Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council: PEACEPLUS Expression of interest for Local Action Plan

Overview

Local Community Regeneration & Transformation Programme

They are inviting expressions of interest from groups within the Lisburn and Castlereagh area for projects that will empower local people to transform their communities on a cross community basis.

This can include developing capital projects and/or spaces, redeveloping existing community facilities for shared usage and functionality to accommodate increased cross community services and interaction.

Capital works/refurbishments will provide or improve community facilities offering services which help to increase the opportunity for cross-community activity and interaction and reduce inequality.

Projects can include both capital investment and activity programmes (to animate the space once complete) and be able to complete the proposed works by June 2027.

Groups must demonstrate that there is community support for the project.

Who can apply?

The Community Regeneration & Transformation Programme is open to community and voluntary organisations (including social enterprise / community interest) based in the Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council area that meet the following criteria:

• an open and accountable governing document (Constitution or Articles and Memorandum of Association, or applicable governing document) that has been properly adopted
• a bank account in the name of the organisation, which requires at least two (unrelated) signatories
• an annual set of independently examined financial accounts, endorsed at an Annual General Meeting
• a management committee or governing board, elected by its membership at an Annual General Meeting, and elected office bearers
• have appropriate safeguarding policies for protecting children and vulnerable adults, who are involved as part of the group’s programme
• up to £5 million public liability insurance, to cover all risk associated with the activities of the organisation
• able to complete the proposed works by June 2027

All applications will need to show how the community has been involved in the development of the project and how they will continue to be involved in the future operation of the facility.

Eligibility

All groups/organisations must meet the essential criteria. If applicants do not meet the eligibility criteria, no scoring will be recorded and your project concept will not proceed to the next stage.

Your EoI will not be assessed if it is incomplete or ineligible.

Expressions of interest will be required to demonstrate evidence that:

The beneficiary group or organisation is:

• located within our council area
• operates on a ‘Not for Profit’ basis (including social economies / community interest)
• a constituted community/voluntary group or organisation (at least 12 months), with signed constitution to be provided with expression of interest
• a management committee/governing board, elected by its membership at an Annual General Meeting and elected office bearers
• covered up to £5 million public liability insurance
• able to complete the proposed works by June 2027

The property/building/area to be developed is:

• council owned or owned by the community / voluntary group or
• leased by the community / voluntary group or organisation and a lease agreement is in place for a minimum of 25 years
• the owner has provided consent for the proposed development

There is community support for:

• the capital works element of the project and the ongoing delivery of the plan

Feasibility

• needs of communities in the area. Evidence of need and potential for improved cross community cohesion - how were needs identified
• organisational capacity, skill and experience
• partnership working
• peace outputs have strategic fit with community planning and other plans

Deliverability

• location and scale of the proposed development including timescale to complete, milestones
• planning or other necessary statutory permissions in place
• management’s experience to deliver the project

Affordability

• costs are eligible, relevant, good value, proportionate, realistic
• if relevant, other funding applied for/ secured

Sustainability

• management of future operational, maintenance and replacement costs
• ongoing revenue costs
• ongoing activities/service that improve cross community relations and community cohesion
• improvements to environmental sustainability

Your project

You need to provide sufficient detail to enable us to understand what your project is about, including:

• what transformation you intend to make
• who will organise, manage, facilitate it
• how the changes will benefit the local community
• how will the project be delivered
• what activities will be involved
• do you have members who have specific skills and experience of managing, delivering and monitoring projects
• has your group delivered a similar project before
• will it enable increased levels of cross community interaction

Let us know if planning permission or building control is required. This can take time and needs to be factored into the timeframe of the project. Procurement regulations will be required to be followed for any project activity and quotes need to be obtained before any work can be carried out.

Setting outcomes

Projects will be monitored to determine the impact of the transformation on those using the facility. Applicants should consider how they will:

• provide opportunities for people to join in social, recreational or cultural cross community activities
• reduce or overcome barriers that prevent people taking part in activities
• provide more or better access to existing community services
• improve cross community links and networks

Amount available

The allocation under this Theme is approximately £1.2 million with a minimum budget request set at £50,000 and a maximum threshold of £350,000.

Please Note: This is a competitive process. The submission of an expression of interest is mandatory to be considered under the Community Regeneration & Transformation Programme but does NOT indicate that your submission will be selected for participation in the programme.

Information Sessions

Those interested in submitting an Expression of Interest are invited to attend an information workshop. The workshop dates and times are:

Thursday 11th January from 5.30pm to 7pm in St John's Parish Centre, Moira

Monday 15th January from 6pm to 7.30pm online via zoom using this link

Meeting ID: 893 5118 4435 
Passcode: 255280