STOCKPORT S PORTAS PILOT --- PROJECT APPLICATION PACK FOR GRANT FUNDING STOCKPORT PORTAS PILOT PROJECT DELIVERY GROUP Supported by Stockport Council
Background In April 2013, members of Stockport s Town Team voted for a new decision making project delivery group, which will manage the delivery of the town s Portas Pilot projects. Following feedback from members, the Town Team was presented with a number of options and asked to vote for their preferred new structure. The majority voted for a new project group to focus on delivering the Portas Pilot s original priorities by allocating funding to relevant projects. This project group is made up of one representative from each of the following organisations as a voting member: The Vintage Village National Market Traders Federation, Stockport Branch Screen Stockport Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Stockport Branch Stockport Plaza The Teenage Market Stockport Historic Quarter Forum Independent trader representative Independent trader representative The Defined Core Area Stockport s original Portas Pilot bid was focused on the Market and Underbanks area of the town, and the new Portas Pilot Delivery Group have identified a core area, described as Stockport s Old Town, which all Portas Pilot funded projects must be delivered in. This includes: Market Place Little Underbank Great Underbank St. Petersgate Lower Hillgate High Street Wellington Street Churchgate Bridge Street Brow
Criteria The vision for Stockport listed in our original Portas Pilot bid is one that reinvents the town s unique places and spaces, and creates environments and experiences which attract people both day and night. The new Portas Pilot delivery group want to see project proposals which reflect this vision and build on the success of the town s historic market, growing independent retail sector, emerging events programme, developing creative businesses and strong commitment of community organisations. Specifically the new project group would like to see proposals which: Fill vacant units with exciting new uses Increase footfall and introduce new people to the area Creatively animate the area with new uses Support existing businesses Encourage the growth of vintage and specialist retail Help establish an evening economy Other Key Factors When considering applications for funding, the Portas Pilot Delivery Group will also take into account three other important factors. These are: THE RIGHT OFFER The initiative is seeking project proposals that will bring added value and enhancement, vitality and viability. VIABILITY The initiative is seeking evidence that show a commitment to long term financial viability and an obligation to sustained pro-active marketing. Applications for short term opportunistic gains will not be successful. VALUE FOR MONEY Value for money is a priority. It protects the interests of the borough s residents and any third part contributors and ensures that funding is maximised and used in the most cost effective way.
Guidance on Funding All project proposals submitted must be deliverable, sustainable, and not possible without public sector funding. Your proposal must also not directly compete with any existing public sector funded programmes or initiatives. Accompanying your proposal must be a list of relevant expenditure with an estimated cost for each item. Payment will be made to successful applicants retrospectively on the submission of evidence of spend on eligible activity. The Council will arrange for payment within 14 days, subject to: Minimum of 1 month interval Evidence of work or services completed Evidence of expenditure Value for money (three competitive quotes on each item) Who can apply? Individual businesses Groups of businesses Partnerships Social Enterprises Voluntary Organisations Charitable Organisations Who cannot apply? Individuals Projects which are delivered outside of the defined core area Projects which benefit a single business but bring no added value to the wider area
Funding Offer Letter After being notified of their project proposal s success, successful applicants will be asked to sign a Funding Offer Letter. Any work undertaken prior to signing this Funding Offer Letter will not be eligible. The funding offer letter forms a contract between you, Stockport Council and the Portas Pilot Project Delivery Group. You will be sent two copies of the funding offer letter. If you decide to accept the funding offer, and you agree to abide by the conditions, you must confirm this by signing one copy of the letter and returning it to Stockport Council. The other copy is for you to keep. It is important that you keep a copy of this letter for your records and ensure that your professional agents/contractors also see it. The funding offer will remain available for a period of 3 months, or as shown in the offer letter. Offer of funding does not mean that any liability lies with the Portas Pilot Project Delivery Group or the Council in the event of claims against the funding recipient. Once you have received and signed the funding offer letter you must send a copy back to the Council. The Portas Pilot Delivery Group will only be committed to funding the project once you have formally accepted the offer and conditions. Supplementary Details Changes to the agreed project: If you want to make any changes to your proposals after the Funding Offer Letter has been signed then you must inform the Council prior to undertaking any changes. The Council will bring these details to the Portas Pilot Project Delivery Group for a decision, who will then inform you whether or not your proposed changes are considered to be acceptable under the agreed scheme. Monitoring: All successful applicants are required to monitor their projects on an ongoing basis and submit progress reports when requested by the Portas Pilot Project Delivery Group. These updates may include project progression, expenditure and income. The Council will also contact you on a regular basis to visit your project. Physical changes & improvements to buildings: The funding is awarded to an individual property rather than a business or owner. If you move premises or sell the property you cannot take any of the funded building fixtures with you.
