Introduction
The Scottish Government’s second National Planning Framework (NPF2) designates the Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) as one of 14 National Developments. The CSGN is intended to deliver "a step change in environmental quality, woodland cover and recreational opportunities", to make Central Scotland "a more attractive place to live and do business, help to absorb CO2, enhance biodiversity, and promote healthier, more active lifestyles".
Forestry Commission Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage, in their capacity as joint lead partners for the CSGN are inviting applications for grants to support the development and implementation of CSGN delivery projects.
The information below outlines the scope of the funding, eligibility criteria, our priorities and the application process.
Purpose of the Fund
The CSGN Development Fund is intended to support the development and implementation of projects delivering the Central Scotland Green Network on the ground.
Eligibility
CSGN Development Funding is available to all organisations and individuals that can demonstrate they are delivering CSGN priorities, i.e. improving the quality and connectivity of the green network, within the CSGN activity area (see Figure 1 below). Funding is available to support projects concerned with all elements of the CSGN – as set out in NPF2 – including:
- woodland expansion;
- the creation of a high quality landscape structure which supports development plan settlement strategies (including accessible greenspace for communities);
- strategic routes for active travel and recreation;
- strategic habitat networks and habitat development;
- the restoration of vacant and derelict land for green network purposes; and
- the integration of woodland, habitat, greenspace and access development with water catchment and coastal zone management.
Figure 1: CSGN Activity Area
Exclusions
Activity eligible for the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP)
The CSGN Development Fund is designed to be complementary to the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP). Therefore we will not support or match fund applications for project activity (e.g. woodland creation and management, rural signage) from applicants who are eligible to claim grants for these purposes under SRDP. For further information on the activities funded, and eligibility rules, under SRDP see: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/farmingrural/SRDP
State Aid
Grants from the CSGN Development Fund cannot be made to organisations or individuals where this would breach State Aid rules. Applicants will therefore be required to sign a declaration to this effect. Further information on State Aid rules, including de minimis funding limits, is available at: www.stateaidscotland.gov.uk/
Land Purchase
The CSGN Development Fund cannot contribute towards the costs of land purchase.
Development Fund Criteria
Successful projects will be required to demonstrate:
- that they are helping to deliver the outcomes and ambitions expressed in the CSGN Vision. For further details see: http://www.centralscotlandgreennetwork.org/Vision/vision.html
- clear evidence of the need for the work proposed, that it is consistent with relevant plans and priorities for the area, and that relevant local partners and landowners are supportive.
- how access to CSGN Development Funding will add value to proposals. For example, that CSGN Funding will enable projects to proceed that would otherwise not, or would be delayed, or enable projects to proceed on a larger scale.
- value for money, eg: that they will deliver shared strategic and local priorities, that CSGN funding will lever in resources from elsewhere, that projects will be delivered in cost effective ways or that projects will act as a demonstration of what can be achieved.
- that they will lead to change on the ground (i.e. follow-on action to deliver land use change and/or applications for funding (e.g. under SRDP) to support delivery), or the investment of additional resources.
- any grant awarded will be spent and claimed according to an agreed schedule. Work must be undertaken and funding claimed in the financial year for which it is awarded. Funding cannot normally be carried over between financial years.
Priorities
Projects will be judged competitively with projects delivering multiple benefits being given higher priority. The following are the key priorities:
● Joining up the Network - increasing the connectivity of:
o Habitats - by creating new habitat areas or improving the quality of existing ones so that particular habitats are increasingly joined in functioning networks, eg: native broadleaved woodland, grassland and wetland - see Integrated Habitat Network information at http://www.snh.gov.uk/land-and-sea/managing-the-land/spatial-ecology/habitat-networks-and-csgn/;
o Path networks - addressing priorities identified in core path plans and local authority access strategies;
● Woodland creation and enhancement - especially for community use.
● Greenspace Deficits - The CSGN Board have identified particular types of greenspace to be given priority for 2012/13 at the strategic level (i.e. greenspace around businesses, social housing and schools; community growing areas (e.g. allotments, orchards or community gardens); and urban greening such as green roofs and street trees) through addressing priorities identified in local authority open space and other relevant strategies;
● Employability/skills development - improving the employability and/or skills of those not in employment, education or training (especially young people aged 16-25) in practical improvement and maintenance projects or community engagement in the CSGN.
