Rural Economy Action Project
RURAL ECONOMY ACTION PROJECT
PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION MANUAL
RURAL ECONOMY ACTION PROJECT – PROJECT GUIDELINES.
Contents
Page
Eligible wards map 3
Aims and objectives of project 4
Target communities 4
REAP project components 4
Range of activities to be supported 5
Quantifiable project outputs 5
Project Budget 6
Levels of grant assistance 6
Grant approval process 6
Project targeting 6
Appendices
Appendix 1 – Eligibility Criteria 7
Appendix 2 – Terms of Reference for Strategic Advisory Group 11
Appendix 3 – Action Zones Map 13
Appendix 4 – Key Statistical Indicators 14
Appendix 5 – Application form available on request
Appendix 6 – Project appraisal form available on request
Appendix 7 – Project implementation form available on request
RURAL ECONOMY ACTION PROJECT – PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.
RURAL ECONOMY ACTION PLAN – ELIGIBLE WARDS
Blaengarw Nantymoel
Ogmore Vale
Llangeinor Llangynwyd Blackmill
Aberkenfig Penprysg
Cefn Cribwr Penyfai Hendre Cornelly Felindre
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Aims. The aim of the project is “ to support the strategic and sustainable socio- economic regeneration of Bridgend’s rural communities ”.
Objectives. The key objectives of the project are to:
• Maintain vital rural communities.
• Achieve high quality rural services and facilities.
• Improve accessibility for rural people and businesses.
• Promote sustainable rural economies and employment.
• Meet the needs of all rural residents including young people, women, welsh speakers, disabled people, elderly and ethnic minority people, and to tackle social inclusion.
• Sustain and enhance the distinctive and diverse rural environment.
Target Communities Measure 5.6 is a spatially targeted measure. The thirteen eligible rural wards in the county borough are:
Llangynwyd Blaengarw Llangeinor Nantymoel
Ogmore Vale Blackmill Penprysg Felindre
Hendre Cefn Cribwr Cornelly Aberkenfig
Pen-y-fai
REAP Project Components
1. REAP Grant Fund: a key fund of £1,755,051 to support the strategic and sustainable socio-economic regeneration of the targeted rural communities. The fund will not support activities that could distort or threatens to distort competition. It will be targeted at community-based initiatives, although social economy / private sector initiatives could be supported if they are able to demonstrate a significant contribution to the local economy, compensate for identifiable market failure, do not contravene state aid regulations and can demonstrate they have the support of the local community.
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2. REAP Project Officer: responsible for working with local communities and community support organisations to develop projects and local economic strategies that support the regeneration of Bridgend’s rural communities and the overall objectives of the “Action Plan” and to ensure that such projects support the cross cutting themes of the strategy. S/he will also be responsible for partnership development and the overall project management of the grant fund.
3. REAP Project Assistant: responsible for project administration, providing support for grant recipients and for the administration and monitoring of the grant fund.
Range of actives to be supported. In support of the aims of Priority 5, Measure 6; “ to encourage and support sustainable economic development in rural areas ”, REAP will provide support for:
• the development of locally-based economic strategies and provide a funding stream for projects emerging from such strategies,
• community groups, social and community enterprises and other local initiatives which increase local employment opportunities, provide essential local services and encourage young people to return / remain within the communities,
• green / community tourism initiatives within the target communities,
• joint trading initiatives by SMEs / social & community enterprises within the target communities,
• community-based environmental projects that enhance the environmental assets of the target communities,
• community transport initiatives and ICT-based solutions designed to combat geographical peripherality,
• festival / marketing events within local communities.
Quantifiable Project Outputs.
OUTPUTS TOTALS Existing organisations benefiting from support / advice 50 New organisations benefiting from support / advice 35 Number of marketing and promotion events supported 10 Number of local facilities improved 10
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RESULTS TOTALS Gross jobs created 120 Jobs safeguarded 30
IMPACTS TOTALS Net additional jobs created 110 Net safeguarded jobs 25 Net additional firms 25
Project Budget. 2005/2006 2006/2007 2007/2008 TOTALS 585,017 585,017 585,017 1,755,051
Levels of grant assistance. Within the overall limits of the grant scheme and taking into account the needs of the target communities, it is not proposed to set an upper limit.
Grant approval process.
Grants up to £10,000 – assessed by the EDU grants panel and approved by the Head of EDU under delegated powers.
Grants from £10,000 to £35,000 – assessed by the Strategic Advisory Group and approved by the Head of EDU under delegated powers.
Grants above £35,000 will be assessed by the Strategic Advisory Group and reported to Cabinet for approval.
