Agenda item

The Head of Business Growth presented the final report on this round of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) to the Committee (this fund expired 31^st March 2025).

The UK Government had launched the UKSPF on 13^th April 2022.  The Council had received an allocation of £1,963,993 covering October 2022 – March 2025.  £789,212 of this funding was allocated to 5 projects being delivered by the Economic Development Team.

The allocation of funding for each project, followed by an update of activity and expenditure which has taken place up to 31^st December 2024 (Quarter 3 of 2024/25) was as followed:

A report presented to the Strategic Commissioning Board on 7^th March 2025 confirmed a further allocation of £803,023 via the East Midlands Combined County Authority from 1^st April 2025 to 31^st March 2026.  The breakdown of the funding was £451,199 revenue and £351,824 capital spending.

The new positive place narrative (and visual identity) continued to be used to support the new place led approach.  This included: raising awareness and improving perceptions of the District; improving belief in and pride of place; identifying opportunities for collaboration; improving the impact of marketing; and attracting inward investment to improve the place offer.

“Dear Bolsover…” invited residents to send in notes, wishes and drawings about Bolsover (inspired by “A letter to Sheffield”).

“Bolsover through the Lens” had the Council working with the Bolsover Camera Club on a series of (monthly / quarterly) themed photo walks.

The Business Growth Grants Scheme offered 2 grants: the Growth Grant provided up to £10,000; the Strat-Up Grant provided up to £500.  Promotion of these grants stopped in early September 2024 when the total applications received equalled the amount of funding available.

The result of the grants had seen an increased investment amount of £87,125.56.

The Net Zero Hyper Local Innovation Programme had seen 75 businesses attend a Carbon Management workshop.  A further 6 businesses were registered for the March 2025 workshop at the time of the meeting.

The Hyper Local Business Support had proven very successful

Visitor Economy Business Support had 41 attendees and covered creative coaching, Show and Tell, and Creative Pop-Up shop focussed events.  The fund had also sponsored Junction Arts’ Bright Winter Nights event, which had taken place as part of the Lantern Parade Festival weekend, with the Winter Nights ticketed event having attracted 1,300 attendees.

The Portfolio Holder for Growth commended the team and emphasized all ongoing work.  The Committee were informed of a meeting taking place that weekend involving the team, the Portfolio Holder for Growth and possibly Bolsover’s MP who would meet at Creswell Crags Visitor Centre with the intention of boosting tourism to the site and encourage other tourist attractions to help raise the profile of the District.

The Portfolio Holder for Growth asked the Head of Business Growth to pass on a commendation of the work.

Moved by Councillor Jeanne Raspin and seconded by Councillor Will Fletcher

RESOLVED that Members note the content of the progress report.