Grants Policy Guidance
North Somercotes Parish Council
Grants Policy Guidance
North Somercotes Parish Council provides financial assistance to local groups and organisations whose activities provide direct benefit to the community served by the Council. Requests for assistance are normally considered by the Council at its annual meeting in May, against available budgetary resources that have been determined at the start of the current financial year. Therefore the earlier a request is made, providing the eligibility requirements are met, the higher the likelihood of success, although a decision may not be made until May. Consideration will be given to projects that require funding outside of these timescales as applicable.
1. Eligibility for Financial Assistance
The following guidelines are provided to help applicants determine whether they qualify for a grant, and how to submit an application.
- Applications should be for a specific project, for example new or replacement equipment, an event or project or the cost of establishing a new group, and must state the proposed benefit that will be achieved;
- Applications will not normally be supported from individuals;
- The Council will not support revenue expenditure, that is the ongoing running costs of an organisation;
- Any grant awarded may not normally exceed 50% of the cost of the project, but each case will be considered on its own merits;
- Only one grant will normally be awarded to an organisation during any one year, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
2. Making an application
All applications must be submitted on the Parish Council’s Grant application form. Details about the group or organisation must be provided, including a copy of the most recent audited accounts and the constitution of the body.
In the case of a new group, a business plan may be submitted rather than the audited accounts.
Evidence of the expenditure incurred on any project where the grant award is over £50 must be submitted to the Council within 6 months of the award (unless the council has paid the grant direct to the supplier) and a brief report, either verbal or written, of the benefits to the community resulting from the grant should be made to the Council.
Sheila Pearce
Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer
18 May 2015
To be adopted by Resolution of the Parish Council on 18 May 2015