Members considered the Rural England Prosperity Fund report presented by Councillor Benney.
Councillor Mrs French said she welcomes this report as it is a great opportunity for local businesses to get involved and help in these difficult times.
Councillor Boden said that the reason for putting all the money into business growth this year was because the money was received late in the day but with an obligation to spend a certain proportion of it in 2023/24. It was impractical to find community and place projects to do that whereas the Council had all the contacts needed to put money into business growth. That is why the community and place side will take place in 2024/25 and the money spent will be evenly divided between business growth and community and place.
Councillor Miscandlon referred to section 1.14 of the report and asked if there are any plans to extend Project 3 to the other market towns within Fenland. Councillor Benney said that he did not know but would come back to Councillor Miscandlon with an answer. Councillor Miscandlon added that this is a good project that should be encouraged across the district; there is an aging population with a considerable number of skills under their belt who could benefit from this. Councillor Boden commended that the funds are limited; Whittlesey has already benefitted from money in Project 2, but it would be appropriate for money to be spread evenly around the district.
Proposed by Councillor Benney, seconded by Councillor Seaton and AGREED for 2024-25 that the REPF monies should be allocated equally between Business Growth and Community/Place and used as described in the report in sections 1.8 to 1.14.