Decision Maker: Council

Outcome: Recommendations approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: April 28, 2025

Purpose:

Content: The Council resolved:- (i)             to note Aberdeen City Council awarded £1,429,228 through the Cultural Investment Framework as part of the 2025/26 budget (as detailed below):- (ii)           to note the Castlegate Arts unsuccessful application for Culture Investment Framework funding was considered through a fair and transparent process, with the officers recommending not to award funding due to the organisation not meeting investment priorities and the “Following the Public Pound” guidance, with the final decision being made at the Budget meeting on 5 March 2025; (iii)          to note the Finance and Resources Committee unanimously agreed on 26 March 2025 to allocate £508,000 for Local Business Support and £521,380 for People and Skills from the 2025/26 UK Shared Prosperity Fund; (iv)          to note the competitive application process for allocation of the 2025/26 UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with approximately £4 million worth of applications received for the Community and Place element, and only £1.2 million of funding remaining to allocate within the programme, and that the Finance and Resources Committee will make the final decision on the applications at its scheduled meeting on 7 May 2025; (v)           to agree that any proposal to allocate funds directly from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund which bypasses this process sets a concerning precedent and is disrespectful to those organisations who have already applied for funding; (vi)          to note that directing funds to specific projects without a clear process undermines objectiveness and fairness and could lead to similar claims from other organisations who were not approved for funding and may risk non-compliance with “Following the Public Pound” guidance and may also create a risk of the Council having to repay some of the money back to the UK Government on the grounds of having awarded money to projects which may not meet UK Shared Prosperity Fund eligibility and criteria; (vii)        to acknowledge the funding provided to date by Aberdeen City Council’s SNP and Liberal Democrat Partnership in 2024/25:   Communities and Place - 2024/25 Organisation Project UKSPF Award ACVO Aberdeen Third Sector Hub feasibility Study £60,000 Aberdeen City Council Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025 Culture Programme 24/25 £99,200 Growing2gether Strengthening Communities by Building Local Skills, Wellbeing and Resilience project £26,447 Look Again Aberdeen Independents project £63,000 Soundfestival Soundcommunities £37,000 St Georges Community Centre Saint Georges Community Centre £45,228 Port of Aberdeen Trust Port Tall Ships Community Promotion, which includes volunteer recruitment and engaging young people with sail traineeships; £108,000 Avenue Mental Health and Relationship Support for Families and Individuals in Aberdeen £116,777 Aberdeen Performing Arts Repointing and Exterior Restorations at His Majesty’s Theatre £91,078.58 Aberdeen City Council Phase 2 of the Denis Law Trail £85,000 Belmont Community Cinema Belmont Community Cinema £75,000 Cairncry Community Centre Community Café Refurbishment project £14,391.60 Granite City Taekwondo Tillydrone Community Centre Upgrades £100,000 SHMU Redevelopment to Station House £99,954 Local Business Support – 2024/25 Organisation Project UKSPF Award Aberdeen City Council Business Start-up grants £562,680 Aberdeen City Council Aberdeen Renewable Energy Groups (AREG)’s Enhancing Offshore Wind Renewables through Digital Innovation £45,000 Aberdeen City Council Culture Aberdeen Network Coordination Service £40,000 Aberdeen City Council Energy Pilot Project £137,592 Aberdeen City Council Learning Journey Support for SMEs £40,000 Aberdeen City Council AI Upskilling for SMEs £48,740 Aberdeen City Council Tall Ships Creative Makers Programme £55,000 Aberdeen City Council Vibrant & Sustainable City Centre Pilot £100,000 Aberdeen City Council Freebie Fortnight £115,000 Aberdeen City Council Love Local Card £10,000 Aberdeen City Council The Travel Trade Tours - Countryside Ranger Service £10,700   (viii)       given the above outlined process for the allocation of UK Shared Prosperity Funding for 2025/26, to take no further action.