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Funding guide for Shrewsbury and Atcham area
Contents
1. Summary and Context
2. Funding available within specified areas
3. Funding available in most areas
4. General Grants Database information
Funding guide for Shrewsbury and Atcham
1. Summary and Context
The following is intended to give an overall picture of the funding situation in relation to the Shrewsbury &Atcham Borough area, as part of the county of Shropshire, the sub-region of Shropshire, Hereford & Worcester, as well as the larger West Midlands region. It is important to remember the overall context, as many of the larger amounts of funding available are biased towards large strategic projects, which have a wide ranging local impact, and/or a significant regional impact. Recent successful Objective 2 bids in Shropshire have been Strategic packages in South Shropshire, Severn Valley and Oswestry as well as the ITC bid Switch on Shropshire and a similar ITC bid in Telford & Wrekin.
Further significant funding, has been sought from Objective 2, and Rural Regeneration Zone programmes and will be delivered through three Action Plans for Community Development, Tourism and Creative Industries. The management of this funding is through Shropshire Partnership and Shropshire County Council. Opportunities for SABC to bid for this funding are limited, due to the small area of the Borough which is covered by the programmes (* as Objective 2).
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2. Funding available within specified areas
(i) OBJECTIVE 2 (2000- 2008) - European funding - applicable to Rowton, Rea Valley, Condover and Lawley wards (*)
Intervention rates 30-40% maximum so match funding must be available - other programmes such as Rural Regeneration Zone can be used for match funding but project criteria can differ between programmes causing eligibility problems.
Projects must be strategic, comply with strict timescales and output definitions, as well as addressing three important cross cutting themes of Innovation, Equal Opportunities and Environmental sustainability. Applications to be submitted in accordance with bidding rounds.
Contact: Paula Rogers, Shropshire Partnership 01743-252275
(ii) RURAL REGENERATION ZONE (2000-2013) - Advantage West Midlands funding applicable to same Wards as Objective 2 programme
Projects must ideally have a zone wide focus - and impact across the sub-region i.e. parts of Hereford and Worcester as well as Shropshire.
Intervention rate up to 50% and can match fund Objective 2 or other government funding.
Outline applications to be submitted once a year for the following year's expenditure. Activities supported include, Business support, ICT, Community Regeneration, Market Towns Initiative.
Contact: Gary Spence, Shropshire Partnership 01743- 252269
(iii) REDUNDANT BUILDINGS GRANT (RBG) - AWM funding.
Developing a thriving rural economy, a skilled workforce and strong communities. News Release
Friday 8th December 2006
Grants scheme gets go ahead
to build on success
A grant scheme which has already created and safeguarded 150 jobs in rural areas of Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire looks set to build on its success following news that scheme has been awarded a further £1.5 million to assist even more rural businesses.
The Redundant Building Grants Project is one of the flagship schemes funded by the Advantage West Midlands Rural Regeneration (RRZ). Grants of up to 25% of costs are provided for the conversion or refurbishment of redundant buildings to bring them back into productive business use or to enhance their current business use.
The project is also changing its criteria so that ALL businesses in Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire are now eligible to apply for grants; previously only businesses that were located in the Rural Regeneration Zone could apply.
In Shropshire just two of the projects funded include an old malt house restored to its former glory and now housing the only brewery in Ludlow and an historic cliff top railway in Bridgnorth which is converting a redundant part of its building into a tea room with panoramic views.
In Herefordshire an old milking shed in Ewyas Harold has been converted into a state-of-the-art storage facility for rare film archives and a disused ballroom at a hotel at Kington has been transformed into a swish health club and swimming pool.
In Worcestershire a disused listed barn near Tenbury Wells has been transformed into office accommodation for a successful publishing company and an old bakery, also in Tenbury, has a new lease of life as a restaurant.
Peter Pawsey, Chairman of the Rural Regeneration Zone said: "The Redundant Building Grants Scheme has been a tremendous success; over £1million has been awarded to 43 projects which will eventually create over 350 new jobs and safeguard around 100. At the same time the scheme has helped to preserve the unique environment of our rural areas by bringing many redundant buildings back into productive use."
Dorothy Coleman, Redundant Building Grants Programme Manager said: "This opportunity to apply for funding for the conversion of redundant buildings has not previously been available outside the Rural Regeneration Zone. We are anticipating a flood of enquiries and now look forward to being able to support business creation and expansion throughout the three counties. This scheme can make a considerable difference by providing up to 25% of conversion costs."
For more information about the grants please contact Dorothy Coleman, Programme Manager on 01432 383616.
email: rbgscheme@herefordshire.gov.uk
(iv) HISTORIC BUILDING GRANT (HBG) - SABC funding - applies to rural listed buildings.
