DLR BUSINESS SUPPORT GRANTS 2010 REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE When considering the Budget 2010, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council established a 300,000 fund to assist business groups in the County. At its April Meeting the Council agreed criteria and arrangements were made to advertise the Business Promotion Fund to grant aid recognised business groups in each electoral area of the county ( 50,000 per area). Grants of up to a maximum of 50% of proposed expenditure will be payable in respect of promotion and marketing activities aimed at generating and sustaining business. The closing date for receipt of applications was 8 th June 2010. A total of fifteen applications were received. Summary The Evaluation Committee met on 15 th June 2010 and was chaired by An Cathaoirleach, Cllr Lettie McCarthy, with the following persons appointed by the County Manager present: Richard Shakespeare, Director of Services, Environment, Culture and Community Dept; Michael Johnson, CEO of the DLR County Enterprise Board; John Guckian, Senior Executive Officer, Environment, Culture and Community Dept; and Wessel Badenhorst, Administrative Officer, Economic Development. The Committee applied the criteria agreed by DLR County Council for the evaluation of applications for Business Support Grants. Fifteen applications were received with only one electoral area not represented namely Stillorgan. The DLR Chamber endorsed all applications. The total of grant funding recommended for approval = 124,250.00. There are interests expressed by business groups who did not apply, including business groups in the Stillorgan, Glencullen, Kiltiernan and Monkstown areas. The remainder of funds is sufficient for a second round of applications to be processed. Evaluation of Applications All applications are subject to compliance with the grant conditions as set out in the Council s policy document herein attached as Appendix A, including proof of matching funding. The recommendations of the Evaluation Committee are now presented to the Council for consideration.
Ballybrack Electoral Area BSG/09/2010 The Shankill Tidy Towns Traders Group/Shankill Traders Association Creation of a starting point for Shankill Village at the bus stop opposite St Anne s Church through a range of area improvement measures Shankill. The project will deliver further enhancement of the area and increase its attractiveness. Recommendation: Approve a grant of 15,000. BSG/10/2010 The Shankill Tidy Towns Traders Group/Shankill Traders Association Shankill Village Christmas Festival and Shankill End of Summer street entertainment Amount applied for: 6,525.00 Shankill. The success of the project also depends on the commitment of the organisers to sustain the proposed events annually. Recommendation: Approve a grant of 6,525.00. 2
Blackrock Electoral Area BSG/01/2010 Blackrock Business Network in collaboration with IADT Media Cube On-line and off-line marketing of an animation film competition to be showcased in Blackrock Blackrock Town. The initiative to collaborate with IADT and establish an annual animation festival has the potential to give the area a unique attraction in years to come with the concomitant positive impacts on retail spend. Recommendation: Approve a grant of 15,000 BSG/11/2010 Blackrock Business Network Blackrock Rocks Family Day including street performances, jazz and classical performances, food stalls, fashion show and puppet show Amount applied for: 10,000 Recommendation: Blackrock Town. The application did not contain a detailed costing of the events and activities proposed. Approve a grant of up to 10,000 pending a detailed costing of events and activities. 3
BSG/15/2010 Blackrock Business Network in collaboration with DLR Chamber Shop and building front enhancement including re-painting, replacement of rotten wood, lighting and repair of cracks The project meets the criteria to enhance the business/retail area of Blackrock Town, however, the project will result in the provision of grants to individual businesses, which is not envisaged as the purpose of the Business Support Grants. Recommendation: Decline a grant of 15,000. Dundrum Electoral Area BSG/13/2010 Dundrum Town Centre Tenants Committee Creation of a garden area for outdoor community activities Recommendation: Dundrum. The project will deliver further enhancement of the area and provide a needed space for outdoor activities. Approve a grant of 15,000 on condition that the synthetic turf will be in place for a minimum of five years. 4
Dún Laoghaire Electoral Area BSG/08/2010 Glasthule and Sandycove Traders Association Advertising and promotion of Bloomsday, Glasthule and Sandycove Summer Concert and Christmas attractions The application did not contain sufficient information to assess the events/activities planned by the applicant. Given that one of the events was to commence the next day (16 th June), the Committee decided to request the applicant to re-apply for the anticipated second round of funding. Recommendation: Decline a grant of 15,000. BSG/07/2010 Dalkey Business Group Renovation of public space to facilitate local markets, displays and street performances and enhance attractiveness of the village Dalkey. The project will deliver further enhancement of the area and increase its attractiveness. The project will require prior approval from a number of authorities including DLRCC Parks Dept, DLRCC Transportation Dept and the Conservation Officer. If the public space is to be used for trade, the appropriate trade licenses will have to be procured. Recommendation: Approve a grant of 15,000. 5
BSG/14/2010 Dún Laoghaire Cruise Stakeholders Group Marketing of DL Harbour and Town to Cruise operators Dun Laoghaire Harbour and Town. The initiative is well researched re the target market and involves a collaboration of all the key role players. Recommendation: Approve a grant of 15,000. BSG/02/2010 Dún Laoghaire Business Association in collaboration with The Maritime Institute of Ireland Marketing of the Maritime Museum including guided tours of local attractions in Dún Laoghaire It was inconclusive from the information available whether the Maritime Museum will be open for the public by end of year. From the costing attached to the application, it is clear that most of the marketing activities will be aimed at the tourism markets. In this regard supports may be available from agencies such as Fáilte Ireland and Dublin Tourism. Recommendation: Decline a grant of 15,000. BSG/06/2010 Dún Laoghaire Business Association and Dún Laoghaire Harbour Marketing of the annual Dún Laoghaire Christmas Fireworks Extravaganza Dún Laoghaire Harbour and Town, however, DLRCC already contributes 10,000 towards the Extravaganza. Recommendation: Decline a grant of 15,000. 6
