Anglesey council is currently assessing bids submitted by different organisations for a share of the island’s £16 million allocation from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.

The fund has been established to help ’organisations to deliver projects which will make a real difference in local communities’.

There were 88 applications submitted before 24 February 2023 deadline. The fund was open for proposals to support three key themes:

• supporting local business
• community and place
• people and skills

Some £3 million has also been ring-fenced to improve basic adult numeracy skills - as part of the UK Government’s Multiply Programme.

The county council is now assessing initial (Stage 1) proposals with decisions likely to be made later this month. Successful applicants will then be asked to submit a more detailed Stage 2 application.

Considerations will include their bid’s alignment with national, regional and local strategies, priorities and needs; UKSPF priority investments and interventions and anticipated outputs and outcomes. The county council is also working closely with other local authorities across North Wales, especially Gwynedd Council who is the accountable body.

The decision-making process will also seek the views of Anglesey’s UK SPF Partnership Group. The group includes several partnership organisations, including Anglesey Tourism Association, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, M-Sparc, Menter Môn and the island’s member for parliament and Senedd member.

Anglesey’s head of regulation and economic development, Christian Branch, welcomed interest in the Shared Prosperity Fund.

He said, “We’ve been very impressed by the sheer number of applications received. These have touched on all the key themes and come from every corner of the island.”

“However, the UK Government funding is oversubscribed. Deciding how it should be utilised, and which projects should be supported, will be challenging.”

Council leader and economic development portfolio holder, Councillor Llinos Medi, added, “As the local authority, we are the responsible body for delivering this fund. I look forward to working with other local stakeholders to choose and deliver the successful projects. These should make a big difference to our communities and provide us with the best and most appropriate outcomes using the limited funding available.”

Ends 5 April 2023