Parish Improvement Grants Scheme

Information for intending bidders

Overview

The Countryside Access Forum ( www.wiltshirelaf.org.uk ), in conjunction with Wiltshire County Council are creating a grant scheme that will come into operation during the year 2009.

The scheme aims to encourage parish and town councils to make innovative improvements to their rights of way and to increase the interest councils take in the use of the footpaths and bridleways in their areas, by providing modest grants to the winning bids in an annual competitive bid process.

It is expected that bids will be for such things as providing permissive routes to avoid busy roads and improving existing rights of way that would not be eligible under existing arrangements. But bids are not restricted just to these.

The bids will be judged on a points basis with points being awarded for a range of aspects in the bids including, but not restricted to, benefits to the community, the amount of contribution in funds or labour from the parish, the longevity of the improvements, and innovation. The judging will be by an independent panel composed of 3 members of the CAF, and two members of the Rights of Way Section staff ( one from the Operations Team, one from the Definitive Mapping Team ).

Each year there will be 5 grants of up to £1000 each, and one of up to £5000. This is a limited number so competition is expected to be fierce. Initially the scheme will be run for two years then reviewed at the end of 2011 with a view to extending it if it has been successful.

To provide some initial pointers the parish/town might like to look at, for example:

Permissive Routes:

To avoid busy roads
To link existing routes
To meet changed needs of the community
To provide the status of routes that are lacking within the area (eg bridleways)
To provide links to services/schools/bus stops etc
To provide crossings over rivers & streams
To create areas of informal recreation/exercise
To provide parking areas for routes

Improvements to the existing network

Improvements to aid those with impaired mobility problems.
Inclusion/provision of vernacular architecture & local materials
Scheme as part of a planning application

Proposals that cannot be considered include:

Statutory Undertakings, they are outside of the grant system
Short term solutions, eg permissive route agreements to be for a minimum 5 year period
Agri-environment or forestry access agreements
Any proposal without landowner written support/agreement
Proposals to upgrade footpaths, bridleways or byways to allow motorised vehicles ( other than mobility vehicles for the disabled)

And ensure:

There is full parish written agreement for the proposal
Any large proposal outside the limits of the scheme to be passed to Countryside Access Development Officer
Allow some slippage in the amounts bid for
Bid to include a very minimum 50% contribution from the bidders (in volunteer time as well as matched money)
Look at local schemes allowing "sponsorship" of network or part of network

Eligibility

Bids are invited from any parish, town, or group of councils in Wiltshire. (Due to reasons of funding sources the scheme does not include Swindon)

Timescales

In the first year of operation, bids must be received by the last day of February 2009

Bids will be reviewed and the panel decisions will be announced in late March 2009.

Grants awarded will be paid to parish/towns by end March 2009

Grant amounts

Bids of up to £1000 will compete with other such bids for the 5 available £1000 grants. Bids over £1000 and below £5000 will compete for the single £5000 grant. In the event that there are less eligible bids than the number of grants available it will be the decision of the panel whether the unallocated funds are carried over to the next year or reallocated to the successful bids.

Bid requirements.

Bids must include evidence of:

Parish/Town Council approval
Landowner written approval from all owners of land involved
A minimum of 5 years for any permissive agreements
All costs involved
Minimum of funding at least matching the amount bid for ( the matching funding may be any mix of cash, manpower or services. If manpower or services, then there needs to be evidence that these are at reasonable going rates)
Clear indication of the date by which the improvement will be completed
Quantification and description of the benefits the project will bring both the local and the wider community.
Schedule for monitoring the benefits of the project and reporting the results to the CAF via the panel.
Commitment to return the grant if the completion date is not met or the reporting schedule not adhered to.

· Bids will judged on a points basis

Matching funds: one point for each multiple of matching up to a maximum of 10 points
Longevity: one point for each year that the benefits of the project remain up to a maximum of 10 points
Benefits to the community: up to a maximum of 10 points. Based on the assessment of the Panel of the benefits described in the bid.
Innovation: up to a maximum of 10 points based on the assessment of the Panel

Bid Format

There is a very strong preference for bids to be submitted by email. If this not possible then 5 copies on paper should be submitted.

For queries prior to submitting a bid, email PaulBroadstock@wiltshire.gov.uk or phone Paul Broadstock on 01225 713349

Email Bids should be addressed to CADO@wiltshire.gov.uk and should have “PIG Bid from [ name of parish/town council]” in the subject line

Postal bids should be addressed to CADO, Rights of Way, County Hall, Trowbridge, BA14 8JD

Bids should address all the points in this document and include drawings, maps, photographs, and other materials to illustrate the project.

Document Reference: PIG/001 26/11/08