Agenda item

7.1

The report sought approval from the Economic Development and Skills Policy Committee of the proposals for the use of £2.2m the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) to improve the energy performance of community and cultural buildings within Sheffield.

7.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Economic Development and Skills Policy Committee approve that:-

1.    £2.2m UKSPF capital funding is used to provide grants to improve the energy efficiency performance of buildings used primarily in the cultural and community sectors; and

2.    the draft eligibility criteria and grants levels are progressed as part of the detailed funding application to SYMCA.

3.    the eligibility criteria could include energy efficiency grants where the purpose of the facility is to enable low carbon skills training.

7.3

Reasons for Decision

7.3.1

The underlying benefit that this proposal brings to secure external funding to deliver a programme of activity in Sheffield that will cover:

- Addressing the Cost-of-Living crisis

- Support the community sector

- Support to the cultural and visitor economy

- Improvements to the built environment and reduce carbon emissions.

7.3.2

The estimated value of support from SPF to Sheffield is a minimum £2.2m over two years with an expectation of additional private and public match funding.

7.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

7.4.1

A do-nothing option would require an alternative capital project to be developed. The proposal as developed specifically looks to address immediate financial pressures faced by organisations in the community and culture sectors as well as having carbon benefits.

7.4.2

Alternative proposals for capital investments in the community sector would bring benefits but would have less alignment with the themes developed in the SY SPF Investment Plan and might not be supported by SYMCA.

7.1

The Head of Programmes and Accountable Body presented the report and requested that an additional recommendation be added to include energy efficiency grants to enable low carbon skills training.

The report sought approval from the Economic Development and Skills Policy Committee of the proposals for the use of £2.2m the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) to improve the energy performance of community and cultural buildings within Sheffield. 

Members asked various questions regarding emerging technology, increase in property rental value, support for organisations putting bids together and match funding.

The Head of Programmes and Accountable Body responded and explained that there were no restrictions on the type of technology that the funding covered.  The grants would not be tied to property values and it was expected that community groups would be the applicants rather than landlords.  Some of the funding would be used to fund officer appointments to support groups in putting bids together.  The use of energy audits had been included to remove some of the technical aspects from the bid process.  The applications would be actively monitored to ensure equal distribution around the city.  Applicants would be expected to have any match funding in place before monies were released.

7.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Economic Development and Skills Policy Committee approve that:-

1.    £2.2m UKSPF capital funding is used to provide grants to improve the energy efficiency performance of buildings used primarily in the cultural and community sectors; and

2.    the draft eligibility criteria and grants levels are progressed as part of the detailed funding application to SYMCA.

3.    the eligibility criteria could include energy efficiency grants where the purpose of the facility is to enable low carbon skills training.

7.3

Reasons for Decision

7.3.1

The underlying benefit that this proposal brings to secure external funding to deliver a programme of activity in Sheffield that will cover:

- Addressing the Cost-of-Living crisis

- Support the community sector

- Support to the cultural and visitor economy

- Improvements to the built environment and reduce carbon emissions.

7.3.2

The estimated value of support from SPF to Sheffield is a minimum £2.2m over two years with an expectation of additional private and public match funding.

7.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

7.4.1

A do-nothing option would require an alternative capital project to be developed. The proposal as developed specifically looks to address immediate financial pressures faced by organisations in the community and culture sectors as well as having carbon benefits.

7.4.2

Alternative proposals for capital investments in the community sector would bring benefits but would have less alignment with the themes developed in the SY SPF Investment Plan and might not be supported by SYMCA.