Councils Partnership awards further £4.9million UKSPF support to projects in South and East Lincolnshire

More than £4.9milion is due to be awarded to projects making a difference to local communities across Boston, East Lindsey and South Holland, as the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership announced the second round of UK Shared Prosperity Fund grant awards.

Ten local organisations, community groups and initiatives are set to benefit from the funding, which is part of a Government programme designed to build pride in place, provide high quality skills training and increase life chances across the sub-region.

Those receiving grant awards include:

• The Old Bolingbroke Gas House – To support the development of a new visitor attraction, with revitalisation of a historic building and a series of exhibitions.

• Dance Free by the Sea – Dance, creative, sensory and environmental sessions running across East Lindsey

• Grants4Growth 2 – A grants programme for businesses in Boston, East Lindsey and South Holland, to award grants of between £1,000 and £25,000 helping to grow capacity, market & product diversification and enhance productivity. This decision is subject to call-in*.

• Sunset Station – Investment in a local visitor attraction, supported by private sector investment, for extending the miniature railway line at Skegness Water Leisure Park with the addition of a new station.

• Spilsby Sessions House 2023 to 2025 Arts Programme and Capacity Building – Project to establish an all-year-round programme of cultural events, talent / skills development, and community engagement. This decision is subject to call-in*.

• Boston Wings Trail – Developing art projects that improve the town and peoples’ perception of it, making it more attractive, interesting, and distinct.

• Lincolnshire Community Foundation – Levelling UP Community Grants Programme – The creation of a grant scheme which will focus on supporting projects from parishes, village halls and community organisations to achieve ‘match funding’ from other third-party organisations, central government, and private investment. This decision is subject to call-in*.

• YMCA – Empowering Rural Communities – Working in rural communities across the sub-region to make positive change and help create pride in place.

• Strengthening Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship – To invest in an advisor to support residents to become social entrepreneurs to grow the number of social entrepreneurs locally.

• Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce – SEL to the World – International Trade – To increase the number of businesses in the sub-region thinking about International Trade, looking at new markets overseas and sharing skills, knowledge and best practice.

For Grants4Growth, the Lincolnshire Community Foundation and the Lincolnshire YMCA, these projects are funded as delivery partners for UK Shared Prosperity and Rural Prosperity Funding.

Through these schemes, substantial investments will be made in advice and support to local businesses, parish councils and community groups. These schemes will also include substantial, ringfenced grant funds dedicated to supporting both these smaller, community organisations and local economic growth. These funds will be open for application imminently.

The announcement follows the first round of funding at the end of March, where ten organisations received over £750k to support a variety of projects, including Holbeach Medieval Festival, The Bread and Butter Thing, Long Sutton Men’s Shed Youth Shed Project and the Linkage Community Trust.

Councillor Anne Dorrian, Leader of Boston Borough Council, said: “This significant funding opportunity for local organisations and communities is another vital step in developing our aspirations for the Borough, supporting, and empowering our local businesses and residents to thrive, and creating a great place to live, work and visit.

“I am excited to see the successful projects develop and grow, and to hear more about future applications with Boston at their heart that can help to drive our ambitions to regenerate the town.”

Councillor Paul Redgate, portfolio holder for Finance, Commercialisation, Levelling Up and UK Shared Prosperity Funding at South Holland District Council, said: “I am delighted that we can continue to provide this unprecedented level of funding and support in South Holland, helping realise projects that will offer huge benefits to our economy and communities.

“We hope that the funding will accelerate local economic growth and employment, whilst also ensuring that our communities, including those who have been historically under-represented in funding for regeneration, can receive their fair share of support.”

From East Lindsey District Council Councillor Steve Kirk, portfolio holder for The Coastal Economy, and Councillor Adam Grist, portfolio holder for Market Towns and the Rural Economy, added: “It is fantastic to see another successful round of grants awarded to organisations across East Lindsey, supporting a range of significant projects and initiatives that can make a real difference to our coastal, urban and rural residents and businesses.”

“Alongside our other major funding, including £48.4million for our Skegness and Mablethorpe Town Deals and £8million Levelling Up funding, this is a really exciting time for major, transformative positive change in East Lindsey that will benefit residents for generations to come.”

A total of £12.15million has been awarded across the Councils Partnership through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Rural England Prosperity Fund schemes. Eligible local organisations are invited to submit their expressions of interest to the councils, meeting the three key themes set for each area.

The full bidding guide for the funding and the expression of interest form is available on the councils’ websites at www.boston.gov.uk/UKSPF for Boston, www.e-lindsey.gov.uk/UKSPF for East Lindsey and www.sholland.gov.uk/UKSPF for South Holland.