Decision details

An officer decision taken in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder to award remaining underspend funding to amended proposals which were processed through both the LCF GRASSroots scheme and through UKSPF People and Skills. Specifically, this includes the following awards:
Funding for the Spalding Festival 2024 (£18,300)
Funding will go towards expanding the Spalding Festival to include a community area and dance area, as well as enhancing the established main arena and experience for all. This will create the opportunity to give a stage to more up-and-coming local artists/musicians, with an increasing diversity from more communities. The aim is to brings people together from different community groups and backgrounds together to celebrate Spalding and its local businesses. The Funding will be particularly targeted on expanding access to the free elements of the event for young people and families.
Funding for the UK Fresh Produce Network (£50,000)
A package of funding targeted at supporting the UK Fresh Produce Network to expand its reach to a greater number of businesses, while encouraging businesses within South Holland to engage with new markets, both domestic and international. Specifically, the project will target at least 150 local businesses for support. Events offered will include a UK Fresh Produce Conference, Logistics Conference, practice sharing events and a Round Table to promote South Holland's agricultural sector at the House of Lords. This project is all about targeting the local area's largest sector (by employment) and supporting it to grow, diversify and export.

As part of HMG’s Levelling Up Agenda and in line with the commitments made by South Holland District in the UKSPF Prospectus and Investment Plan, we have committed to invest in high-impact projects across three core themes:
Communities and place - Supporting community groups and investment in community facilities; enhancing the cultural and heritage offer; widening the use of community buildings; initiatives to help support our town centres.
Supporting local business - Helping local businesses invest for future growth; growing the food processing, horticulture and logistics sector; encouraging new businesses to establish; helping the local social and community enterprises to innovate and grow.
People and skills - Developing skills and employment opportunities within the fresh food, food processing and logistics sectors; creating new training hubs; supporting local residents with skills and access to employment.
These allocations principally meet the objectives that we have committed to under the Communities and Place and Supporting Local Businesses Themes.

These funds were allocated by exception, following the conclusion of awards under the UK Shared Prosperity Fund Programme. The alternative would be to not award the funding, which would bring severe reputational risk to the Council both with the public and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.