Members of The Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee have reviewed progress of the Delivery Plan at their meeting held earlier today (Thursday 15 February 2024). The Committee also a
Members of The Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee have reviewed progress of the Delivery Plan at their meeting held earlier today (Thursday 15 February 2024). The Committee also agreed to the timeous redirection of underutilised funds across approved Delivery Plan activities so as to greater ensure full commitment and spend of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) budget allocation.
The Council successfully secured £1,46m for 2022/23 and £2,46m for 2023/24 and can confirm that the allocation for 2024/25 is £5,53m which is a mix of revenue and capital funds.
This funding will help the Council bring additional investment to the people of Highland, supporting communities, businesses, employment and tourism.
Chair of the Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans said: “Our challenge is using the money to best effect, so it aligns with and brings value to all the other work we and our partners are doing.
“The demand for certain approved activities varies so within each of the UKSPF set priorities, certain projects are experiencing underspends, while others have strong demand and the potential for more activity and spend.
“As the UKSPF programme progresses towards its final year, the ability to quickly move funds between approved projects will increase and be time critical. The decision taken today will allow us to do this to ensure our allocation of UKSPF is spent to best effect before the end of March next year.”
An example of underutilised funds to be reallocated include support to the Digital and Energy Grants scheme. This was launched in November 2023 and has attracted 200 plus applications. It is currently paused. Following the decision taken by the committee today, and to build on the positive response to the scheme. The reallocation of underutilised funds within the Delivery Plan will enable the reopening of the scheme during 2024.
In reviewing the delivery plan, the Councils focus over the next 12 months is awarding and prioritising spend for projects that deliver early in 2024/25.
The current Delivery Plan with the list of projects under each priority heading can be viewed here (Item 7)