Introduction
Latest news
Applications for the Community Renewal Fund are now closed
The interim results from the Somerset Business Survey 2021 are now available on the Somerset Trends website
UK Community Renewal Fund (Somerset)
The Government is seeking an application from Somerset into its Community Renewal Fund for up to £12m across Somerset.
The Government announced £220 million investment in the UK Community Renewal Fund (UKCRF) in its budget on 3 March 2021. The Fund is to support people and communities most in need across the UK, creating opportunities to trial new approaches and innovative ideas at the local level. The funding is only available for the current year and will pave the way for the Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, due to launch next year.
The UKCRF will be managed by ‘lead authorities’ for each of the 100 priority places as defined by the Government. Somerset County Council (SCC) is the lead authority for Somerset, and the ‘priority places’ within Somerset have been defined as Mendip, Sedgemoor and South Somerset.
Projects proposals are encouraged from both urban and rural areas and should align with four identified themes and with local priorities:
- Investment in skills
- Investment in local business
- Investment in communities and place
- Supporting people into employment
The Government’s prospectus sets out further details on the objectives of the fund, the types of projects it intends to support and how it will operate – UK Community Renewal Fund – Prospectus
Somerset County Council will be inviting applications from organisations that support the above themes and are in line with our local priorities as set out in the Somerset Recovery and Growth Plan.
Events
To find out more about the fund and the application process in Somerset we ran a number of events.
7 April 2021, 10.30am to 11.30am – UK CRF in Somerset – this webinar will provide an overview of the funding, eligibility criteria and the process for applying to the fund in Somerset. You can watch a recording of this event here or view the Powerpoint presentation slides.
12 April 2021, 9.30am to 10.45am – CRF People Theme Workshop – this workshop will give partners the opportunity to explore the skills and employment themes within the CRF prospectus and the local Somerset priorities. View the Powerpoint presentation slides
12 April 2021, 2.30pm to 3.45pm – CRF Communities and Place Theme Workshop – this workshop will give partners the opportunity to explore the communities and place themes within the CRF prospectus and the local Somerset priorities. View the Powerpoint presentation slides
13 April 2021, 9.30am to 10.45am – CRF Local Business Theme Workshop – this workshop will give partners the opportunity to explore the business theme within the CRF prospectus and the local Somerset priorities. View the Powerpoint presentation slides
26 April 2021, 2.30pm to 4.30pm – CRF Technical Support Workshop – this workshop will provide support and guidance for the technical aspects of completing the CRF application. View a recording of the presentation
Powerpoint slides – CRF – Application and Appraisal Process
Powerpoint slides – CRF – Equalities Impact Assessment
Powerpoint slides – CRF – Monitoring and Evaluation
Key dates
26 March – Somerset Community Renewal Fund website launch
7 April – Open call for Somerset applications
7 April – Webinar to outline the application process
12/13 April – Thematic workshops
10 May – Deadline for local submissions to be submitted
18 June – Deadline for lead authority to submit application to Government
End July – Successful projects confirmed for delivery
31 March 2022 – Project delivery end date
Application process
Applications are now closed
Somerset County Council is seeking bids from organisations wishing to deliver activity as part of the UK Community Renewal Fund.
Please read the UK Community Renewal Fund – Prospectus and the UK Community Fund Technical Note for Project Applicants and Deliverers before starting work on a bid.
The Prospectus provides detailed information on the objectives of the Fund, the types of projects it intends to support and how it operates, including the process and selection criteria that will be used to assess bids.
Successful UK Community Renewal Fund bids will be for 2021/22 only and activity must end in March 2022.
Questions and answers about the Somerset Community Renewal Fund process
To make an application
- Please read the UK Community Renewal Fund – Invitation to Submit Project Bids
- Please complete and submit the Expression of Interest Form
- Submit your completed project application form before 10am on 10 May 2021
Evidence
As well as demonstrating how projects fit with local strategic priorities, applicants are expected to show supporting evidence as justification for project investment. Depending on the investment theme and priority, this could be evidence of local skills needs, of current labour market challenges and the need to support individuals into employment, of business opportunities for growth, innovation or decarbonisation, or of community or place based challenges that need addressing locally.
Applicants will want to do their own, more extensive research, but the following websites have data relating to each of the CRF investment themes.
Please check this page regularly as additional resources will be made available
Project Application Assessment
Project applications submitted to the UKCRF in Somerset will be subject to assessment before shortlisting.
Copies of the assessment template and scoring criteria are included here for information.
Useful information
SCC’s Equality Impact Assessment page
Our Privacy Notice
Our Evidence section
Heart of the South West Local Industrial Strategy
Sedgemoor District Council – Economic Development Strategy 2020 – 2050
Somerset West & Taunton Council – Economic Development Strategy 2021 – 2024
South Somerset District Council – Economic Development Strategy
Contact the team
Email us – UKCRF@somerset.gov.uk