Community Facilities and Infrastructure Policy
- The definition of public infrastructure and facilities includes the provision of open spaces, recreational, community facilities, amenities, landscaping works etc. (Cork County Development Plan, 2009)
- Community facilities should demonstrate a clear connection with the unique aspects of the local built/social/cultural heritage and regional identity and/or a clear economic imperative as outlined in the WCDP Rural Development Strategy.
- Prime consideration will be given to community facilities and local infrastructure which serves as a catalyst or demonstrates clear potential for cluster activity and inter-sectoral linkages.
- Projects will be required to demonstrate strong social capital inputs.
· Developmental support will be predicated on a clear value added basis.
· Co-funding from other public sources of finance for projects is not allowable other than where discrete or stand alone elements exist.
- Aid will be considered in respect of projects that upgrade and develop essential community facilities on the basis that they underpin the medium to long term development of the community.
- As a general principle priority will be given to projects, which are clearly linked to other WCDP development supports (LDSIP, Walks, RSS, CSP, etc) in order to ensure complementarity and critical mass.
- Consideration will be given to projects that demonstrate a clear strategic value to the region and can integrate with other community development supports (rural transport, C.E. etc)
· As a principle, projects must be multi-functional in nature. These community facilities must be flexible in their design and have the ability to cater for a variety of activities/needs in order to promote optimum usage by all sectors of the community.
· Emphasis will be given to projects that upgrade, conserve, link or consolidate existing buildings/facilities rather than Greenfield development.
· Emphasis will be given to projects that support community based enterprises, which have strong social aims and values, including a commitment to building capacities and capabilities within the local community.
· Community facilities seeking development support must clearly demonstrate target user groups and demonstrate medium term sustainability. The provision of capital support must take account of ongoing operational/sustainability issues.
· Due consideration will be given to projects that demonstrate clearly an ability to act as a catalyst for further Rural Development actions (developing and adding to economic and social capital within the community, increasing capacity and forging links).
· Prime consideration will be given to projects that demonstrate a high involvement and participation with youth and/or active-retired initiatives.
· Support may also be directed towards projects that assist alternative or renewable energy actions/sustainable building design/energy efficiency within community owned facilities, where it generates additional on-going activity within the community
· Strong focus will be given to projects in villages or geographical areas (Upper Lee Valley, peninsular areas, etc) where infrastructural development has lagged due to demographic, locational or infrastructural disadvantages.
· Prime consideration will be given to projects that incorporate landscape and heritage restoration by developing the region’s local industrial heritage such as railways, creameries, mills, mines, quarries etc. for visitor/community/amenity use.
· Aid will be considered for the development of active (recreation, outdoor activities, sporting facilities, etc) and passive (gardens, woodland, parks, etc) open space for community access and use.
· Consideration will be given to support community arts initiatives that reflect unique aspects of the region’s local culture and heritage to build identity and facilitate community engagement.
· All projects should be affordable, accessible and available to all age and social groups within the community, other than where the project is specifically targeted at an identifiable need or demographic. All projects must respect the provisions of all equality legislation.
· Consultation with Cork County Council is required at the development phase of a project
· Full planning permission/exemption must be in place prior to evaluation by WCDP (to include adherence to disabled access/facilities requirements).
· Evidence of Ownership and/or entitlement to development a project must be provided at time of application. This will also require clarification on the legal status of the promoting body. All facilities must be community owned or have the requisite lease/entitlement and managed by an appropriately structured community organisation.
· Written confirmation of the source of matching finance must be provided at time of application.
· Written confirmation that there is no other public source of finance for the project must be provided.
· Written evidence that the promoter is not registered for VAT from the Revenue Commissioners must be provided at the time of application.
· Written confirmation of the on-going insurance, maintenance and staffing of the project at the time of application.
· Voluntary Labour may be accepted as part matching finance for actions that undertake to improve the quality of life in rural areas.
· Consideration will be given to voluntary labour for services that would otherwise be paid for i.e. professional costs such as architects and engineers.
· Submission of progress reports by the promoter will be required at regular intervals during the course of the project.
· Submission of a comprehensive post-support report by the promoter will be required on an annual basis to include: outcomes and impacts of development funding, documentary evidence of activities and any other supplementary documentation.
· An architects/engineers certificate of compliance with relevant planning, building and fire regulations along with any other statutory regulations must be furnished to WCDP on completion of the project.
· A third party report carried out by an appropriately qualified person verifying that the work has been completed appropriately must be furnished to WCDP on completion of the project.
· A third party report assessing the cost of the works carried out must be furnished to WCDP on completion of the project.
· All projects must acknowledge LEADER and EARDF funding.
· Ineligible activities include the mainstream activities of sports organisations and bodies.
· Capital support for Youth cafe projects will be assessed on an individual basis.
· All support is governed by eligibility criteria and RDP programme rules.