BSG/12/2010 Dún Laoghaire Business Association Christmas Lights, shop front competition and website development + 2,000 + 2,500 Recommendation: Dun Laoghaire. The amount applied for exceeds the maximum allowed per application. It is proposed that the applicant engage the Dun Laoghaire Town BRAND Project re funding of a website for the town. The idea of a shop front competition could be further explored with Council to be incorporated in a countywide initiative. Approve a grant of 15,000 for the Christmas Lights project. Glencullen Electoral Area BSG/03/2010 Sandyford Business Estates Association Development of the SBEA website to include B2B capabilities and an interactive and creative platform for the business community in the Sandyford Business District Recommendation: Sandyford through the further development of the existing SBEA website to include additional functionality for B2B communication. The grant funding however cannot cover maintenance and other on-going costs associated with sustaining the project. Approve a grant of 4,000 for the redevelopment of the SBEA website only. 7
BSG/04/2010 Sandyford Business Estates Association Destination Sandyford Marketing Initiative by home ware and furnishing retailers in the Sandyford Business District Amount applied for: 5,384.50 Recommendation: Sandyford, in particular, to promote Sandyford as a retail destination for a range of home ware and furnishings. The costing provided however amounts to 9,300 and hence a 50% contribution will be 4,650. The Committee resolved that the grouping of 33 businesses will have to clarify their commitment and intentions with the Destination Sandyford website. If for example, it is part of a current marketing initiative and will go dormant thereafter, it will be important that the IP is designated to a broader business grouping such as SBEA. Approve a grant of 4,650 on condition of clarification of the intentions with and commitment to the proposed website. BSG/05/2010 Sandyford Business Estates Association Sandyford Business District Communication and PR campaign aimed at repositioning Sandyford from an Industrial Estate to a Business District Amount applied for: 9,075.00 The project meets the criteria to promote the business district of Sandyford. The changing of perceptions of Sandyford from that of a former industrial estate to that of a diversified mixed-use business district will require multiple initiatives of which this PR campaign can only be one. Recommendation: Approve a grant of 9,075.00. Resolution: That the recommendations of Evaluation Committee for payment of GRANTS under Business Promotion Fund are hereby APPROVED. 8
APPENDIX A DLR Business Promotion Grants 1. Background Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council has established a 300,000 Business Promotion Fund to grant aid recognised business groups in each electoral area of the county ( 50,000 per area). Grants of up to a maximum of 50% of proposed expenditure will be payable in respect of promotion and marketing activities aimed at generating and sustaining business. 2. Objectives The objectives of the DLR Business Promotion Grants are as follows: to help generate and sustain business activity, 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. 3. General Conditions The following conditions will apply: a. A total amount of 50,000 will be available to grant aid projects in each electoral area. b. A maximum grant of 15,000 will be payable per successful application. c. A successful applicant must show that matching funding, equal or greater to the amount of the grant will be provided from the applicant s own resources. d. Grant monies cannot be used for direct employment or towards travel costs. e. An Evaluation Committee appointed by the County Manager and chaired by An Cathaoirleach will assess applications against a set of criteria (Par. 6). 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 an application(s). h. The applicant must show proof of tax compliance and not be in arrears with payments on rates, waste and/or water charges. 9
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 matching expenditure will be made and that this can be verified in terms of standard accounting practices. k. The matching funds cannot include grants received from Council under any other scheme. j The project must be capable of being completed or at least substantially completed before 31 December 2010. 4. Endorsement of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Chamber of Commerce Every applicant business group must be endorsed by the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Chamber of Commerce and must submit a letter from the Chamber with its grant application to this effect. The letter must state that the DLR Chamber is satisfied that the applicant is a recognised business grouping operating in the county. The Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Chamber of Commerce may pursue actions and activities to support and develop business groups for the purpose of submitting applications under the Grants Scheme and it may submit applications on its own behalf. 5. Application Process Applicant groups are required to complete the official application form, which must be signed by the chairperson of the business group. The deadline for receipt of completed application forms is 16.00hrs on Tuesday, 8 June 2010. It is anticipated that grants will be paid by end of July 2010. 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 Wessel Badenhorst HR & CDB Department Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Marine Road Dún Laoghaire 6. Evaluation Criteria 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 businesses into the project, and the nature and duration of any benefits (e.g. whether short term or long term, one off or persisting). 10
7. 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 Approved by Council: 12 April 2010 Contact: Richard Shakespeare, Director of Environment, Culture & Community. 11