Research and analysis

Uttlesford UKSPF evaluation: interim findings

Updated 3 December 2025

Applies to England

Executive summary: Uttlesford 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 Business and People and Skills.

This interim report presents the emerging findings from the place level evaluation of UKSPF in Uttlesford, based on research conducted between August and November 2024. It outlines the progress made to date and presents interim evaluation findings.

Key process evaluation findings

Intervention design

• The design of UKSPF in Uttlesford addresses local social and economic disparities, improving access to services for residents in remote areas.
• Funded projects align with investment objectives, targeting the needs of specific populations. However, the rushed implementation of the first funding call led to some organisations not fully assessing feasibility, causing delivery challenges.
• Internal challenges in Uttlesford LA included a lack of guidance, resources, and experience, impacting the selection and delivery of some of the activities.

Portfolio implementation

• UKSPF is well recognised, and engagement activities with potential delivery organisations successfully generated strong demand across three funding rounds.
• Document reviews and interviews with UDC representatives confirm that procurement processes and contractual arrangements worked well, with projects either meeting or on track to meet expected outputs.
• Despite a rushed first funding call that led to some delivery organisations not fully assessing the feasibility of activities, UDC provided support and guidance to adjust or refocus activities, ensuring effective project implementation.

Intervention delivery

• Intervention delivery has proceeded as planned, with no significant issues identified in project risk registers, monitoring returns, or interviews with UDC’s UKSPF management team and delivery organisations.
• Several delivery organisations emphasised the importance of engaging with rural areas and marginalised groups, noting that outreach efforts and raising awareness are as crucial as introducing new services.

Data collection and monitoring

• UDC’s UKSPF delivery team reported that delivery organisations provided timely, good-quality monitoring reports. While most delivery organisations found the reporting processes effective, 3 charities receiving smaller funding felt the reporting requirements were burdensome and disproportionate to the funding amount.

Programme oversight

• Two part-time UDC staff members managed monitoring data collection and activity delivery for UKSPF, with additional support from the head of the Economic Development Department for reporting to MHCLG. While UDC staff reported sufficient resources to meet clear reporting requirements, the capacity for programme oversight was tight, with no buffer for unexpected challenges.

Progress to date: expenditure, outputs and outcomes

According to interviews with the Uttlesford UKSPF delivery team, spending for all interventions is on track. The evaluation focuses on 4 themes and key outputs and outcomes for each are summarised below.

Parenting support

Two delivery organisations have made strong progress in implementing their planned activities. The Buffy Bus, a specially converted double-decker, provides free mobile play and learning services for children under 5 in rural areas. The Home Start projects, including Parenting classes and Stronger Together Parenting, focus on supporting families with children under five, particularly those in isolated and impoverished areas. Key outcomes include significant improvements in parents’ skills, mental well-being, and social interaction, alongside a reduction in isolation for families involved in the programme.

Food and nutrition

All projects under the food and nutrition theme have made significant progress in delivering their planned activities. Touchpoint’s refrigerated van collects surplus food from supermarkets and shops and distributes it across the area six times a week. The Plot to Plate project, delivered by Dig It, offers allotment space and cooking sessions aimed at helping individuals who feel isolated or struggle with mental health issues. Mind in West Essex utilised UKSPF funding to install a kitchen in their Saffron Walden building, which provides refreshments and additional engagement opportunities for the community, especially people in crisis. The key outcomes of these projects include a reduction in food waste and improved access to food-sharing services, contributing to enhanced community well-being and support for vulnerable individuals.

Connecting people with available services

Two projects aimed at improving awareness of local services and products offered by businesses successfully delivered their planned activities. Saffron Walden Town Council used UKSPF funding to purchase gazebos and tables for nine local markets, supporting local traders. The Community Responder project assisted socially isolated individuals with tasks like shopping, picking up prescriptions, and small home repairs, helping them maintain independence. Key outcomes include people being able to stay in their homes due to improved access to services, and sustained markets benefiting local traders and residents.

Business support

Uttlesford District Council has provided small grants to 16 businesses and Saffron Walden Town Council has organised Marvellous Markets for local businesses to showcase and sell their produce. Key outcomes include 10 new enterprises, new sales for local traders leading to further investment in equipment and business growth and improved business confidence.

Early impact findings

Early findings indicate that funding for new equipment and facilities has improved the reach and quality of parenting support facilities and has expanded provision across more areas and made it easier for parents to access childcare and parenting support services. Self-reported qualitative evidence from the delivery organisation and four parents who were interviewed during the activity observation confirm better access to parenting support and improved parenting skills.

Funding of new equipment, facilities, and infrastructure was reported to have improved access to food and reduced food waste. Self-reported evidence from delivery organisations and reduced use of food bank services signals progress towards reduced demand for food support.

Further data collection is necessary to inform the analysis of the impact of other themes.

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