Decision details

Delegated Authority was provided by the Cabinet on 26 September 2024 to the Deputy Chief Executive
and Head of Policy and Performance in
consultation with the Leader of the Council to re allocate any budget underspend on projects within the wider UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Rural England Prosperity Fund programme to maximise spend by the end of March 2025 deadline.

On 18 November 2024, the Deputy Chief Executive, Head of Policy and Performance and Councillor Noel Ovenden, Leader of the Council, met and agreed that £127,595 be reallocated to deliver a decarbonisation project at the Julie Rose Stadium. The decarbonisation project could be delivered within the required timelines and supported the climate action agenda which were criteria outlined in the Cabinet report.

That £127,595 of Rural England Prosperity Fund monies be reallocated to deliver a decarbonisation project at the Julie Rose Stadium.

Option 1 - Extending the rural amenities grant fund but the fund had not been oversubscribed so there was a risk of underspend.

Option 2 - underspending the REPF funding but this would mean Ashford Borough would not benefit from the funding and it would be returned to the government at year end.