Yorkshire’s Local Rugby Plan (the Local Rugby Plan) is now the successor to PFR. The Local Rugby Plan is about being driven more by local needs with a process that is less time consuming in both its implementation and its reporting.
The following information provided by the RFU explains further the travel of direction and the key points.
Background
“The Community Game Board (CGB), and its Club & CB Development sub-committee, agreed a direction of travel for PFR to now be known as “Local Funding” which will be provided upon the completion of a “Local Rugby Plan”. CGB agreed that, over time, there will be an evolutionary move towards greater local decision making and prioritisation over allocation of both financial and human resource. This requires enhanced collaboration between CBs, their clubs and RFU staff. They also agreed that a simplified and streamlined funding process for CBs is a key deliverable in improving collaboration, increasing trust and targeting the available resource to the greatest need.
The key points of the process are detailed below:
1. An operating framework has been agreed by CGB which is built upon 3 critical tasks – recruiting, retaining and re-engaging players and 5 fundamentals – volunteers, facilities, coaches, referees & medics, competitions & playing opportunities and protecting players.
2. Each CB will need to submit a plan by Friday 31st May to their Area Manager that will be no more than 2 sides of A4 and set against consistent headings. The plans should identify actions identified in each of the 4 quarters.
3. The plan should be a reflection of local clubs needs and identify the priority objectives for the year. The funding allocation should be split into 3 main sections and for 2019/20 we have provided some flexibility by giving an allocation range for each section:
a. A set amount of funding that can range from 25-30% of your overall Local Funding will be ring-fenced to support functions in Safeguarding, Discipline, Competitions Management and Essential administration. Light touch planning and reporting on these areas will be introduced, with CBs self-reviewing and highlighting areas of need along with priority actions.
b. The majority of funding, which can range from 60-65% of your overall funding, will be ring-fenced against the 3 critical tasks and 4 of the fundamentals within the Rugby Development operating framework. The 5th fundamental, protecting players, is centrally funded through IPF and insurance but CBs are welcome to include other protecting player actions within the development funding. CBs, in partnership with local RFU staff, will use a national steer from the CGB, local knowledge, clear evidence of club need and insight/data supplied to them to agree local percentages for their spend. Outcome focused actions to support the achievement of the objectives should then be identified and finances allocated against these.
c.The remaining funding of between 5-10% will be attributed as innovation funding. CBs will be encouraged to allocate and spend this against any outcome focused actions that they believe can strengthen clubs and grow the game in their area.
4. Reporting on the plan will be light touch and local. The CGB (and via the Club & CB Development Sub Committee) will have the powers to request a more detailed report from any CB and is expected to invite a small number of CBs to present on their plan and its impact on an annual basis. Monies received and expanded through the plan are expected to be highlighted and easily identifiable within the annual accounts of the CB.
5. The payment schedules for the local funding have now been confirmed as:
a. Payment 1 – 70% of funding, paid in July 2019 (Q1).
b. Payment 2 – 30% of funding to be paid in April 2020 (Q4), subject to successful delivery against objectives to date.
6. As per the Business Planning communication on 16th April 2019, Local funding (PFR) will be reduced overall by c.10%. The seven highest funded CBs: Essex, Gloucestershire, Kent, Lancashire, North Midlands, Surrey and Yorkshire will be subject to an 18% reduction. The next three (East Midlands, Middlesex and Notts, Lincs and Derbys) are capped at £80k, the next three (Cheshire, Eastern Counties & Somerset) are capped at £75k, with other geographic CBs remaining static. In addition, there will be an 18% reduction for all National CBs, except ERFSU (Schools) and RFRU (Referees), which will remain static.
7.For 2020/21 and onwards a more detailed review of funding allocations will be undertaken.”
Details extracted from email sent by RFU Head of Community Rugby Operations and Chair of Club and CB Development Sub Committee, May 2019.