Uttlesford 'call for projects' as part of UK Shared Prosperity Fund

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund has been provided to local councils by central government to boost productivity, pay and employment chances, support high quality skills and training, restore a sense of community and town centre regeneration.

The council's approved Investment Plan will enable the allocation of funding based on priorities agreed with local stakeholders, such as business groups, town and parish councils, schools and the voluntary sector. The fund will be overseen a local partnership group.

Cllr Petrina Lees, Leader of UDC, said "Whilst Uttlesford is identified as an affluent area, with high property prices, a highly skilled population and very high levels of car ownership, the population density here is one of the lowest in the region and rural isolation, loneliness and access to services are significant issues.

"We would like to thank everyone who participated in our engagement sessions which were held in the summer - their contribution has been vital in identifying some of these local challenges. I'm pleased the Investment Plan has been approved and we can now begin work on projects that will support Uttlesford's businesses, residents and communities."

The summer stakeholder engagement sessions identified a number of areas which could be supported by the funding. These are included in the Investment Plan:

• Support for local arts, cultural, heritage and creative activities
• Investment in capacity building and infrastructure support for local civil society and community groups
• Investment in open markets and improvements to town centre retail and service sector infrastructure, with additional support for small businesses
• Employment support for economically inactive people
• Tailored support to help people in employment, who are not supported by mainstream provision to address barriers to accessing education and training courses

Organisations are invited to submit project proposals that meet these agreed areas of focus. Further information including how to apply is available at: www.uttlesford.gov.uk/ukspf-call-for-bids.

Year 1 of the funding runs until 31 March and applications are open for capacity building projects and infrastructure support for local voluntary and community groups. The application window for projects in Year 2 will open shortly.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the government's Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.

For more information, visit: www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus.

31 January 2023