CHESHIRE West and Chester Council will receive the full first year (2022-23) funding allocation from THE UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

Approved by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), a total of £1.805m will be allocated (£1.217m of UKSPF revenue funding, £453k of Multiply funding - an adult numeracy scheme - and £135k of UKSPF capital funding).

The UKSPF was launched by the government in April 2022 and forms part of the broader Levelling Up agenda. The Council has been awarded an allocation of up to £12,642,312 over three-years, of which £1,497,303 is ring-fenced for Multiply.

The Council’s Cabinet has approved the proposals for the allocation of the first-year funding.

Councillor Richard Beacham, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth, Economy & Regeneration said: "We have developed our investment plans in partnership with local people from health, education and voluntary sectors, as well as professionals from a range of businesses and other public bodies.

"Our priority for this financial year is to spend our allocation on projects that tackle the big issues faced by residents including the economy and the climate. We want to ensure every area of our Borough benefits from this funding and that’s why we will continue to develop an exciting mix of projects in the coming years which promote good jobs, bring pride to our communities and celebrate arts and culture."

Future allocations for year two (2023-24 - £3.2m) and year three (2024-25 - £7.6m) will only be ratified by DLUHC at the start of each year, and allocations will be informed by performance in year one.

The People and Skills element of this funding comes on stream in year three so will be restricted to one-year projects.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund will be used to help deliver Cheshire West and Chester Council’s vision for an Inclusive Economy. It prioritises reducing poverty and inequality, supporting people to develop new skills and get into good jobs with fair wages, combatting the climate emergency, supporting community wellbeing, and enhancing the vibrancy of the Borough.