Response 1867646

Response to request for information

Reference

1867646

Response date

03 November 2023

Request

UK Shared Prosperity Fund
In light of numerous studies that have identified inequalities for ethnic minority and black owned businesses in accessing funding or grants; I would like to know what steps RBC are taking to tackle this. I am requesting information about the number of BAME owned businesses that have applied for this funding and how many were granted the funding. I also would like to know what action has been taken by RBC to promote equal opportunities?

Response

We had a grant funding pot for the current financial year (2023/24) but in applications we did not ask applicants for information on their ethnicity so we cannot answer this question. We asked applicants to complete an equality impact assessment for the project they were applying for funding for and the UKSPF program has an equality impact assessment which has been completed by the Council.

The grant pot for this year (and next years which will shortly be promoted) was widely promoted on social media, website, local press, business contact database, webinars offering support to applicants and all applicants need to have a one to one discussion with the Council so we can check eligibility of the project with the grant criteria and provide advice.