MEETING OF DÚN LAOGHAIRE-RATHDOWN COUNTY COUNCIL 13 TH MAY 2013 BUSINESS PROMOTION GRANTS 2013 REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE

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1 MEETING OF DÚN LAOGHAIRE-RATHDOWN COUNTY COUNCIL 13 TH MAY 2013 BUSINESS PROMOTION GRANTS 2013 REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE 1. Overview Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council established a 70,000 fund in its 2013 Budget to assist business groups in the County in accordance with adopted Rules and Procedures (Appendix A). Grant aid for recognised business groups in each electoral area of the County are available up to 11,000 per area. Grants of up to a maximum of 75% of proposed expenditure will be payable on receipt of proof of expenditure incurred The closing date for applications was 25th April A total of 18 applications were received. The Evaluation Committee met on 2 nd May 2013 and was chaired by An Cathaoirleach, Cllr Tom Joyce with the following persons appointed by the County Manager present: Richard Shakespeare, Director of Services, Environment Dept; Michael Johnson, CEO of the DLR County Enterprise Board; Therese Langan Senior Executive Officer, Environment Dept; Catherine Keenan, Parks Section, Environment Dept and Wessel Badenhorst, Administrative Officer, Enterprise Unit, Planning and Enterprise Department. The Committee applied the criteria agreed by DLR County Council for the evaluation of applications for Business Promotion Grants, including assessment of eligibility of proposed costs. Applications were received covering all electoral areas in the county. The total of grant funding recommended for approval is 66, Evaluation of Applications All applications are subject to compliance with the grant conditions as set out in the Council s policy document (Business Promotion Grants Rules and Procedures) herein attached as Appendix A.

2 Ballybrack Electoral Area BPG/05/2013/01 Shankill Traders Association Develop communication material and platforms for destination Expand business directory Develop an App for Shankill Host series of networking evenings for local businesses The proposed networking events are essentially B2B activities and not directly related to increasing footfall, therefore not grant-aided from dlr Business Promotion Grants. Recommendation: Approve a grant of 5,000. Blackrock Electoral Area BPG/10/2013/01 Blackrock Community Playgroup Limited Develop marketing collateral and platform Develop a website. Print posters, flyers and business cards Amount applied for: 600 Compliance: Recommendation; The applicant does not constitute a business group as per the rules and procedures for Business Promotion Grants. BPG/14/2013/01 Blackrock Business Network Festivals and promotional campaigns Promotion and advertising of town events including distribution of flyers, online & radio ads and talks. Blackrock Animation Festival & Christmas Tree and Lights

3 The project meets the objectives of the dlr Business Promotion Grants. Recommendation: Approve a grant of 8,500. BPG/16/2013/01 Woodbine Park Traders Association Placemaking and destination promotion Erect signage on the N11 and Rock Rd to direct to Woodbine Park Promotional campaign leaflet drop Placemaking children s games Amount applied for: 4,500 The erection of directional signage on roads is not grantaided through the dlr Business Promotion Grants. Recommendation: Approve a grant of 1,000. Dún Laoghaire Electoral Area BPG/06/2013/01 Dalkey Business Group Tourism promotion Develop the mobile version of I love Dalkey website Distribute the new illustrated map throughout Dublin city Brand a rickshaw in Dublin city Welcome cruise ships with costume dressed actors Amount applied for: 10,754 Activities related to cruise ships will not be funded from dlr Business Promotion Grants. Recommendation: Approve a grant of 6,000. BPG/11/2013/01 Dun Laoghaire Business Association Tourism and retail investment promotion PR and marketing campaign to bring new retail to Dún Laoghaire Develop marketing brochure aimed at key retail multiples Update and Radio advertising

4 The project meets the objectives of the dlr Business Promotion Grants. Recommendation: Approve a grant of 8,000. BPG/15/2013/01 Glasthule & Sandycove Traders Association Tourism promotion Bloomsday 16 th June 2013 Updating of website. Christmas Festival 2013 Shopfront Competition. The project meets the objectives of the dlr Business Promotion Grants. Recommendation: Approve a grant of 6,000. BPG/17/2013/01 Waterfront Group Marketing High quality A5 20-page Business Directory Amount applied for: 2,625 Recommendation: The proposed activity is not related to generating footfall in a specified area. BPG/18/2013/01 Killiney Shopping Centre Business Group Marketing Distribution of marketing material Amount applied for: 2,000 Recommendation: No details on group membership or planned activities in application

5 Dundrum Electoral Area BPG/02/2013/01 Nutgrove Shopping Centre Tenants Committee Arts Festival (Thursday 26 September Sunday 6 October 2013) Nutgrove Arts Festival featuring literary, music, films, art exhibitions and dancing events. The project meets the objectives of the dlr Business Promotion Grants. Recommendation: Approve a grant of 7,000. BPG/03/2013/01 Churchtown Business Association Awareness raising of retail and services in local area Summer Fest Christmas Fair Additional Signage The project meets the objectives of the dlr Business Promotion Grants. Recommendation: Approve a grant of 7,000. Glencullen Electoral Area BPG/04/2013/01 Dublin Mountain Area Network Tourism Promotion Cara Magazine ¼ page advertisement, bus wrap, Q102/4FM weather slot Tourist Information Map Board in Glencullen Express Bus promotional brochure. Concerns were expressed that in the past the Cara advertising campaign and bus wrap is too focused on one business.

