East CSN Forum

CIF Process Timetable Guidance for Community Sports Networks (CSN) Applicants

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Sport England is committed to investing through the delivery system to increase and sustain participation, coaching and volunteering.

In the East there is a firm commitment to support all Community Sport Networks with resources to help achieve the above based on a simple, SMART action plan – an action plan that provides specific interventions, that are measurable, action based, realistic and time focussed.

The action plan should identify planned interventions based upon an evidenced local need and a strong rationale supporting the proposed activities. Applicants are strongly advised to refer to the Active People Survey data to identify where participation rates are significantly different to other groups and areas in the region. Sport England East have produced local area participation profiles to assist with this process and CSPs are able to provide more support and advice if needed.

There is a two stage application process to go through to receive funding from Sport England to contribute to the action plan.

Sport England is required to have robust systems and processes in place as it is accountable for public money.

Details of the amount of funding your CSN could attract from Sport England can be found by contacting Kirsty Clarke at Sport England East on 020 7273 1827 or email kirsty.clarke@sportengland.org

Applying for funding to deliver your CSN action plan is the same as any other lottery application to Sport England.

The following is a short summary of the two stage process, more detailed information is available at http://www.sportengland.org/east_index/east_get_funding.htm

How long should I leave to complete an application?

The time to complete the on line application form is not extensive. The crucial element is to ensure that you have undertaken appropriate needs analysis and engagement within the community and your partnership to ensure that you are confident that what you are presenting is what is needed and is deliverable both financially and on time.

Stage 1

This is your opportunity to share with us what your project is seeking to achieve.
We strongly encourage you to contact Sport England East before submitting an application.
Please ensure that you read the guidance on the website before starting your application and getting into the detail.
Remember we are looking for projects that will drive up participation, coaching and volunteering. There is an increasing emphasis on trying to get the adult (post 16), members of your community active.
Make sure the basics work out in your application – ie the funding figures add up, your KPIs are logical given what you are proposing in your project.
Remember what you put in your stage 1 application is what we have to go by in deciding whether there is a good project to be developed or not. If you think we need to know something then tell us !
You can upload additional supporting documents when completing your stage 1 application, please do so if you think it will help inform our knowledge and decision.

Stage 2

How long your stage 2 application will take will depend on the type and complexity of your project. For example a capital project will generally take longer at stage 2 than a revenue project.

All projects will need to work through the Sport England milestone process – available to download from the website. You will be supported by an appointed Case Manager from Sport England during this process. This individual will act as a check and challenge system but also to support you in adding value to your project where possible and appropriate.

The milestone process requires applicants at stage 2 to:

Evidence they are eligible.
Provide draft job descriptions and person specifications- where applicable
If capital, demonstrate security of tenure
Ensure that any prior commitments haven’t been made unless agreed with Sport England
Agree with Sport England which of the following are required for the project in question: Child protection Policy, Health and Safety Plan, Management Structure and Plan, Staffing structures/arrangements, Sports Development Plan, Partnership Agreements, Staff/Volunteer Training and Development Plan, Marketing Plan, Exit Strategy, Financial Plan, Equity Plan, Sensitivity Analysis,Programme of Use.
Confirm the project benefits and how the project meets Sport England priorities.
Confirm the key performance indicators that the project will be accountable for – these are crucial as they are the “payback” for investing public funds.
Evidence that there is sufficient need for the project. This will include the breakdown of target groups the project(s) will focus on.
Confirm the costs and how the project is to be funded.
Produce a risk assessment and confirm to Sport England that the project has manageable risks.

The above should be signed off with your appointed Case Manager before you submit your stage 2 application for a funding decision. Failure to complete the above is likely to delay a decision on your application.

It is advised that you should generally leave yourself at least 4 weeks between stage 1 confirmation and stage 2 completion. This figure is based on the timelines that Sport England have experienced with similar size CIF applications. It must be stressed however, that this is based on a well developed and planned Stage 1 application and Sport England can not guarantee that your project will be ready for submission within 4 weeks.

