Alongside the UKSPF, Harborough District will also benefit from the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF), a dedicated funding stream designed to support rural communities and economies.
Understanding the Rural England Prosperity Fund
The REPF has been awarded to local authorities to support the ambitions of the UKSPF specifically within rural localities. It acts as a complementary 'top-up' to the main UKSPF allocation, ensuring that the unique needs and opportunities of rural areas are addressed.
Harborough District's REPF Allocation: £212,868 for Rural Business Growth
For the 2025-26 period, Harborough District Council has been awarded £212,868 in REPF funding. This significant sum will be channelled towards initiatives that directly benefit the district's rural business community.
Our Focus: A Dedicated Rural Grant Fund
The Council has made a strategic decision to allocate the entire £212,868 REPF funding towards establishing a Rural Grant Fund. This fund will provide grants specifically for rural business development projects. This focused approach is based on several key considerations:
- Alignment with DEFRA Parameters: Government guidance for REPF allows funding to be spent across most of the district, including the market towns, as the 2025-26 UKSPF programme does not single out either town for significant expenditure (unlike the 2022-25 programme).
- Grant Scheme Requirement: It has been confirmed that REPF 'top up' funding must be utilised as a grant scheme in the rural areas of the district.
- Supporting the Rural Business Community: Directing REPF to business development ensures that this rural funding is delivered as grants that support the growth, innovation, and diversification of rural businesses. The business community is recognised as an essential pillar for creating economic growth, local employment opportunities, and fostering innovation within Harborough District's rural areas. This targeted support is seen as a high-impact way to utilise REPF, contributing to the vitality of the rural economy and, by extension, the well-being of rural communities.
Eligible Areas for REPF Support
The REPF Rural Grant Fund will be available to support businesses across most of Harborough District, including its two market towns. However, certain specific industrial and commercial areas are not eligible for this funding, as defined by the government. These ineligible areas are:
- Magna Park
- Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground
- Leicester Airport
- Thurnby and Bushby Parish
- Scraptoft Parish
