There are a variety of different grants available in Wales for those in the agricultural industry to access and utilise in order to improve or support their business. This article will highlight a number of those available and provide brief information regarding them.
The Glastir Small Grants (GSG) is a standalone scheme providing a maximum of £7,500 funding per theme for capital works to carry out projects to help improve water quality and reduce the risk of flooding. A Expression of Interest (EOI) window is currently open for Glastir Small Grants – Landscape and Pollinators until 25th June 2021 with a budget of £3 million. As is previous windows, an existing Glastir contract is NOT NECESSARY to be eligible.
After completing an EOI, successful applicants will be notified and need to accept the contract within 21 days and then complete the capital works and submit the final claim by 21 March 2022. The funding available is based on standard costs for numerous items and capital works.
The Farm Business Grant Yard Coverings Scheme is being offered to help pay for yard coverings and improved drainage systems for buildings. The current Expression of Interest (EOI) window running until 25 June 2021. The grant is for 40% funding with £3000 minimum grant (£7,500 spend) and £12,000 maximum grant (£30,000 spend). As previously, producers must have a turnover of less than £1 million.
There are 5 types of roof areas, each with different scores – covering livestock feeding areas, covering manure stores, covering silage stores, covering slurry stores and covering gathering areas. Scores for each item are then multiplied by the water quality and water quantity area you are in – as determined by Welsh Government.
There are additional items available such as guttering & downpipes, rainwater harvesting systems, slurry analysis kit, but these will not affect the scores at all. These items could be used to get you to the minimum spend however.
At the time of submitting the EOI, applicants are required to submit 4 geo-tagged BEFORE photos of the area to be roofed. Farmers will have 12 months from date of issue of Contract to complete the works and submit a claim.
It must be new roofing – not second hand. You can build it yourself, but if you do, an engineer’s certificate must be provided. At the Claim stage, you will be required to submit confirmation re. planning permission and SUDS (deals with surface water on developments over 100sqm), letter from Accountant re £1m turnover, invoices for shed / materials and geo-tagged AFTER photos.
It is worth noting that the AFTER geo-tagged photos will also need to show that the clean water from the new roof is diverted to a clean water drain, and that the slurry from the yard area is directed to the slurry pit.
For further information or help with an application for either grant please contact Ellie Watkins or Katie Davies on 01558 650381, ellie.watkins@ruraladvisor.co.uk or katie.davies@ruraladvisor.co.uk