FAQ's

Tags: faq | support

This FAQs section will help you to learn from other projects' experiences in the earlier rounds of funding.

Do I have to have a building or site confirmed before applying?

You do not have to own the site in advance. But you must have strong evidence that, if successful, you will be able to purchase the site. There are forms of binding legal arrangement that will do this, often called ‘a right of pre-emption' or ‘right of first refusal'. If you are not planning to purchase the site, BIG will require you to enter into a lease agreement with the landowner for a minimum of 20 years. This lease must include a clause to ensure it cannot be broken for at least this period of time.

Will BIG require a formal options appraisal of sites?

Yes - all projects need to supply an Options Appraisal. An options appraisal is good practice - it will show that you have considered different possibilities and chosen the best. It will also show the evidence of your consideration. Projects with good options appraisals may score better in the selection process than those without.

Do I have to have partners confirmed prior to making an application?

You should have all the core partners confirmed, especially those who will be key to long term funding.

How formal do agreements with partners need to be before we submit our application?

You will need a formal partnership agreement for your stage 2 submission, but it is not a requirement at this stage. However projects with strong evidence of partnership may score better in the selection process that those without.

Am I more likely to get funding if I apply for a lower amount?

Not necessarily- you should apply for what you need subject to the maximum amount.

Can the building we are proposing have whole community functions, as well as youth functions?

Yes but the focus and primary purpose must be on providing a facility for young people.

How much match funding is required?

None, but if you have match funding you can use it.

Will BIG accept an application where the project is seeking part funding from BIG to then match against other capital funding yet to be applied for?

Projects with a degree of match funding will be looked at on a case by case basis. Applicants should have a robust funding structure in place and should be able to provide reasonable assurances regarding their ability to secure all the capital funds required to complete the project.

Does the project have to be city/county wide or can it be smaller in scope e.g. neighbourhood level?

The project does not have to be city or county-wide, but should cater for a sufficient size of population to justify building the size (and cost) of the proposed centre.

What help and support is available to successful applicants?

The myplace support team offers free services to projects involved in the myplace programme. We can help with building advice, project management, developing leading practice, and in many other areas. For more information, check out the About Us pages on the website or call us on 0161 212 1100. This help is available to all projects with first stage approval (that is once the final projects have been selected after the September 2009 deadline).

What is a strategy for change for youth facilities and how do I make sure our proposals fit with it?

DCSF expects each council to lead on producing a ‘strategy for change for youth facilities' for its area. This should involve an integrated and long-term plan for creating a diverse network of high-quality, dynamic and attractive places for young people to go. The strategy should reflect local circumstances and the views, needs and priorities of young people and demonstrate how each area will maximise the finance and assets available across public, private and third sectors.

The myplace support team has a role to support local authorities and their partners with developing such strategies. We do this through:

• Identifying and sharing existing leading practice;
• Regional seminars; and
• A customised programme of support for a significant number of council areas.

For more information, read our ‘Guide to strategy essentials', which details what the strategy for change for youth facilities should include.

How detailed does my business plan need to be?

Sufficiently detailed to demonstrate viability, but we expect that projects will need additional support. All successful bids will receive support with developing their business plans from the myplace support team. See also our ‘Guide to funding essentials'.