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Brilliant Basics 2020

Part funded by European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)

Guidance Note

1. Introduction

This document provides guidance on applying for support via the new Brilliant Basics fund which is a new wide fund that will support public, third sector and not for profit organisations to:

 deliver basic small scale tourism infrastructure improvements, and  ensure that all visitors to Wales have a positive and memorable experience throughout their stay.

This new fund will build on the previous rounds of funding via the Tourism Amenity Investment Support scheme (TAIS) which was launched in 2017 supported through the Welsh Government Rural Communities Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 (RDP), funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), and Welsh Government.

Under the previous funding rounds, rural wards in Wales were only eligible under the RDP rules. Now with additional non EU funding, the TAIS scheme is being extended to those areas outside of the rural wards as part of the new Brilliant Basics initiative, to ensure that all parts of Wales are able to benefit from the new fund. For those projects identified within the RDP eligible wards, Brilliant Basics will continue to be part funded through the Welsh Government RDP EU Programme until 2022.

Brilliant Basics is open to public, third sector and not for profit organisations (subject to the organisation being incorporated) but is not open to other private sector SME businesses.

The fund will be operated via an open call programme from 2020 to 2025. For those projects which are approved in the 2020 call and are identified within the RDP eligible wards, full spend will need to be completed by December 2022. If you are submitting more than one enquiry we recommend that you limit your submissions to the highest priority cases only. The 2020 call opening dates for completion of the Expression of Interest (EOI) are:

Call launch: 23rd January 2020

Call Deadline: 28th February 2020 - completed forms send no later than 12 noon to [email protected] Telephone: 0845 010 8020

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2. Purpose of fund

The purpose of Brilliant Basics is to deliver basic small scale tourism infrastructure improvements across all of Wales in order to ensure that all visitors to Wales have a positive and memorable experience throughout their stay. Ideally, we are seeking creative proposals that make a difference and add value to the visitor experience, whether as a strategic perception changing product, or as part of a cluster of products that help to build a destination and drive economic growth.

Brilliant Basics funding of up to £10m for 2020 to 2025 will be available to prioritise projects of between £25,000 to £128,000 and total eligible expenditure of £160,000, with a maximum intervention rate of 80%.

The fund will directly support activity identified in: Welcome to Wales: Priorities for the Visitor Economy 2020 – 2025. Successful applicants to this fund will be those that can bring forward projects that help build and add value to visitor destinations across all of Wales.

3. Priorities

The priorities of the fund are to:  develop quality visitor experiences with a Welsh sense of place  enable a wide range of visitors to access and enjoy new wellbeing opportunities  improve access to facilities and project an inclusive view of Wales  invest in facilities that enhance Wales’ adventure offering  contribute to key WG tourism initiatives including the Year of Outdoors campaign 2020 – 2021 and The Wales Way  encourage clean, green destinations for example through sustainable infrastructure improvements  promote a sense of place, culture and language more proactively  provide year-round facilities across all parts of Wales  invest in world-class experiences and events facilities.

And specifically contribute to the Welsh Government Rural Communities Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 to:

1. promote social inclusion, poverty reduction, and economic development in rural areas; 2. help those most deprived in rural Wales and those that have limited scope to change their circumstances; 3. develop the resilience and capability of rural communities so that they are better able to cope with and adapt to change.

Wales Brand

Where possible we will take account of whether the project reinforces the Wales brand, as follows:  elevates Wales’ status  surprises and inspires  reinforces positive perceptions  does good things  is unmistakably ‘Wales’.

