1 Can I get development funding for the THI scheme?
Yes. At the first round you can also apply for a development grant of up to £50,000. You must provide 25% partnership funding. If your first-round application is successful, the development grant will help you meet the cost of planning and developing your scheme up to your second-round submission.
2 How long can my THI scheme last for?
THI schemes run for five years from the start of your contract with us. Your partnership should offer the whole of the common fund within the first three years. All work must be completed within five years. We expect you to have claimed at least 20% of your grant from us by the end of Year 2 of your five-year scheme.
3 What is a common fund?
The common fund is made up of various sources of contribution, including our grant. These funds are pooled together for your partnership to make grant awards to support a series of individual projects and activities that will together make up your THI scheme.
We are able to contribute between £500,000 and £2million to the common fund of each scheme. Our maximum contribution should represent no more than 75% of the total value of the common fund. There is competition for HLF funding, therefore you must raise as much partnership funding as you can to demonstrate that your scheme represents value for money.
4 Do I have to contribute anything towards my scheme?
You have to contribute at least 25% of the value of the common fund from other sources. The common fund does not include contributions from property owners to the cost of works to their properties.
5 What is meant by ‘partnership’?
Your partnership makes grant awards to support a series of projects and activities which make up your THI scheme. Your THI scheme must be managed by a partnership of local organisations that represent all stakeholders and the local community. Not all partners need to contribute to the common fund or have an executive role in managing the scheme.
6 Who manages the THI scheme?
The organisation legally responsible for the scheme and the THI partnership manages your THI scheme. It is unlikely that all members of your partnership will be involved in day-to-day management of your scheme. This will be carried out by a Project Team. We recommend that you consider the appointment of a dedicated Project Officer to lead the scheme. The cost of that post can be included in the common fund.
7 How do I demonstrate high levels of deprivation?
We give priority to areas demonstrating high levels of deprivation and in need of regeneration. You must refer to the index of multiple deprivation for the ward, data zone or super output area, and put the data in a local, regional and national context. You should also state whether the area or surrounding areas fall within the 25% most deprived either in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales. Explain how the threat to the area’s special character is a cause or symptom, or both, of wider economic and social problems, for example low wages, infrastructure problems, unemployment, depressed local property market, rural deprivation and its impact on small towns, or competition from out of town retail developments.
8 What are the highest priorities for funding?
Structural and external repair of historic buildings which are still being used and the repair and conversion to new use of empty historic buildings are our highest priority within THI schemes.
9 What are the lowest priorities for funding?
Reinstating historic details, new buildings in gap sites and works to the public realm are our lowest priority within THI schemes.
10 How many buildings should a THI include for grant-aided repair?
There is no set number of historic buildings that a THI should seek to fund by its completion. Eligible projects are those with greatest conservation and economic need. The total number should be realistic in relation to the total common fund and to the size of THI area proposed. Schemes funded so far have typically included between 15 and 30 projects.
11 What can I include under works to public spaces?
You can include repair and authentic restoration of features lost from the public realm when they make a contribution to the character of the historic area. This must be based on reliable historic evidence, such as photographs or architect’s plans and can include historic surfaces and other townscape features, such as old walls and railings in public ownership that define historic urban spaces, using appropriate natural materials. Our support for works to historic surfaces is intended to cover the additional cost of carrying out work to conservation standards which exceeds the cost of repair or replacement to normal highway standards. No more than 25% of your common fund must be spent on tacking works to the public realm.
12 Can I include new buildings for gap sites?
Grants under this programme are available for new buildings for gap sites, especially where they are important to restoring the special character of the area. No more than 25% of your common fund must be spent on tackling gap sites.
13 Will I have to run accredited training courses in conservation skills?
THI schemes should include training in conservation skills, but you do not have to run accredited courses. Training can involve conservation skills days for local contractors, ‘property maintenance’ days for owners, or establishing links with local colleges providing conservation skills training.
14 What type of community activities can I include in my scheme?
You can include activities that involve people who have not been involved with the heritage before, or activities designed to widen knowledge, understanding and awareness of the heritage. The possibilities are endless, but activities may include open days, school visits, town trails, talks and lectures or exhibitions.
15 Can I involve volunteers in my THI scheme?
You can involve volunteers in your THI scheme. Volunteers must be effectively managed, you must find volunteering opportunities that fit their needs, interests and abilities, and provide appropriate training/induction for volunteers to enable them to carry out their volunteering. Always refer to good practice guidance on volunteering.
16 Does the THI scheme comply with State Aid regulations?
THI schemes are compatible with the State Aid provisions and all THI schemes have a licence to operate. The EC decision in May 2003 on our notification NN 11/2002 was a generic and covered all National Heritage Memorial Fund -run programmes, including THI. The EC notification found that, in cases where the retention or appropriate repair of historic assets entails additional costs part or all of which are to be funded through grants, preserves heritage without affecting trading conditions and competition, and is therefore compatible with the State Aid provisions. Notice NN 11/2002 can be obtained upon request.
17 Are the THI schemes audited?
Your partnership will need to satisfy us that it is able to manage public funds in line with principles of good financial management, and that the necessary structures and skills are, or will be, available to support your THI project team.
We retain the right to ask for an external audit at any time during the delivery of your scheme to make sure you have paid grants properly in line with valid applications and you have properly recorded and paid for the costs of managing the scheme. The costs for the audit must be covered by the partnership.
18 What benefits of the THI scheme be maintained through a long-term approach to conservation issues?
You must produce a conservation area management plan for the area, which must be put in place for 10 years after your scheme ends. The local planning authority must be prepared to maintain high standards of conservation after the scheme has finished and show a commitment to using statutory powers. Your scheme should also attempt to tackle local shortages of conservation skills and raise awareness for the importance of heritage through community participation.