Almost £300,000 awarded for the continuation of successful projects supported by the UK Shared and Rural England Prosperity Funds

Several projects funded by the UK Shared and Rural England Prosperity Funds (UKSPF/REPF) have been granted permission to continue running through an award of almost £300,000 from South Holland District Council.

In the Government’s autumn budget, it was announced that the UKSPF programme would be extended into 2025/2026 for a final, transitional year on a reduced national budget.

As a result, this has extended the commitment to investing in business growth, improving pride in place, living standards, adult skills and increasing the number of residents in work across South and East Lincolnshire.

Several UKSPF and REPF supported projects have been selected for continuation, being included in South Holland District Council’s Investment Plan as a result of their strong fit and/or track record of delivery during the 2023-2025 programme.

A total of £299,582 has been distributed between:

Active Lincolnshire - Active Communities – A programme aimed at supporting residents across South Holland (with a focus on rural areas) to access sport and physical activity, as well as to gain entry level qualifications in the sport and physical activity sector.

Sutton Bridge Parish Council and Active Lincolnshire – Sutton Bridge Playzone – A reinstatement of grant aid given under the 2023-2025 UKSPF programme, funding for the construction of a new, multi-activity sports and games pitch in Sutton Bridge (A ‘PlayZone’). The UKSPF Investment will match a Football Foundation and Parish Council contribution of £272,000 to leverage a total investment of £350,000 in the facility, which will be delivered by the Football Foundation this year.

Lincolnshire Community and Voluntary Service – Community Transport Co-Ordination – Ongoing support for the co-ordination of community transport schemes across Lincolnshire and a drive to increase the number of drivers participating in voluntary community transport schemes, reducing isolation and providing a vital lifeline for rural communities.

SELCP – Pride in Place Volunteering Initiative – Ongoing support for the Pride in Place volunteering initiative which supports residents to undertake local environmental and social initiatives. The 2023-5 Programme delivered 193 volunteering opportunities across the Partnership and the extension hopes to build on this further by exceeding this number in 2025-6.

Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce – UK Fresh Produce Network Events and Support – Supporting local fresh produce and agri-food businesses to access the All Party Parliamentary Group on Fresh Produce. Additionally, a series of events to both promote the sector and encourage inward investment into the sector in South Holland.

Boston College – Restart, Reskill, Upskill - Aimed at supporting those who are economically inactive to receive both a qualification and a guaranteed interview with a local employer. This year there will be a focus on supporting residents to start long-term apprenticeships at Level 3 or above in the food manufacturing and processing sector.

Steadfast Training – Connect2Grow – Support for a cohort of economically inactive residents to gain employment within the local economy, via the provision of an accredited qualification and a guaranteed interview with a local employer.

South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone (SLFEZ) – Continued funding to support the successful project which seeks to engage more businesses with the SLFEZ in terms of relocation to Holbeach and support to grow (including support for start-ups on the site).

University of Lincoln – NCFM Higher Level Engineering Skills - Targeted at young people who are not in education, employment or training, economically inactive residents and those employed in the food sector. Offering a series of short courses in robotics, digital, engineering and AI in the food sector with links to local employers and skills providers. This project aims to spark in careers in this sector and supporting upskilling.

The continuation of these projects will enable the council to rapidly meet commitments made through its Investment Plan to Central Government and the Greater Lincolnshire County Combined Authority.

These commitments include a significant increase in the number of working-age people with qualifications, a reduction in economic inactivity and support for South and East Lincolnshire’s key economic sectors, particularly agri-food.

The projects represent 29% of the total available investment, with the remainder being offered on an open call for grant applications through either Grants 4 Growth or the LCF GRASSroots Scheme.

Councillor Paul Redgate, portfolio holder for finance, said: “It's incredibly rewarding to see so many of the projects we believed in thriving and making a meaningful difference for people and businesses across South Holland.

“These successes highlight what can be accomplished when we combine strong support with a shared commitment to positive change. Working together truly does lead to powerful results.

“Many of these initiatives continue to open up valuable opportunities for local residents and I would encourage those who are interested in what these projects can offer them to get involved where possible.”

Find out more about UKSPF, REPF and other funding opportunities at www.sholland.gov.uk/lggf