South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority has agreed changes to the way Investment Zone funding applications will be considered, following confirmation of a longer-term government funding commitment.
At its meeting on 9 September 2025, the authority approved an approach intended to allow the programme to return to longer-term planning after a period when funding was being confirmed annually. The change is expected to support more substantial interventions, including infrastructure and support for growing manufacturing businesses.
The authority also delegated responsibility for approving eligible Investment Zone funding applications of up to £500,000 to its Head of Paid Service. The arrangement is intended to streamline decisions while retaining the programme's governance and assurance requirements.
South Yorkshire's Investment Zone focuses on advanced manufacturing, building on established industrial and research facilities across the region.
The decision changes how Investment Zone funding can be managed over time, rather than approving every potential project. It provides a governance framework against which later investment decisions can be understood.