Applicants should avoid planning on turning around a stage 2 submission within a few days of their stage 1 being encouraged, this usually leads to a weaker application with gaps in information required and often means no dialogue has taken place with the Sport England regional office prior to submission. Your Case Manager is unlikely to agree that your project is ready for submission in these circumstances.

Delivery System engagement

You should ensure that any application you are developing has been thoroughly discussed with your relevant County Sports Partnership. Contact details can be found on the Sport England East website.

When can I expect a decision?

We will tell you if we are encouraging or discouraging your stage 1 application within 15 working days of receipt.

We will give you a decision on making an award within 40 working days of receiving your stage 2 submission.

Information accurate at point of production 31/7/07

Please be aware that later in 2007/early 2008 Sport England will be amending the application process to a single grant application for standard ‘projects’. Further information on the above will be published in the autumn of 2007.

What is a Community Sports Network?

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Aimed at the local deliverers of sport and physical activities, those who use sport as a diversionary or wellbeing activity and those who are passionate about sport in their local area.

The CSN is an integral part of the Delivery System as the local delivery arm and essentially enables the delivery system to maximise its effectiveness.

The Delivery System for Sport
A Community Sports Network is a group of people that are all involved in and interested in sport within a local area (e.g. Great Yarmouth). This group could include representatives from: Local Authority, Primary Care Trust, School Sport Partnership, voluntary and community sector, Children’s Trusts, Children’s Services, regeneration projects, sports regeneration, community safety initiatives, professional sport, projects aimed at older people, health initiatives, the local sports council, sports clubs and any one else who may impact upon the delivery or promotion of sport locally.

What will a CSN do?
As an integral part of the Delivery System for Sport the CSNs are the local mechanism for the co-ordination and delivery of sport and physical activity. Given their locally representative composition the CSNs are best placed to identify local needs and decide on the most appropriate course of action. It is also important that the CSNs have an ongoing dialogue with the local CSP as they will be aware of any county-wide issues which may impact upon the CSN. Sport England East wants to see investment in sport being channeled to those who are in local delivery and we recognise that those involved in CSNs being these deliverers

The above representatives, along with the CSP, will formalise the group into a partnership, choose an appropriate structure and meet on a regular basis. Once this has happened the partnership is officially a CSN and its initial task is to consult with the areas local residents in order to identify a series of local priorities,. The local priorities discussed at the consultation may include access to facilities, using sport to tackle social problems and community safety, general health and obesity, increasing club in-take or volunteer numbers or anything else that may have local significance or pertinence. Alongside the local consultation it is crucial that the priorities include a response to Sport England’s Active People Survey. The Active People Survey is the largest survey of sport and physical activity ever to be undertaken in Europe. With a telephone survey of 363, 724 adults across all 354 English local authorities it has provided us with a unique and robust data set to ensure we can target areas of low participation. The findings enable CSNs to have greater understanding of the participation and volunteering rates with demographic breakdowns within the local area.

To assist with pulling all this information together, holding meetings, branding and marketing the CSN and most importantly developing an Action Plan (pdf / word version) detailing how you are going to address local priorities, Sport England will award the partnership a start-up fund of up to £3000.

Once the partnership have agreed a series of actions and written these into an action plan it can then apply for more funding to deliver them. The Community Investment Fund (CIF) has funds available for CSNs to deliver interventions against their local priorities as long as some match funding can also be secured from other partners.
The CSNs are an absolute priority for the delivery of sport across the East Region and we are committed to supporting the establishment and sustainability of these networks. Below are a series of questions which should assist you but if you have any more please contact, in first instance your CSP lead:
Essex – sportessex
Greg Cooper: 01245 702416
gregory.cooper@sportessex.org.uk

Suffolk – Suffolk Sport
Terry McEntee: 01502 523447
Terry.McEntee@Waveney.gov.uk

Hertfordshire – Herts Sports Partnership
John O’Callaghan: 01707 281009
j.d.ocallaghan@herts.ac.uk

