On 17^th October the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) launched its Place Based Social Action (PBSA) Fund which is a joint £4.5m programme also involving the Big Lottery Fund. For the detail of what is required and how to apply, please go to: https://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/global-content/programmes/england/place-based-social-action

The aim of the fund is to:

• Support local communities, public sector organisations, service providers, civil society organisations and businesses to work together to address local priorities
• Increase the capability and ability of local people and organisations to take action on the issues that matter to them
• Encourage new ways of working, so that people who live and work in an area have more meaningful influence and ownership over local services.

Expressions of Interest (EOI) are being invited from ‘existing partnerships’, which MUST be able to name their partners, include the local authority and have selected a lead organisation.

Only one application will be permitted per local authority, and so Bristol City Council will be required to endorse just one EOI.

As only 20 partnerships nationally will get through Phase 1, this is going to be a highly competitive process, so draft EOI’s should be able to meet all or many of the following criteria:

• There is clear evidence of inequality within the area involved, as defined in the Index of Multiple Deprivation
• That the proposal involves a community which feels excluded or marginalised from the life and decision making of the city and/or where there has been a dominance of ‘top down’ service delivery and decision making.
• Proposals should:

• Build in what’s strong and link with some existing activity

-      Take an asset based development approach

• Aim to mobilise many more people
• Create the opportunity to learn and change the way we  do things together

• All draft EOI’s should be able to answer the 4 questions contained in the EOI form which cover:
  • The vision for the place in the future;
  • The achievements of the partnership so far;
  • How the partnership will engage with the community;
  • Ability to bring in other resources (in phases 2 and 3 partnerships will be required to leverage match funding of at least 33%).

The deadline for submission to DCMS/Big Lottery is 23.59 on the 28^th November 2017. In order to give the submission from Bristol the best possible chance of success we are requesting that all interested partnership submit a draft application by 10.00am on Monday 6^th November to dominic.murphy@bristol.gov.uk

We would also ask that all those interested keep Wednesday 8^th November (10am – 1pm) free in their diaries for a joint meeting at City Hall where we will consider the proposals and make recommendations.