CITY OF BELMONT Belmont Business Innovation Grants Guidelines for Applicants

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1 Guidelines for Applicants Prepared by the City of Belmont Tel: (08) Fax: (08) Website:

2 This document provides information for applications to the Belmont Business Innovation Grant (BBIG) Program. The BBIG program is designed to encourage innovative development, practices and design. Open to eligible small businesses and offers funding to help grow, learn and prosper with a focus on business planning and development within the City of Belmont. There are four grant categories Environment and Sustainability Land Use Built Form Retail Facade Improvement Prospective applicants are advised to read these guidelines to determine if they are eligible and which category is most suited to their circumstances. Prospective applicants are encouraged to attend a BBIG information session. For more information about this grant program, or to speak to one of the Property & Economic Development Team members about your project phone or business@belmont.wa.gov.au. Lobbying Canvassing or lobbying Councillors, employees of the City of Belmont or assessment panel members in relation to grant applications is prohibited and if occurs those applications will not be further considered. All information will be treated confidentially 2

3 Objectives About To support the research and development of innovative approaches to land use, business planning and development within the City of Belmont To promote the City of Belmont as a Local Government that supports and encourages diversity and innovation in urban design To encourage the establishment, growth and retention of sustainable businesses that showcase the City of Belmont s support for innovation, business leadership and environmental sustainability Collectively, these objectives aim to encourage and support new, creative and diverse business activities that will contribute to a thriving and competitive business environment within the City of Belmont. The BBIG program seeks to encourage a greater number of citybased businesses to engage with the City of Belmont and expand their business activities. There will be one round per year There are four grant categories each with a $10,000 limit Applicants can only apply to one grant category per round Only one grant will be awarded per category per round* If a project has already been funded through one category it will not be eligible for funding through another grant category Applicants will be advised of the outcome of the funding round within three months of the closing date *Please note: Allocation of one grant per category is at the discretion of the City of Belmont and it reserves the right to withhold the allocation of a grant in any category. BBIG Information Session An information session will be held in conjunction with the launch of the Belmont Business Innovation Grants details are on the City of Belmont website under Business Awards and Funding. Applicants are encouraged to attend this session. There will be time to discuss any project ideas. To make a booking for the launch event and information session, or for more information, please business@belmont.wa.gov.au or call

4 Your application should address the objectives and all relevant assessment criteria for the Assessment Criteria for All Grant Categories Able to demonstrate a strong point of difference and does not duplicate existing products / services/practices in the City of Belmont. Able to demonstrate that the proposed improvement is a new product/ service/technology (not purely organic growth). Able to demonstrate financial viability and sound management skills. Specific Assessment Criteria for Individual Grant Categories Environment & Sustainability Development of innovative environmental or sustainable products or practices Able to deliver measurable environmental benefits within the City of Belmont Able to support sustainable business practices Land Use Development of an innovative approach to land use within the City of Belmont Aligned to the current planning strategies of the City of Belmont Built Form Development of an innovative approach to building design, materials or construction Aligned to the current planning strategies of the City of Belmont Retail Facade Improvement Innovative upgrade to a shop front consistent with Local Planning Policy No. 12 4

5 What Do We Mean By Innovation? Innovation refers to making changes by introducing new methods or ideas or adapting to changes in environment; it is not necessarily invention, nor is it doing things slightly differently to the way you or others are doing them already. It can mean doing something in a brand new way or it may involve improving on an existing service or product in an original way. Is your way of doing things different to and better than others? Innovation has the potential to improve efficiency, productivity and competitiveness and the likelihood of success. Expected Outcomes & Performance Measures Grant applicants will be asked to determine at least three expected outcomes of their project along with a performance measure for each outcome. These performance measures are the tools for measuring how well the project achieved its expected outcomes. For example it may be a percentage increase of turnover or an increase in the number of customers. For some projects it may be difficult to provide such measures in which case you should provide an attachment with an explanation. 5

6 Grant Categories CATEGORY AIM MAX AMOUNT ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY Development of innovative environmental or sustainable products or practices $10,000 LAND USE Development of an innovative approach to land use within the City of Belmont $10,000 BUILT FORM Development of an innovative approach to building design, materials or construction $10,000 RETAIL FACADE IMPROVEMENT Innovative upgrade to a shop front consistent with Local Planning Policy No. 12 $10,000 Eligibility Who can apply? Small local businesses that indicate, through their innovation, that they can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their business operation and contribute to the City of Belmont Small local businesses that will make a measurable contribution to the Belmont Business Innovation Grant objectives. Who can t apply? Government Departments or Agencies Not for Profit organisations Unincorporated associations Trust funds Franchisees Subsidiaries of larger companies 6

