Decision

The Breckland Council has decided to allocate Rural England Prosperity Capital Grants to local businesses for shop expansion, new business start-up, and property upgrades

Analysis

outcome: The allocation of funding to Tony Perkins Butchers, Tom and G's Ltd, and Kings Arms Public House

summary: The allocation of Rural England Prosperity Capital Grants to local businesses in Breckland

topline: The Breckland Council has decided to allocate Rural England Prosperity Capital Grants to local businesses for shop expansion, new business start-up, and property upgrades

reason_contentious: This issue may be contentious as it involves the distribution of public funds to specific businesses, potentially raising questions of fairness and transparency

affected_stakeholders: ["Local businesses in Breckland", "Residents of Breckland"]

contentiousness_score: 5

political_party_relevance: No explicit mention of political parties or influence on the decision

URL: https://democracy.breckland.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2481

Decision Maker: Cllr Sarah Suggitt, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Housing & Planning, Cllr Paul Claussen, Executive Member for Economic Development and Growth

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: Rural England Prosperity Grant Fund Programme

Content: Rural England Prosperity Grant Fund Programme Following an application process and Panel meeting on 24 June 2025, the allocation of Rural England Prosperity Capital Grants are as follows:   ·         Tony Perkins Butchers, Attleborough - Shop Expansion (£50,000) ·         Tom and G’s Ltd, Thetford - New Business Start-up (£1,000) ·         Kings Arms Public House, Watton – Property upgrades (£4,000)   Breckland has received an allocation of £312,473 Capital spend, from the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF), which must be utilised by the end of the fiscal year 2025-26. Breckland is the official entity responsible for managing this funding, ensuring compliance with guidelines, and overseeing the satisfactory delivery of services by any contracted partners. In line with DEFRA's guidance, Breckland’s plan for spending this allocation will be as a Grants scheme, focussed on support for local businesses and communities. This Programme is a continuation of the REPF funding commencing from 2022, and the approach subsequently approved by Cabinet on 21 November 2022. ·         To agree the allocation of funding ·         Not to agree the allocation of funding

Date of Decision: July 4, 2025