This meeting received updates about the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the Managed Migration to Universal Credit, progress on Scrutiny Project Groups, and the Forward Plan. There were no decisions made at this meeting.

UK Shared Prosperity Fund

The committee received a presentation about the progress of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund UKSPF. The UKSPF is a central government fund intended to reduce regional inequality in the UK. Chesterfield Council is responsible for administering the fund within the borough and has allocated funding to a Community Grants Programme, a Community Development Worker Project, and a Capacity Building Project.

The three areas of Chesterfield identified as priorities based on the Indices of Deprivation 2019 were Duckmanton, Poolsbrook, and Old Whittington. These areas benefitted from positive engagement through activities like school holiday and half-term activities for over 360 children and families, and local skills and training for over 100 people.

The Community Grants Programme, started in April 2023, awarded £255,000 to 64 local community groups and voluntary organisations.

Training delivered by DVA and Links CVS included:

• Recruiting and supporting volunteers
• Grant funding applications
• Marketing and promotion
• Health and safety for community settings
• Climate change
• First Aid
• Food Hygiene

Members were pleased with the amount of investment in the three communities and praised the team for their hard work and creativity.

Managed Migration to Universal Credit

The committee discussed a report on the Managed Migration to Universal Credit. The report showed the progress made on migrating residents from Housing Benefit to Universal Credit from 9 April 2024 to 23 September 2024, shared an updated timetable for the migration, and presented the expected volume of cases still to be migrated.

The committee requested an updated report in three months.

Scrutiny Project Groups Progress Updates

The committee received an update on the progress of the Executive – Scrutiny Protocol Working Group and discussed the possibility of starting a new Scrutiny Project Group to look into fencing issues.

Forward Plan

The committee noted the Forward Plan for the period 1 November 2024 to 28 February 2025.