Appendix 1 – Overview of UKSPF interventions and projected spend in Brighton & Hove’s Investment Plan 2022-2025
The following interventions have been chosen from a prescribed list in the Fund prospectus. These were informed by a review of local strategies and plans, followed by engagement with local partners regarding challenges and opportunities within Brighton & Hove. The UKSPF Investment Plan was approved by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities on 5 December 2022.
Communities & Place
The key challenges identified include the rising cost of living; the changing needs of a growing and diverse population; and the impact of COVID-19 and health inequalities. Opportunities range from investing in community resilience, capacity building and improving the inclusivity and accessibility of spaces, to supporting cultural and tourism recovery. The specific interventions in the Investment Plan are:
1. Funding for new, or improvements to existing, community and neighbourhood infrastructure projects (Projected spend 2022-25 - £200,624) This will be achieved via grants/seed funding to community projects and improvements in programming, inclusion, accessibility, upgrading facilities for all and increasing usage. The aim is to directly support organisations or projects and to fund infrastructure projects that also deliver improved well-being activities and attract visitors to the city.
2. Creation of and improvements to local green spaces (Projected spend 2022-25 -£200,624). This will be achieved via grants/seed funding to projects that improve and / or local green or blue spaces. A major outcome of this intervention will be an increase in footfall to local green spaces by improving accessibility.
3. Local arts, cultural, heritage & creative activities (Projected spend 2022-25 - £88,000). This will involve supporting local cultural projects and activities through capital or revenue grant funding. The aim is to support activities that will improve the perception of local events. Activities will include projects to improve venues, or to increase the number and variety of inclusive events, targeting projects that will attract a large number of attendees.
4. Community measures to reduce the cost of living (Projected spend 2022-25 - £99,484). This will involve grant funding organisations that work to help reduce the cost of living. The aim of this intervention is to increase the take up of energy efficiency measures by supporting projects that help residents adopt more energy efficient household items and reduce energy bills. This is a much-needed additional resource to support residents as energy prices continue to rise.
Supporting Local Business
The key challenges identified include how businesses respond to climate change; enabling the right environment for successful small business growth; and the impacts of the rising cost of living on businesses. Opportunities range from accessing the benefits of a circular economy and creating the infrastructure to encourage small business innovation, to supporting businesses to decarbonise their operations. The specific interventions in the Investment Plan are:
5. Research & Development grants supporting innovative product & service development (Projected spend 2022-25 - £214,309). This will involve delivering research and development (R&D) grants to SMEs over three years. A major outcome for this intervention will be to support businesses to adopt new or improved products or services. The grants could be used for instance to purchase software that will improve productivity or allow businesses to deliver new services and products which reduce carbon emissions. This builds on existing work in the city that supports innovation and productivity, such as the roll out of e-cargo bikes to encourage replacement of diesel vans for urban deliveries and reduce carbon emissions.
6. Strengthening local entrepreneurial ecosystems (Projected spend 2022-25 - £150,000). This will be achieved through the delivery of funded business support programmes that help businesses at all stages. A key outcome for this intervention will be to support businesses to improve their productivity. Activities could include providing funded specialist advice that will help businesses implement systems that drive efficiencies and increase income. It is anticipated that the benefits derived from this intervention will continue beyond the life of the programme and will improve business sustainability and growth.
7. Supporting decarbonisation & improving natural environment (Projected spend 2022-25 - £224,363). This will involve delivering grants to help businesses invest in infrastructure that results in decarbonisation. The aim is to support businesses to adopt new to the firm technologies or processes. Activities could include providing funding to purchase new technologies that support decarbonisation or specialist expertise to facilitate implementation of decarbonisation technologies. This will help reduce carbon emissions and contribute to national net-zero targets.
People & Skills
The key challenges identified include the closing of EU funding streams supporting skills initiatives; the effects of recession on the employment market; and digital exclusion. Opportunities range from addressing barriers and inequalities in access to the labour market and increasing digital inclusion, to upskilling residents to support climate action and ensuring access to basic skills training. The specific interventions in the Investment Plan are:
8. Employment support for economically inactive people (Projected spend 2022-25 - £428,310).For years 2022/23 and 2023/24 the funding for this intervention must be used to replace the EU funded programmes delivered by local voluntary/community groups that are at risk of closure due to the ending of EU funds. The focus is on intensive and wrap-around one-to-one support to move people closer towards mainstream provision and employment. The aim is to support people to gain access to basic skills training, engage in job-searching, and enter and sustain employment.
9. Activities that address barriers to accessing training for those in employment who are not supported by mainstream provision (Projected spend 2022-25 - £60,362).This will involve a funded programme of courses including basic skills, life skills and career skills for people who are unable to access training through the adult education budget or wrap around support.
10. Increase levels of digital inclusion, essential digital skills (Projected spend 2022-25 - £50,000).The focus of this intervention will be on essential digital skills, communicating the benefits of getting (safely) online, and in community support to provide users with the confidence and trust to stay online. Funded programmes will be delivered in 2024/25 that aim to increase access to courses and support people to gain a qualification.
11. Green skills courses (Projected spend 2022-25 - £50,000). This will be targeted at ensuring the city has the skilled workforce required to achieve the government’s and the city’s net zero and wider environmental ambitions.