5. Code of Practice For Conservation Grant Aid

Introduction

The purpose of this Code of Practice is to set out the procedures to be followed by us in processing applications for Conservation Grant Aid; to inform you, the applicant, of the level of service you can expect from us; and to assist us, through monitoring, to assess the quality of service delivered by the Council. 

Aim of the Conservation Grant Aid Scheme

The Borough Council operates a Conservation Grant Scheme. Its aim is to grant aid the proper repair of listed buildings within the Borough, and other works to listed buildings, where the repairs or works are necessary to maintain or enhance the special architectural or historic character of the buildings or to ensure their continued preservation. 

Pre-Application Advice

 We will:-

• advise you on the design and conservation aspects of proposals which may qualify for grant aid;
  
  
• advise on the eligibility of proposed works for grant aid; 
  
  
• advise on the application procedures;
  
  
• respond to enquiries, or make arrangements to discuss enquiries with you, within 10 working days of receipt of a written request.

Registration of Complete Applications

 We will:-

• register each complete application within 2 working days of receipt;
  
  
• within 3 working days of registration, confirm in writing the reference number allocated to the application, the date of the Executive Member meeting to which the application is likely to be submitted, and the name and telephone extension of a contact officer.

Incomplete Applications

Incomplete applications, or those relating to ineligible works, will not be registered or processed. 

We will:-

• advise you either that the application is ineligible for grant aid or of the information required for registration, within 5 working days of the receipt of an incomplete application;
  
  
• return incomplete applications if outstanding information is not provided within one calendar month of the request for information.

Note: Advice is provided on eligibility of works and information to be submitted with applications on the notes accompanying the application form.

Processing the Application

We will:-

• visit the application site and assess the proposal;
  
  
• present a report to The Executive Member on the merits of the proposal and recommend approval or refusal of the application;
  
  
• aim to determine all completed applications within 8 weeks of registration.

Decisions

We will:-

• issue the decision notice within 3 working days of the date of the decision;
  
  
• ensure that the decision notice includes the amount of grant aid and any conditions imposed on the offer of grant aid, or the reason for refusal of grant aid.

Payment of Grant Aid

It is a normal requirement of the offer of grant aid that works must be carried out in accordance with the approved scheme and to the satisfaction of the Council. Works should normally be completed within 6 months of the offer of grant aid. 

We will:-

• inspect, or arrange with you to inspect, the works within 10 working days of the receipt of written notification of completion of the works;
  
  
• authorise payment of the grant aid within 3 working days of submission of a receipted invoice if the works have been completed to the satisfaction of the Council;
  
  
• withhold payment if the works have not been completed in a satisfactory manner. In that event, we will inform you, within 5 working days of the inspection, of the measures needed to rectify the works to enable grant aid to be paid in full or in part.

Note: It will be a requirement of the offer of grant aid that the works be completed within 6 months of the offer. It is therefore in your interests to undertake the works within that period or to request an extension of time. If you fail to do so you risk losing the grant aid.

For further information and advice please contact the:

Planning Policy Group
Tel: 01903 221363
Minicom: 01903 204500
E-Mail: planning@worthing.gov.uk

or

Visit our web site at www.worthing.gov.uk/planning

A leaflet version of this Code of Practice is available in large print from our office.

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