding.
 
RESOLVED -
 

1)     
That the programme eligibility and parameters for
businesses applying for a Grant be AGREED.

2)     
That the Buckinghamshire Rural Business Grants
Fund be included in the Council’s capital
programme. 

3)     
That a new funding panel be formed to guide the
review process of eligible grant applications. 

4)     
That the awarding of grants be delegated to the
Economic Growth and Regeneration Service Director, in consultation
with the Leader and S151 Officer.