Content

9.1

The Head of Programmes and Accountable Body
presented a report which sought approval for the Council to act as
Accountable Body for the 2026/27 Economic Programme transition
programme. The report also set out a funding approach for the next
year, in order to maintain a  core
programme of activity in respect to business support, culture and
tourism activity and skills/employment development which would
serve the needs of the businesses and residents of the City and
would retain existing staff, knowledge and skills to deliver such a
programme.

 

 

9.2

RESOLVED
UNANIMOUSLY: That the Economic Development, Skills and Culture
Policy Committee:
 
a)   
Approve that Sheffield City Council act as Accountable Body for the
26/27 Sheffield Economic Programme for activity within Sheffield
and South Yorkshire and is authorised to enter into funding
agreements with the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority
(SYMCA) and/or Accountable Bodies appointed by SYMCA to accept
grants associated with UKSPF as outlined in this report.
b)   
Approve the 2026/27 Sheffield Economic Programme as set out in
section 2 of this report and delegates approval of any material
changes to the Programme to the Director of Economy Skills and
Culture in consultation with the Chair, Deputy Chair and
Spokesperson of the Economic Development and Skills Policy
Committee
c)   
Delegate authority to Director of Economy Skills and Culture or
Director of Customer Experience & Communities (Communities
element only) in consultation with the Director of Finance and
Commercial Services to award grants of over £50,000 in value
with external organisations as part of the Sheffield Economic
Programme.
d)   
Delegate authority to the Director of Economy Skills and Culture in
consultation with the Director of Finance and Commercial Services,
to the Council entering into Partner Delivery Agreements with the
other South Yorkshire Local Authorities for the Sheffield Economic
Programme where the Council maintains its Accountable Body status
and as directed by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined
Authority.
e)   
Approves the use of up to £1m Gainshare Revenue to contribute
to the 26/27 Sheffield Economic Programme.
f)     
Approves the use of £145,000 of the Economic Programme
Reserve to underwrite Year 2 of the Stocksbridge and Attercliffe
project should no alternative funding be secured.

 

 

9.3

Reasons for
Decision

 

 

9.3.1

This report provides Committee with a proposal
to implement a Sheffield Economic Programme in 26/27 using funding
to be provided via the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.
Whilst there is a reduced allocation of funding from 25/26
consideration is being given to top up the Programme through a
Gainshare application to SYMCA. This will enable the continuation
of projects in respect to skills/employability, business support,
culture/tourism and community development as well as the option to
trail new activity in, what is considered, a transition year. The
funding will also secure the employment of over 50 Council
employees which will retain critical skills and knowledge.

 

 

9.4

Alternatives
Considered and Rejected

 

 

9.4.1

Alternative Option 1: Do not become
Accountable Body to progress with a 26/27 Economic Programme
 
Failure to act as the Accountable Body for
Sheffield Economic Programme in 26/27 will mean that the Council
will miss out of between £6m and £7m of external
funding to support businesses and residents in respect to business
support, skills and employability, culture/tourism development and
community development. It will also cause significant reputational
damage.

 

 

9.4.2

Alternative Option 2: Do not submit a
Gainshare proposal to enhance the 26/27 Economic Programme
 
Failure to secure up to £1m Gainshare
might compromise the ability to deliver elements of the Sheffield
Economic Programme. It will also restrict the ability to test a
number of new interventions that might become part of a new
Economic Programme from April 2027 and therefore fail to deliver
elements of the Growth Plan in the future.