Over £500,000 investment set for rural businesses and community groups

Braintree District Council’s Cabinet has agreed its plan to help secure their £589,191 allocation from the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) to boost productivity and create rural job opportunities

The Cabinet meeting was held on on Monday, 28 November 2022.   

In September 2022, the Government announced that Rural England Prosperity Funding (REPF) would be an additional fund which was available to some rural local authorities under their levelling up agenda, provisionally awarding £589,191 of that funding to Braintree District Council.

It is on top of the £1.036m UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) earmarked for the Braintree district which the council will use to support residents through the cost-of-living crisis, support local businesses to start, grow and expand, help people gain the skills that they need, as well as strengthen and support the work carried out by local communities.

In order to meet the funding requirements set out by government and to support businesses and rural communities in the best way, the REPF money has been agreed to be offered as grant funding of between £20,000 and £50,000 to rural businesses and community groups.

If approved by central government, it will be open to small and medium sized businesses to grow and develop to undertake innovation, adopting new technology or processes, enhancing local services for visitors and residents and creating or safeguarding jobs. The funding pot will also be available to parish councils, community groups and charities to refurbish local natural, cultural or heritage assets or to set up community led repair cafes or mend workshops. All proposals will be required to demonstrate how they contribute to tackling climate change and supporting the rural community.

Councillor Graham Butland, Leader of Braintree District Council, said: “This is another fantastic opportunity on offer to support and develop communities and businesses in rural areas like ours. Supporting the local economy is a priority for us and we will continue to work with our local partners, businesses and community groups to ensure they get the maximum benefit from this funding. This is complemented by the Shared Prosperity Fund programme and the work we are already carrying out with Essex County Council on the Rural Braintree levelling up pilot.”

The bid put forward will be submitted as an addendum to the UKSPF investment plan that the council submitted in August this year, which the government will review and consider. If successful, the Rural England Prosperity Funding will be awarded to the council, alongside the UKSPF funding. If accepted and money is received, and when the full details of the funding and its criteria is completed, the fund is expected to open in April 2023.

Published: 30th November 2022