Purpose

The Rural England Prosperity Fund will allocate funding to Business and Community projects across the District. Aiming to Support new and existing rural businesses to develop new products and facilities that will be of wider benefit to the local economy and to support new and improved community infrastructure, providing essential community services and assets.

A concurrence has been agreed upon by Cllr Mark Stephenson, Leader of the Council & Portfolio Holder for Finance and by Councillor Ivan Henderson, Deputy Leader of the Council, Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Regeneration & Tourism.

Decision

To approve, notify, and move forward to fund the 8 recommended business projects and the 9 recommended community projects in year 1 (2023/24) of the Rural England Prosperity Fund.

8 eligible business applications were received, 8 have been granted totalling £87,788.02 with £11,142.23 to carry forward for the scheme to reopen in spring 2024.
9 eligible community applications were received, 9 have been granted totalling £65,953.50.

Alternative options considered

1. Pay out the money as per the decision below
2. To do nothing and carry the money over to the next financial year
3. To go out for more open calls for different projects

Common reasons an application was not eligible for recommendation:
- Failure to submit the required documentation and permissions to support your application
- Failure to submit a stage 2 community application on time
- Project completed before the application being submitted
- Lack of information received in the application
- Location