With still six months left to run, the current project at Crickheath funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (see here) is ahead of schedule and below budget. The Society has therefore sought permission to extend the scope within the current budget and timeline. Permission has been granted and work has therefore commenced on a further 130m section of channel towards Schoolhouse Bridge continuing on from the original scope.
A number of factors have contributed to the gain in schedule and budget including:
- Improved publicity and social media presence has had a marked effect on volunteer recruitment. Over a dozen new volunteers have joined so far this year. Similarly, we have been supported by visits from 44 corporate volunteers so far with more to come. Both have allowed us to get ahead of schedule.
- Relentlessly frugal buying has saved £000’s on budget costs.
- Meticulous planning has eliminated the need for contingency spend.
This project was recently featured in a report by Shropshire Council on the benefits of the RPF in which Mark Jones, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for growth and regeneration, said of the scheme: “It is proving to be such a great success that we hope that similar funding will be made available to us beyond 2025.” Shropshire Council’s full statement can be viewed here.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda.
