URL: https://democracy.ribblevalley.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1252

Decision Maker: Policy and Finance

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: The Director of Economic Development and Planning submitted a report updating Members in respect of the Council’s original UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) and seeking approval for some projects to be considered as part of the 2025/26 UKSPF and REPF allocations.   Ribble Valley received a UKSPF funding allocation of £1,967,754 for the years 2022-2025 and an REPF allocation of £433,680 for the years 2023-2025, to be spent by the end of March 2025. Members were informed that all the funding had been utilised and provided details of the schemes delivered within the prescribed timescales.   Committee previously agreed to fund overspend on the schemes totalling £447,256 from general fund balances, however, were informed that the final amount to be funded from general fund balances totalled £358,650, which was less than originally estimated.   The report provided details of the two schemes not delivered by the end of March 2025, namely the Towneley Garden Event Space scheme and Sabden Village Hall Project, for which it was proposed that the schemes be considered by the UKSPF Working group as part of the consideration of the Council’s 2025/26 UKSPF and REPF allocations, which would be reported back to Committee for approval. Members discussed the previously approved Towneley Gardens Event Space affirming their ongoing support for the project and confirmed that it was necessary to refer the scheme to the working group to consider how the scheme should be funded going forward.   It was also noted that following completion of the Longridge Pump Track in March 2025, the need for additional fencing had been identified to separate cyclists from pedestrians utilising the adjacent footpath. Committee approval was therefore sought to utilise £12,250 of the Council’s 2025/26 UKSPF allocation to fund the fencing.   RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:   1.    Noted the final overspend figure of £358,650 to be funded from general fund balances.   2.    Agreed that the Towneley Gardens and the Sabden Village Hall car park should be considered by the UKSPF Working Group as part of the consideration of the Council’s 2025/26 UKSPF and REPF allocation with recommendations reported back to Committee.   3.    Agreed to fund the fencing needed at Longridge Pump Track from the 2025/26 UKSPF allocation.  

Date of Decision: June 17, 2025