Amber Valley Borough Council is pleased to announce that following the submission to the Government of their UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Investment Plan, approval has been received for the full allocation of £2.9 million to spend before March 2025.
The UKSPF is a government-allocated fund that is intended to reduce inequalities between communities, as part of the Government’s wider levelling up agenda.
The approved Investment Plan enables Amber Valley Borough Council to spend the allocation based on priorities agreed through consultation with stakeholders. The Investment Plan addresses all three of the UKSPF’s investment priorities:
UKSPF Community Fund
A borough wide fund for grants of £5,000 to £10,000 for voluntary and/or community projects, designed to build up the capacity of small groups in the community and to encourage the development of new groups that would directly benefit the community. View community fund recipients and projects delivered in 2023-2024.
UKSPF Small Voluntary Fund
The UKSPF Small Voluntary Fund is being administered by Amber Valley CVS. Please contact Glynn Wilton for application forms and further information on 01773 512076 or by email at glynnwilton@avcvs.org.
Park and play area improvement programme
Assessment of green spaces throughout the borough. The assessment would include current use and identifying suitability of space and if necessary whether this would benefit from any modifications/upgrades or changes to the current infrastructure.
Upgrade town centre furniture
Public realm exercise to review street furniture in the four market towns to assess the need for refurbishment and/or replacement and deliver where appropriate.
Extend Get out Get active project (GOGA)
GOGA formerly known as the English federation for Disability Sport has a specific aim to drive inclusive physical activity initiatives.
This project would look to run a much more localised community model of health referral and physical activity programme which would deliver physical activity outcomes in a local community hub.
Tree planting
Selective Tree planting to help with targeted environmental improvements such as flood recovery on sites that are vulnerable to flooding, environmental improvements to reduce air borne pollution in and around children's play areas, and offer shading to reduce the effects of sunlight causing skin cancer on children whilst playing.
Charles Hill Community hub
Charles Hill has been at the heart of the community of Loscoe for many decades but has experienced significant and sustained decline over recent years.
The site has remained underutilised since 2016 but has huge potential to impact positively on the local community, organisations and sports clubs who wish to use it.
Wheeled Sports Facility
Heanor and its immediate surroundings is the only town in Amber Valley which lacks an outdoor wheeled sports facility.
A concrete facility would be the first of its nature for the Borough which will create a hub for users wishing to enjoy the new facility from the novice to the more serious of riders. It will help bring people together establishing better community cohesion and youth engagement
Improvement to ponds
The project is to carry out renovation and improvement works to the water attenuation balancing ponds at Alton Manor Belper.
The Grammar
Contributing to the development of 'The Grammar' in Heanor to offer flexible space to support business, events, and public enjoyment.
Leisure Centre solar panels
Installing solar panels on the borough’s leisure centres to reduce carbon emissions and energy costs making leisure centres more sustainable for the future.
Alfreton Indoor Market development
Upgrading the market floor to support business and encourage multi-functional/event use of the space for public enjoyment.
Vision Derbyshire
To continue to provide support and start up grants across the borough, to business start-ups and new businesses (operating for less than 12 months) and to secure their significant contribution to the local economy.
SME business support post 12 months
Working with East Midland’s Chamber to offer bespoke specialist advice, learning, and development opportunities to businesses.
This scheme also offers free carbon reduction audits with a robust report to identify changes to business practices that build resilience amidst difficult economic conditions. Businesses have the option of then being signposted to alternative forms of specialist support.
The Visitor Economy and hospitality marketing
Procuring specialist support to promote existing cultural, historic and heritage institutions that make up the heritage offer.
Provide marketing support for local arts, cultural and creative activities.
Funding will also allow the promotion of local events and localised marketing campaigns developed to attract visitors from outside the region all with the aim of increasing visitors and footfall to key sites, high streets, and attractions.
Refurbish empty AVBC property
Developing an empty council-owned retail property with a view to the premises being suitable to lease to a new tenant.
Shop front improvement
The funding will bring forward a boost to business competitiveness and help transform and modernise the market town’s prospects and viability through the improvement to shop fronts. Read more and find out how to apply.
Inward investment and tourism website
Professionally created website to promote inward investment and showcase the visitor economy offer, promoting events across the borough, to increase footfall, visitor spend and dwell time.
The council will seek to fund community projects which support employment skills and development in the third year of the UK shared prosperity fund.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus.
Contact the team directly on 01773 841496 or email ukspf@ambervalley.gov.uk
