Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth and Levelling Up.

(a)           That the Dorset Shared Prosperity Fund Investment Plan and its accompanying Rural England Prosperity Fund addendum (attached in the appendix to the report of 5 December 2023), be endorsed.

(b)           That authority be delegated to the Executive Director, Place to implement the Investment Plan and addendum.

The Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth and Levelling Up advised that the Shared Prosperity Fund Investment Plan and Rural England Prosperity Fund addendum permitted Dorset Council access to the £6.4 million allocated to Dorset by government to improve local productivity and pride in place. He also presented that the report set out in detail the criteria for the distribution of the fund.

Much of the fund would be allocated directly to Dorset businesses and communities through a grant scheme, some interventions would be delivered in-house and help to deliver actions in the Dorset Council Plan and Delivery Plan. Applications would be open before Christmas. He also confirmed that Scrutiny would be asked to review progress in the Spring to ensure that there was member oversight of the project.

It was proposed by Cllr S Gibson and seconded by Cllr L Beddow.

Decision

(a)           That the Dorset Shared Prosperity Fund Investment Plan and its accompanying Rural England Prosperity Fund addendum (attached in the appendix to the report of 5 December 2023), be endorsed.

(b)           That authority be delegated to the Executive Director, Place to implement the Investment Plan and addendum.

Reason for the decision

To support the delivery of the Council Plan priorities, to allow the delivery of the action in Dorset Council’s Delivery Plan 2022 – 2024, and by 2023 the Dorset Shared Prosperity Fund Investment Plan would deliver a new approach to investment in local business support, including business mentoring.