For example a proposal that excels in using local materials or emphasises cultural or heritage strengths, including sense of place and use of the , is likely to be seen to align with the brand. 2

Example Projects

An eligible proposal must be a capital tourism project, examples might include (this is not an exhaustive list):

 environmental improvements such as hard and soft landscaping, or pedestrianisation schemes at key tourism destinations.  improved bilingual/multilingual signposting, interpretation & trails including in exceptional circumstances visitor centres where these are an integral part of a destination management programme.  car & coach parking, including accessibility, EV car charging points, information, and improved toilet facilities at key destinations.  improved access to water for activities, and water quality projects (e.g. Blue Flag awards). Accessibility improvements might include ramped routes to beaches with handrails and / or wooden pathways to the beaches; electric scooter charging points; changing places facilities (more space and more equipment than standard accessible toilet); dog toilet area for assistance dogs; accessible toilets, designated parking and close to accessible toilets; accessible (e.g. sensory) paths and routes to avoid the use of stiles.  event infrastructure (where the event is tourism related), and artwork or ‘experiential’ product at key destinations.  theme building projects related to Thematic Years and The Wales Way.

4. Eligibility

Who can apply?

Expression of Interest (EOI) can be received from the following:

 local action groups (if incorporated entities)  local groups (including charities, trusts and co-operatives)  social enterprises  not for profit companies Ltd by guarantee  community interest companies  mutuals  local authorities  other public bodies such as National Parks

What can be funded?

This is a capital fund. Revenue costs will not be considered. The minimum level of support is £25,000 and support will not exceed £128,000. There is a cap on total eligible project expenditure at £160,000, making the intervention level a mandatory 80%. The focus of the fund is to support small scale tourism infrastructure works, examples as described (but not limited to the above).

All of Wales is covered under the Brilliant Basics which now includes areas outside of the rural wards. For those projects identified within the RDP eligible wards, Brilliant Basics will continue to be part funded through the Welsh Government RDP EU Programme.

3 What cannot be funded?

The following activities would not be considered for funding:

 general repairs & maintenance work  revenue costs such as marketing, overheads and staff time  economic activity (such as a tea room)  tourism information centres (TIC).

Eligible fees cannot exceed 12% of eligible capital expenditure, and must relate to a one off task specific to delivering the project e.g. to design, architect, planning, or road safety & technical / specialist reports and audits. These can be in the form of internal expenditure, but only if there is clear evidence of defrayal. Ineligible fees include preparing a funding application, or generic project management and administrative roles, or internal cost transfers.

Indicators and outputs

Support will be measured against the following indicators, which Welsh Government will collate, and the applicant will be required to report into:

 the total intervention and match funding.  the number of operations supported.  visitor numbers benefiting from improved infrastructures.  the number of people accessing services. The services provided must be new and created or improved in terms of accessibility or scope of provision. This will be monitored on a cumulative basis for the lifetime of the project. For services that are improved then this will need to be monitored against a baseline established before improvements are carried out.  number of new or improved products, processes or services developed to market introduction (for products and services) or use (for processes).  the number of initiatives improving or developing new visitor attractions or visitor facilities in natural and/or historic environments. This excludes managed access to countryside or coast.

5. Expression of Interest and Application Process

Project Assessment

Projects will be considered in two stages:

Stage 1: Following the submission of the Brilliant Basics Expression of Interest (EOI) form, checks are undertaken to ensure that the eligibility criteria have been met.

 applications can be accepted across all of Wales. For those projects identified within the RDP eligible wards, Brilliant Basics will continue to be part funded through the Welsh Government RDP EU Programme.  the minimum level of support starts from £25,000. In unusual cases where there is exceptional product, lower value but priority projects, some flexibility may be applied which will mean that cases below £25,000 support can be considered where appropriate.  total support cannot be more than £128,000 against a maximum net project cost of £160,000. The ceiling for the intervention level is therefore exactly 80% of eligible capital costs.  support is non repayable. 4

Each EOI will be assessed against the following criteria:

 is the organisation eligible to apply?  is planning approval in place or will be in place within 6 months of any offer of funding  can the project be delivered within a maximum 2 year period (December 2022)?  is the amount requested in line with the scheme guidelines?  can the amount of funding requested be provided within State Aid and scheme rules?  is the project a strategic priority?  is the project aligned to the Wales brand?

The highest scoring EOI’s are invited to submit a full application.

Stage 2: Applications received are reviewed first by a case officer and assessed & scored by an independent moderation panel, before being recommended for Ministerial consideration and decision.

