UKSPF funding boosts local projects, organisations and businesses as Council reports good progress

Midway through the current financial year, North Kesteven District Council has so far supported 14 projects through the latest allocation of UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

Initiated under the previous government and continued by the current government, the UKSPF has seen £900m invested nationally into local programmes. This is aimed at enhancing pride in place and increasing opportunities across the UK by investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and developing people and skills.

The total allocation made to NKDC over two funding rounds for initiatives up to March 2026, has been just under £4.2 million; just under £1m for the current year, 2025/26. Additionally, the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) to support rural businesses and community organisations, which is an arm of this fund, has provided a further £971,774 (including £224,218 for 25/26). Together this has provided more than £5m to invest locally over four years.

Projects and programmes that have been facilitated by or made possible specifically because of the fund include a series of major events in Sleaford. This includes RiverLight and WinterLight, the recent Halloween spectacular and beach activities; with business support provided across the District; heritage grants and community events all part of the package.

The impact of UKSPF support in enabling a new programme of events is highlighted through an increase of 46% on footfall within the town on the Saturday of RiverLight in June, (compared to previous Saturdays) support of 140 activities across the festival week and involvement of 255 volunteers.

The Sleaford-on-Sea pop-up beach day was another big success with 100% of survey respondents rating the event as ‘Good’ or ‘Very Good’, drawing 1,571 visitors to the activities in the Market Place on that one day and hundreds more over the beach’s broader three-week period.

Importantly, the benefits of the funding have been enjoyed across the District, with 11 businesses benefitting from the REPF business and energy grant (including four in Sleaford and seven in other areas of the District such as Swinesthorpe, Martin and Heckington), and 26 community organisations from the REPF Community Grant (including two in Sleaford and 24 in other areas of the District) in the previous programme.

Cllr Richard Wright, Leader of North Kesteven District Council, said: “The UKSPF funding has been significant for the District, helping to build and strengthen many impressive community initiatives and enhance pride in place.

“It increases life chances across the UK by investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and developing people and skills.

“Again, in this current funding cycle, we are pleased with the progress being made and how the fund is really benefitting various community projects, organisations and businesses, and the wider District.”

Run in partnership with Sleaford Climate Action Network, The TravelLight active travel event in May featured exciting activities for people of all ages and abilities to help them make greener choices and more than 300 attended.

Twice, The Zone from Zest Theatre brought chilled-out vibes, creative activities, and a space that’s totally young people’s to count their own and was enjoyed by nearly 500 participants.

The funding has also supported the Council’s Sleaford Shopfront Grant Scheme.

In the latest round of funding (2025-26), which started in April this year, there was funding of around £220,000 to help 16 businesses.

Social media training delivered by Maybe* is already making great progress with 65 businesses signed up and accessing “Your AI" – a comprehensive business transformation platform that includes social media training and tools, plus advanced AI capabilities.

The Council recently approved 12 applications under the UKSPF and REPF Business Grant Schemes. These came from a range of businesses around the District including 3 businesses in North Hykeham, ranging from the manufacturing, automotive, transport, health, and the hospitality and tourism sectors.

The projects consisted of capital items such as solar panels, battery storage, and replacement machinery, that aim to reduce energy costs and improve resource efficiency. All awarded projects will be complete by March 2026.

In summary, those supported by the just under £1 million of UKSPF funding are as follows (NKDC is delivering the project unless otherwise specified):

• Active Travel
• Lincoln City Foundation – Wellbeing/Health – delivered by Lincoln City Foundation
• Events Programme
• YMCA (Youth Engagement Project) – delivered by YMCA Lincolnshire
• Community Grant Scheme
• Youth Engagement – delivered by Zest Theatre
• Footfall & Analytical Information System – delivered by MRI Software
• Pop Up Public Realm
• Business Carbon Assessments
• Social Media Training – delivered by Maybe*
• Business Grant Scheme (BERG) – UKSPF and REPF
• Shopfront & Building Scheme
• YMCA (Employability & Skills) – delivered by YMCA Lincolnshire
• VCS Move Project – delivered by VCS