Decision

That the grant criteria for the three UK Shared Prosperity Grant Funding Schemes be approved.

Reasons for the decision

On 21 February 2025, Cabinet considered a report to recommend ‘acceptance of the 2025/26 UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), which totals £563,028, and the Council’s approach to its allocation and alignment with the adopted External Grant Making Policy.’
In relation to the Sports Grants, Cabinet agreed the following:
‘As part of the open call for projects, it is proposed to continue specifically two grant schemes which have been successful in the previous UKSPF scheme; ‘Extend the Season’ Events Grants, which link to ongoing work with town centres and Long Term Plan for Towns funding, and Widening Participation Sports Grants, linked to the Sports Strategy.’
Delegations for approving the criteria for the additional grant schemes were to the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism. This was ‘to approve the criteria for assessment of grants under the UK Shared Prosperity Fund’.
As this scheme is for a bespoke series of grants to support the Council’s Sport and Activity Strategy, the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Public Realm has also been included as a Decision Maker.

Alternative options considered

Not to offer UK Shared Prosperity Grants for Sport and Physical Activity. As this was specifically referenced in the Cabinet Report for approving the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, this would be a change in decision making of that agreed by Cabinet.