The evidence you provide in support of the destination case, must match with Visit Wales priorities or themes such as Year of the Outdoors and The Wales Way. The strength and quality of the destination and innovation case will be crucial to project selection.

Funding is not dependent upon direct job creation, but will be considered in line with the following headings:

 strategic fit  project quality  evidence of need  planning permission (secured or approved within 6 months of the offer)  risks  project implementation and delivery  project deliverables (outputs & outcomes)  project costs & value for money

6. Approval & Decision

You will be notified of the decision and the reasons for it. This is a discretionary fund and if successful in your application, a Grant Approval letter will be issued. ‘Start of work’ on the project, or a formal commitment, must not happen prior to the decision as this will void the application. Welsh Government is not responsible or liable for any costs incurred in the preparation of an application.

7. Claims Process, Delivery and Monitoring

The payment profile is set out in a Grant Approval letter. If additional claim periods are required, a request can be made in writing to the Monitoring Team setting out the reasons for the amendment. The decision of the Monitoring Team is final. Each claim must be verified by a Finance Head (in the case of Local Authorities).

The Welsh Government policy is to make payments in arrears. Welsh Government recognises however that most Third Sector organisations do not hold large reserves and do not have the resources to undertake work and receive payment afterwards. Provision of funding for committed expenditure may therefore be considered in advance of payment but only where evidence of need is clearly established. In the case of Third Sector applicants, if your organisation requires payment in advance you should indicate this at the full application stage, and if your project is successful a ‘payment in advance’ form will be issued to you. This 5 should be completed and returned with the required evidence. The information and evidence that you provide will be assessed to determine whether we can make payments of grant awarded to you in advance. Payment to LAs will be made in arrears based on costs defrayed with supporting evidence provided.

Each project will have a set timeframe to be achieved; this will be outlined in the Grant Approval letter. Expert project management is highly important as funding could be lost to the project if the offer timescale is not adhered to.

The Welsh Government target for payment of claims from Third Sector organisations is 30 calendar days from receipt of a completed valid claim. Claim forms must be submitted electronically and must be accompanied by a progress report and evidence where necessary. If claims are incomplete or inaccurate this may result in payment being delayed.

Post Completion Monitoring

Delivery and achievement against agreed outputs will continue to be recorded for at least 5 years following completion of the project and will be a condition of offer.

8. State Aid

The offer of grant is made by an official in the Welsh Government under the authority of Welsh Ministers. The offer is made pursuant to the Rural Development Programme (Wales) Regulations 2014 [SI No.3222 (W.327)]. This grant is available under the above named Scheme which is a Scheme that is being delivered under the Welsh Government Rural Communities - Rural Development Programme 2014 - 2020.

9. EU Procurement (only applicable for RDP wards)

The EC Procurement Directives apply to contracts that are financed or part financed by EU Funds. The full procurement rules apply to all public bodies, third sector entities, and commercial enterprises in the private sector that receive grant support of 50% or more of total project costs exclusive of VAT.

For all project capital expenditure the relevant procurement evidence must be provided at the claims stage not the application stage. You are also required to provide a reasonable breakdown of project cost at application stage.

The following is the current procurement summary:

Estimated Value* Requirement Action £0 - £4,999 One written It is recommended to use suppliers that are quote registered on www.sell2wales.gov.wales £5,000 – £24,999 Three written It is recommended to use suppliers that are quotes registered on www.sell2wales.gov.wales £25,000 - £106,046 Full and open Requirements may be published through (Goods and Services) competition www.sell2wales.gov.wales Quotes may be sought by direct reference to suppliers £25,000 - £4,104,393 Full and open Requirements may be published through (Works/capital) competition www.sell2wales.gov.wales Quotes may be sought by direct reference to suppliers £122,976** and Full and open Publish requirement throughout Europe via above competition www.sell2wales.gov.wales 6 (Goods and Services) £4,733,252** and Full and open Publish requirement throughout Europe via above (Works/capital) competition www.sell2wales.gov.wales

* Please note these figures are exclusive of VAT. ** New EU Procurement Thresholds from 1 January 2020

For approved projects which fall outside of the RDP eligible wards, projects will still need to follow Welsh Government procurement requirements.

