Home Zones Guidance Consultation
Appendix 2 Founding Sources
| The costs of building Home Zones as an integral part of new residential developments as against the costs of more conventionally designed residential developments has still to be explored. However, to achieve the transformation of existing neighbourhoods, imaginative and creative funding packages will need to be put together by local authorities working effectively both interdepartmentally and in partnership with other organisations. This is essential in that local authorities are not eligible for some of the funding sources listed, or would only be eligible in partnership with other organisations. It is unlikely that the funding required could be secured from any one of the possible funding sources in isolation. |
The Public Transport Fund
The element of the Public Transport Fund most relevant to Home Zones is the allocation of funding for cycling, walking and safer streets. 11.85 million has been ringfenced for the two years 2002-03 and 2003-04 and is allocated to local authorities by formula. Local authorities must submit a programme of works to the Scottish Executive. Local authorities are bound by the expenditure guidance issued by the Scottish Executive and some elements of Home Zones may not be suitable for funding from these allocations.
Contact: individual local authorities.
Planning Obligation Agreements
In certain circumstances planning authorities could use planning agreements (Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act Section 75) to require developer contributions towards providing Home Zones for streets related in some way to the given development. For example, if a new supermarket is planned, a planning agreement could be used to achieve Home Zones in neighbouring streets that would otherwise be adversely affected by supermarket traffic.
Contact: individual local authorities.
New Opportunities Fund Fresh Futures Programme
Green Spaces and Sustainable Communities
Grants are available for projects that make green spaces more accessible for communities and/or bring about community involvement in sustainable development. Grants vary from 3,000 to 50,000 and could fund part of a wider Home Zone project.
Contact:
tel 0141 242 7800
www.nof.org.uk
Communities Scotland (formerly Scottish Homes)
Communities Scotland awards Social and Environmental Grants (SEGs)
These can be awarded to a variety of projects to contribute towards the improvement of the physical environment (Type A), social or recreational purposes (Type B) or employment and/or training initiatives (Type C). Home Zones could qualify for funding under any of these categories. SEGs are usually used as a deficit subsidy based on minimum project costs and other potential contributions being maximised. If the work is associated with housing development under Type A then the maximum amount which can be attracted per unit is 2,130 (works cost only) or 3,750 per unit (works costs only) where there are two or more projects related to the same properties. Under Types B and C there is no stated limit.
SEGs can be awarded to a variety of organisations including RSLs, private companies, private individuals, private landlords or community businesses. Grant cannot be paid to other public sector organisations but can be used to joint fund with other public sector organisations. They can be used for new build or rehab housing related work or as part of an agreed area strategy.
Contact:
Communities Scotland
tel 0131 479 8874.
Local Agenda 21
Local Agenda 21 _ LA 21 budgets can be used for transport initiatives, in particular to fund consultation, exhibitions, and publicity. All local authorities are required to have a Local Agenda 21 strategy, which will include indicators of sustainability agreed with local people. Targets relating to Home Zones may have been included in this _ e.g. an increase in the distance children are allowed to walk independently; or an increase in the numbers of children playing outside.
Contact: individual local authorities.
Landfill Tax Credit Scheme
Under the landfill tax credit scheme landfill operators may support constituted organisations to carry out environmental projects that are compliant with the scheme. Generally projects must be for the public benefit and if involving works to public amenities be located within a 10 mile radius from a landfill site. Full details of the scheme and eligibility for funding can be obtained from ENTRUST.
Contact:
ENTRUST
tel 0141 561 0390.
Sustainable Action Grants
These are relatively small grants, maximum 15k per project, drawn from the Scottish Executive Sustainable Action Fund for projects which demonstrate sustainable development relating to waste, energy or transport. Aspects of Home Zones development may be eligible. Any type of organisation, including local authorities can apply.
Contact:
tel 0131 244 0395
www.sustainable.scotland.gov.uk
Coalfield Regeneration Trust
Capital and Revenue Grants are available for ex coalmining areas. One of the priority themes is the promotion of 'self-reliant communities', which could be relevant to funding the community-based process of developing and achieving Home Zones. Also, there are small 'community chest' grants of up to 10k
for which specific physical aspects of Home Zones _ such as planting, or play equipment _ could be eligible.
Contact:
Coalfields Regeneration Trust
tel 01259 272127,
www.coalfields-regen.org.uk
European Funding
The most relevant source of European money is the European Regional Development Fund which is mainly delivered through the Objective 2 programmes which operate across lowland Scotland and the Objective 1 Transitional programme in the Highlands and Islands. These programmes are designed to assist areas characterised by rural decline and urban degeneration. Most programmes include/included measures to encourage community economic development in the most deprived areas; such measures may include scope for economic and social infrastructure developments and small scale environmental improvements.
Contact: individual local authorities for European funding contacts.