Norfolk – Active Norfolk
Keith Sutton: 01603 727886
keith.sutton@activenorfolk.org

Bedfordshire – Team Beds and Luton
Lloyd Connaway: 01582 813768
lloyd@teambedsandluton.co.uk

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough – Living Sport
Simon Fairhall: 01487 849 928
http://www.blogger.com/simon.fairhall@livingsport.co.uk

Or Sport England East’s CSN Policy Officer
Kirsty Clarke: 020 7273 1827
http://www.blogger.com/kirsty.clarke@sportengland.org

FAQ August 2007

2007-01-30T14:42:00.000Z

East Region
Community Sports Networks
Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is a Community Sports Network (CSN) and what should it look like?
A1: A CSN is a collection of people/organisations who have a desire to develop and promote sport and physical activity in their locality. A typical CSN may include representatives from: Local Authority, Primary Care Trust, School Sport Partnership, voluntary and community sector, Children’s Trusts, Children’s Services, regeneration projects, sports regeneration, community safety initiatives, professional sport, projects aimed at older people, health initiatives, the local sports council, sports clubs and any one else who may impact upon the delivery or promotion of sport and physical activity locally.. It is suggested that the partnerships will also have the memberships of the professional sport sector so where there is a local authority sports development officer (SDO), the County Sports Partnership (CSP) should have a member of the core team on the CSN and where appropriate a member of the Sport England regional team may also attend a meeting or consultation event. The above list is not exhaustive and the “make up” of the group is based on local interest and need. For further information visit: http://www.sportengland.org/community_sports_networks.pdf.

Q2: Is there any funding to getting us started?
A2: Yes, Sport England East has recognised that there is a cost to setting up a CSN in the very early stages. Therefore to help ease this process each CSN can apply for start up funding to enable it to become “Established”. Once local partners have made a commitment to become a CSN an application can be made to CSP for up to £3000. These funds are to enable establishment which should include partner commitment, Terms of Reference, evidence of local consultation and crucially a visioning document and action plan.

Q3: How do CSNs secure funding?
A3: While Sport England recognises the importance to local investment CSNs should secure funding from a variety of sources.

(i) CSNs may secure funding locally through budget alignments, programme specific funding and/or private commercial investment. Funding may also be secured through the numerous Trusts, sport specific (NGB) and cause related streams which are available externally.

(ii) Sport England East has aligned its investment plan to support the development of the Delivery System for Sport, subsequently, between March 2007 and March 2009 CSNs will be able to access a defined amount of money based on the areas current activity levels, population, obesity levels and standing within the indices of multiple deprivation. Each CSN, based on the above parameters and linked to demonstration of need, will be able to access between £15 and £25k per annum to directly deliver activity and increase participation. For example, a programme of badminton classes for mid-life to older life people to increase participation amongst adults.
It is important that when applying for these funds CSNs are mindful of the fact that Sport England leads on the PSA 3 target and contributes to the PSA 1 and 2 targets. For more information on Sport England’s focus visit: http://www.sportengland.org/what_we_do_and_how_we_do_it.pdf.pdf

(iii) CSNs should also consider programmes such as Awards for All which provides small grants (up to £10K) for local projects.

(iv) A CSN can apply for funding in its own right if the network formally exists with a constitution and has its own bank account.

