Rural Development Programme for England (2014 …

1 LEADER handbook for applicants v4 - Rural Development Programme for England ( 2014 - 2020) LEADER APPLICANT HANDBOOK Guidance for applicants applying to the Northern Lincolnshire Local Action Group (LAG) Contact details: LEADER Programme Coordinator North Lincolnshire Council Civic Centre Ashby Road Scunthorpe North Lincolnshire DN16 1AB Tel: 01724 297768 Email: Website: The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development : Europe investing in Rural areas LEADER handbook for applicants v4 A word from: Janet Godfrey The current Northern Lincolnshire LEADER Programme has been awarded to help grow and improve the local economy for the Rural communities of both North and North East Lincolnshire.

2 The Fund will run from April 2016 until March 2020 and will allocate grant funding to groups delivering on its six priorities. Job creation and fostering Rural growth will be integral to a successful Programme . A Local Action Group (LAG) oversees the delivery of LEADER and operated since to ensure it serves the communities it was designed to help. The LAG has previous experience of delivering a highly successful LEADER Programme . The LAG is a passionate group of local people who are committed to creating a sustainable and prosperous future for Rural Northern Lincolnshire. It is drawn together from members across the public, private and voluntary sectors who live and/or work in the Northern Lincolnshire area.

3 Members not only cover a range of sectors but also serve the role of representing the area geographically. Their expertise and knowledge is a driving force in ensuring LEADER works effectively. The LAG is a committed group of volunteers all keen to deliver a new and exciting Programme for the area. They will bring their own skills and unique insights to improve the economy for its communities, visitors and organisations. Introduction to the LAG and local priorities Local Priorities and Map The Northern Lincolnshire LAG area encompasses the two Local Authorities of North and North East Lincolnshire Councils. Coverage includes all of the Rural communities in both areas. The area stretches from the banks of the river Humber in the North down to the Lincolnshire Wolds in the south, and from the Isle of Axholme in the West, to the North Sea in the East.

4 The Hub Town of Immingham acts as an important service centre for the surrounding Rural hinterland and supports residents and businesses alike. The population of the LAG area is 119,479. Northern Lincolnshire has a wealth of unique characteristics, in both its natural and cultural environment, which provide an excellent platform on which to deliver a successful LEADER Programme . The Humber Estuary provides an important habitat for a variety of wildlife and plays a key role in the area s economy. The Estuary is internationally recognised as a nature reserve and is designated a RAMSAR site, a special conversation area and contains a significant number of national and local nature reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).

5 The Wolds area of North East Lincolnshire contains part of the Lincolnshire Wolds, designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) due to its distinctive character and natural beauty. LEADER handbook for applicants v4 The area is also rich in Rural heritage and traditions. The Isle of Axholme for example was formerly marsh-land that was drained by Cornelius Vermuyden, an Engineer, who came over from Holland in 1626. The Isle today is still reliant on numerous pumping stations to maintain the water levels and is also home to many traditions that have survived for hundreds of years. One such tradition, attracting international interest, is the ancient game of the Haxey Hood.

6 The Haxey Hood originates from the 14th Century, when the local landowners wife, Lady De Mowbray, lost her hood whilst riding on her horse between Westwoodside and Haxey. Other history and traditions belonging to the uniqueness of the area include the Pilgrim Fathers, who set sail from Immingham 400 years ago to travel to Holland to flee imprisonment. The local farming and country practices of the area need to be recorded to ensure the cultural and heritage history of Northern Lincolnshire is conserved and promoted for the benefit of residents and businesses alike LEADER handbook for applicants v4 Contents What is LEADER? .. 1 What will LEADER fund? .. 1 How much funding is available.

7 3 Following the terms of a grant funding agreement .. 3 Paying for the project .. 3 Who can apply .. 4 How to determine business size?.. 4 Linked Businesses .. 5 Who can t apply .. 6 If an applicant already has public funding .. 6 Available grants .. 6 Costs which can t be claimed .. 7 Priority 1- Support to increase farm productivity .. 9 Priority 2 - Support for micro and small businesses (non-agricultural) and farm diversification .. 19 Priority 3 - Support for Rural tourism .. 23 Priority 4 - Provision of Rural services .. 26 Priority 5 - Support for cultural and heritage activity .. 29 Priority 6 - Support for increasing forestry productivity .. 31 How to apply .. 33 Stage 1 the Outline Application.

8 34 Stage 2 the Full Application .. 35 Evidence to send with a Full Application .. 36 Quotes Requirements .. 37 How Full Applications are assessed .. 39 The final decision .. 41 Unsuccessful applications .. 41 Successful applications .. 42 Start date .. 42 Meeting the terms of the grant funding agreement .. 42 How to claim a grant .. 43 Site visits and inspections .. 43 Publicising the grant .. 44 Changes during the grant 44 1 What is LEADER? Under LEADER, Local Action Groups (LAGs) can allocate grant funding to local businesses and organisations to help them carry out projects which create jobs, help the business to grow and which benefit the Rural economy. The LEADER scheme is part of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) and is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).

9 Money from the Programme is given to Local Action Groups (LAGs) so that they can award grants locally to businesses and organisations that apply for it. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) manages the LEADER scheme nationally on behalf of Defra and will make the payments to successful applicants. All RDPE projects approved before the point at which the UK departs the EU will be funded, subject to two conditions: that the projects provide good value for money and are in line with domestic priorities. A LAG is made up of local public, private and civil society representatives, who work together to fund projects that help to improve their local Rural economy. There is no automatic right to a LEADER grant and not all applications will be successful.

10 The LAG will decide which projects should receive grant funding by assessing each application. This handbook gives more detail about how applications are assessed and what the criteria are. What will LEADER fund? LEADER will fund farmers, growers, foresters, other local Rural businesses and Rural community organisations to help: create jobs; develop and grow Rural businesses; and support the Rural economy. To be successful, applications must contribute to one or more of Defra s 6 priorities for LEADER, which are to: increase farm productivity; support micro and small businesses and farm diversification; boost Rural tourism; provide Rural services; LEADER is a French acronym which roughly translates as 'Liaison among Actors in Rural Economic Development '.