Decision details

Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF)

Decision Maker: Policy and Finance

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Decisions:

The Director of Economic Development and Planning submitted a report updating Committee on the full applications received into the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) grant scheme.

 

A summary showing the status of the approved applications under the REPF scheme was provided for information. A total of £413,093 of REPF grant funding had been allocated to date which left an unallocated amount of £20,587 which had to be allocated and defrayed by 31 March 2025.

 

The working group had recommended a number of applications for approval which if approved would result in an overspend of £263,318. It was suggested that any overspend was funded from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and that progress of schemes should be closely monitored in consultation with the UKSPF working group, as the March 2025 deadline for both schemes approached.

 

Members were pleased to see that the fund was oversubscribed and noted the large amount of work that went into the projects by both communities and Officers. Members agreed to support the schemes recommended by the working group, with the exception of an additional amount requested by Rimington Recreation Association. It was suggested that a contingency be set aside to fund overspend from the UKSPF and REPF funds and that overallocation would ensure that the available money was fully utilised. The importance of closely monitoring the approved projects was noted, as the projects must be completed by the end of March 2025 in order to receive the funding.

 

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

 

1.    Support the applications recommended by the UKSPF working group, with the exception of an additional allocation to Rimington Recreation Association, with the approved allocations as follows:

 

 

Applicant

Scheme

Grant Funding

1.

Wilpshire Wanders FC

Converting disused tennis courts into additional playing fields

£48,000

2.

 

Chipping and District Memorial Hall

Solar panels and battery storage

£23,304

3.

Mellor Parish Council

Supply and fit playground equipment  

£41,803

4.

Wilpshire Parish Council

Supply and fit playground equipment  

£20,918

5.

Grindleton and Sawley Parish Councils

Gigabit Internet Scheme

£50,000

6.

West Bradford Village Hall

Creation of disabled access to the rear of the building with installation of two patio doors. 

£20,233

8.

Langho Football Club

Drainage, 3G pitch and lighting  

£50,000

TOTAL

£254,258

 

 

2.    Delegate authority to the Director of Economic Development and Planning to assess completion dates on all the new projects and agree funding with the Director of Resources and Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the UKSPF and Budget Working Groups.

 

3.    Confirm that applications into the REPF are closed.

 

Councillor D Birtwhistle left the meeting in respect of the next agenda item.

 

Councillor M Hindle declared an interest in the next item of business and left the meeting.

 

Councillor M Graveston returned to the meeting.

 

Publication date: 01/10/2024

Date of decision: 10/09/2024

Decided at meeting: 10/09/2024 - Policy and Finance

Accompanying Documents: