Purpose

In February 2023, the Chief Executive approved an initial skeleton programme of UKSPF projects and gave authority to the Development and Regeneration Manager to issue ‘call outs’ for additional project proposals. Two call outs were subsequently launched, and project proposals received in response to that call out have been appraised by an external specialist team.

After recommended projects were approved, some £584,352 of UKSPF core funds remained unallocated. In addition, a further £337,000 became available when a project supporting local businesses declared it cannot spend fully during 2024/25 financial year. This decision allocates all these funds to existing already approved projects. The allocation process involved inviting applications from qualifying projects and is consistent with the recommendations from the independent assessor as presented to and adopted by the relevant UKSPF  Programme Board and the Local Partnership Group.

To authorise the spending of UKSPF on internal CEC projects does not negate the requirement for individual project leads to ensure they have in place other necessary approvals for their project such as ensuring capital projects are included in the capital programme and that any necessary virements are approved, that grant schemes are approved.

Decision

i. To approve the allocation of additional UKSPF to already approved projects as identified in Appendix A.

ii. To approve associated amendments to the Cheshire  East UKSPF Investment Plan as set out in Appendix B.

iii. For Council led projects approved, to authorise project leads to spend the UKSPF allocated for their projects, subject to the separate approval of supplementary estimates for the relevant year of funding, and any other necessary approvals required to authorise individual projects.

iv. For external led projects, to authorise the Head of Economic Development to issue revised offer letters and Grant Funding Agreements to external project proposers advising them of appropriate conditions for the funding to be released.