Projects aimed at growing employment, supporting businesses and helping those most in need across Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æ and Bute are in line for a major boost, following confirmation of new UK Government funding.
At a meeting of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee (ED&I), councillors were updated on a range of initiatives which, following Government approval, will receive around £4.5 million from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
Activities included in the Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æ and Bute UKSPF Investment Plan focus on three key investment priorities - communities and place, supporting local businesses, and people and skills.
A wide range of community and third sector organisations will receive backing including Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æ & the Isles Tourism Co-operative (AITC), Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), InspirAlba and Third Sector Interface (TSI) Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æ and Bute.
Across the three investment priorities, 19 separate projects will benefit from core UKSPF funding, plus support for three adult numeracy programmes under the ring-fenced Multiply funding, until 2025 including:
Communities and Place
- Tourism Marketing Support
- Community Planning Partnership Climate Change Working Group
- Extension of Shaping Places for Wellbeing support
- Vibrant and Living Places
- Extension of Flexible Food Fund
- Community Hubs
- Pre-loved School Uniform project
Supporting Local Businesses
- Tourism Sector Support
- Scientific Robotics Academy
- Innovation Support Service
- Graduate Apprenticeship Opportunities in the Third Sector
- Graduate Placement Programme
- Business Support Package for local SMEs
People and Skills
- Adult Literacy and Numeracy Programme (element of Multiply funding)
- Expansion of the Wider Achievement Programme
- Pre-Employability Support Programme Work Placements
- Positive Destinations Programme
- Pre-Employability Support Programme Training
- Supported Employment Experience in the Third Sector
- Multiply – currently two adult numeracy programmes.
Councillor Robin Currie, Leader of Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æ and Bute Council said: “Securing such a significant amount from UKSPF will be enormously valuable in helping to increase opportunities for both our people and our local businesses.
“At a time when so many people in our communities are facing difficult challenges, not least in terms of the cost of living crisis, this new funding support will play a crucial part in delivering support to those who need it most and boost the longer term economic success of Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æ and Bute.â€
Read the full report on the council website.