Uk Shared Prosperity Fund Delivery Plan Progress Update

22nd August 2024

At the meeting of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee of Highland Council on Thursday 22 August 2024, members had the opportunity to consider the progress being made across the range of interventions under the UK Shared Prosperity Fund priorities of Communities and Places, Supporting Local Business and People and Skills.

The Council successfully secured £1,46m for 2022/23 and £2,46m for 2023/24 and £5,53m for 2024/25 which is a mix of revenue and capital funds.

Chair of the Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans said: "We are using this funding to support initiatives and community development throughout Highland across a very broad range of applications.

"With so many varied projects underway, I thought it was important we had the opportunity today to look at progress being made.

"The update has highlighted the excellent work being done to ensure this additional investment is targeted to benefit the people of Highland by supporting communities, businesses, employment and tourism."

The update included information on some key projects including:

Community Regeneration Fund Programme -
The majority of UKSPF projects managed by the Community Regeneration Fund team have now commenced activity. The team are in regular contact with the grantees to ensure that all the approved outcomes will be met and in line with the UKSPF deadlines and areas of intervention.

Active Travel Enhancements and Small-Scale Transport Projects -
Work is progressing on the integration of active travel and transport hubs to support an effective travel network. This involves a number of activities including the development of paths, bike shelters etc in key locations to assist bike/bus integration and mini park and ride /share hubs where rural roads meet main networks to support access to employment and stronger greener transport solutions.

Development and Promotion of the Visitor Economy -
The allocation from UK Shared Prosperity Fund to develop and promote the visitor economy is being utilised across a number of projects, including Mountain Biking World Cup, The Glencoe Three Sisters Visitor Facilities, Glencoe Village Car Park Project, the Motorhome Signage Project, and the annual bi-lingual MG ALBA Scots Traditional Music Awards in Inverness on 30 November

Area and Green Skills Training and Facilities -
Green skills training is being delivered with four consortia business grants awarded, with projects underway.

Castle Training Programme -
Work underway enabling the Castle Project Team to provide specialist visitor attraction training to those young people identified by the Developing the Young Workforce and UHI teams as potential candidates for employment in the Castle.

Multiply -
This project continues to deliver support to adults helping improve their functional numeracy skills through free personal tutoring and digital training.

The update report presented to Committee is available HERE