Doncaster Council

Introduction to the South Yorkshire Investment Plan

The Yorkshire and Humber Regional Economic Strategy is delivered through five-year investment plans for each of the sub-regions in Yorkshire and the Humber – South, West, North and Humber. They set clear economic priorities based on robust analysis including the Strategic Economic Assessment.

The central purpose of the plans is to ensure the most effective use of public funds through the close co-ordination of both public and private resources to achieving local, sub-regional and national targets. 

How are the Plans produced?

The investment plans have been produced and agreed by each sub-regional partnership.  These partnerships bring together the full range of local partners and key stakeholders such as the Local Authorities, Local Strategic Partnerships and Yorkshire Forward.  

In South Yorkshire, the South Yorkshire Partnership Board is the strategic body that approves and takes overall responsibility for the delivery of the plans, which are reviewed regularly and has an agreed list of investment priorities. Final funding decisions on individual projects in the Investment Plan remain with the established accountable body, Yorkshire Forward.  However in Doncaster (as in all other Boroughs), these projects have emerged from Doncaster’s Local Area Agreement (LAA) and shared priorities adopted by the Local Strategic Partnership (Discover the Spirit) of which Yorkshire Forward is a member. 

On behalf of the Discover the Spirit Board, the Council has commissioned work on a new Economic Strategy thus ensuring that Doncaster’s evidence base is robust and well developed to inform ongoing processes such as the SYIP review and City Region Development Plan.  

What are the benefits of Investment Planning?

Joined-up delivery will result in more effective use of taxpayers’ money. For example, joint commissioning and appraisal of projects using both investment planning and European funds will ensure a more integrated approach to economic development and the avoidance of duplication.

Longer-term planning and financial certainty will lead to higher quality projects. Five year planning cycles will encourage the dedication of more resources to project development, prevent individual projects and organisations having to chase funding through different processes and provide the private sector with a clear picture of future development priorities in local areas.

Clearer processes and roles of different agencies will ensure stronger partnershipsand greater transparency. People will start to see a clearer rationale for funding decisions. The link between regional strategy and local delivery will also be strengthened.

More Information

If you would like more information on the South Yorkshire Investment Plan please do not hesitate to contact:

Carole Fox, Programmes Officer using the contact details provided at the top of this web page.