Q4: Do the CSNs have to provide any partnership funding?
A4: As with any application for Lottery funds Sport England seeks to maximise the investment and ensure that limited lottery funds are able to impact on as many people and projects as possible. Any application must demonstrate a financial need for the project and that other potential sources of partnership funding have been exhausted. Sport England expects any applicant for funding to have secured a degree of partnership funding, part of which can be ‘in kind’, e.g. facility hire costs, officer time as long as there can be a clear demonstration of additionality. Sport England has a target of seeking £2 partnership funding for every £1 investment it makes For more information regarding funding you can visit Sport England’s funding pages at: http://www.sportengland.org/index/get_funding.htm

Q5: What can this money be used for?
A5: This will be dependent upon local need, but this money is very likely to be used for revenue projects that will deliver local interventions to address areas of work identified as areas of need/improvement. For example, one such project could be a ‘Get Back Into’ initiative targeting adults who used to participate to get back into a particular sport or activity, this could be in partnership with the local authority, local clubs, possible health referral schemes and with possible utilisation of private sector representatives.
It is important that the applications are focused on the delivery services to a particular group or groups and not in the planning for delivery. Applications should also clearly indicate the expected measurable impact on local participation.
The focus of any revenue project should be on the impact the investment and interventions will have on increasing opportunity for people taking part in sport.

Q7: Do CSPs provide money to the CSNs or do Sport England?
A7: The CSN will access funding independently through their own application to sport England’s Community investment Fund (CIF). The CSP will be asked to comment upon the Action Plan with regards to their engagement with the CSN, how the plan aligns to CSP strategic priority and potential risks that may be envisaged. However, CSNs still awaiting start-ups funds will need to access these through their CSP.

Q8: What level of support can I expect from my CSP and from Sport England?
A8: As part of the Performance Framework the CSPs are measured on the number of CSNs Established, Embedded and Effective. Most CSPs have a dedicated CSN lead and will, therefore, support each of their respective CSNs to ensure they are ‘Established’. This support will continue as they start to action plan and draw down money identified within the Community Investment Fund. Once the Action Plan has been agreed, the CSN is in receipt of their CIF and as a unit the CSN is delivering projects and interventions they are deemed ‘Embedded and Effective’.
Sport England will provide strategic guidance at a regional level and support each CSP in developing any further guidance required. Sport England will provide support to any CSN that needs advice where and when it adds value to what is already being provided by the CSP.

Q9: What’s the role between CSPs and CSNs? Can you give me a clear breakdown?
A9: The CSP will play a strategic role in this partnership by advising, coordinating and supporting a number of CSNs within the county. It is the role of the CSP together with Sport England to develop a Delivery System that will ensure that CSNs contribute to widening of access and increasing participation at a local level. More detail regarding the CSN CSP relations and the support mechanism that should be in place can be found on page 7 of the Community Sports Networks: Implementation and Investment Guidance
It is the job of the CSN to ensure there is local “buy in” to the partnership and the action plan is completely in line with their CSP and adding value to their Annual Delivery Plan (ADP – a set of agreed actions that the CSP will deliver over the 12 month period April – March each year) and not duplicating it!

Q10: Will the CSN just be doing the work of its CSP?
A10: No. It’s important that the CSN’s action plan is a balance of local demand in the context of the CSP overall plan. The CSNs plan should be complimentary as the CSP business plan were produced through dialogue/consultation with local stakeholders. The work of the CSN is delivery at a local level while the CSPs have a role in delivery at county level it is more focused on coordination. Alignment of plans is crucial to ensure there is no duplication and resources can be used to maximum affect across the county – there are only enough resources for one delivery system.

Q11: Are there any examples of what will not be funded?
A11: With the exception of the initial start-up fund, CIF is intended to put activity on the ground therefore things like project administration, meetings, conferences, workshops, full-time staff, etc, are lower priority and do not directly contribute to an increase in participation in sport and physical activity. We want the resources available to be predominantly used to deliver an activity as such all applications should reflect this sentiment.
Continuation of existing activity programmes or projects run by any of the CSN members is ineligible. However, if there is an existing project, which can be further enhanced by the CSN making an input, then this is acceptable. This is dependant on the CSN providing extra value (enhancing) to that existing project. For further details on the application process and funding eligibility please visit http://www.sportengland.org/index/get_funding/how_funding_works.htm and once again the Community Sports Networks: Implementation and Investment Guidance (page 12) gives guidance as to what is and is not acceptable.

