Beddington Community Fund Scheme Terms of Reference

Transcription

1 This document was discussed and agreed at the Beddington Liaison Group Funding Panel 4 th August Revision to smarter working 21 st March Beddington Community Fund Scheme Terms of Reference

2 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 On the 13 th March 2014, Viridor, a leading UK waste, recycling and renewable energy company, entered into a Section 106 Agreement with London Borough of Sutton and Thames Water.( The Section 106 Agreement) The Section 106 Agreement links with Planning Permission D2012/66220/FUL for the phased demolition of existing buildings and development of an Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) Beddington Community Fund Scheme A requirement of the Section 106 is that Viridor establishes a Community Fund Scheme (CFS). Viridor will set up a Community Fund Account (CFA), into which agreed sums of monies will be paid at pre-determined intervals (all of which is detailed in the Section 106 agreement). The Scheme will be used to support local environmental and community projects which will benefit the local environment and/or the local community Community Fund Contributions The sums available to be allocated to successful projects that meet the qualifying criteria consist of the following: Community Fund Initial Contribution - 250,000 (Two hundred and fifty thousand pounds) (Indexed Linked) Community Fund Additional Contribution - 100,000 (One hundred thousand pounds) (Indexed Linked) to be paid on or before 31 st December Community Fund Annual Contribution - 25,000 (Twenty Five Thousand Pounds) (Indexed Linked) per annum for 25 years (totalling six hundred and twenty five thousand pounds) (Indexed Linked) All funds shall be paid into the CFA, which shall be an interest bearing bank account opened by Viridor which shall only be used for Community Purposes ( defined in the Section 106 Agreement as local environmental and community projects which will benefit the local environment and/or the local community The CFS will be administered by the Beddington Liaison Group Funding Panel (BLGFP) and the remaining un-administered total of the fund will roll over into each calendar year.. 2. BEDDINGTON LIAISON GROUP FUNDING PANEL

3 2.1. The Role of the Funding Panel The objectives of the BLGFP are to promote community participation and partnership as well as supporting local environmental and community beneficial projects with an emphasis on value for money, proven need and sustainability The BLGFP is to include volunteers with local knowledge and who may be best placed direct the CFS monies to schemes and projects where it can deliver the best results for the benefit of the community and surrounding area Membership of the Funding Panel Membership of the BLGFP is by invitation only. As a minimum the panel will consist of 5 members to always include: 1 representative from Viridor ( a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 2); 1 representative from the council (a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 2); 1 resident from the area of Beddington (a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 2); and 1 resident form the area of Hackbridge (a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 2) Membership of the BLGFP may be extended to representatives from other local voluntary and community organisations, residents groups, environmental groups, and other stakeholder groups. The decision on the make-up of a panel rests with the BLGFP. The maximum size of the BLGFP will be limited to 7 members Governance Good governance is acknowledged to be essential for the success of any organisation and that includes the BLGFP. Panel members play a vital role in serving their communities, bringing commitment as well as skills and experience to the meetings. Fundamental to this success is the accountability of panel members in ensuring equality of treatment for all sectors of the community Membership of the Funding Panel In order to establish initial representation on the BLGFP from the areas of Beddington and Hackbridge, it is envisaged that existing communication networks such as Local Liaison Groups, Community Groups, Residents Meetings and other similar groups be used to publicise the CFS Through these existing groups, it is hoped that an elected representative or volunteer from each area can then be appointed to sit on the BLGFP as a core member. All core members will be required to name a second representative to deputise Where wider applications for appointment to the BLGFP are to be considered, applicants are encouraged to initially write to a core member who will review the application with the other panel members. If the application is considered acceptable

4 then the applicant will be invited to present their case for appointment to the BLGFP at the next quarterly meeting The existing members will determine any application for BLGFP membership by vote. If the application is supported by the voting process then the applicant will be invited to join BLGFP In the event that a vote is not conclusive, the Chair shall have the casting vote Removal and Replacement of Members of the Funding Panel If a member of the BLGFP decides to resign, they are requested to advise the Chair of the panel in writing providing a minimum of one month s notice. Where appropriate the resigning member my recommend a successor to represent the same stakeholder group and the details of the successor should be provided to the Chair in advance of the next meeting If a successor is not recommended, then the BLGFP shall write to the stakeholder group and seek nominations for a replacement member Members of the BLGFP are expected to conduct CFS related business in a professional and courteous manner and to have consideration for the opinions of views of their fellow panel members and other stakeholders at all times. Panel members will be expected to be impartial and to consider each application on its merits Where the behaviour of a panel member, is deemed to fall below that which is to be expected, measures will be agreed as to how the matter can be resolved. Initially this will be debated at the next BLGFP meeting allowing the views of all parties to be heard. Ultimately if a satisfactory outcome cannot be achieved, the continued membership of the individual on the panel may have to be decided by vote In the event that a vote is not conclusive, the Chair shall have the casting vote Appointment of a Chairpersonman and Vice-chair BLGFP members will elect a chairperson and vice chair on either an annual basis. or on a rotational basis. It is preferable not to have a Council or Viridor representative as Chair, recognising the need for transparency in the control of the funding panel. In the absence of the Chair, the Vice-Chair will have the casting vote Administration Team The BLGFP will require an administrator/s whose role will be to assist in the production, collation and distribution of Agenda s, Minutes and other supporting information to assist the funding panel. The administrator will also review new applications against the agreed funding criteria to ensure that only qualifying applications are put forward for consideration at the BLGFP meetings.

