South Ayrshire Council will set out how it plans to use the £5m the UK government has put in place to replace EU funding post-Brexit.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (SFP) has been set up to replace the current ESF (European Social Fund) and ERDF (European Regional Development Fund).
The new fund has attracted controversy, with the Scottish Government claiming that it would take £549m to replace EU funding, far more than the £212m Scottish authorities will receive over a three year SPF.
The SPF funding in South Ayrshire will increase from £770k in 2022/23 to £2.96m in 2024/25.
The UK Government says the fund will match the levels of European funding in 2024/25, claiming the remaining EU funded projects account for the reduced SPF funding in the first two years.
The scheme has also attracted criticism for bypassing the Scottish Government, who previously directed EU money, and going directly to councils.
A report to South Ayrshire Council’s Cabinet on Tuesday states: “The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) is part of the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda.
“The UK Government has a commitment to ‘level up’ all parts of the UK, reducing regional disparities, spreading opportunities and ultimately restoring a sense of community, local pride and belonging.”
The cabinet will consider the application for the fund, which covers community, business support and people and skills.
The council has identified sectors in which to invest: including £42k for town monitoring equipment, £154k for community wealth building, £250k for a fund to support local projects, £1.13m in business support, £856k in visualisation data support for business, £1.4m in employability programmes and £237k for Skypath training, tying in with the spaceport work at Prestwick Airport .
The total cost of the programme is £5.55m, with around £500k coming from the council.
The report states: “The overarching aim of SPF is to build pride in place and increase life chances.”
The objectives of the fund are to:
- boost productivity, pay, jobs and living standards by growing the private sector
- spread the opportunities and improve public services
- restore a sense of community, pride and belonging
- empower local leaders and communities
Each of the three Ayrshire authorities has indicated an intention to submit individual investment plans that reflect a regional consistency in approach.
The report continues: “The funding provided support to economic development and social inclusion programmes for an extensive period.
“The Council has been a recipient of ESIF, supporting staff posts, Council services and contracts including those with third sector organisations.
“It is hoped to sustain and continue to deliver these services and secure a smooth transition from ESIF funds to SPF. proposals.
“Sustaining and maintaining support mechanisms within council services is particularly critical at this time.”
The cabinet will consider the report on Tuesday, August 30.
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