Q12: Why won’t continuation of existing projects qualify for funding?
A12: Because there is no additionality or long-term sustainability.

Q13: What role does education have in CSNs?
A13: Within a CSN there should be a clear and identifiable pathway for children from school to club. Education can play a key role in delivering on this agenda via the PESSCL (Physical Education, School Sport and Club Links in England) strategy. It is likely that these pathways will help to achieve similar outcomes for other partners within a CSN (Community Safety Partnerships, Youth Service, PCT, etc) and resources can be pooled to add extra value and then pull down further money from CIF.

Q14: How does a CSN add value to what is happening locally?
A14: As part of the CSNs initial start-up it is advised there is a form of local consultation to understand what is the local need, what is happening locally and how the CSN can deliver activities for the community. It is important that the CSN recognises what is already there and how resources can be pooled by the strength of a partnership approach. Each CSN can make a difference locally by ensuring that there is a clear link with the Local Strategic Partnership, and possibly identifying funds that can match any potential CIF application. Each CSN should identify any gaps which exist within their locality that compliment those identified by their CSP and ensure the action plan reflects that. The CSN is best placed to identify the need for investment locally and should hold strength in a broad partnership base which can identify a need for sport and physical activity within the many facets of the community. A CSN may have a key role in club development, community safety initiatives, GP referral schemes, direct sports delivery projects aimed at the + 16 age group, for example, roadshows, taster sessions, local participation events.

Q15: Will funding continue after March 2009?
A15: Sport England is committed to investing in the Delivery System past 2009. At present we are awaiting regional confirmation of projected lottery funds for sport past this date. This is dependent on the DCMS settlement from the Treasury following the Comprehensive Spending Review.

Q16: I am already involved in a local sport council or other local partnership. Is this a CSN?
A16: It could well fit the definition of a CSN, and possibly already been given a different name or branding. Make contact with your local authority Sports Development Officer who can tell you if your partnership is included or at what point they will start the process of officially setting up their own CSN. In some districts, the local Sports Council has taken ownership of the respective CSN. This is fine, but not compulsory, however it is essential that the local Sports Council has a voice within their respective CSN. It is also important to note that all CSNs are different, some are an evolution of the local Sports Council, some are themed groups working on different projects, others have local Sports Council representatives feeding into the wider group – there is no prescription it is whatever works best for the group as long as there are representatives from local stakeholders.

Q17: I understand that Sport England are concentrating more on performance measurement nowadays? Is this the same with CSNs?
A17: Yes, absolutely. It’s crucial that we are able to demonstrate that the investments we make contribute to increasing participation by 1% each year. CSNs have been prioritized within our Investment Plan and therefore there will be an onus for all CSNs to collect and collate basic Key Performance Indicators to demonstrate that the respective CSN is working well, and achieving the targets that have been set.

Q18: Where can I get advice on setting up my CSN?
A18: You can download the CSN guidance document at http://www.sportengland.org/community_sports_networks.pdf which is an essential read when establishing a CSN. You should then contact your respective CSP CSN lead who will have the local knowledge of whether or not there already is a CSN and if there is who sits on it. It is also important that the CSP are fully engaged with the CSNs processes to ensure the Delivery System can be embedded Nationwide.
Sport England East also has a dedicated CSN officer, Kirsty Clarke, contactable on 0207 273 1827 or at kirsty.clarke@sportengland.org

Q19: Who should I contact for Communications and Marketing Advice?
A19: Each CSP has a Communications Lead Officer. These are:

Active Norfolk: Vicki Hall;
Marketing & Communications Officer
Tel: 01603 727892 vicki.hall@activenorfolk.org

Herts Sport Partnership: Corina Best;
Marketing, Communications & Events Officer
Tel: 01707 281007 c.l.best@herts.ac.uk

Living Sport (Cambs & Peterborough): Trudy Salandiak
Marketing & Communications Co-ordinator
Tel: 01487 849 925 trudy.salandiak@livingsport.co.uk

sportessex: Alistair Russell;
Marketing & Communications Officer
Tel: 01245 702458 alistair.russell@sportessex.org.uk,

