Decision ref
0006 2026/27
Decision date
25/06/2026
Portfolio
Business, Highways & Transport
Wards
All wards
Title
Acceptance of Local Growth Fund (LGF) Grant Funding Agreement for 2026/27
Summary
To accept and enter into a Grant Funding Agreement with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) for £490,000 Local Growth Fund (LGF) revenue funding for 2026/27 to deliver the St Helens Place Based Business Support (PBBS) programme.
Purpose
To seek formal approval to accept and sign the LGF Grant Offer Letter and accompanying conditions, enabling the Council to draw down funding and deliver business support activity in 2026/27.
Background
The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has established a 12‑month LGF transition programme to maintain business support provision following the end of UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) funding in March 2026.
St Helens Borough Council has been offered £490,000 to deliver a continuation of its existing Place‑Based Business Support model during 2026/27.
The funding is intended to:
Prevent a cliff‑edge in business support provision;
Maintain continuity while the LCRCA undertakes a strategic review of business support (expected from May 2026 onwards);
Sustain delivery of a proven, high‑performing model currently funded through UKSPF.
The programme will:
Provide non‑financial business support to SMEs, start‑ups, and socially trading organisations;
Be delivered primarily through the Growth Company and Kindred, alongside in‑house programme management;
Focus on business resilience, productivity, job creation and enterprise creation.
The DMT (18 March 2026) agreed the principle of accepting LGF funding and continuing the current delivery model for 2026/27, subject to formal allocation and approvals.
The Grant Offer Letter establishes legally binding conditions, including requirements relating to:
delivery of agreed outputs and outcomes by 31 March 2027;
quarterly and monthly monitoring and reporting;
compliance with Integrated Settlement requirements (which may evolve during the year);
potential repayment or withdrawal of funding in the event of non-compliance.
Legal Services have reviewed the terms and consider them consistent with standard funding agreements of this type.
Conclusion
The LGF allocation provides a critical opportunity to maintain a stable and effective business support offer in St Helens during a transitional period.
Acceptance of the Grant Funding Agreement:
- Enables continuation of a proven delivery model;
- Aligns with LCRCA expectations and regional strategy;
- Avoids disruption to businesses and the local economy.
It is therefore recommended that the Council formally accepts and signs the Grant Offer Letter.
Risk Implications
No significant additional risks beyond standard grant compliance risks.
Key risks include:
Performance against outputs/outcomes;
Compliance with evolving Integrated Settlement requirements;
Potential clawback of funding in case of non-compliance.
These risks will be managed through established programme governance and reporting arrangements.
Measures to Redress Risk
No significant additional risks beyond standard grant compliance risks.
Key risks include:
- Performance against outputs/outcomes;
- Compliance with evolving Integrated Settlement requirements;
- Potential clawback of funding in case of non-compliance. [LGF 26.27...- PBBS v3 | PDF]
These risks will be managed through established programme governance and reporting arrangements.
Declarations Of Interest
None
Equality Impact Assessment
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More information
Please contact Steven Berlyne on 01744 671750