10. Welsh Language

Applicants should seek early advice regarding the bilingual requirements of their projects and ensure that all aspects have been costed and included in their proposals. Welsh Language requirements will be specified in an offer document and might include (as appropriate):

 bilingual signage, educational, interactive and interpretative materials.  bilingual marketing print, unless targeting audiences located outside of Wales only.  bilingual website.  bilingual social media unless it is used for anticipated audiences that are located outside Wales.  training and people development opportunities regarding the Welsh Language.  bilingual Job advertisements.  a Welsh language action plan & policy.

11. Publicity

If your project is located within an RDP eligible ward, you will need to acknowledge the support on all publicity, press releases and marketing material produced as being from the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014 -2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, and Welsh Government. If your project is located outside of the RDP eligible wards, you will only need to use Welsh Government publicity requirements. Such acknowledgement must be in a form approved by us beforehand and must comply with the Welsh Government branding guidelines. All requirements will be clearly outlined in the grant approval letter.

12. General Data Protection Regulation - Privacy Statement

Welsh Government is the Data Controller for any information you provide. Please confirm in the Declaration section of the forms that you are happy to proceed on this basis so that you can continue to receive support and advice from Welsh Government. If your project is located within an RDP eligible ward, the following RDP Privacy Notice applies. If your project is located outside of the RDP eligible wards, the following Non-RDP Privacy notice applies.

13. The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015

The objectives of the Act show how each public body will work to achieve the vision for Wales set out in the ‘well-being goals’. The seven well-being goals show the kind of Wales we want to see. The Act makes it clear that the listed public bodies must work to achieve all of the goals, not just one or two. Reference to and explanation as to how your project meets these goals will be important in the assessment of an application.

7 14. Contacts for Further Information

Visit Wales Regional Team

Here are your contacts in the regions:

North Wales Andrew Forfar – [email protected] 03000 625837

Mid Wales Helen Jones – [email protected] 03000 257424

South West Philip Abraham – [email protected] 03000 254528

South East Louisa Giles – [email protected] 03000 616012

For general enquiries on wider tourism investment support, contact us on:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 0845 010 8020.

8 Annex A

LIST OF ELIGIBLE WARDS

Applications for RCDF may come forward from the Rural and Service Centre wards only as shown below:

Isle of Anglesey CBC

Rural Wards Aberffraw Cefni Llanfaethlu Morawelon Amlwch Port Cwm Cadnant Llanfair-yn-Neubwll Parc a`r Mynydd Amlwch Rural Cyngar Llanfihangel Ysgeifiog Pentraeth Beaumaris Gwyngyll Llangoed Porthyfelin Bodffordd Holyhead Town Llanidan Rhosneigr Bodorgan Kingsland Llannerch-y-medd Rhosyr Braint Llanbadrig Road Trearddur Bryngwran Llanbedrgoch Maeshyfryd Tudur Brynteg Llanddyfnan Mechell Tysilio Cadnant Llaneilian Moelfre Valley

Blaenau Gwent CBC

Rural Wards Cwm

Service Centre Llanhilleth

Bridgend CBC

Rural Wards Aberkenfig Bryntirion, Laleston & Llangeinor Ogmore Vale Merthyr Mawr Bettws Cefn Cribwr Llangynwyd Penprysg Blackmill Coity Nant-y-moel Pontycymmer Bryncethin Cornelly Newton Ynysawdre Blaengarw

Service Centre Wards Felindre Sarn Bryncoch Hendre

Caerphilly CBC

Rural Wards Aber Valley Darren Valley Nelson Twyn Argoed Llanbradach New Tredegar Ynysddu Bedwas Trethomas & Maesycwmmer St. Cattwg Machen Crumlin Moriah St. James

