Responsibility for EU withdrawal lies with the UK Government, so the council is limited in how far it can influence matters. However, we will closely monitor negotiations and engage proactively with Shetland’s MP, MSPs, COSLA and Government to seek to mitigate negative impacts and maximise any opportunities for Shetland.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is the replacement for EU Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) following the UK’s exit from the European Union, particularly European Social Fund (ESF) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Until now, the council has been a major recipient of both with ESF latterly supporting staff posts, services and contracts including those with third sector organisations.
Shetland has been allocated a total of £1.859m for the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2025, split between £1.538m for ‘core’ UKSPF and £0.321m for the Multiply programme, which will be used to deliver bespoke adult numeracy skills programmes. To access the funding, the council was asked to set out measurable outcomes that reflect local needs and opportunities in an investment plan.
It was agreed that existing services funded under ESIF should be prioritised with a view to maintaining continuity. This means that funding will be allocated to maintaining provision of the in-house council Employability Service (addressing the ‘We will prioritise securing funding for economic and social development stimulus projects, such as the Employability Plan, to strengthen Shetland’s economy and social infrastructures’ statement in Our Ambition).
Other proposals in the investment plan focused on supporting the development of energy skills transition, local place planning activity and supporting rural retail services.
In December 2022, the UK Government announced that all plans submitted by Scottish local authorities had been approved.
(This also covers the statement ‘We will prioritise securing funding for economic and social development stimulus projects, such as the Employability Plan, to help strengthen Shetland’s economy and social infrastructures.)