Shared Prosperity Fund
Communities and Place
The Cheshire West and Chester Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) Investment Plan, approved by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, sets out identified priorities which we are looking to support, within the parameters of the Government's funding criteria. These aim to address the key challenges and opportunities that ourselves and our local stakeholders identified, namely:
- levelling up opportunity
- building better live chances
- improving people's pride in the places they live
- empowering communities to build a stronger social fabric for themselves
Project activity in 2023-2025
To ensure that we had a transparent and fair approach to how this funding will be allocated, both within the Council and by external organisations, we held two open call for proposals for project activity taking place between April 2023 and March 2025. The first open call ran between April and May 2023 with a funding announcement in June 2023, and the second open call ran between November and December 2023 with a funding announcement in February 2024.
The Autumn Budget 2025, announced some additional funding would be made available for one year only on a reduced level. As yet, we have not received details of the amount of funding which might be available in Cheshire West and Chester.
Eligible activity
All proposals in both application rounds had to align with one of these five interventions and deliver relevant outputs.
- capital funding to develop, restore or refurbish an existing local natural, cultural and heritage assets or sites which attract tourists into the borough
- revenue funding for existing cultural, historic and heritage institutions, to deliver activities such as outreach, engagement and participatory programmes which will attract tourists to the borough
Please ensure to read the guidance notes on priorities.
Revenue funding for:
- support creatives to become entrepreneurs, including displays which will enable artists to showcase their work
- outreach/engagement/participatory programmes from existing heritage groups to support residents wellbeing and pride of place which also deliver measurable outputs (volunteering, events, training)
Please note that applications will only be accepted for projects which primarily benefits residents of geographic areas outside of the four built-up areas (Chester City Centre, Ellesmere Port, Northwich and Winsford) for:
- locally-led music and theatre performances, tours, author events and film screenings
- outreach/engagement/participatory programmes from existing arts or cultural groups
- events/exhibitions in galleries, museums, libraries or other locations which will strengthen social cohesion or foster sense of local pride and belonging
Please ensure to read the guidance notes on priorities.
- Capital Grants to improve physical, cultural and community space and public realm particularly where this improves disability access or will support long term economic sustainability of the space
- revenue funding for activities that will enhance physical, cultural and social cohesion through support for community infrastructure and amenities, including accessibility
Please ensure to read the guidance notes on priorities.
In addition to the core SPF funding available under this theme, there is an additional capital allocation ring fenced just for rural areas. There is no need to apply separately as projects in rural areas can also be funded from the main programme.
Revenue funding for a feasibility study which would inform the development of projects which aim to:
- inform the development of cultural or creative activities including making these more inclusive or financially sustainable
- addresses challenges/opportunities highlighted in SPF investment plan especially place-making and local regeneration projects
- restore or refurbish local natural, cultural and heritage assets or sites including making these more accessible or sustainable
- address local inequalities and improve delivery of local services especially through increased social action and volunteering
Please ensure to read the guidance notes on priorities.
Supporting documents
Successful Applications to Community and Place 2023-2025