40% funding available up to a max. £3,000 towards the cost of specialist materials, necessitated by the age, character and style of the building, which may be needed to make repairs.
Contact: Les Rogers 01743 281319 les.rogers@shrewsbury.gov.uk
(v) CONSERVATION ENHANCEMENT GRANTS (CEGs) - SABC funding- targeted at buildings in conservation areas within the town centre.
40% funding up to a max. £1,000 to maintain and repair protected facades of shops and offices.
Contact: Les Rogers 01743 281319 les.rogers@shrewsbury.gov.uk
(vi) ARTS FUNDING - SABC Annual Scheme
A grant award scheme for arts activities in the Shrewsbury & Atcham Area.
Aims to:
- Encourage the provision and accessibility of high quality artistic product
- Assist organisations and communities in their own pursuit of creative experience and excellence
- Enhance the environment
- Improve the structural support for the arts in order that the practice and enjoyment of creative activities may be enhanced by specialist facilities
Contact: Dominic Wallis (SABC) 01743 281045
email : dominic.wallis@shrewsbury.gov.uk
(vii) SURESTART - 2002- 2012 - Central Government funding
Sure start local programmes work with parents and parents to be to improve childrens life chances through better access to: family support, advice on nurturing, health services and early learning.There are 524 Sure Start local programmes now operational nationally, helping up to 400,000 children living in disadvantaged areas.
For further information Contact: Julie Duncan, 01743 254332
3. Funding available in most areas
England Rural Development Programme (ERDP) - on-going schemes:-
- Vocational Training Scheme - Provides funding for training that contributes to an improvement in the occupational skill and competence of farmers and others involved in farming and forestry activities and their diversification. Funding is limited to 75% of eligible costs. ( Courses not eligible are full time education provided by secondary schools, FE colleges and HE establishments)
- Processing & Marketing Grant - aimed at developing processing facilities for primary agricultural products in England, for the benefit of processors and the producers of the raw material. The grants are awarded on a competitive basis , projects must cost at least £70,000, and awards may be up to 30% of eligible expenditure. A detailed business case must be submitted with applications.
- Energy Crops Scheme - provides establishment grants for two energy crops - short rotation coppice (SRC) and miscanthus. Farmers must grow at least 3 hectares and have an agreement to supply the harvested crop to an energy producer located within a reasonable radius of the growing land. £1,600 per hectare for SRC on ex-livestock land where the farmer loses livestock premium payments, £1,000per hectare for SRC on other land, £920 for establishing miscanthus
- Countryside Stewardship Scheme - a voluntary scheme available to farmers and non-farming landowners and managers (inc. voluntary bodies, local authorities and community groups), who enter into a 10 year agreement, under which they manage the land in an environmentally sensitive way in return for annual payments. Amounts can vary according to land management option and can range from £4 -£525 per hectare. 31st May is the closing date for applications for the year in which the funding is sought.
- Organic Farming Scheme - aim is to encourage the expansion of organic production. Under the scheme farmers moving from conventional methods receive financial help during the conversion process.
- Woodland Grant Scheme - provides grants to help with the creation of new woodlands and to encourage good management of existing ones. All woodlands can be considered but generally they have to be at least ¼ hectare in area or 15 metres wide. Grants for the establishment of new woodland are £700 per hectare for conifers and up to £1,350 for broadleaves. Higher payments are made for planting on land of higher agricultural potential or where there is agreement for public access.
- Farm Woodland Premium Scheme - aims to improve the environment through planting farm woodlands, in particular to improve the landscape, provide new habitats and increase biodiversity. The scheme encourages farmers to plant and maintain farm woodlands by providing annual payments to help offset the annual income they lose by converting Land previously used for crops or grazing animals.
Contact: DEFRA - 01905 763355
Web-site: http://www.defra.gov.uk/
(ii) OBJECTIVE 3 - EUROPEAN SOCIAL FUNDING (ESF) - applies to the whole of Shropshire.
Funding focuses on Learning & Skills projects. 100% funding for appropriate projects - priority sectors at present are Construction, Care and Tourism and five key aims are:-
- Active labour market policies i.e. unemployed into work
- Equal opportunities and social inclusion
- Lifelong learning
- Adaptability/entrepreneurship - employers and employees
- Improving the role of women in the labour market
Programme managed by local Learning & Skills Council (LSC)
Contact: Harvey Starns - 0845 0194190
(iv) NATIONAL LOTTERY FUNDING - Applies to all of Shropshire but some schemes have priority areas where approx. 75% of available funds will be awarded, therefore competition is quite fierce for the remaining 25%. The divisions within Lottery Council are - AWARDS FOR ALL, ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND,COMMUNITY FUND, HERITAGE LOTTERY FUND, NEW OPPORTUNITIES FUND AND SPORT ENGLAND
Generally speaking the Lottery distributors operate separately but in a few cases they have combined, to allow projects which incorporate various activities, to apply once for funding rather than having to make separate bids. One example of a joint scheme is:-
- Awards for All (http://www.awardsforall.org.uk/) - regional priorities are based on deprivation, diversity, equality and impact and are underpinned by the desire to fund projects that make a big difference to deprived communities and people living within them. A small grants scheme - £500 - £5,000 to help local voluntary groups with an income of less than £20k. Projects likely to gain support could be for - Older people and their carers; Disabled people and their carers; Black and minority ethnic groups; those within geographical priority areas.
