Decision

The Director of Community & Wellbeing has decided to approve in-house projects under the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to support Preston's investment plan.

Analysis

outcome: Recommendations were approved by the Deputy Chief Executive / Director of Community and Wellbeing.

summary: The decision involves the approval of in-house projects under the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to support Preston's investment plan.

topline: The Director of Community & Wellbeing has decided to approve in-house projects under the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to support Preston's investment plan.

reason_contentious: This issue may be contentious as it involves the allocation of funds and resources for various community projects.

affected_stakeholders: ["Communities in Preston", "Council directorates", "Deputy Chief Executive / Director of Community and Wellbeing"]

contentiousness_score: 5

political_party_relevance: There are no explicit mentions of political parties or political influence on the decision.

URL: https://preston.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1319

Decision Maker: Director of Community & Wellbeing

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: This report follows a report to Council in March 2025, which detailed the Council’s delivery of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) to support the delivery of Preston’s investment plan, which will require the development and delivery of a wide range of workstreams across the Council’s directorates.  The Prospectus for the UKSPF identified a set of interventions to be delivered at a local level.  The UKSPF in-house project delivery will contribute to the Communities and Place priority area, including Health and Wellbeing, Development of Visitor Economy, and Reduce Crime and Fear of Crime.  Appendices attached to this report provide a summary breakdown of activity and spend on the nine in-house projects. Council delegated authority to the Deputy Chief Executive / Director of Community and Wellbeing in conjunction with the relevant Cabinet Member to approve projects submitted to the Council under each of the Priorities in accordance with the Council’s UKSPF Assurance Framework following legal and financial due diligence.

Content: This report follows a report to Council in March 2025, which detailed the Council’s delivery of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) to support the delivery of Preston’s investment plan, which will require the development and delivery of a wide range of workstreams across the Council’s directorates.  The Prospectus for the UKSPF identified a set of interventions to be delivered at a local level.  The UKSPF in-house project delivery will contribute to the Communities and Place priority area, including Health and Wellbeing, Development of Visitor Economy, and Reduce Crime and Fear of Crime.  Appendices attached to this report provide a summary breakdown of activity and spend on the nine in-house projects. Council delegated authority to the Deputy Chief Executive / Director of Community and Wellbeing in conjunction with the relevant Cabinet Member to approve projects submitted to the Council under each of the Priorities in accordance with the Council’s UKSPF Assurance Framework following legal and financial due diligence. Decision Taken – That the Deputy Chief Executive / Director of Community and Wellbeing approved the decisions at 2.1 of the report.   Reasons for Decision – The reason for the decision is to allow the identified in-house delivery projects to enhance their offer to the communities they serve; and             Alternative Options Considered and Rejected – To not fund the project recommendations.

Date of Decision: July 17, 2025