Issue - meetings

The Committee gave consideration to a report presented by the Economic Growth Team Manager, seeking approval of the expenditure (establishment of capital and revenue budgets) and monitoring arrangements of the Council’s programme for the delivery of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund 2025/26 Programme.

As had been presented to the Prosperous Communities Committee, it was explained that the council had been allocated both UK Shared Prosperity Funding and Rural England Prosperity Funding, which was seen as a transitionary continuation of the previous 2022 – 2025 programme. Under the new arrangements for the Greater Lincolnshire Combined Authority, Members heard that North East Lincolnshire Council (NELC) were the Accountable Body for this funding.

Additionally, it was highlighted that the Government had set a spend deadline of 31 March 2026, with any unspent funding being lost. The Accountable Body, NELC, would require the council to report on expenditure in September/October 2025 and January 2026. Any funding at risk of being unspent could be reallocated at those stages.

Members were advised that in line with the Council’s constitution, the Prosperous Communities Committee was required to approve the investment themes and delegate signatory of the funding agreement. These resolutions had been passed at the meeting on 3 June 2025. The Corporate Policy and Resources Committee was then required to approve the drawdown and expenditure of funds.  It was further highlighted that the proposed investments had been shaped based upon local priorities alongside their fit with the Government’s programme requirements, and Greater Lincolnshire priorities.

The Committee expressed their thanks to all involved in the work around UKSPF, and reiterated their support. The risks of the tight timescales and requirement to return unspent monies was acknowledged, with Members highlighting their own role within their communities to spread the word of funding opportunities available.

With acknowledgment of the discussions at the meeting of the Prosperous Communities Committee, and having been proposed and seconded, the Chairman took the vote, and it was unanimously

            RESOLVED that

a)    following the recommendation from the meeting of the Prosperous Communities Committee on 3 June 2025 regarding the identified UKSPF/REPF Programme 2025/26, the expenditure (establishment of capital and revenue budgets) and monitoring arrangements as set out in para 2.5 of the report, be approved; and

b)    authority be delegated to the Director - Planning, Regeneration & Communities to manage the UKSPF programme via the UKSPF Programme Board.