6 Recommendation: Approve a grant of 1,000 towards the development of a tourist information board in Glencullen. BPG/08/2013/01 Sandyford Business District Association FDI marketing campaign Phase I: Consultative workshop/seminar with key stakeholders (IDA, Savills, CBRE etc.) Phase II: Integrated digital platforms with Video, Apps, Corporate endorsements and B2B Promotional/Events. Phase III: Information event to launch digital platform. Phase IV: FDI marketing brochure and other collateral. Phase V: Gateway to Sandyford international seminar. The request for co-funding is specifically for Phases II and IV. The aim of the campaign namely to attract FDI into Sandyford is of strategic value for the whole county. Recommendation: Approve a grant of 11,000. BPG/09/2013/01 South Dublin FETAC Accredited Course Providers Advertising training rooms Not specified. Amount applied for: 7,500 Compliance: Recommendation: The applicant does not constitute a business group as per the rules and procedures for Business Promotion Grants. BPG/13/2013/01 Stepaside Business Group Create a Shop Local spirit The Sample Stepaside Event Branding of Stepaside Village Amount applied for: 9,000 No details on group membership or planned activities in application

7 Recommendation: Stillorgan Electoral Area BPG/01/2013/01 Cabinteely Traders Association Community Music and Dance Festival Organising Dancing at the Crossroads in Cabinteely Village Amount applied for: 10,000 Event also receiving funding from The Gathering. Amount allocated reduced accordingly. Recommendation: Approve a grant of 4,000. BPG/07/2013/01 Lewis and Company Marketing of the company Develop new website and social media Amount applied for: 3,000 Compliance: Recommendation: The applicant does not constitute a business group as per the rules and procedures for Business Promotion Grants. BPG/12/2013/01 Foxrock Area Community Enterprise Limited Public gathering place/community seating Landscaping of the Village Green Installation of Samuel Beckett information display case Installation of six benches. Amount applied for: 6,000 The works proposed should be done in collaboration with the Council s Parks Section. Recommendation: Approve a grant of 1,500.

8 Appendix A DLR Business Promotion Grants 2013 Background Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council has established a 70,000 Business Promotion Fund in 2013 to grant aid recognised business groups in each electoral area of the county ( 11,000 per area). Grants of up to a maximum of 75% of proposed expenditure will be payable in respect of promotion and marketing activities aimed at generating and sustaining business. 1. Objectives The objectives of the DLR Business Promotion Grants are as follows: to help generate and sustain business activity by delivering tangible outputs such as increased footfall, to encourage firms in an area to work collectively to promote and sustain business activity in their area and to encourage businesses to work with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and other public agencies. 2. General Conditions The following conditions will apply: a. A total amount of 11,000 will be available to grant aid projects in each electoral area. b. An amount of 4,000 will be set aside for 2 Ideas Workshops one will be held for Ballybrack, Blackrock and Dún Laoghaire Electoral Areas and one will be held for Dundrum, Stillorgan and Glencullen/Sandyford Electoral Areas. c. Grant monies cannot be used to reimburse direct employment or towards travel costs or the purchase of alcoholic beverages. d. Grant monies cannot be used to reimburse costs that are attributed to benefit-in-kind contributions. e. An Evaluation Committee appointed by the County Manager and chaired by An Cathaoirleach will assess applications against a set of criteria (Par. 5). The Committee will submit recommendations for payment of grants for the approval of the Council. f. The decision of the Council in respect of every grant application will be final. g. Any recognised business group operating in the county may submit a maximum of two applications.

9 h. The applicant must show proof of tax compliance and not be in arrears with payments on rates, waste and/or water charges. i. Grants will not be available to public agencies except where they are proposing to work in partnership with a number of businesses in the county. j. The payment of any grant will be subject to satisfying the Council that proposed expenditure will be made and that this can be verified in terms of standard accounting practices. k. Any funding under the scheme may not include grants received from the Council under any other scheme. l. The project must be capable of being completed or at least substantially completed before 31 December m. Where the object of a project application is the regeneration or physical development of an area, the application will only be considered if letters of endorsement from the relevant Council Department/s for the proposed development are received with the application. n. The type of projects welcome for consideration would feature (not exhaustive): Promotional campaigns and events including music, public art and other forms of performance Advertising/marketing campaigns using online resources and/or via radio, TV, print, street displays designed to increase footfall in retail areas Small scale civic/public space projects including streetscape improvements (subject to Council approval), signage, street furniture, public lighting etc. that improve the sense of space in the area. 3. Application Process Applicant groups are required to complete the official application form, which must be signed by the chairperson of the business group or the legal party acting on behalf of the group. The deadline for receipt of completed application forms is 16.00hrs on Friday, 19 th April It is anticipated that grants will be paid within three weeks of receiving appropriate receipts or other corroborating documents of eligible costs incurred. If appropriate a second call for applications will be issued. This will depend on the residual of monies available after payments of grants are completed. Completed application forms should be submitted to: 4. Evaluation Criteria Clare Kelly Planning & Enterprise Department Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Marine Road Dún Laoghaire

10 The Evaluation Committee will assess projects against the following criteria: the extent to which the project will contribute to meeting the objectives of the Grant Scheme the input of local business community into the project the nature and duration of any benefits (e.g. whether short term or long term, one off or persisting) 3. Guidelines re Eligible Projects The following guidelines give an indication of the type of projects that will be considered under the Grants Scheme: Promotional campaigns and events including music, public art and other forms of performance Advertising/marketing campaigns including radio, TV, print, street displays designed to increase footfall in retail areas On-line communication. Small scale civic/public space projects including streetscape improvements, signage, street furniture, public lighting etc. that improve the sense of space in the area.