Two of Hull City Council’s ongoing schemes could receive a funding boost, should councillors decide to allocate a government grant to the projects at this month’s cabinet meeting.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) announced that the council had been chosen to receive £1.5m of Pride in Place Impact Fund (PiPiF).
The funding is to be split across two financial years, with councillors to determine if the money will support the City Centre Grants Scheme (CCGS) for 2025/26 and the Community Highstreets Programme (CHSP) for 2026/27.
Each scheme would receive £750,000, meaning an increase in available budget for the CCGS to over £1m to help to continue to deliver scheme objectives, whilst also supporting as many businesses as possible.
So far, the City Centre Grants Scheme has supported 31 small and medium-sized businesses, creating almost 150 full-time equivalent jobs.
PiPiF allocation for CHSP would help to significantly enhance the package of works developed for the identified areas and ensure that community areas are radically improved in line with public engagement feedback.
Allocating funds to each project would also ensure the council meets MHCLG’s PiPiF objectives of enhancing public spaces, as well as revitalising high streets and town centres.
Cllr Paul Drake-Davis, portfolio holder of economic renewal, housing and organisational development at the council, said: “This move would allow the council to act quickly, ensuring it maximises the visible improvements in both the City Centre Grants Scheme and the Community Highstreets Programme.
“Since both programmes are already successful, have resources in place and meet MHCLG’s three ‘Pride in Place’ objectives, aligning the timing would be a smart and practical way to speed up delivery.”
Cabinet will meet on Monday 15 December.