- Arts Council England (http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/) - Grants for arts-related activity, lasting up to 3 years. Common programmes across England: for individual, organisations and for national touring.
- Grants for the Arts/individuals - For projects,professional development,residencies, fellowships, bursaries, travel grants etc Grants from £200 to £30,000
- Grants for the Arts/organisations - For projects, capital, organisational development, residencies etc. Grants from £200 to £100,000 - most grants under £30,000
- Grants for the Arts/national touring - For touring to two or more regions. Grants from £5,000 to £200,000
- Youth Music - For music making opportunities for young people, out of school hours, through the National Foundation for Youth Music
- Community Fund (http://www.community-fund.org.uk/) - Grants to community groups mainly to help meet the needs of those at greatest disadvantage in society and also to improve the quality of life in the community. Has geographical and communities of interest priorities.
- Grants for medium sized projects - Grants from £500 - £60,000 to voluntary and community groups for capital/revenue projects over 1-3 years.
- Grants for large projects - Grants from £500 - £300,000 to voluntary and community groups for capital/revenue projects over 1- 3 years
- Heritage Lottery Fund (http://www.hlf.org.uk/) - Grants to protect, conserve and provide access to our heritage. Broad definitions of heritage apply but can include cultural, natural and built heritage. Any non-profit organisation can apply.
- Local Heritage Initiative - Community based projects involving local and small heritage features incl traditions and places. Grants from £3,000 - £15,000
- Young Roots - To enable groups of young people (13 - 20 yrs) to undertake projects to explore heritage, culture and history. Grants from £5,000 - 25,000
- Your Heritage - Grants for conservation and access projects worth £5,000 - £50,000
- Heritage Grants - Funding for parks, land, archives, buildings and museum heritage projects.
- Project Planning Grants - For conservation management, audience development and access plans for projects that will lead to a Heritage Grants application. Non-public sector applicants can also apply for a project planning post. Grants up to £50,000.
- People's Places - Scheme is open to community groups in rural and urban areas, with awards available from £3000 - £10,000 for creating or improving areas of land or buildings for use as an environmental community resource
- Community Recycling and Economic Development Programme - CRED - Grants between £50,000 - £300,000 to encourage the establishment of new waste recycling or composing schemes, in areas where they do not exist and the expansion of existing schemes with grants focused on community groups.
- Veteran's Reunited - Funds are available to commemorate the events of the Second World War, with particular focus on educational projects, commemorative visits and local events and activities.
- Sport England (http://www.sportengland.org/) - Grants to increase sports activity: more people, places and medals. Runs additional national grants programmes for 'excellence' (people and places)
(v) CLUSTER ACTION PLAN FUNDING - Advantage West Midlands
Ten clusters have been identified in the Regional Economic Strategy (RES) for potential funding. Projects must show that they contribute significantly to the development of a particular cluster within the region.
- Transport Technologies
- Building Technologies
- ICT
- New Media
- Tourism and Leisure
- Food & Drink
- Specialist Business Services
- Medical Technologies
- Environmental Technologies
- High value Added Consumer Products ( Inc. Creative Industries)
For further information please visit http://www.advantagewm.co.uk/
(vi) PRINCE'S TRUST - Grants for education, training or work - restricted to the 14 -30 age group. A Development Award - offers grant from £50 to £500 to help you get you into training or eduction? Also, volunteer support to help set goals, make decisions and find other prgrammes or support.
http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/
4. General grants database information
SABC are currently subscribing to a National and European grants database - Grantfinder. This is a comprehensive information source which is updated monthly. It can be used to search for any large or small grants. Some basic criteria must be provided for the search e.g. Area, approx. amount of funding sought, type of organisation applying, and details of what the money is to be used for.
Summaries are then produced for any schemes providing a likely match, and these details can then be given to the potential applicant to pursue further.
NOTE: It is not possible to capture every National or European scheme in a local guide, therefore a grants search should be carried out as soon as project ideas are formulated.
Contact: David Griffiths 01743 - 281014 david.griffiths@shrewsbury.gov.uk
J4B is an internet site offering a free service for businesses seeking grant funding
Website address:- http://www.j4b.co.uk/