5 2.7.2 Once an application has been determined, the administrator will also be responsible for informing the applicant of the outcome and, for those applications that have been successful, processing the supporting paperwork ensuring that agreed authorisation procedures are followed to facilitate successful transfer of monies to the applicants account Viridor will be responsible for funding and providing the administration support for the scheme The core members of the BLGFP will agree the Job Role for the administrator outlining duties s and responsibilities Additional smarter working measures are agreed to use phone/ /conference call capability as a remote way of contacting the panel and issuing feedback for applications. 3. BEDDINGTON LIAISON GROUP FUNDING PANEL MEETINGS 3.1. Locations and Frequency Meetings are to be held quarterly at the Viridor offices on Beddington Lane. or at an alternative venue as might be agreed from time to time In advance of the meeting an Agenda will be compiled and circulated to all attendees outlining the order and structure of the forthcoming meeting The meetings will be the forum at which all matters relating to the CFS and BLGFP are debated and agreed. The meetings will be overseen by the elected Chair Review of Terms of Reference, Membership and Other Administration Matters It is envisaged that as the BLGFP becomes established changes will be required to the way the scheme is run and administered. To achieve this, it will be a requirement of the funding panel to regularly review the scheme and to consider any improvements that can be made to ensure the scheme runs more efficiently and maximises the benefits to the local community. At the first meeting of the BLGFP, these terms of reference shall be discussed and a vote taken on any proposed amendments. As a minimum the scheme and the related terms of reference will be reviewed once every 12 months Any changes that are considered will be decided by means of a vote with the Chair s vote being the casting vote in the event of a split decision The administrator shall keep and maintain a full record of the accounts at all times Consideration of Applications for Funding

6 3.3.1 The majority of time allocated to meetings will be spent considering applications for funding All applications placed before the BLGFP for consideration at quarterly meetings will have already have been assessed and met the key criteria for qualifying. Ineligible or non-compliant applications will have already been declined at this stage Once a short list of applications has been determined the BLGFP will be asked to vote on those schemes they consider will have the most benefit to the local community and meet the key objectives of the scheme, namely: promote community participation and partnership; supporting local environmental and community beneficial projects; demonstrate value for money, proven need and sustainability; It is during these discussions that the panel will need to consider each application in advance of a vote to accept a request for financial support of a project Update on Existing Projects The administrator will provide an update on those projects that have received funding from the CFS at each meeting. Details will be provided on matter such as planned start date, progress made, estimated completion dates, formal openings etc, on those projects supported. The final detail of the content on the project updates will be decided by BLGFP It is proposed that as a condition of funding, there is a requirement for a brief project progress report to be submitted by the applicant to the BLGFP for discussion at each meeting At the end of each funding year the administrator will provide a review of progress on each funded project highlighting any issues arising Quorum A quorum of at least four members of the funding panel must be present for any funding decision to be made. Additionally, a funding decision cannot be made, if representatives of the Council or Viridor are in a majority Meetings must take place with the Chair in attendance as it will be the Chair who has the casting vote in the event of split decision. 4. APPLICATIONS 4.1. Initial Qualification Criteria

