Below are some FAQs about the application which will added to as the process runs with further queries.
The proposal that I want to submit is not one of the examples that is given within the guidance, can I still submit it?
The examples given within the guidance are just indications of the types of projects that could be submitted but you are not limited to these examples. We will consider all proposals based upon their merit which will include the strength of the business case and how well it helps the council advance the objectives of its open space strategy.
Is there any leeway on the amount of money that will be spent in one ward?
The limit was set so that this fund can help improve open spaces across all parts of the borough and to ensure fairness. However, we recognise that certain wards may have a larger number of open spaces than others and that not all areas will necessarily have the same number of community groups. Therefore, we may by exceptional circumstance alter these values slightly based on the strength of the business case and its alignment to the open space strategy.
If working on a proposal between submission and review date, can I submit an updated proposal?
You may submit an updated proposal so long as you do so before the relevant application deadline. The last application made before a deadline will be considered to be the most up to date application.
Can I submit a proposal that covers multiple green spaces?
You may, however as part of your proposal you must show support for the project to take place within all sites as part of your application along with identifying why you believe the sites to be relevant to the projects in question. Due weight will be given to those proposals that improve linkages between sites as opposed to two disparate sites within different parts of the borough.
I am unsure on certain information (e.g. the total costs, the total maintenance, what permission is required) how do I find this out?
Please email jubileeparksfund@bromley.gov.uk and we will seek to provide assistance where we can.
Is it possible to submit an application without all the information and work it up afterwards?
We do ask that all applications are as complete as possible so that we can get as good a feel for proposals as possible. We may at our discretion accept proposals that are slightly incomplete which have potential and work with the applicants to fully scope the project, however this does not guarantee that in the end it will ultimately be selected for funding and it may delay the overall delivery of the project.
I don’t understand what I am supposed to do about maintenance?
We are asking for the cost of the maintenance (as recommended by the manufacturers recommended warranty or similar) of your proposal to be included as part of the proposal and total costs:
- If you are installing a new asset that will have a maintenance cost the total must be included (e.g. a proposal costing £5000 with maintenance of £1000 over 5 years would have a total cost of £6000).
- If you are updating an existing asset you must include the difference in maintenance costs for the manufacturers recommended maintenance period. For an example if an asset currently costs the council £500 a year to maintain, and the upgraded version will cost £550 a year over 5 years (a £50 difference), you must include £250 maintenance as part of your total project costs (£50 x 5 years)
- If the proposal will not have a maintenance implication or its requirements can continue to be met by the existing maintenance regime, you can note this on your form.
What sort of implications should I be reporting for my grant funding?
You must report any conditions that come from any grant funding that would have an impact upon the council as a landowner. This would include (but not be limited to):
- Whether the proposal requires the works to be completed within a certain time frame.
- Whether the proposal requires the council to undertake any ongoing monitoring requirements (e.g. the number of people making use of a new asset).
- Whether the funding will need to be held by the council rather than yourselves.
If you are unsure you can send the grant terms and conditions over to jubileeparksfund@bromley.gov.uk for the team to review.
I haven’t heard any feedback from my proposal, what should I do?
Every application will receive a formal acknowledgement by the council. This will indicate to the applicant the timescale for confirmation of the consideration to progress with the projects during the bi-annual assessment process (e.g. 1 April and 1 October). Where applicants are received for the fast-track process, the applicant will receive an acknowledgement and subsequent confirmation. There is no need to contact the council after you have received an acknowledgement.
My proposal has been selected as having potential but has not yet been selected for funding. What will happen?
Where we believe that a proposal has potential we may contact you to find out any more information necessary to fully understand and scope it. This may include:
- Site visits
- Online meetings/telephone conversations to note what your aims and objectives with the proposal are, what the maintenance implications would be, any grant applications that you may have made etc.
- Further correspondence with suppliers of a product
We will try to make these sessions as easy to facilitate as possible, but would appreciate all applicants co-operation in enabling us to make a decision.
Applicants should however note that whilst we will endeavour to ensure that a project is selected for funding, we reserve the right after further research to decide that a proposal is not suitable and to say that is has been unsuccessful.
Can I submit a proposal again if unsuccessful?
Revised bids can be made, however they must demonstrate that they have taken into account the council’s feedback and sought to improve them. We will strive to approve revised applications where clear evidence is provided that demonstrate amendments have been made.
The £40,000 split across 22 electoral wards only gives a total of £880,000. What will the remainder of the fund be spent on?
The council has not set any specific goals for the remainder of the fund, but may use part of it to put in place sufficient resource if required to ensure projects are managed efficiently to their completion. If not, it will be spent on further approved projects related to this scheme.