9 Service Centre Wards Aberbargoed Newbridge Pontlottyn Ystrad Mynach Abercarn Penyrheol

Carmarthenshire CBC

Rural Wards Abergwili Glyn Llanegwad Manordeilo & Salem Carmarthen Town Gorslas Llanfihangel Pembrey North Aberbythych Carmarthen Town Hendy Llanfihangel-ar-Arth Pontyberem South Carmarthen Town Kidwelly Llangadog Quarter Bach West Laugharne Township Llangeler St Ishmael Cilycwm Llanboidy Llangunnor St Clears Cynwyl Elfed Llanddarog Llangyndeyrn Trelech Cynwyl Gaeo Llandeilo Llannon Trimsaran Garnant Llandovery Llansteffan Whitland Glanamman Llandybie Llanybydder

Service Centre Ammanford Burry Port Pontamman Tycroes Betws Penygroes Saron

Ceredigion CBC

Rural Wards Beulah Llandyfriog Melindwr Aberteifi/Cardigan Capel Dewi Town – Mwldan Aberteifi/Cardigan – Rhyd-y-Fuwch Aberteifi/Cardigan Pen-parc – comwy Teifi Faenor Bronglais Aberystwyth Llangybi Trefeurig Canol/Central Aberystwyth Llanarth Llanrhystyd Gogledd/North Aberystwyth Llanbadarn Fawr - Troedyraur Padarn Aberystwyth Llanbadarn Fawr – Ystwyth Rheidol Sulien

Conwy CBC

Rural Wards Betws-y-Coed Conwy Llangernyw Pant-yr-afon / Penmaenan Betws yn Rhos Crwst Llansanffraid Trefriw

10 Caerhun Eglwysbach Llansannan Uwch Conwy Capelulo Gele Pandy Uwch Aled Bryn Gower

Service Centre Wards Pensarn Craig-y-Don Llanddulas Penrhyn Deganwy Marl

Denbighshire CBC

Rural Wards Bodelwyddan Efenechtyd Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd St. Asaph East / Gwyddelwern Corwen Llanarmon-yn-Ial / Llangollen St. Asaph West Llandegla Denbigh Dyffryn Clwyd / Llanrhaeadr-yng- Trefnant Central Llangynhafal Nghinmeirch Denbigh Lower Llandrillo Rhuddlan Tremeirchion Denbigh Upper Llandyrnog Ruthin / Henllan

Service Centre Dyserth

Flintshire CBC

Rural Wards Brynford Gronant Mold Broncoed Penyffordd Buckley Mountain Gwernaffield Mold East Saltney Mold Junction Caergwrle Gwernymynydd Mold South Sealand Caerwys Halkyn Mold West Trelawnyd and Gwaenysgor Cilcain Higher Kinnerton Mostyn Treuddyn Ffynnongroyw Hope New Brighton Whitford Flint Oakenholt Leeswood Northop Flint Trelawny Llanfynydd Northop Hall

Service Centre Wards Holywell Central Holywell East Holywell West

Gwynedd CBC

Rural Wards Penygroes Aberdovey Cwm-y-Glo East Llangelynin Porthmadog West Abermaw Diffwys and Porthmadog- Maenofferen Dolbernmaen North Arllechwedd North Pwllheli South Bala Dolgellau South Llanwnda Seiont Bethel

11 Bontnewydd Efail-newydd / Menai Teigl Buan () Gerlan Morfa Bowydd and Rhiw Groeslon Nefyn & Mynydd Brithdir and Ogwen / / Bryn-crug/Llanfihangel Peblig (Caernarfon) Cadnant Llanbedr Penisarwaun Clynnog /Mawddwy Pentir

Service Centre Wards Deiniol Garth Hendre Marchog Dewi Glyder Hirael Menai (Bangor)

Merthyr Tydfil CBC

Rural Wards Bedlinog Cyfarthfa Merthyr Vale Vaynor

Service Centres Plymouth

Monmouthshire CBC

Rural Wards Hill Mill Shirenewton Crucorney Fawr The Elms Devauden Llangybi Fawr Overmonnow Dixton with Osbaston Portskewett Usk Drybridge Llantilio Crossenny Raglan Wyesham Ultra Llanbadoc Mardy St. Arvans

