Issue - meetings

The Leader of the Council introduced the report and stated that the Rural England Prosperity Fund Investment Plan was an extension to the UK Shared Prosperity Funding allocated to the Council earlier this year. Over £500,000 had been allocated for dispersal within the borough’s rural communities.

The Leader of the Council emphasised the difficulties in deploying the funding, given the short timescale for the investment plan’s submission alongside there being no readily available schemes to implement. The approach proposed was to invite grant applications from rural community services that aimed to support and improve the provision of environmentally friendly energy systems, such as the use of solar panels and electric power batteries. The local economy could be positively impacted through local businesses fitting the facilities required, alongside increasing the local knowledge of green energy solutions.

The Committee were asked to consider the cap level per grant, which could be set at £50,000 per submission. Suitable proposals requiring funding below and above that level could also be considered.

 In response to questions, the Director of Strategy, Insight & Governance confirmed that the definition of a rural area for the scheme was in accordance with the Office of National Statistics’ definition. The funding had to be allocated between April 2023 to May 2025, with 25% and 75% of the funding allocated respectively across 2023-24 and 2024-25. It was hoped that the funding could be distributed from February 2023, with further information to be provided to the Council’s Members and Parish Councils once available. The Rural Fund Scoring Matrix attached at appendix 2 to the report was highlighted, as the Council had to be confident in a scheme’s delivery in allocating the funding, which them had to be demonstrated to Central Government.

Several Members of the Committee referenced the report’s consideration by the Economic Regeneration and Leisure Committee earlier in November 2022, with the £50,000 cap level felt appropriate provided that proposals above and below that amount were considered flexibly on their merits.

The Committee expressed support for the proposed intervention plan as it would lead to improvements within the rural areas of the borough. It was suggested that a directory of green solution providers should be provided to assist in the submission of the funding bids and completion of any approved works. The interest already expressed from Parish Council’s in particular was noted.

RESOLVED: That the Leader be recommended to approve the Investment Plan for the Rural England Prosperity Fund, subject to the Committee’s comments, and then submitted to Government by the Director of Strategy, Insight and Governance.

Councillor Burton, the Leader of the Council, introduced a report setting out a plan for spending the Rural England Prosperity Fund money which had been allocated to the Council as an addendum to the UK Shared Prosperity funding received earlier this year.  The Leader of the Council explained that:

·  The Council’s fund allocation was £539,728 to be spent on capital projects over two financial years 2023/24 and 2024/25.  The deadline for the submission of the plan for spending the allocation to Government was 30 November 2022.

·  The proposed approach was to invite partners across the rural areas (Parish Councils and community groups etc.) to apply for grants to improve community facilities such as village halls and community assets with a view to creating a greener and more sustainable community infrastructure.  This could involve the installation of battery energy storage systems, solar PV systems, EV charging points and air source heat pumps.  This would have a direct benefit in reducing energy bills and showcase new technologies.

·  It was also proposed to place a cap of £50,000 on the value of applications, although schemes costing above or below this figure would be considered on their merits.

·  The aim was to support projects that would deliver best value for money, maximum impact, greening and a positive impact on local communities.

·  The views of the Communities, Housing and Environment Policy Advisory Committee would be sought on the proposals.

In response to questions, the Director of Strategy, Insight and Governance advised the Committee that it was understood that the funding would be profiled over two years with a smaller amount in the first year.  The scoring matrix attached to the report would be developed further and the decision-making process finalised before launching the scheme.  The Biodiversity and Climate Change Manager and the Biodiversity and Climate Engagement Officer would be able to provide advice and support to applicants to help maximise the potential of their projects.

Members were supportive of the proposals.  They considered that there should be flexibility regarding scheme size and there should be an inclusive approach.  Applications should be asset based for a community and assessed on their merits.  A business directory of green solution providers should be developed to give advice and support to applicants.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE LEADER OF THE COUNCIL:

1.  That the Intervention for the Rural England Prosperity Fund, as set out in the report, be approved, and submitted to the Government by the Director of Strategy, Insight and Governance.

2.  That there should be a guideline figure of £50,000 on the value of applications, but schemes which are significantly above or below this figure be considered on their merits.

3.  That a business directory of green solution providers be developed to give advice and support to applicants.

Note:  Councillor Hastie entered the meeting during consideration of this item (6.45 p.m.).  She said that she had no disclosures of interest or of lobbying