Suffolk Sport: Terry McEntee; Partnership Sports Manager
Tel: 01502 523447 terry.mcentee@waveney.gov.uk or
Tony Bush; Business Development Manager, Tel: 01394 444881

Team Beds and Luton: Keely Glenister; Communications Lead OfficerTel: 01582 813765 keely@teambedsandluton.co.uk

Further advice around developing a communications plan:
Australia’s Maroochy Council provides some good guidance and a template format: http://maroochy.qld.gov.au/ppp/Tool17b.pdf
The Media Trust provides some good tips and pointers: http://www.mediatrust.org/online_guides/Writing%20a%20PRcomms%20plan.pdf

CSN Seminar Dec 2006

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Progress to date

Harlow

1. Core partners involved & Active Harlow group set up & meeting regularly
2. Workshop taken place with partners – prioritised areas of work
3. “Active Harlow” launch planned with consultation. Logo branding being developed with schools

LSPs full engagement with Harlow 2020 and free time action group & community health & well-being group.

Clear TOR in place & signed off

Activity within CSN being coordinated through HDC Leisure Section, steering group & other comms.

Southend

1. ID’d priority areas
2. Vision document created
3. Steering group in place and had wider consultation meeting with partners

LSPs contact established & being updated with developments through lead officer.

TOR being developed.

Activity within CSN being coordinated through Leisure Officer & various communications.

Good support from CSP.

South Beds

Held first consultation meeting good number of partners attended. ID’d priorities – volunteers, funding, access to facilities, WFD

Aligned with LSP

Budget – South Beds DC - £8K

Waveney

1. Core group met twice – good buy in from wide range of partners
2. Independent Chair elected
3. Branding exercise in progress

In process of identifying priorities

North Norfolk

Group set up

Seat on LSP group
Audit undertaken
Lack of capacity from LA – staff left

1. Rugby club Championing this work
2. Strategic work and support from County
3. Looking at satellite approach

Kings Lynn/West Norfolk

1. Sports Council will be CSN
2. Constitution changed to fit in with CSN
3. Additional partners invited
4. Administrator appointed

Action plan in place, good set of partners, LSP, Health, Education

Huntingdonshire

Link with LSP – Healthy Lifestyle group
Action Plan in progress – to Exec Board in January

East Cambs

1st meeting held
ID’d initial priorities
LSP meeting planned
Action Plan due in January

South Norfolk

Early days, developing links with LSP

ID’d partners

Launch planned Feb

Action Plan due in Feb/March 07

Chelmsford

1. Developed Action Plan
2. Received start up funding
3. Stratgey in place

TOR in place
“Active Chelmsford” name in place
Logo being developed
Launch planned for New Year
Linked to LSP
Comms plan – to be developed

Dacorum

1. Likely to be set up under LSP
2. LA Leisure being reorganised
3. Sport will be sub-group in the cultural Forum

Colchester CSN

What's been happening?

Consultation Event
Attendees included: Sports Council; Clubs; facilities; HE; CSP (Linda Gaine); Community Development; Crime Prevention

Mapping session defined priorities and actions with the main one being "raising the profile of sport"

Working Group
Has terms of reference, its governance is linked to the sports development unit.

Challenges:
Coming up with a name as is the focus on physical activity or sport?
Ownership and delivery - the set-up group is not necessarily the end/delivery group
Enrolling partners - quick win projects
Alignment to Sport England and sportessex prioirities and interpretation of what's needed at a local level
Workforce - who does what? Sports Dev / Volunteers - if the LA didn't driveit woudl it happen?

Broxbourne

1. Draft vision statement complete
2. Core functions of CSN complete
3. CSP involved

Good buy in from external partners, PCT, HE, members, LSP

Group set up to write action plan

Chair ID’d – not confirmed

LA SDO leaving end of 2006-12-11