7 4.1.1 The BLGFP will be required to agree, set and review clear criteria against which applications for funding can be assessed. The criteria will allow applications to go through a stage gate approach so that only those applications that meet the qualifying criteria will put forward for consideration by the BLGFP at the next quarterly meeting. The details of the qualifying criteria will be agreed by the BLGFP but could include: Any project within the four Boroughs of Croydon, Kingston, Merton and Sutton. The qualifying catchment area which may or may not include a maximum distance of any project from the site Financial Cap on the funding of any one project the cap will limit projects within 2km of the Beddington ERF to up to 30,000 and projects outside this radius up to Limit on the number of projects supported in any one year Evidence of any additional funding secured (for larger projects) Provision, maintenance or improvement of public park or general public amenity Evidence of community support Where land and/or property is affected, evidence that the landowner supports/does not object to the project. Commitment to participate and provide any information relating to project progress in response to a reasonable request by the BLGFP Once the application qualifying criteria is agreed by the BLGFP it will form part of the application pack form which will be made available to the local community and will include: sent out to applicants that wish to apply for funding. Additional information that will need to be provided might include: Brief history of the organisation and project seeking support Contact details for queries relating to the bid An overview of the project and clearly explain what elements of the project the donation will fund How the applicant envisages that the project will meet the Community Funds aims namely; to promote community participation and partnership as well as supporting local environmental and community beneficial projects with an emphasis on value for money, proven need and sustainability. How the project will demonstrate value for money Project timetable (not essential for all projects) Funding timetable (upfront, phased or on completion) The specific details and content of the application pack and additional information required to support an application will be agreed by the BLGFP This initial stage of review does not check the merits of a project; only that it meets the criteria for funding as agreed by the Funding Panel (completed application form,

8 eligible geographic location, eligible funding request) and thus can proceed to the next stage, namely review of eligible applications for presentation to the funding panel Eligible Applications Only those applications that meet the set qualifying criteria will be put forward for review by the BLGFP at the quarterly meeting A meeting pack will be sent out to all BLGFP members a week before the quarterly meeting. The pack will include the application form for each project undera précis of each application for consideration. At the quarterly meeting, the funding panel will review the new applications for consideration discussing the merits of each and deciding which projects to support against the pre-determined funding criteria BLGFP members are encouraged to contribute any knowledge they have of or about the applications or projects at the meeting, particularly in terms of the benefit of the project to the local community. Panel members must declare any interest they may have in any application which is presented at a meeting. Where such a declaration is made, the member concerned will be invited to speak in connection with the application Once all applications have been reviewed, the funding panel will be asked to vote on those schemes they consider should be supported by the CFS. The decision to award funds should be by consensus and in the event of a split decision the Chair s vote will be the casting vote Approved Applications Applicants will be notified of the decisions made by BLGFP following the quarterly meeting. If an application is successful, an offer letter, and funding formpack will be sent out to the applicant. The content of the funding pack will be agreed and regularly reviewed by the BLGFP working together with Viridor and the Council to ensure that all necessary financial regulations have been complied with and all procedures are secure and auditable Where an application has not been successful, the applicant will be advised in writing of the BLGFP decision Funding panel members will be advised not to discuss any decisions made at the quarterly meetings before the applicant has been notified of the outcome of the meeting. This has potential to cause embarrassment to the BLGFP, not least if the applicant learns of the decision through a third party Once Projects are approved by the BLGFP, the amount allocated is the maximum amount the CFS will provide. Applications for additional funding to cover shortfalls will not be accepted by the BLGFP.

9 4.3.5 Applications will not be accepted for funds required as an extension to existing projects Transfer of Funds Payments for projects will be paid in accordance with the approved funding timetable (timetable (which will normally be on the completion of works) and on receipt of a Payment Request Form (format of form to be agreed by the BLGFP) with a copy of the relevant invoice attached. No payment will be made against quotations, or for work which was started before the date of confirmation of funding from BLGFP All projects that are approved for funding must be started within 12 months of receipt and proceed in accordance with the approved project and funding timetables and the offer letter otherwise funding may withheld from subsequent phases or be withdrawn from the project in its entirety Following approval of a Project the BLGFP members will collectively sign an Authorisation Form outlining details of the project, the approved sum and the anticipated payment date. The Authorisation Form must be signed by at least 4 members of the BLGFP including the Chairman The completed Authorisation Form will be sent to Viridor s Finance Department who will ensure that the funds are allocated to the specific project and will provide an update on the balance of ongoing funds available for new projects Once a Payment Request Form and relevant invoice is received, providing it is in accordance with the funding timetable, the approved money will be transferred into the applicant s account. Where the invoice is the final invoice for the project, once the money has been transferred into the applicant s account and the project will be deemed closed Acknowledgement and Publicity All projects will be required to recognise the contributions received from the CFS in material and publicity associated with the project The further remit of the BLGFP will be to give consideration to how the scheme can be promoted and gain recognition for the work supported. This may include providing a plaque for projects to display, showing that the project was supported by the CFS Consideration could also be given to making members of the BLGFP aware of events held by projects in the area at which their attendance might increase awareness of the CFS and could lead to an application for funding Dissemination of Information All organisations will be required to make freely available any information and all research findings from projects.