Over the past few months, the MESH Team has been working alongside local residents to develop and deliver our Participatory Budgeting project for this financial year. The aim of the project is to a) develop a clear picture of what the current resident priorities for the neighbourhood are, b) for residents to suggest potential project ideas/solutions to these issues, and c) for us to work alongside partners to deliver against these themes. Attached, please find a breakdown of the key themes, along with project suggestions, as put forward by local residents.
I would hereby like to invite proposals from partners to see whether they could deliver one or more of these project ideas within the MESH area. Proposals that adhere to the guidelines below will go out to a public vote during December, and the winning proposals will be commissioned subsequently.
1. Projects must be delivered within the MESH area. This covers the area outlined in the attached map
2. Projects must aim to provide a service that benefits local people, working towards meeting the needs and identified priorities
3. A total budget of £10,000 is available through this scheme. This may be awarded to a single project or divided between two or more
4. Individual projects do not need to cover the entire MESH area. Projects may be area specific; however justification for this will need to be shown. E.g. ‘Our project is specifically for the Elmhurst Court area because…’
5. Partnership applications are encouraged, but are not essential. A partnership application is a joint application made by more than one organisation or group working together. For example, this could be a project idea from a local community organisation working in partnership with a regional charity to develop services within the neighbourhood. Another example could be a youth club, working with a school and the police to deliver services or a project
6. Successful applicants will need to have access to a group bank account. This could be the account of the lead organisation, or an organisation within the partnership. Funds cannot be paid to individuals.
7. Successful applicants are required to attend the Community Steering Group meetings to provide updates on the development and delivery of the project(s). These meetings are all attended by local residents Formal monitoring returns will also be required and a schedule will be agreed with the successful groups
8. Projects must have commenced by the 1st of March 2011. Unfortunately this date is not flexible. If you feel that this start date is unachievable please discuss this with someone from the MESH Team to consider options before submitting your proposal
9. Successful applicants will need to include the MESH logo on all publicity, communications and documents associated with the project(s)
Furthermore, all proposals need to include:
1. Name / description of your organisation
2. A brief description of the project(s) you are proposing to run
3. An explanation of your organisation’s track record / experience in terms of successfully delivering projects such as the one(s) included in the proposal
4. How you will ensure resident participation takes place as part of your project’s delivery
5. A budget breakdown, also including resource implications – in other words, how much will it cost you to deliver the project, and how will you deliver it (this includes staff and other resources needed)
6. A timeline for your project’s delivery (as mentioned above all projects that are commissioned need to start delivery by the 1st of March 2011)
All proposals need to reach me by Thursday the 9th of December at 5pm, either via email or post (see address below).
For details on the area MESH covers and Themes for Participatory budgeting please click here.
For any enquiries please contact me on the details below.
Julie Woods
07825724481
MESH Neighbourhood Manager
Magdalen, Elmhurst Court and Shrublands
Neighbourhood Office
Shrublands Youth and Adult Centre
Magdalen Way
Gorleston
NR31 7BP
01493 604739