Project Targeting. It is not proposed to apportion the available funding between the target communities. Priority will be given to projects that serve the needs of more than one community. In order to facilitate this process the thirteen wards have been divided into six linked Action Zones. As far as is possible these communities either share common socio-economic characteristics or a common geographical focus.
Within this arrangement the Garw Valley would be a lower priority because alternative funding will be available through the Garw Valley Regeneration Fund.
This zoning system also has the advantage of identifying Cornelly as a separate action Zone, which will fit with the emerging priorities of the V2C / BCBC Strategic Partnership.
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APPENDIX 1
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
General
Applications will not be accepted for activities that are judged to distort of threaten to distort competition.
All applications will be required to demonstrate the contribution of their project to the sustainable economic regeneration of one or more of Bridgend’s designated rural communities.
Grant applications will not be considered for projects that would be eligible for funding through the EAGGF (agricultural) measures of the Objective One Programme.
Grant applications will not be considered for projects that would be eligible for funding under one of the existing Economic Development Unit grant schemes or other grant schemes such as AIG (Assembly Investment Grant) or RSA (Regional Selective Assistance).
Organisational Eligibility
1. Public sector / statutory organisations . These are defined as receiving in excess of 50% of their core funding from public finances. Such organisations would not be eligible for grant funding.
2. Voluntary and community organisations . These may be eligible for grant funding for up to 100% of total eligible project costs. A voluntary organisation is defined as:
A body that does not depend for its existence by statute – ie is constitutionally separate from government. A body which determines its own aims and objectives – ie is a self-governing organisation with its own legally recognised constitution (or articles and memorandum of association). A body whose primary function is not the generation of profit. A body that has charitable objectives by which is not necessarily a registered charity.
Prior to submitting a first application, a voluntary or community organisation must provide the REAP Officer with: A copy of its constitution and/or its Articles and Memorandum of Association. Evidence of adequate accounting and audit procedures. Evidence of good governance.
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For grants above £10,000, voluntary and/or community organisations will also be required to submit:
Proof of financial viability of the project in the form of a detailed business plan for the life of the project and up to 2 years after the funding ceases. A copy of their last three years audited accounts.
National / Regional voluntary and community organisations will be eligible for funding, but a higher priority will be given to locally-based organisations.
3. Social and Community enterprises (not-for-profits) will be eligible for REAP support where:
They are carrying out activities in the public interest. Any surplus is reinvested in the company and/or invested in the community. In the case of a capital investment, that the investment would remain in the ownership or control of the organisation for the benefit of the public.
Social and community enterprises will be eligible for grant funding under the same conditions as voluntary and community organisations.
4. Profit-distributing private sector companies. Only small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) could qualify for grant assistance. The definition of an SME is:
Less than 250 employees. An annual turnover of less than 50m euros. Net assets worth less than 27m euros. Not more than 25% of the capital or voting rights is owned by an enterprise which is not itself an SME.
Eligibility of Sector
Because of EU State Aid rules, some sectors of the economy are ineligible for grant support / only eligible for restricted grant support. These are:
Motor vehicle industry.
Ship building and repair.
Coal and Steel.
Textile and clothing.
Synthetic fibres.
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Transport.
Increased production in agriculture and food processing.
Other activities, which are generally considered ineligible or are only partly eligible for ERDF funding include (but see exceptions):
Sports, local leisure and cultural facilities : except where directly linked to socio-economic regeneration.
Retail developments: the only exception being community shops where no other facilities are available.
Banks and insurance companies : except for credit unions and other community-owned financial institutions. However, all are subject to full state aid rules.
Tourism Projects: projects that primarily serve local people are generally not eligible. Evidence of expected use by visitors from outside the area will be required.
Car Parks: unless part of a wider tourism or industrial scheme.
Works that are essentially a safety measure.
Works that are required to meet statutory obligations.
Works on routine or planned maintenance.
Works that merely replace existing facilities.
Eligible Items of Expenditure. The REAP grant will only support capital purchases. Eligible capital costs are:
Construction / Building Projects: eligible costs for capital projects may cover the following:
Land purchase: up to 10% of total eligible costs only.
Design and supervision: Professional fees should not normally exceed 12.5% of eligible works costs.
Site investigation and preparation.
Construction works.
Cost of landscaping.
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Cost of acquiring buildings for conversion. Buildings that have received EU or state funding in the past ten years and where this would be a duplication of aid, are ineligible for support.
Other eligible items of expenditure. Non-mobile plant, machinery and equipment (fixtures and fittings) essential to the implementation of the project.
Note on eligibility of mobile items of equipment. As a general rule, mobile items of equipment are not eligible for grant funding. However, in certain specialist projects a case may be made for its inclusion:
- specialist equipment that cannot be used for another purpose or at another location or which is essential for the delivery of the project.
