Carmarthenshire County Council has introduced a Village Improvement Grant (VIG), which will provide assistance to micro businesses for improvements to property frontages.
The VIG is funded through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), the Welsh Assembly Government’s Rural Development Plan and supported by Carmarthenshire County Council.
Assessment Criteria & Priorities
Applicants should note that the County Council will be assessing the project against the following criteria:-
- Number of jobs safeguarded.
- Number of buildings improved.
- Value for money – based on the percentage of grant requested in relation to the overall eligible project cost.
Priority will be given to applicants who work in partnership with neighbouring properties to develop envelope schemes in order that the scheme has a major environmental impact.
Eligibility
Applications can be submitted by individuals, partnerships, small limited companies, co-operatives, charitable trusts and voluntary organisations
The building to be developed must be situated in the RDP Area
The grant is directed to micro businesses. Micro businesses are defined as businesses which employ less than 10 full time equivalent staff and have a turnover and balance sheet of less than £1.36 million.
Grants for works to property will only be available to owners of the freehold interest in the property or to lessees holding a lease that has a minimum of fifteen years remaining at the anticipated grant payment date and who have secured their landlord’s written consent to the proposed works
Ineligible works include:-
• Routine repair and maintenance works.
• Works relating to health and safety requirements.
• Statutory works.
• Works that will not make a significant contribution to the general environmental enhancement of the area, for example works to elevations of a property not seen by the public
The Grant
Applicants will be required to demonstrate the need for assistance. Where such a case has been accepted, applicants should apply for the minimum contribution necessary to bring the project to fruition. The grant will be either based on 50% of the eligible project costs, up to a maximum grant of £15000. This grant cannot be match funded by other County Council funding.
How to Apply?
For further details and a Part 1 Application Form please contact:
Physical Regeneration Project Officer
Carmarthenshire County Council
Rural Business Development Centre
Nant Y Ci
Carmarthen
Carmarthenshire, SA33 5DR
Tel: 01267 242334 email: SCRees@carmarthenshire.gov.uk