Cumberland Council has agreed further investment into its communities as it moves into the next year of providing shared prosperity funding.
After a successful year which resulted in more than £3 million being invested into Cumberland's communities, including grants totalling more than £2 million being given to businesses, social enterprises and community organisations in Cumberland, the scheme is set to continue.
A report to Cumberland Council’s Executive on Tuesday 23 April reflected on the success of the scheme and endorsed its continuation.
Cumberland Council, with the support of partners, has overseen the allocation of the grants which was received from the Government for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF).
A variety of schemes were available and were delivered by the council and external partners, working on the council’s behalf.
As part of the next stage of funding, £8.5 million is set to be allocated to the council which will be invested in Cumberland's communities directly through delivering local priorities, improving our places, and supporting businesses and people. The Council will also make available significant funding through its Community Panels, the Copeland Community Fund and the Cumbria Community Foundation, as grants for organisations to apply for to deliver against local needs.
Following the approval from the Executive, the council will now set out the detailed programme which it will promote in coming weeks to ensure all those interested in grant funding through UKSPF and REPF are aware of the available opportunities and timescales.
Grants of up to £35,000 continue to be available for landlords and businesses in Cumberland as part of a new High Street Building Grant Scheme. This scheme is ongoing and is still inviting applications at www.cumberland.gov.uk/UKSPF or contact highstreetgrants@cumberland.gov.uk
Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, said: “We are pleased to endorse the continuation of this successful programme and the continuation of the variety of grants schemes. Businesses and organisations have already benefited from the funding and we would like to thank partners for their support and look forward to seeing these funded schemes develop in the future.”
Cumberland Council has been allocated £10.5 million of UKSPF to spend over three financial years (2022-25) and £2.5 million of REPF to spend over two years (2023-25).