PBIP FAQs
Frequently asked questions about the Place Based Investment Programme (PBIP)
The PBIP is a capital fund and only capital expenditure will be applicable.
Eligible costs can be up to 100% depending on circumstance and can cover:
- costs from works such as contractor's invoices and materials
- professional fees are eligible if directly linked to funding eligible works as follows:
- architect
- surveyor
- structural engineer and agent fees
- statutory consent fees such as for:
- planning permission
- advertisement consent
- listed building consent
- building warrant fees (please note that fees are only funding eligible where these are linked to works, fees are not an eligible cost in isolation)
- can be used as match funding from other sources
The funding does not cover:
- administration costs of the organisation applying
- feasibility studies
- retrospective work (please do not start your project until you receive confirmation that you have been successful)
- for public sector bodies this fund cannot be used for works already planned within the capital programme
Capital expenditure is money spent by an organisation on purchasing a fixed asset such as land, buildings or equipment, which adds to the value of an existing fixed asset.
A broad definition of what falls within capital expenditure is the:
- acquisition, reclamation, enhancement or laying out of land, exclusive of roads, buildings and other structures
- acquisition, construction, preparation, enhancement or replacement of roads, buildings and other structures
- acquisition, installation or replacement of moveable or immovable plant, machinery and apparatus and vehicles and vessels
Enhancement in relation to any asset means the carrying out of works that are intended to:
- lengthen substantially the useful life of the asset
- increase substantially the open market value of the asset
- increase substantially the extent to which the asset can or will be used
Some examples of expenditure which are not capital expenditure include:
- the cost of leasing vehicles
- cyclical painting of buildings
- the purchase of equipment below £6,000 in value
- the repair of a damaged roof, although the replacement of the whole roof may be considered to be allowable
- feasibility costs of a proposed capital project
- the cost of an opening ceremony of a newly built or refurbished building
- publicity costs of a new building
- training of staff to use a new piece of equipment
Critically, projects are required to be committed by way of a signed contract for works, before the end of December 2024 with work completed by September 2025. We welcome applications for projects that are already in development or if your project is already ongoing but has a new element to it.
It is crucial that you are aware that this fund will not cover retrospective work only work that happens after and if you receive approval.
We can recommend a variety of resources.
In the first instance you should have a look at Our Place Scotland which provides lots of information, case studies, definitions and research on the key terms set out in the objectives of the fund.
