Decision details

To gain permission to accept the Coronation Living Heritage Fund (CLHF) Grant Funding from ‘Defra’ of Lot 1 ‘Microwoods £14,138.00 and Lot 2 Community Orchards of £19,260.00

To seek approval to deliver the grant scheme attached to Lot 2 targeted to community groups across Blackpool with support from the WCAF Treescapes team.?A pilot site will be established in the 2023/4 planting season, with the remainder of the funding delivered in 2024/5.? This approach will consolidate previous experience of community orchards to allow the early lessons learned in delivering an onward grant.  

grant permission to accept the Coronation Living Heritage Fund (CLHF) Grant Funding from ‘Defra’ of Lot 1 ‘Microwoods £14,138.00 and Lot 2 Community Orchards of £19,260.00

To note the successful funding bids for the CLHF Lot 1 to enable the council to plant microwoods within the town and Lot 2 to distribute a community grant scheme for community orchard projects by March 2025.

To confirm the criteria for successful application of the grants to be assessed by the Lancashire Treescapes team. A panel will meet to discuss all applications meeting the essential criteria. The key questions asked of each application will include:

•          Detail where the project is located (in Blackpool)

•          Explain who will benefit from the orchard

•          Describe how the project will be a lasting legacy to the coronation

•          Provide an evaluation of costs

•          Demonstrate the potential sustainability and longevity of the project

To authorise the Head of Legal to enter into agreements with applicants to distribute the Lot 2 Community orchards grant.

To delegate the Tree and Landscape Officer to sign off agreements

To confirm, the applicants will submit a completion report with photographs, and officers will conduct site checks to ensure that the scheme complies with the agreed specifications. The following summer of 2026, the applicant will submit a final report, and further checks will be carried out. Applicants will be encouraged to record their experience of the difference the project has made from a social perspective and to conduct citizen science activities.