How we score sustainable drainage scheme concept design grant applications

This is a competitive grant scheme. All projects will be scored for a number of key questions from the application form. Projects will then be prioritised according to the scoring and funding allocated.

Essential criteria

These must be met by an application to proceed to scoring:

• The project must be in Wales, with only the Welsh element of any cross-border proposals considered
• The request from NRW is for between £15,000 - £30,000
• The project must be for an existing site (a retro-fit) - for more information look at Welsh Government’s statutory standards
• A feasibility report has been undertaken for the project site(s) that you are applying for within this grant application
  
  

Our scored assessment questions

1. How well does the proposal align to objective 1 of this grant programme? Does the project develop a concept design study for a small-scale retrofit sustainable drainage scheme/surface water management scheme?
2. How well does the project deliver against objectives 2-6 of the programme and deliver multiple benefits?
   
   

   Does not meet any additional objective = 0 point

   Clearly meets 1 additional objective = 1 point

   Clearly meets 2 additional objectives = 5 points

   Clearly meets 3+ additional objectives = 10 points

3. Has sufficient evidence been included of the applicant having delivered at least one sustainable drainage scheme/surface water management scheme in the last decade or can they provide written confirmation of technical support from a partner who has experience of delivering this kind of scheme?
4. Is the location of the proposal a high priority? Proposals which fit in one or more of the priority areas (Welsh opportunity catchment, a Water Framework Directive (WFD) Regulations Protected Area and/or areas of medium or high flood risk) to receive a higher score.
   
   

   1 point = is not within a high priority area

   3 points = is within one priority area (for example, an opportunity catchment)

   5 points = is within two priorities areas (for example, an opportunity catchment and a water dependent Special Area of Conservation (SAC))

   7 points = is within three priorities areas (for example, an opportunity catchment, a water dependent SAC and a high flood risk area)

5. Has the proposal considered the latest technical advice to assist in the concept design stage of the project (for example, the SuDS manual Ciria publication)? Please provide relevant evidence.
6. Where applicable, has the application demonstrated if any communities/residents have been engaged with already and if not, is engagement planned early in the concept design phase?
7. Are there implications for the project if not funded by NRW?
8. Are the activities noted in the project plan realistic, achievable and in line with the aims of the project i.e. could they deliver on the outcomes identified?
9. Has the external partner considered permissions or consents and provided realistic timeframes
10.  Are the timescales/ milestones realistic and deliverable?
11. Have key stakeholders and opportunities for working with other been identified?
12. Who are the other partners engaged in this project and are they relevant and appropriate?
13. Does the project have sufficient governance, proportionate to its size and risk, to achieve delivery?
14. Are risks appropriately identified and do they have appropriate mitigation measures in place?
15. How well does the proposal consider how people from diverse backgrounds and all abilities are given the opportunity to take part in project?
16. How well does the proposal consider, use and promote the Welsh language?
17. Are the detailed costings on the project costs breakdown reasonable and achievable?
18. Is the project good value i.e. does the project deliver the right activities/outcomes at good value?
19. Is the applicant contributing match funding? A higher score will be achieved by contributing match funding to the project.
    
    1 = no match funding
    5 = circa 20% of total project costs contributed by applicant or partners
    10 = at least 50% of project costs brought by the applicant or partners
    
    

Where specific scoring has not been provided above, we will use the scoring table:

We will also conduct proportionate due diligence checks on all applicants. NRW’s financial assessment is completed by NRW’s Grants Team. It is tailored based on the partner type, includes standard due diligence checks and is proportionate based on value and risk. We cover: 

• Know your applicant
• Financial health
• Other sources of funding
• Areas of special concern