Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Decision approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: May 6, 2025

Purpose: The report seeks a decision from Cabinet to approve the drawdown of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) from central government. Newham has been allocated £1,410,263 for 2025/26 compromising of £941,661 in capital and £468,602 in revenue funding. The Greater London Authority (GLA) has been designated as the Lead Authority to manage the UKSPF in London and will be working closely with boroughs in order to administer the Fund.   Cabinet is recommended to agree:   To drawdown Newham’s full UKSPF allocation of £1,410,263 To approve expenditure in line with the proposals outlined in Appendix A, Delegate authority and authorise the Corporate Director of Inclusive Economy and Housing in consultation with the Lead Member to: a)  take the necessary decisions and actions required to accept the allocation of funds; and b)  implement, administer and finalise the projects as set out in this report (noting that all decisions will be subject to compliance with grant conditions and where relevant the Council’s contract standing orders).  

Content: Decision   For the reasons set out in the report and its appendices Cabinet RESOLVED to Agree to:   i)  Accept and drawdown Newham’s full UKSPF allocation of £1.4m. ii)  Approve expenditure in line with the proposals outlined in Appendix 1. iii)  Approve the increase of the capital budget by £905k following the allocation of funding (as per the projects included within Appendix 1). iv)  Delegate authority and authorise the Corporate Director of Inclusive Economy, Housing and Culture, in consultation with the Lead Member for Inclusive Economy, Strategic Housing and Culture to: a)  Take the necessary decisions and actions required to accept the allocation of UKSPF funds; and b)  Implement, administer and finalise the projects as set out in this report (noting that all decisions will be subject to compliance with grant conditions and where relevant the Council’s contract standing orders). v)  Note that the proposals set out in Appendix 1 have been submitted to the GLA for consideration and may be subject to change. In the event of any significant variation to the proposals, Cabinet will be informed accordingly to discuss implications and allowing it to take any necessary steps.   Alternatives Considered   a)  Do not take part in the UKSPF scheme. This is not recommended as there would be no benefit for Newham. b)  Rebalance the funding between the proposed projects/programmes, or identify different projects or programmes to allocate the money to. The proposals have been identified to strike a balance between supporting existing services (where savings have been made in existing budgets), and delivering on the UKSPF outcomes and London Growth Plan priorities. Any reallocation should similarly align with stated UKSPF outcomes in order to meet GLA funding requirements and will require a change request to be submitted and approved by the GLA. Given the time constraints for the funding to be spent, identifying new projects or programmes is not recommended.