UK Shared Prosperity Fund

About the fund

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF or the Fund) is a central pillar of the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda. It is a significant component of its support for places across the UK.

It provides £2.6 billion of new funding for local investment by March 2025. All areas of the UK will get an allocation from the Fund. This uses a funding formula rather than a competition. It will help places across the country deliver enhanced outcomes. It recognises that even the most affluent parts of the UK contain pockets of deprivation and need support.

We have been allocated a total of £1 million to be spent on identified projects across 2022 to 2025. A Memorandum of Understanding has been entered into by the government and the council.

Our priorities

Our investment plan focused on 3 UKSPF investment priorities.

Communities and place

This includes:

  • strengthening social fabric
  • fostering a sense of local pride and belonging through investments in infrastructure and community-led projects

Local business

This includes:

  • creating jobs
  • boosting community cohesion through investment in existing industries and institutions
  • support for those starting businesses
  • sharing knowledge and expertise
  • networking and collaboration
  • stimulating innovation and growth

People and skills

This includes:

  • boosting core skills and supporting adults to progress in work
  • supporting disadvantaged people to access the skills they need
  • supporting local areas to fund local skills needs

Project updates May 2024

Logo - The Ark

ARK voluntary transport

The Ark provides a range of support services to the local community. They provide volunteer transport for residents to access services and improve mobility and social inclusion.

The funding is used for the operating costs, promotion and scheme coordination.

The project benefits residents across the whole of Bracknell Forest. People with mobility issues and those living with dementia are the main users.

Since April 2023:

  • they have recruited 19 fully trained and vetted volunteer drivers
  • over 100 individuals have  used the service (the majority from Sandhurst)

 

Visit The Ark
Logo - Berkshire Growth Hub

Berkshire Growth Hub

The Berkshire Growth Hub, provided by the Local Enterprise Partnership offers advice and support to businesses in Berkshire.

The funding is jointly provided by all Berkshire local authorities to enable the operation of this facility for the next 3 years.

Progress to date:

  • 12 Bracknell businesses have finished the start-up programme
  • 5 businesses have finished a higher growth support programme
  • net zero masterclasses for small/medium enterprises were held in Spring 2024
  • targeted free half hour one to one sessions with a business advisor have been hosted with more planned for the future
Visit Berkshire Growth Hub
Logo - Craft Coop

Craft Coop

Craft Coop is based in Princess Square and were the recent winners of The Lexicon Retail Awards Best Community Enterprise.

The shop offers local artists a shelf to sell their products and provides marketing support to develop their business.

Over £40,000 revenue has been generated for crafters since June 2023.

Craft Coop has:

  • created 3 part-time roles
  • 40 local crafters on board
Visit Craft Coop
Logo - Bracknell BID

Bracknell BID business area feasibility study

The Feasibility Study is divided into the following 2 parts:

Western Road (improve crossing, greening and traffic calming initiatives)

Downshire Way (a pedestrian crossing linking the Western Business Area to the town centre)

Consultancy companies have been successfully appointed by Bracknell BID.

Visit Bracknell BID

Upcoming projects for 2024

Bracknell Forest Skills and Training Hub

The Skills and Training Hub will offer a bespoke service to Bracknell Forest businesses who wish to retrain and upskill new employees to meet the skills and knowledge needed for their business.

The service will evaluate existing training plans and develop new training programmes that will align with the businesses and goals and seek to fill identified skills gaps.

As part of the service, it will link businesses with specialist training providers.There is an opportunity for mentoring employees to help develop their skills and advance their careers.

The project:

  • is on target with agreements being finalised
  • is progressing on marketing and recruiting
  • has a soft launch planned for the end of June with a main launch planned for September 2024

Town centre ambassadors

Town centre ambassadors will offer a visible formal presence and deterrent for specified offences.

Target areas of concern are:

  • anti-social behaviour
  • vandalism
  • drinking alcohol in prohibited public spaces
  • cycling
  • e-scooters in pedestrianised areas

Their presence will also act as a deterrent to shoplifting and theft but without direct enforcement powers.

Cultural Programme

The Cultural Programme was created to build on the broad programme of arts, performance and creative media,

Activities take part in The Lexicon and wider communities across the borough.

Activities will include projects such as:

  • engagement with communities on current art activities and promote borough wide
  • an event programme to work with arts facilities, local schools and communities to showcase creative strengths

Bracknell BID Area Strategy

The outcome of the feasibility studies will define a range of interventions. These will support businesses to maximise the economic value to strengthen the location as a premier destination.

The aim will be to harness carbon reduction benefits and wider environmental improvements linked to productivity and public health and wellbeing.

Find out more about the UK Shared Prosperity Fund on GOV.UK.

Logo: Funded by UK Government

Contact information

Bracknell UKSPF team