Ensuring that more residents benefit from a more inclusive local economy is at the heart of proposals set to be considered by Rotherham Council.
Rotherham Council’s Cabinet are set to allocate the £6.4m of borough’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) monies next month.
Recommendations on how to use the funding is focused on increasing opportunities for residents across the borough in employment, skills and support to local businesses.
Proposals for the funding will be allocated across three areas, including:
- Supporting Local Business
- People and Skills
- Communities and Place
If approved, the programme outlines more than £2 million to help new businesses to start up, grants to increase business productivity and cut carbon emissions, and to encourage businesses to ensure all staff are paid at least the Real Living Wage, as well as support to the Council’s business centres, and improving access to public sector procurement opportunities. A programme of small grants for businesses in rural locations is also planned.
Residents will be able to access training opportunities through the Rotherham Integrated Skills Programme to reach sustainable employment and career progression through a tailored programme of support.
The Children’s Capital of Culture will receive funding to support a range of events for young people across the borough, and will also include the creation of a further 40 paid traineeships for young people aged 16-25 through the programme.
Targeted neighbourhood-based support through the Open Arms programme will continue offering fortnightly one-stop shop sessions to offer advice and guidance on a range of topics such as energy bills, financial and debt advice, and benefits support through to the middle of 2025.
Funding will also be allocated to ensure that existing regeneration projects can be delivered at a time of high inflation and rising cost pressures.
Rotherham Council’s Leader, Cllr Chris Read, said: “This package of measures will provide residents with new opportunities to get skills and support where they need it most, helping local businesses and helping to make our economy more inclusive to the whole community.
“Although the shift to the UKSPF funding package means that South Yorkshire will once again receive less money that we would otherwise have done, we are determined to ensure we maximise the benefit for our community.”
Funding through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is allocated by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority based on bids from Rotherham Council.
Through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), businesses will also be access support to reduce their carbon emissions, improve resilience and protect jobs through a Low carbon grant which is being administered by Sheffield City Council.
