Fylde Council is pleased to announce that following the submission to Government of their UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Investment Plan, approval has been received for the full allocation of £2.6 million to spend before March 2025.

The UKSPF is a government-allocated fund which is intended to reduce inequalities between communities, as part of the Government’s wider levelling up agenda.

Leader of Fylde Council, Cllr Karen Buckley said:

“Back in July we brought together partners from industry, education and voluntary organisations in Fylde to agree our priorities for the Investment Plan.  The wealth of experience across the partnership group has helped identify the gaps so that funds are targeted where they are most needed.  It is important to all of us that our businesses thrive to support jobs and livelihoods and people have the opportunity to re-skill to improve their own futures.”

The approved Investment Plan enables Fylde Council to spend the allocation based on priorities agreed through engagement with a local partnership group.  The Investment Plan addresses all three of the UKSPF’s investment priorities:

  • Community and Place – building pride in the community, restoring a sense of community and belonging and regenerating Town centres.
  • Supporting Local Business – increasing pay, productivity and employment chances.
  • People and Skills – supporting high quality skills and training.

The key interventions the Fylde Partnership Group supported include:

  • Funding capital improvements to Town Centres and High Streets
  • Working with partners to support young people and those who are seeking employment or training opportunities to enhance their life chances
  • Business support measures to help meet the challenges of climate change, drive employment growth, resilience and sustainability
  • Investment to understand and support the valuable economic contributions made by the local community, voluntary, faith and social enterprise sectors.

A completed list of the selected interventions can be viewed within our completed Investment Plan, which is available on the Fylde Council website: https://new.fylde.gov.uk/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-ukspf/

Councillor Karen Buckley added: “We are delighted to be given the green light to proceed with our Investment Plan, which is packed with exciting proposals for investment in Fylde’s businesses, people and communities.  We have the flexibility to adapt these proposals to changing economic need.“

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus

 


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