● Areas of Multiple Deprivation - enhancing access to high quality greenspace for communities within the 15% most deprived datazones (nationally) as measured by the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation – see http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/SIMD;
● Vacant & Derelict Land – green network enhancements to sites on the Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Register – see http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Planning/SVDLSSiteRegister;
● Collaboration or Cross-boundary working - encouraging landowners to work together and/or across local authority boundaries.
Further information about the priorities of the Fund is provided in the detailed notes for applicants at the end of the application form.
Project Activity
CSGN Development Funding is available to support a wide range of eligible project activity, including (but not restricted to):
- delivery of practical green network enhancements on the ground (e.g. site clearance, path construction, tree planting) – but only where this is not eligible under the Scottish Rural Development Programme (see exclusions above)
- site investigation/survey
- planning & design and community/stakeholder communication & consultation work
- GIS, mapping, data collection, modelling and research
Project Costs
The CSGN Development Fund is able to support up to 100% of total eligible project costs, which may include cash and non-cash (in-kind) contributions, but we will normally offer a lower contribution. Projects will be judged competitively so good value for money and levered match funding (including non-cash/in-kind contributions) will be considered in the assessment and the grant rate offered.
Both eligible capital and revenue costs can be funded. Revenue costs may include staff time, but only where this is new and additional to existing resources and will be used to deliver the proposed project. We expect applications to be supported by evidence that the proposed costs are reasonable, for example, by providing two quotes and/or evidence of competitive tendering for all costs, including consultancy rates. Where evidence for costs is lacking or costs appear excessive we may contact you to seek clarification.
Volunteer time cannot be funded, although reasonable expenses to volunteers and/or community members may be. However, volunteer time may be counted as an in-kind contribution and should be based on the following rates: £50 per day for unskilled labour; £150 per day for skilled labour; and £350 for professional services. Reasonable costs associated with overheads (e.g. project management, health and safety, liability insurance) are eligible when reasonable and should be detailed on the application form.
Contingencies, profit, anticipated work, work already completed and costs associated with the submission of applications are not eligible.
VAT cannot be paid on grants so grant offers will be made exclusive of VAT.Therefore, if an applicant is VAT registered, costs net of VAT should be detailed in the application form. If an applicant is not VAT registered or can only partially claim VAT, costs net of VAT should be detailed and a separate entry be included in the table on the application form for irrecoverable VAT.
Match funding contribution(s) should be calculated on the gross costs.
Multi-year Funding
For the first time applicants will be able to apply for funding for projects for up to three years – i.e. for funding in financial years 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15. Where funding for more than one year is sought applicants must provide a clear rationale and justification for this, and a sensible, phased programme of action in each financial year. Release of funding in years 2 and 3 will be dependent upon successful delivery of agreed interim outputs/outcomes, and available budget.
If applying for funding for more than one year applicants must set out clearly the expected pattern of income and expenditure in each financial year, and hence the CSGN Development Fund grant requested in each year. Grant should be claimed in the year for which it is assigned and it will not normally be possible to carry funding over between financial years.
Applying for Funding
Applications should be submitted on the application form provided:
Applicants must provide all of the information requested. Applications will not be considered until such time as we have all the information necessary to assess them against our eligibility and priority criteria. Where necessary we will contact you to clarify any additional information required. Our criteria are detailed on the application form and on this page.
Applications will be judged competitively against all other complete applications received by the deadline.
The deadline for the submission of complete applications is:
12:00 noon on Friday 2nd March 2012.
Applications should be sent to: csgn@forestry.gsi.gov.uk or to
CSGN Development Fund
Forestry Commission Scotland
231 Corstorphine Road
Edinburgh
EH12 7AT
N.B. Please submit your applications in good time. FCS and SNH will not accept any applications that arrive after the deadline.
Monitoring & Reporting
Successful projects will receive a formal grant offer letter, setting out full terms and conditions for the receipt of funding, which must be signed and returned before any funding will be released.
Grant will be paid according to a pre-defined payment schedule, with any interim payments dependent upon the receipt of evidence of delivery of agreed outputs.
Payment of the final instalment will not be made until evidence has been produced that all the agreed project outputs have been delivered, documents required to support the claims have been provided, and a final report including a signed declaration regarding project activity has been received.
Further Information
An application form is available under 'applying for funding', above, or from your local FCS Conservancy Office or SNH Area Office - link.
If you wish to discuss a possible application or the eligibility criteria please contact FCS in the first instance on: 0131 314 6529 or by e-mail to csgn@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
