The Leviathan that is the Levelling Up white paper has finally swum into UK waters. The wait seems worth it for district councils. In most shire county areas, ‘most’ of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) will be allocated to, and invested by, districts.

This vote of confidence in the agile, swift decision-making of districts seems a reflection on the unsatisfactory approach used for the Community Renewal Fund (CRF). The CRF saw bids routed via county councils, only for the Government then to ignore local priorities in many cases and approve a somewhat random set of projects. It is also a natural consequence of the fact that districts have the main strategic powers for place-shaping, as planning and housing authorities, and can work with partners on how best to use the UKSPF locally.