Applications open for SFBB Special Grants

Tuesday 9 May 2006

The Agency is inviting applications from local authorities in England for the second wave of funding to implement Safer food, better business (SFBB).

SFBB is the food safety management pack to help catering and other food businesses comply with simplified hygiene legislation that came into force in January 2006.

Last year 22 London authorities were among the successful bidders for training grants. They were awarded £414,000 after joining forces with training organisations in a project to provide business workshops and one-to-one coaching sessions in over 2,000 catering outlets across London.

In the North West of England, 17 local authorities collaborated in a joint application with the Northwest Food Alliance in a similar project. The Agency provided £344,500 in funding.

This year all English local authorities will be eligible to apply for funding, although priority will be given to those authorities that received no funding, or limited funding, in the first wave.

The application form for second wave funding has been simplified in the light of experience from the first round and the helpful comments received by previous applicants.

Guidance on completing the form is being sent to all local authorities, together with a range of supplementary materials giving advice on selection criteria, timescales and details of the national framework contract for provision of support services.

The Agency is looking for high quality applications and is keen to support those applicants that:

• have secured supplementary funding from other sources
• demonstrate added value from partner organisations or collaborative partners
• are good value for money
• address local challenges
• include proposals for future sustainability