Guidance

Pride in Place Impact Fund (PiPIF): Frequently asked questions

Updated 17 November 2025

Stakeholder engagement

What are the roles of local authorities and MPs?

Local authorities are the accountable body for the fund and decide how funding is used. Local MPs should be engaged and have the opportunity to inform how the funding is used.

Who should be involved in deciding how PiPIF funding is spent?

Through the Pride in Place Strategy, the government is empowering communities and strengthening their influence over decisions that affect them. Local authorities should work with local communities, local stakeholders and MPs (and in Scotland MSPs and MSs in Wales) to identify and invest in projects that meet the needs of communities.

How should local authorities engage with local communities and local stakeholders?

Local authorities should determine how best to engage with stakeholders, taking account of existing local mechanisms and the Government’s commitment to giving local communities greater control over decisions that affect them. However, there is no requirement to establish a specific PiPIF board or governance arrangements.

How will the engagement of MPs, local communities and other stakeholders be assessed?

In February local authorities will be asked to report on their engagement with local communities, MPs and other local stakeholders. If the local authority does not demonstrate adequately that it has taken or is taking steps to engage stakeholders payment of the 2026-27 funding may be delayed.

What will happen if our MP(s) does not respond to our invitations to engage in the fund?

If MPs do not respond to engagement opportunities this should be reported to MHCLG through monitoring; it will not delay the payment of PiPIF funding to local authorities.

Can local authorities select projects from a plan that the community was engaged in developing?

Yes, providing that these are relevant to the fund, current and communities and stakeholders including MPs are consulted prior to funding being formally agreed.

Spend and commitment of funding

What is the definition of ‘commitment’ by the end of March 2027?

Where a local authority provides grants to third parties entering into a funding agreement would constitute commitment. If a local authority is delivering a project, placing a formal order, or entering into a contract with a supplier, or contractor, would constitute commitment.

If we have committed funding by March 2027 what is the timeframe to spend?

There is no deadline by which activity e.g. construction works need to be completed. However, local authorities are strongly encouraged to support projects that can be completed by March 2027 to demonstrate visible change and impact.

Does funding have to be paid to the organisation delivering a project by the end of March 2027?

No, funding can be paid after the end of March 2027 provided that a formal agreement was in place with the recipient before the end of March 2027.

Is there scope for the 2025-26 allocation to be spend in the next Financial year?

Yes, any funding paid in 2025-26 that has not been spent by the end of March 2026 can be carried forward and spent in 2026-27.

When will the 2026 to 2027 allocation be paid?

The 2026-27 allocation will be paid in the period April to June 2026, subject to submission of a satisfactory progress report in February 2026. If insufficient progress is being made to deliver the funding, MHCLG may delay or reduce the initial payment for 2026-27 until performance improves.

How will the fund handle underperformance or delays. Is there scope to reprofile spend between years?

Funding will be paid in line with the stated profile. 2025-26 funding that is not spent by end of March 2026 will roll forward into 2026-27. Funds must be committed by end of March 2027 but delivery can take place after that date if necessary.

If supporting a community organisation with funding, can we provide funding in advance of their spend rather than paying in arrears?

This will be for local authorities to determine in accordance with their policies and procedures as they are accountable for this funding.

If funding is committed to a project by March 2027 but the project does not proceed or underspends can the money be committed to another project after March 2027?

No, funding that is committed at the 31 March 2027 but subsequently not spent on the project it was committed to must be repaid to MHCLG.

Eligibility and use of the PiPIF

Is there any capacity funding to support engagement work, the distribution of funds, reporting, delivery and monitoring requirements?

No, there is no specific capacity funding. However, this fund has been specifically designed to be light-touch, with streamlined reporting process which will reduce to a minimum the administrative burden on local authorities and organisations delivering projects.

Are preliminary fees associated with capital projects eligible?

Eligibility of costs will be determined by the Local Authority’s s151 officer or equivalent. Preliminary costs that would normally be considered as capital costs are eligible.

Can the fund be used to buy or improve buildings that will be owned by the local authority?

The fund can be used to purchase or improve buildings that will be owned by the local authority, providing these buildings are intended to be used for delivery of activities/services that align with the objectives of the fund.

Is the £1.5 million funding for a specific geography or is it more generic to cover the whole of the local authority area?

The allocation is to the whole of the local authority area.

There are no requirements in terms of focusing on particular parts of the area, but as noted in the Prospectus (section 5.4) we ask that authorities be mindful of investing the funds in area of greatest need in consultation with local stakeholders.

Can the PIPIF be used as match funding?

Yes. The PiPIF can be used as match funding to increase the scale, scope or quality of a planned or existing project. However, the government expects the fund to deliver additional benefits to local communities based on engagement on local priorities. It should not be used to fill funding gaps in projects that are already underway or completed. or to displace funds already committed to a project.

Reporting

When will the reporting templates be shared?

The requirements for reporting are set out in the prospectus and the reporting tool is expected to be available later this year.

Branding

Will there be specific branding rules for the Pride in Place Impact Fund which we will need to use such as a logo?

More details on the specific branding and publicity requirements for the Pride in Place Impact Fund will be published here on gov.uk in due course.