Issue - meetings

Cabinet to receive this report which provides a framework for Hart’s Local Investment Plan in connection with the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), which needs to be submitted to the Government in July 2022.

RECOMMENDATION

That Cabinet:

·        Approves the drafting of the Local Investment Plan for the administration of the UKSPF in Hart based on the proposed framework presented in this paper;

·        Agrees in principle, and subject to guarantees from Central Government in their confirmation agreement to the Investment Plan, to forward fund projects identified from the Council’s reserves as set out in paragraph 22 to 24; and

·        Delegates final authority to submit Hart District Council’s UKSPF Investment Plan to DHLUC, to the Joint Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader

(Cllr Bailey arrived at 7.05 during this item)

The background to the fund, and the way in which the funding would be provided was given.

Cabinet discussed:

• the certainty of the funding being available during the 3 year funding period before further resources were committed
• how the funding allocation would be split
• the project to refresh the local economic development strategy
• capacity of the Council to deliver the planned work
• the costs allocated to the individual projects
• the fact that this was a levelling up fund for areas within Hart
• that the full proposals including costs would return to Cabinet for approval in due course

DECISION

Cabinet unanimously:

·        Approved the drafting of the Local Investment Plan for the administration of the UKSPF in Hart based on the proposed framework presented in this paper;

Agreed in principle, and subject to guarantees from Central Government in their confirmation agreement to the Investment Plan, to forward fund projects identified from the Council’s reserves as set out in paragraph 22 to 24; and

Delegated final authority to submit Hart District Council’s UKSPF Investment Plan to DHLUC, to the Joint Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader