Issue - meetings

UK Shared Prosperity Fund 2022-25: Local Business Support

(a)      note that an underspend of £135,700 has been recorded from previously approved projects within the Local Business Support priority;

(b)      approve an amendment to the Investment Plan submitted in 2022 with the inclusion of an additional intervention “S14: Funding for the development of the visitor economy”;

(c)      approve an allocation to Aberdeen City Council of up to £115,000 for the Freebie Fortnight project;

(d)      approve an allocation to Aberdeen City Council in partnership with Aberdeen Inspired of up to £10,000 to support the development of online resources and marketing of the Love Local Card;

(e)      approve an allocation to Aberdeen City Council of up to £10,700 for the development of the travel trade tours offered by the Countryside Ranger Service;

UK Shared Prosperity Fund 2022-25

(f)       note that the £7.1m received from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund has again been fully allocated for delivery by March 31st 2025;

(g)      authorise the Chief Officer – City Development and Regeneration – to reallocate any future declared underspend to new projects up to a maximum of £30,000 per project, following consultation with the Convener and Vice Convener of this Committee, to ensure that the maximum UKSPF investment is retained within Aberdeen;

UK Shared Prosperity Fund 2025/26

(h)      note that UK Government have announced a one year extension to the programme with an allocation of £2,346,857 to the Council; and

(i)       approve the allocation of £93,874 to contribute towards management costs of the scheme, as per UKSPF regulations which details that 4% of funds can be retained by Local Authorities to ensure robust delivery and monitoring of the UKSPF Programme.

With reference to article 10 of the minute of meeting of 7 August 2024, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of City Regeneration and Environment which sought approval for the proposed allocation of grant funding for the Local Business Support priority of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and provided an update on the 2025/26 extension to the programme.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

UK Shared Prosperity Fund 2022-25: Local Business Support

(a)      note that an underspend of £135,700 has been recorded from previously approved projects within the Local Business Support priority;

(b)      approve an amendment to the Investment Plan submitted in 2022 with the inclusion of an additional intervention “S14: Funding for the development of the visitor economy”;

(c)      approve an allocation to Aberdeen City Council of up to £115,000 for the Freebie Fortnight project;

(d)      approve an allocation to Aberdeen City Council in partnership with Aberdeen Inspired of up to £10,000 to support the development of online resources and marketing of the Love Local Card;

(e)      approve an allocation to Aberdeen City Council of up to £10,700 for the development of the travel trade tours offered by the Countryside Ranger Service;

UK Shared Prosperity Fund 2022-25

(f)       note that the £7.1m received from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund has again been fully allocated for delivery by March 31st 2025;

(g)      authorise the Chief Officer – City Development and Regeneration – to reallocate any future declared underspend to new projects up to a maximum of £30,000 per project, following consultation with the Convener and Vice Convener of this Committee, to ensure that the maximum UKSPF investment is retained within Aberdeen;

UK Shared Prosperity Fund 2025/26

(h)      note that UK Government have announced a one year extension to the programme with an allocation of £2,346,857 to the Council; and

(i)       approve the allocation of £93,874 to contribute towards management costs of the scheme, as per UKSPF regulations which details that 4% of funds can be retained by Local Authorities to ensure robust delivery and monitoring of the UKSPF Programme.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Greig, moved:-

that the Committee approve the recommendations contained within the report.

Councillor Malik, seconded by Councillor Watson, moved as an amendment:-

that the Committee –

(1)    approve the recommendations contained within the report; and

(2)    welcome the UK Government’s announcement that Aberdeen City Council would receive £2,346,857, which includes a minimum capital allocation of £665,441 for 2025/26, agreeing this is devolution in action, monies coming direct to the Council from the Primary government of the UK. 

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (7) – the Convener and Councillors Allard, Brooks, Cooke, Farquhar, Greig and Radley; for the amendment (2) – Councillor Malik and Watson.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.