Service Centre Wards Caldicot Castle Dewstow Larkfield St. Mary`s Cantref Green Lane Priory Severn Castle Grofield St. Christopher`s Thornwell Croesonen Lansdown St. Kingsmark West End

Neath Port Talbot CBC

Rural Wards Aberdulais Cwmllynfell Gwaun-Cae Gurwen Pontardawe Blaengwrach Cymmer Gwynfi Resolven Bryn and Cwmavon Dyffryn Lower Brynamman Rhos Bryn-coch North Glyncorrwg Margam Seven Sisters Coedffranc West Glynneath Onllwyn Tai-bach Crynant Godre`r graig Pelenna Ystalyfera

12 Service Centre Wards Trebanos Allt-wen

Newport

Rural Wards Llanwern Marshfield

Service centre Graig Caerleon Langstone

Pembrokeshire CBC

Rural Wards Amroth Haverfordwest: Milford: East Pembroke: St. Prendergast Mary North Burton Haverfordwest: Milford: Hakin Pembroke: St. Priory Mary South Camrose Hundleton Milford: Hubberston Pembroke: St. Michael Carew Johnston Milford: North Penally Cilgerran Kilgetty/Begelly Milford: West Rudbaxton Clydau Lampeter Velfrey Narberth St. David`s Crymych Lamphey Narberth Rural St. Dogmaels Dinas Cross Letterston Newport St. Ishmael`s East Williamston Llangwm Neyland: East Saundersfoot Fishguard North East Llanrhian Neyland: West Scleddau Fishguard North West Maenclochog Pembroke Dock: Central Solva Goodwick Manorbier Pembroke Dock: Llanion Tenby: North Haverfordwest: Castle Martletwy Pembroke Dock: Market Tenby: South Haverfordwest: Garth Merlin`s Bridge Pembroke Dock: Pennar The Havens Haverfordwest: Milford: Central Pembroke: Monkton Wiston Portfield

Powys CBC

Rural Wards Aber-craf Llangattock Newtown West Newtown South Hay Llangunllo Kerry Blaen Hafren Knighton Llanafanfawr Rhiwcynon Builth Llanbadarn Fawr Llanrhaeadr-ym St. David Within Mochnant/ Llansantffraid St. John Wells St. Mary Churchstoke Llandrindod East/Llandrindod West Llandrindod North Talybont-on-Usk

13 Cwm-twrch Llandrindod South / Tawe-Uchaf Disserth and Trecoed Dolforwyn Montgomery Castle Felin-fâch Welshpool Gungrog Forden Newtown Central Welshpool Llanerchyddol Llanfihangel Newtown East Newtown Llanllwchaiarn North

Service Centre Wards Ynyscedwyn

Rhondda Cynon Taff CBC

Rural Wards Maerdy Rhigos Ynysybwyl

Swansea CBC

Rural Wards Bishopston Gower Mawr Pennard Fairwood Llangyfelach Penclawdd Pontarddulais

Service Centres Gorseinon Gowerton Clydach

Torfaen CBC

Rural Wards Llanyrafon South Blaenavon Two Locks

Service Centre Wards Abersychan Cwmyniscoy Llantarnam Wainfelin Upper Cwmbran

Vale of Glamorgan CBC

Rural Wards Cowbridge Llantwit Major St. Athan Wenvoe Peterston-super Dinas Ely St. Bride`s Major Llandow/Ewenny Rhoose Sully

14 Wrexham CBC

Rural Wards Bronington Coedpoeth Llangollen Rural Penycae & Ruabon South Brymbo Esclusham Gresford Llay Ponciau East & West Bryn Cefn Marchwiel Rossett Dyffryn Ceiriog / Gwenfro Marford & Hoseley Ruabon Ceiriog Valley Chirk North Gwersyllt North Minera Chirk South Holt Overton

Service Wards Cefn

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