The LRP is an informal partnership of 19 organisations working across rural Leicestershire. The Partnership is working to ensure rural areas continue to be attractive places to live, which are sustained by a strong and competitive local rural economy, and offer a range of services and facilities to local communities.
The LRP co-ordinates and delivers a substantial Rural Business Development Programme across Leicestershire. The programme provides business support, grants and information to farmers, retailers (such as shops, post offices, and farm shops), local producers and distributors working within rural communities, and market towns and rural centres across Leicestershire. This includes contributing to the development and diversification of existing and new rural businesses, supporting and encouraging the development of entrepreneurs, providing training and skills opportunities to rural businesses, and supporting the creation of new markets for products of benefit to the rural economy.
These guidance notes provide information on how to apply for an LRP grant and will assist in the completion of the grant application form. In addition, please also refer to the individual project guidance notes before beginning to fill in the application form. It is important that all questions are answered fully, as your application will help us to determine the suitability of your project for grant aid.
If you have any queries regarding the eligibility of a project for grant assistance please contact the relevant Project Officer to discuss the project and potential grant application.
Please note that neither expenditure nor consultancy should start before approval has been given since grant aid cannot be provided on a retrospective basis.
Applicants may apply to a grant scheme more than once but there are maximum levels of grant available to any one applicant over the life of the grant scheme. Please see individual grant guidance notes for details on funding levels.
Return your completed application form and supporting material to the grant scheme’s Project Officer as stated in the individual project guidance notes. A Project Officer may contact you regarding your application and may arrange a visit with you to discuss your proposal further.
Your application will be submitted to the Rural Assessment Panel, comprising of members from the Leicestershire Rural Partnership, Rural Community Council, Leicestershire County Council and the Leicester Shire Economic Partnership.
You will be notified of the panel’s decision as soon as possible. If your project is successful an offer letter will be sent to you, following which you may begin your project.
Once your project is completed you will need to contact the relevant Project Officer in order to claim your grant. Grants will be payable upon satisfactory completion of the works and production of paid invoices relevant to the claim. In the case of any physical development someone will visit you and take photos of the completed work.
Grants may be payable in instalments related to the progress of the work, provided that not more than 75% of the amount offered by way of grant is paid before completion of the approved work or operations.
Grants will be reclaimed on a pro-rata basis if there is a voluntary cessation of business activity supported by the grant scheme, or if any item purchased is sold within a three year period following funding.
If an offer or payment of grant is agreed between the partners and you, it shall neither expressly nor by implication constitute a representation by the partners that the project is financially viable and you shall be deemed to have relied solely own your own independent expert and professional advice in undertaking the works.
Any business in receipt of a grant is requested to allow their name to be used in promotional activity. The applicant shall, in agreement with the Project Officer, acknowledge the contribution of the LRP in an appropriate way on publicity material, press releases and in the case of relevant projects, display a plaque supplied by the LRP.
Guidance notes to individual sections are also available from the appropriate section of the application form
Please note that the applicant should be the person who has the authority to sign the declaration and grant terms and conditions, on behalf of the business / organisation. Contact details provided should relate to where the applicant can be contacted during office hours.
If you have a current Business Plan please submit a copy with your application.
Please include details on the type of business / organisation, what service or product you offer, and who your products/services are aimed at. e.g. the public, other businesses.
Please provide details, and attach copies, of any necessary planning/listed building and other statutory consents that are needed to implement your project. It is important to note that unless you provide us with evidence that the necessary permissions have been applied for or obtained, we will not be able to take your application any further. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure all necessary consents are granted before work is carried out.
Please provide confirmation that you are the freehold owner of the building or the tenant with a minimum fixed term lease of 5 years. You or your solicitors can supply evidence of your title. Tenants are also required to provide written consent to the proposal from their landlord.
Applicants should indicate whether they have been in receipt of assistance from any other public sector body in the last three years to the value of 100,000 Euros in order to ensure compliance with state aid rules. If a grant is offered, it will be made on the understanding that, in the course of making an application, the applicant will have disclosed any financial contributions received, or expected, from any body financed from public funds.
Please state if you have been in contact with any business support organisations in the development of your proposal and if so provide the name of the organisation, date and summary of the discussions.
Clearly describe the key elements of your project/proposal, including the type of work that will take place or the items/services that will be purchased. We would like to know why you think this project is important and what you hope it will help you achieve. Include any additional information to support your application, such as advice from agencies or consultants.
The following criteria will be taken into account when assessing you application in addition to the specific criteria and priorities identified in the individual grant guidance notes.
Tick all the outputs your project will realistically achieve and outline how you calculated them.
Please tick the box to indicate whether this is a new activity to your business or if it is an improvement or development to something that is already in existence.
Please list all items of expenditure and remember to attach three quotations for each item listed. Grants will be for net costs only. No VAT element can be included.
Grants cannot duplicate funds from other sources for the same items of expenditure. Please check with individual grant guidelines the maximum public sector contribution to a scheme. Please inform us of how you will make up the balance of costs. Please note that grants are discretionary and any offer may be at a lower level than applied for subject to the merits of the application and the availability of the funds.
Please identify any key risks that may prevent or delay the project from going ahead. For each risk, estimate the likelihood of it occurring and the impact it might have.
Examples of potential risk areas are: how you fund the balance of the cost of works, obtaining statutory consents (e.g. planning permission), adhering to mandatory guidance (e.g. Health and Safety).
Describe what you will do to reduce these risks and provide details of any contingency plans in place.
Please read, sign and date the declaration to say that all information included is correct to the best of your knowledge and that you agree to the terms stated.
Project Officer’s contact details are available on individual project guidance notes.