- for vocational training and research and development facilities, essential items of equipment such as ICT and some teaching furnishings could be considered.
- for community economic development essential mobile fixtures and fittings directly related to the sole purpose of the project may be considered.
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APPENDIX 2
Terms of Reference: Strategic Advisory Group May 2005 Rural Economy Action Plan
1. Name 1.1 The Council has created a Group to provide a strategic perspective for the Rural Economy Action Project. This Group will be referred to as the REAP Strategic Advisory Group (SAG).
2. Aim 2.1 The aim of the Group is to facilitate the implementation of the REAP grants programme by advising the REAP Officer on effective strategies and advising on the award of grants over £10,000.
3. Responsibilities 3.1 To act as an advisory panel to the REAP Project.
3.2 To act as a focal point for cross-directorate projects developed within the framework of REAP.
3.3 To provide guidance in the grant approval process for proposed grants over £10,000.
3.4 To assist in the development of effective strategies for the implementation of the REAP Project.
3.5 To provide input into the monitoring and evaluation process against the stated objectives of the Project and the targets and outputs contained in the letter of approval from WEFO.
3.6 To integrate the REAP Project into the wider regeneration objectives of Bridgend County Borough Council.
3.7 To maximise the grant sources available from the REAP Project by integrating funding available from other internal and external funding sources.
4. Mode of Operations 4.1 The chair of the group will be nominated from amongst the members of the SAG.
5. Membership of the Group 5.1 The SAG membership is made up of officers of the Council and representatives of key external organisations. The membership will consist of:
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Representative from Tourism, BCBC. Representative from Finance, BCBC. Representative from Housing and Community Wellbeing, BCBC. Representative from Leisure and Community Services, BCBC. Representative from Planning, BCBC. REAP Project Manager, Economic Development Unit, BCBC. Community Development Manager, Valley to Coast Housing Association. Director, Groundwork Bridgend. Director, Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations.
5.2 The above ensures that the main strategic bodies involved in community enterprise initiatives in Bridgend are represented.
5.3 The membership of the group can be altered by a majority vote of the SAG members.
6. Management and Meetings 6.1 The general management of the affairs of the SAG will be provided by the staff of the REAP Project. Initially meetings will be held every three months (these will be diarised at the first meeting of the Group at the beginning of each new calendar year), but this will be reviewed.
6.2 A quorum of the SAG shall be one-third of the members.
6.3 Minutes shall be taken of each SAG meeting and will be circulated within 10 working days whenever possible.
6.4 The agenda and relevant working papers will normally be circulated 7 working days before a meeting of the SAG.
12 RURAL ECONOMY ACTION PROJECT – PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION PLAN. APPENDIX 3 Rural Economy Action Plan – Action Zones
Zone 1 – Cornelly
Zone 2 – Llangynwyd – Cefn Cribwr
Zone 3 – Aberkenfig – Pen-y-fai
Zone 4 – Blaengarw – Llangeinor
Zone 5 – Ogmore Valley – Nantymoel – Blackmill
Zone 6 – Penprysg – Felindre – Hendre
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APPENDIX 4 – Key Statistical Indicators by Action Zone
Previous Current Total % Working % Economic Activity Index of Deprivation Zone Ward Ward Population Age Retired Active % Inactive %* Score Rank
1 Cornelly 5,981 58.2 2.6 63.9 28.7 33.39 150
2 Llangynwyd 2,843 63 2.6 73.1 20.4 20.44 385 Cefn Cribwr 1,547 59 2.5 71.9 21.1 22.33 340 S/totals 4,390 61.5 72.5 20.6
3 Newcastle Aberkenfig 2,024 62 76.4 18.2 10.2 679 Higher Pen-y-fai 2,137 61.8 80.5 11.2 S/total 4,161 61.8 78.7 14.6
4 Blaengarw 1,895 58.3 1.9 70.7 24.7 34.9 128 Llangeinor 1,159 63.5 2.9 64 29.8 41.85 84 S/total 3,054 60.2 67.9 26.6
5 Nantymoel 2,322 59.5 1.4 68.5 26.5 29.84 204 Ogmore Vale 3,151 59.7 1.6 71.4 22.8 22.79 327 Blackmill 2,334 58.4 1.8 64.4 30.4 47.11 58 S/total 7,807 58.5 69.3 26.5
6 Pencoed Penprysg 3,141 64.3 1.4 77.7 17 9.72 687 Felindre 2,589 58 2 72.6 21.5 Hendre 3,729 66.2 2.3 76.8 17.5 S/total 9,459 63 75.9 18.2
Total all Zones 34,852
Bridgend County 128,645 60.2 71.2 28.8
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