Community Transport Fund (Hansard, 14 June 2004)

§ Alun Michael

Bids for the Rural Transport Partnership Scheme which is run by the Countryside Agency on behalf of Defra are assessed against the following criteria:

1. Community and partner support

That the application has a wide measure of local support.

That the application will cater primarily for the needs of rural areas or rural residents and integrate these with the needs of visitors.

2. Transport needs

That the project will meet an identified transport need. This will be assessed by examination of the evidence of need provided in the proposal, the scale and nature of research and consultation undertaken, the Countryside Agency Officer's existing knowledge of the area and their consultation with representatives of key organisations working there.

The project will not be to the detriment of other rural services and will not compete significantly with other transport services or facilities.

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The project is unlikely to proceed without assistance from the Rural Transport Partnership.

3. Financial viability

That the application represents best value for money.

The value for money of the proposal in terms of its unit costs and in terms of the additionality obtained by the local transport network in return for the investment requested, or any other relevant factors.

(For project applications) that it is likely to be socially, environmentally or financially viable by the time the funding from the Countryside Agency ceases. Ideally, all projects should seek to break even by at least the end of the funding period, although it is often found that during the early years of operation there is a deficit, i.e. receipts do not cover costs. For non-profit making schemes, with costs often provided on an ongoing basis in kind, from fund-raising or from grants, commercial viability is not so important.

However, it should be possible to establish evidence of the economic or social benefits of such schemes over time and it is expected that this will be used to justify continued funding.

The proportion of the total capital and revenue costs requested from the Countryside Agency (grant rate) and the leverage on other funds obtained from this.

That there is a firm funding commitment from other funding bodies.

4. Strategic considerations

How well the application fits the overall aim of the RTP scheme.

The aims and objectives of the proposal and how these link with those of Defra and the Countryside Agency. Bids are particularly encouraged for projects that meet vital villages, market towns and wider welcome programme objectives. As a guide the following groups denote whether a project will be classified as a vital village, market towns or wider welcome project.

Vital Villages—transport projects which meet a locally identified transport need, or relate to the provision of access to locally provided services. Particularly favoured projects are those which address issues of social exclusion.

Market Towns—transport projects which enhance the role of an area as a service hub. Particularly favoured projects are these which have a close relationship to prioritised market towns and the health check process.

Wider Welcome—transport projects related to recreation and tourism with a rural destination. Particularly favoured projects are those with an emphasis on sustainable development, or links to other Countryside Agency interests and initiatives.

The degree to which the proposal relates to regional and local policy.

The implications of not providing funding support for the proposal.

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5. Technical viability

The expected benefits of the proposal.

The competence of the applicant (and fund holder, if different) to implement, manage and administer the proposal.

How the proposal will be implemented and its development strategy.

The arrangements made for monitoring and evaluation.

6. Additional criteria

In April 2003 an additional criterion was added:

Should target areas suffering from deprivation.