West Oxfordshire District Council is to receive £1million funding over three years from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

The fund is the government's replacement for funding which comes from the EU's European Structural and Investment Programme (ESIF) which the UK continues to participate in until 2023.

It is a central pillar of the Government's Levelling Up agenda.

Cabinet member for Economic Development, Councillor Duncan Enright said: “Local people are at the heart of what we do and we want to use this funding to support people and businesses to grow and improve the opportunities available to them.

“The first year includes feasibility studies which will ensure we design schemes for years two and three that use the funds and address the most pressing issues effectively.”

The UKSPF provides £2.6billion to be invested by communities by March 2025.

All areas of the UK are receiving an allocation.

The projects that will be funded in year one are:

  • Biodiversity Toolkit to help parish councils and other organisations manage their land  
  • Deerpark South Access Project to install paths and bridges so people can access the land
  • Carterton Strategic Plan identifying how to deliver the town’s priorities
  • Market Towns feasibility study 
  • Rural Services feasibility study 

The proposal for year two is to focus on work that supports rural services. Town centres and markets will also be prioritised to be vibrant and attractive service centres.

Year three is likely to address both skills training and business support.

The fund can be used flexibly as grants to public or private organisations, commissioning third party organisations or for procurement of services and loans.

You can find out more at www.westoxon.gov.uk/SPF   

 

 

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