Proof of ownership/maintenance lease: With projects involving premises, if you do not own the property, the Council will need proof that you have permission from the owner to carry out any works to the building or surrounding grounds. Project completion: Once you consider that your project has been completed you should inform the Council in writing.the Council will visit the project to check that it has been delivered against the agreed scheme. Health and Safety Statements: This is a statement that should include details of the approximate dates when the different elements of the work are programmed. Eg. For any scaffolding required or disruption to highways that may be caused. Planning permission and other statutory consents: Depending on the extent of the project it is possible that planning consent and permission will be required. The following is a list of some of the statutory consents that may be required prior to starting work on the project: Planning Permission Conservation Consent Advertising Consent Building Regulations Premises license Environmental Procurement Guidance: The Council is committed to protecting and enhancing the environment both locally and globally and would also like to encourage project applicants to do so likewise: Find out how you can adapt your project to face new risks and take advantage of new opportunities that result from climate change. Look for environmental improvements and efficiency savings across your project Find ways to make your project more sustainable to improve its long term prospects.
Application Process Stage 1: Complete and Return Application Form All applications must be sent to submit@skportaspilot.co.uk Applications will be checked to make sure requests fit the funding criteria and that all the necessary information has been supplied. Failure to provide all required information may result in your project not being successful. Stage 2: Voting & Selection The Portas Project Delivery Group will meet monthly to discuss whether the proposals submitted meet the relevant criteria. At this stage, the group may vote on project proposals or invite the applicant to a meeting to discuss their proposal in more detail. Funding decisions are made by the Delivery Group, subject to a simple majority vote. Delivery Group members are not able to take part in funding decisions concerning groups, organisations, or projects with which they are directly involved. Stage 3: Funding offer Applicants of successful project proposals will be issued a Funding Offer Letter by Stockport Council. By signing the letter, applicants will have agreed to accept both the level of funds being offered and any terms & conditions attached to the offer. Once the Council has confirmed receipt of the signed Funding Offer Letter, project delivery can commence.
STOCKPORT S PORTAS PILOT --- PROJECT APPLICATION FORM
About your organisation Name of applicant: Name of lead organisation: Contact Details: If you are applying as a partnership of businesses or voluntary organisations please list the main aims and objectives of your group: When was your group established: If you are a company, what is your registration number:
About your project What is the title of your project? When do you anticipate the project will start and finish? Start Date: End Date: Ongoing Please tick which of the following your project will achieve: Fill vacant units with exciting new uses Increase footfall and introduce new people to the area Creatively animate the area with new uses Support existing businesses Encourage the growth of specialist and vintage retail Help establish an evening economy Briefly describe your project and its main objectives. Include how it will be delivered, who will deliver it and where it will be delivered.
Explain how your project will bring added value to the area. Explain how you know there is a demand for your project and list any evidence you have to support this.
Outline what previous experience you have in delivering this type of project. Describe how the project will complement or add to, and not duplicate, existing activity.
How will the project progress after any funding you may secure comes to an end? Who will be the main beneficiaries of this project/activity?
Project Outcomes Explain the clear and measurable benefits this project/activity will achieve and how it will impact on the defined core area. Describe how this impact will be measured eg. numbers of people expected to attend, number of businesses involved.
Project Budget What is the estimated total cost of your project? Provide a breakdown of the estimated cost of each element of your project How much funding are your requesting? Revenue Capital
List any match funding you have secured so far towards this project. This may include in-kind support from businesses. If you are awarded less funding than you have requested how will your project be affected?
State any risks that are involved in delivering your project and how they will be reduced. State the amount of public sector funding your organisation has received in the last 2 tax years. This project is funded under the de-minimis aid scheme. Therefore the value of support you have received from this project will count towards your de-minimis ceiling (EU 200k per undertaking (individual companies, businesses or groups) in any 3 consecutive tax years including the one in currently) and you will need to keep a record of this information. You will also be required to declare this support if you receive any further de-minimis support within the next 3 tax year period.
Checklist This checklist will help you to check that you are sending us a fully completed application. Please note, incomplete applications will be returned. Please tick the boxes below to confirm that you have provided or enclosed the following information: A copy of your constitution if you are an organisation A completed application form List of projected relevant expenditure A copy of your application form for your records Declaration It is essential you understand and agree to sign up to the following statements. Failure to do so may have an impact on future funding. 1. We confirm that the information contained in this application is correct and that we are authorised by the organisation to accept these conditions on their behalf. 2. If successful we will not use the funding for any other purpose other than that specified on this application and the Funding Offer. 3. We accept funding can only be allocated to projects contained with the defined core area of Stockport Old Town. 4. We accept that funding will only be paid retrospectively, once we have submitted evidence of appropriate spend. We accept funding cannot be allocated to items that are not directly associated with the project. 5. We accept work undertaken on this project prior to funding being awarded will not be eligible. 6. If our request for funding is successful we accept we are required to monitor progress and outcomes, and provide project reports to the Portas Pilot Project Delivery Group when requested. 7. If successful, we will highlight the support received the Stockport Portas Pilot Project Delivery Group and Stockport Council in all media references related to the project. 8. We agree that if we have any concerns or complaints these will initially be dealt with confidentially through the Portas Pilot Project Delivery Group and Stockport Council. 9. We agree for the Portas Pilot Project Delivery Group and Stockport Council to use the organisation s name and photographs for promotional purposes if our request for funding if successful.
This document is signed by Lead Contact Person Signature: Full Name: Position: Date: Second Contact Person Signature: Full Name: Position: Date: PLEASE NOTE IF THE PROJECT DELIVERY GROUP CONSIDERS THAT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR PROJECT IS REQUIRED YOU WILL BE CONTACTED SEPARATELY. Thank you for completing this application.