This report provided a summary of the projects and spend to date for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

Cllr Kendall MOVED a new recommendation and Cllr G Barrett SECONDED this. 

Members RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

R1: That a cross party workshop be introduced to the discuss UKSPF especially in relation to the third year funding and how it will be allocated. 

Mrs Edmonds updated the committee that since the report was written, there are two further UK Shared Prosperity Fund updates to share.

With our Year 2 UKSPF E23 allocation, we have co-commissioned - along with Rochford District Council - a peer networking scheme to support start up businesses, growing businesses, businesses wanting to become more sustainable and businesses looking to innovate.

The £9k that is marked as TBC in the Year 2 budget within the report is now a confirmed expenditure.

The new scheme will be called GET SET GROW and will launch on Monday, 18 September. It will culminate in ‘The Big Pitch’ - a Dragon’s Den style event - that will be held in spring 2024.

We have also used some of our E1 funding to purchase 5 new picnic benches for Crown Street, including 2 that are wheelchair accessible. They were installed earlier today.