Policies & Procedures

Grants Policy

 

 

Ingoldsby Parish Council

The Parish Council (‘Council’) has a small grants scheme which offers grants to community groups.  The amount of money available is set annually in the budget of the Council. 

 

Eligibility

  • Applications must be submitted from recognised “not for profit” community groups with a membership structure of at least 10 and a bank account in the name of the organisation.
  • Applications will not be considered from individuals.
  • The Council will not support applications for revenue expenditure.  Revenue expenditure covers day to day running expenses such as rates, gas or electricity costs; grounds maintenance; salaries; or rent/hire costs.
  • The Council will consider applications for small scale capital expenditure such as purchase of special equipment.
  • Any grant awarded will not be for more than 50% of costs, with a limit of ££££
  • Only one grant will be awarded to an organisation in any one year, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
  • Where the application is for the staging of an event, the Council will treat it as a request for a loan, which will be repayable (at the Council’s discretion) from excess income following the event.

 

Procedure

  • At the annual Parish meeting in May each year the Parish Council will publicise the Council’s intention to make available an amount of money in the next financial year for the benefit of community organisations. Applications for grants should be made to the Council using the application form available from the Clerk.
  • All applications must be addressed to the Clerk at the official council address. Applications sent directly to members of the Council will not be considered.
  • The closing date for all applications is the 31st October each year. The Clerk will acknowledge all applications in writing within 14 days of receipt.
  • The Council will notify successful/unsuccessful applicants in writing by 31st January each year. Successful organisations will be informed that grants will be payable after 1st April.

 

Submitting Applications

  • Applications must be submitted on the Council’s application form. Any other format will not be accepted.
  • The applicant/s must state clearly the purpose for which the grant is to be used. Successful applicants may use the grant only for the purpose stated on the application form.
  • All applications must be accompanied with an up to date set of accounts and the organisation’s current Constitution or Rules. A copy of the organisations latest bank statement may be requested.
  • For new groups, a business plan must be submitted in place of accounts, together with a projected income/expenditure and funding statement.
  • The application must include evidence of self help – i.e. other funding sources or fundraising activities.
  • The Council may request the applicant/s to make a presentation outlining the project proposed and the benefits accruing to the community prior to the award of the grant.

 

After Receipt of Grant

  • Organisations awarded grants for specific capital expenditure must produce proof of expenditure within 6 months of receiving the grant. Any grant not spent within 6 months must be returned.
  • Non-capital expenditure – i.e. for an event or forming a new community group, must be returned if the event is not held or the group not formed.
  • Evidence of the benefit to the community from the grant must be submitted to the Council within 6 months of expenditure.
  • The Parish Council must be included in any publicity material.

 

Grants Policy - Guide to Completing the Grants Application Form

Grants Policy Application Form