7 What Can Grant Funds Be Used For? Examples of the types of items that can be funded are listed below. Expenditure must directly relate to a new project and only expenditure that has not been incurred at the time of the grant approval will be eligible. Development or enhancement of a product, process or practice Leasing, purchasing or developing IT hardware/software necessary for the project Website development Salary/wages costs directly related to the project, e.g. the cost of employing additional research staff/start up staff Consultant costs, e.g. market research, design consultants Capital costs directly associated with the project Economy airfares, on-ground travel and accommodation within Australia that is directly related to the project. The production cost of promotional materials including brochures, video/cd/dvd presentations, advertising, translation The cost of modifying a product / service or its packaging in order to tailor it to the export requirements of an overseas market Product samples, trade fair and exhibition costs The cost associated with product / service protection including intellectual property rights, patents and trademarks Expenditure items not listed above but for which it can be demonstrated there is a significant need directly relating to the innovation What Can t Grant Funds Be Used For? Projects that have previously received BBIG funding Projects that duplicate existing products/services/practices in the City of Belmont Reimbursement for expenditure incurred prior to the grant approval date Any costs not directly related to the innovation Items eligible for funding through other Government initiatives Core operating expenses e.g. ongoing lease costs, maintenance, salaries Projects that can only be sustained through ongoing funding 7

8 Checklist Before you continue with an application please complete the checklist below to determine whether your business is eligible for the BBIG program. Applications that do not meet all the requirements and/or that do not include the relevant documentation will not be considered. Is your business currently located within the City of Belmont? Do you own the business premises or have a lease for at least 5 years? (If not, please speak to the Grants and Business Support Officer on ) Do you have 20 or fewer employees? Do you have an Australian Business Number (ABN)? Do you have an appropriate legal structure such as a sole trader, an Australian registered company, partnership or sole trader? Does your proposal demonstrate potential for solid business improvement? Can you demonstrate that your innovation idea is unique to your industry, or an advance on general business practices? Do you have a complete set of recent financial records? Can you provide the names and addresses of two independent referees who have knowledge of your business and your proposal? Do you have the appropriate insurances, licences and/or permits necessary to carry out your project? E.g. Public Liability, Professional Indemnity, Motor Vehicle, Worker Compensation etc. 8

9 How to Apply All sections of the application form must be completed and all requisite documentation attached. Application Steps 1 The City of Belmont encourages you to attend the launch event and information session to discuss your proposed project with the City of Belmont s Property & Economic Development team. Call or business@belmont.wa.gov.au to book your place 2 Complete the application form 3 Attach all relevant supporting documents 4 Submit your signed application addressed to the Chief Executive Officer by , post or by hand to the City of Belmont By business@belmont.wa.gov.au By post The City of Belmont Locked Bag 379 Cloverdale WA 6985 By hand The City of Belmont 215 Wright Street Cloverdale WA 6105 Your application must be received by 4.00pm on 2 April Please Note: Late applications will not be accepted. You will receive confirmation of receipt of your application within three working days. 9

10 The Assessment Process The BBIG program is a competitive, merit-based grants program. Applications will be assessed against the Belmont Business Innovation Grant objectives, assessment criteria and eligibility criteria. An assessment report will be prepared for consideration by an independent assessment panel (IAP) which will make recommendations to the City of Belmont s Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer will make final approvals. Applicants should note that the City of Belmont reserves the right to withhold the award of a grant in one or more categories. All decisions are final. There will be no review or appeal process but unsuccessful applicants may re-apply in future grant rounds. 10

11 General Terms and Conditions Notification On average, applicants will be notified of the assessment outcome three months from the closing date of the grant round. Payment of Funds Successful applicants will receive an initial payment of 50 per cent of the grant funds after both parties have signed the agreement and on presentation of an invoice. Payment of the remaining 50 per cent will be paid on completion of the project subject to the receipt of satisfactory acquittal reports, copy invoices and proof of payment for all expenditure, and on presentation of an invoice. Payments will only be made for project expenditure after the approval date of a grant. Use of Funds The recipient will use the funds solely for the purpose approved by the City of Belmont. Any adjustments to the project budget must be requested in writing to the Chief Executive Officer of the City of Belmont by the authorised signatory of the grant recipient prior to spending the funds. It will be at the discretion of the City of Belmont whether the proposed changes are accepted. If the project cannot be completed for any reason or the cost of the project is less than the amount requested any unspent funds must be returned to the City of Belmont. Grant recipients are required to have the appropriate business insurances during delivery of the project. Timeframe Grant Agreements will be for a 12-month period and projects must be completed within this time. Any adjustments to the project timeframe must be requested in writing to the Chief Executive Officer of the City of Belmont by the authorised signatory of the grant recipient. It will be at the discretion of the City of Belmont whether the proposed changes are accepted. Funding Acquittal At the end of your project you will need to complete a final report and acquit the funds using the Belmont Business Innovation Grant Report and Acquittal Template. This report will include information on your project s achieved outcomes in relation to the performance measures as per Grant Agreement. The report must include: A description of the project, event or equipment; A financial statement, signed by the authorised signatory of the business, of expenditure for the total projects; and Evidence of expenditure (e.g. receipts from suppliers). The project must be acquitted within 30 days of the contract end date or completion of the project, whichever is earliest. Acknowledgement of Support Recipients may be required to recognise the City of Belmont s support (in an agreed manner) and to participate in any public promotions organised by the City of Belmont to promote BBIG. Any posters, flyers or other publicity relating to the project must contain the City of Belmont logo. Media releases must include reference to the City of Belmont as the funding body supporting the project. Please contact the City of Belmont s Media & Communications Officer on (08) at least two weeks in advance for logo artwork and review of promotional material. 11