Research and analysis

North East Derbyshire UKSPF evaluation: interim findings

Updated 3 December 2025

Applies to England

Executive summary: North East Derbyshire interim findings

Introduction

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) provides a total of £3.5 billion of funding for local investment over 4 years (2022 to 2026), with all places in the UK receiving an allocation via a funding formula. Local decision-makers work with their local communities and partners to deliver interventions under three investment priorities: Communities and Place, Supporting Local Businesses and People and Skills.

This interim report presents the emerging findings from the place level evaluation of UKSPF in North East Derbyshire, based on research conducted between October 2024 and January 2025. It outlines the progress made to date and presents interim evaluation findings.

Key process evaluation findings

Intervention design

• The intervention design was shaped by local knowledge, past initiatives and existing plans that have enabled long-standing projects to move from concept to implementation.
• Consultation activities during the design process engaged a wide range of stakeholders but the feedback gathered largely reflected stakeholders’ private interests. Nevertheless, these activities allowed the local council to validate their analysis of local challenges.
• The formula-based funding approach was widely praised for its flexibility to direct investment to areas and to causes that had typically received less economic support.

Portfolio implementation

• The engagement with suppliers as part of implementation processes was considered successful. Delivery partners expressed that communication with the local council was clear and allowed understanding of funding objectives.
• Established networks played a key role in securing suppliers, but some interventions required additional proactive outreach activities to generate sufficient demand.
• The implementation of UKSPF interventions has encouraged greater cross-departmental collaboration within the local council.

Intervention delivery

• The delivery of UKSPF interventions has not faced significant challenges, although new initiatives needed time to build awareness and trust with local communities.
• Projects are progressing well towards achieving their target outputs and outcomes.
• Some members of the delivery team explained that the short funding duration created pressure to spend funds quickly, limiting opportunities for longer-term initiatives.

Data collection and monitoring

• Delivery partners accustomed to compliance-focused environments found monitoring processes manageable, but at least one found it too burdensome and discouraging.
• Some delivery partners expressed concern in the reporting approach referring to a heavy focus on numerical targets unable to capture the full impact of the intervention.
• Frustrations were expressed by members of the delivery team regarding changes to indicator definitions and measurement units to report outputs and outcomes.

Programme oversight

• North East Derbyshire District Council (NEDDC) is accountable for UKSPF investment through its elected leadership. The leadership oversee programme activities and hold decision-making authority for the programme.
• The processes for programme oversight have ensured that performance and progress are consistently reviewed and aligned with strategic priorities.
• The structure of accountability appears appropriate for maintaining transparency, performance standards, and financial governance.

Progress to date: expenditure, outputs and outcomes

North East Derbyshire received £2.57 million in UKSPF funding for 2022 to 2025. As of Q1 2024/25, approximately 30% of this total allocation had been spent. Delivery of the additional UKSPF funding for 2025/26 will transfer to East Midlands Combined County. Evaluation of the additional allocation is beyond the scope of this study.

Communities and Place (eight projects, 67% of total UKSPF allocation)

• Projects have supported improvements to 18 parks and play areas and enabled the delivery of over 500 community events and activities, including digital literacy workshops, one-to-one financial advice sessions, and other opportunities designed to bring residents together and enhance social inclusion.
• A large share of the reported outcomes can be linked to the enhancement of local green spaces, which has contributed to improved perceptions of public amenities and increased usage of upgraded facilities (e.g. public gyms and play equipment).
• Early signs of success in promoting the district as a destination are reflected in reported increases in footfall, visitor numbers, and online interest in local places.

Supporting Local Businesses (two projects, 25% of total UKSPF allocation)

• Almost 30 local businesses have completed shopfront refurbishments with UKSPF support, helping to improve the appearance and visibility of retail sector premises in town centres and to modernise high streets.
• 57 businesses have received non-financial support and 30 have received grants, contributing to the council’s efforts to strengthen the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• Planned data collection activities in the next evaluation phase will assess the impacts of these interventions on business performance and business survival rates in the district.

People and Skills (one project, 4% of total UKSPF allocation)

• Projects under this investment priority commenced in Year 3 of the programme and have therefore not reported any outcomes at the time of writing.

Early impact findings

There are early signs that UKSPF interventions have led to improvements in resident wellbeing and increased engagement of marginalised groups in community activities. UKSPF interventions are helping to revitalise the appearance of North East Derbyshire’s high streets and improve the relationships between local businesses and the local council. Interviews with stakeholders and delivery partners suggest that the targeted support for digital and green skills training can make a difference for individuals seeking to improve their economic prospects and that there will be positive spillovers from these activities.

The outcomes and impact of UKSPF in North East Derbyshire will be explored in more depth in the final evaluation report.