Issue details

West Yorkshire Combined Authority has agreed to provide the Council with grant funding totalling £1,748,934 to facilitate the extension of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) hyper-local programme in Kirklees, previously approved by Cabinet in October 2022, to 31 March 2026.

Acceptance of the funding will enable the Council to extend a number of key revenue-funded projects that were supported through the earlier hyper-local programme including support for voluntary/community sector infrastructure and community grants;

delivery of the digital hubs and ESOL programmes which combat digital inclusion and improve access to work and learning opportunities; and extend a number of other projects that previously received UKSPF support.

The funding will also support a limited number of new capital projects in support of the Council’s regeneration objectives for Huddersfield, Dewsbury and the Local Centres.

A range of stakeholders have been consulted on the extension of the Kirklees hyper-local programme including West Yorkshire Combined Authority. There is ongoing engagement with delivery partners and service users to shape delivery of the programme.

The proposed decision decision is to

•         accept external funding of £1,748,934 from West Yorkshire Combined Authority in accord with sections 22.5 and 22.6 of the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules; and

•         extend existing delivery arrangements to 31 March 2026 and where required facilitate the commencement and award of any related procurement exercises in accord with the officer delegations set out in the Cabinet decision dated 12 December 2022 and the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules.