Transformation & Innovation Fund

We know that our services are full of ideas that could improve outcomes for residents, modernise the way we work and help us tackle future challenges. However, finding the time and resources to develop and deliver transformational change can often be difficult.

The Transformation & Innovation Fund has been created to remove some of those barriers by providing investment and support for projects that can:

• Improve outcomes for residents and communities

• Deliver innovative ways of working

• Reduce demand and future costs

• Generate efficiencies and value for money

• Support prevention and early intervention approaches

• Create a more financially sustainable organisation

• Support income generation and commercial opportunities

The new Fund brings together the Council's existing Transformation Fund and Invest to Save/Development Funds into a single, streamlined funding programme known as the Transformation & Innovation Fund (TIF).

By creating one clear route for investment, we can ensure resources are targeted towards projects that have the greatest potential to deliver meaningful and measurable change.

The Fund will support larger-scale transformational initiatives, including:

• New or redesigned service delivery models

• Digital and data-enabled transformation

• Demand reduction and cost avoidance initiatives

• Preventative and early intervention approaches

• Income generation and commercialisation projects

• Invest to Save projects that deliver cashable financial savings

• The Fund can also be used to provide additional project management and specialist capacity where this is needed to help services successfully deliver major transformation projects.

The Transformation & Innovation Fund is particularly keen to support projects developed in partnership with other public sector organisations. The Fund may be used to provide the Council's contribution to joint funded projects, enabling services to secure additional investment and maximise the impact of available resources. Collaborative projects that deliver shared outcomes, encourage innovation across organisations and demonstrate benefits for residents and communities will be especially welcomed.

Invest to Save Loans

Interest-free loans for projects that can demonstrate cashable savings, with repayment normally over a period of up to four years.

Transformation Investment Grants

One-off grant funding for projects that may not generate immediate savings but can clearly demonstrate wider benefits such as cost avoidance, reduced demand or significant service improvements.

All Council services, including schools, will be eligible to submit applications. Projects will be assessed against criteria including:

• Alignment with corporate priorities

• Improved outcomes and service quality

• Value for money

• Contribution to financial sustainability

• Risk reduction and resilience

• Deliverability and measurable benefits

Services are now invited to submit bids for funding using the applications below.

Applications below £250k

Applications above £250k

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 18th November 2026.

The fund will then re-open for a new round of applications in January 2027.