Getting Building Fund: open call for capital investment projects

Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SSLEP) would like to invite public, private or third sector organisations across the SSLEP area to submit Business Cases for current funding opportunities able to drive economic growth.

Up to £5m is immediately available for “shovel-ready” projects that are fully worked up and able to submit a robust business case.

The funding is provided through the Government’s Getting Building Fund (GBF) which was launched in June 2020.

In Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, the funded projects are expected to deliver:

• support for businesses through new innovation and enterprise space,
• investment in digital skills for young people, and
• improvements to transport infrastructure which will unlock new housing sites and enable increased active travel, helping to facilitate a green recovery.

These projects align with the LEP’s key priority to stimulate economic growth across the county.

We strongly recommend that you look at the LEP website and the Getting Building Fund dedicated page to see the type of projects that have already been funded. 

In particular, SSLEP are seeking proposals that are able to deliver core GBF outputs including:

• Jobs created
• Construction jobs created
• Jobs safeguarded
• Commercial / R&D / Training floor space delivered
• New learners / New Businesses assisted
• Roads/Cycle Lanes/Walkways unlocked (km)

If you wish to discuss potential projects, please contact the LEP Change Manager, Bev Dajani at beverley.dajani@enterprisestokestaffs.org.uk.

Please note there is no guarantee that projects will be funded.

Points to bear in mind if considering whether to submit a business case:

• Submissions should be for capital projects (The call is for capital projects with a minimum grant funding request of £500,000).
• Projects should be deliverable by March 2025.
• A significant allocation of the GBF monies received, is expected to be spent in Q1 2023/2024.
• The GBF part of the overall scheme spend is required to be fully committed and defrayed by end of 23/24.
• Projects will need to satisfy the business case requirements set out in our assurance framework and demonstrate clear leverage, and outcomes that demonstrate good value for money.
• Businesses cases need to be able to illustrate and evidence a funding mix of at least 33% match funding. A scheme that can evidence a funding mix where the match funding is greater than 33% will receive a higher scoring outcome.
• When completing the business case proforma please provide:
  • a clear description and a rationale for the proposed project, particularly regarding what the need for LEP funding is and how investment will contribute to the growth of the SSLEP economy
  • evidence to show why the market/private developers/operators cannot progress the scheme without the LEP’s support
  • data to demonstrate there is demand / need for the project
  • the expected and realistic milestones for planning, clearance, construction and operation
• Appraisal and prioritisation will be based around four core themes:
  • Ambition and rationale (strategic fit with LEP Strategic objectives – see Appendix 1)
  • Value for money
  • Deliverability and risk (noting the permitted timescales)
  • Economic and other benefits

 

To enable the LEP to consider all the submissions, please return the completed business case proforma no later than midnight Friday 17^th February 2023 to beverley.dajani@enterprisestokestaffs.org.uk.

 

 Download the business case proforma

 

 

       

 

Appendix 1

LEP Strategic Objectives

1. Stoke-on-Trent as a Core City and 2. A Connected County: To be the one of the strongest performing economies in the UK. As a truly Connected County, and through the continued transformation of Stoke-on-Trent into a competitive and inspiring Core City, our ambitious plans will harness the rapid economic growth of the Midlands Engine and in particular the continued growth of nearby conurbations including Manchester and Birmingham.

3. Competitive Urban Centres: To support our ambitious plans for growth, we will create the right mix of places that are attractive as a destination to live, work and visit, underpinned by the right infrastructure.

4. Sector Growth: Our traditional industries will be transformed through innovation whilst we will ensure that growth in new higher-value sectors flourishes.

5. Skilled Workforce: Our future economy will be underpinned by an outstanding skills system that focuses on the skills pathway of individuals as they go through life, enabling individuals to make informed choices about the best route for their learning, career development, re-skilling and upskilling.