You will find attached to this item details of some very important changes to the guidance on ECB Grants and Loans.

These changes have been made to streamline the whole process time and to accommodate the new Club Development Planning tool. In respect of existing bids or bids midway through the application process, the Facilities and Funding Unit at ECB will accept bids complying with the current guidance until the end of May 2008.
 
Key changes are: 
Loans
- The requirement to complete 3 core sections of a development plan has been removed (in line with updated new planning tool)
- Amendments to guidance have been refined (see attached)
- Confirmation that the maximum term of loans has been reduced from 10 to 5 years
 
Development planning will be conditioned within the offer of a Loan with timeframes attached. This way will ensure nothing is lost and will give clubs more time to implement.
 
Grants 
- The inclusion of Wales within the grant scheme
- Amendments to guidance (see word document)
 
KCB are urging all clubs planning to make an application or even in the process of completing one at the moment but unlikely to see it completed before the end of May 2008, to make sure that these new documents are read:  most of the confusion and delays over Clubs accessing the Grant and Loan scheme is non-compliance with the set criteria of the schemes.
 
Please feel free to download any of these documents and distribute accordingly around your Club.

ECB Guide to funding - version 2
Through this publication ECB has set out to help steer you through many of the grant aid and development funding agencies which exist. It contains many ideas for those looking for funding.

ECB Grant Aid Scheme Guidance Notes - Version 4

ECB Interest Free Loan Scheme Guidance Notes - Version 4

These really are significant and important changes.