Grant Application

Introduction

The Council has two ways of financially supporting local community groups:

1.Direct grants that are funded by the precept/budget for which the Council has specific powers and duties as defined by legislation.
2. Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972. The amount available is determined by The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government annually and multiplied by the number of persons on the electoral roll.

Note: In 2021 the maximum figure was set at £8.41 per elector. (£8.41 x 788 people on the electoral roll = £ 6,627.08).

Procedure

1. The maximum sum set aside each financial year for Grants, (Direct and Section 137), is to be agreed annually at the full Parish Council meeting in which the precept is set.
2. All applications for Grants must be made in writing or via the online website form and submitted to the Clerk. Potential grantees can discuss their ideas with the relevant Parish Council committees and obtain advice if they wish.
3. Grants can be applied for each year in Q3 (October – December). Awards will be made in Q4 (February or March)
4. All grant applications must be decided by a full parish council meeting.
5. Maker with Rame Parish Council must satisfy itself that the grant will benefit the area. Ideally there should be clear evidence of local need or demand for the proposed project / activity.
6.Individual grantees can choose to focus on one or more age groups, sectors, and geographical locations within the Parish. However, the Parish Council will consider grant applications in their totality and will work to ensure fairness across the grants awarded in any year.
7. Each application must be accompanied by supporting documents:

  • Summary of the applicant’s accounts for the last financial year
  • Proposed project details including a breakdown of costings, supported by formal documentation evidencing the costs (ideally three separate quotations from potential suppliers of goods/ services).
  • Details of the applicant’s organisation, committee, and meeting structure, appointed officers, etc. must be provided within the initial application.
  • Councillors must feel confident that appropriate management mechanisms and financial controls are in place within the applicant’s organisation.
  • Other funding sources / grants applied for in relation to the project concerned should be listed, with evidence of such applications being made available to the Parish Council, if requested.
  • Evidence of any funding received from other sources, and any match funding pledged.

8. If the grant requests received exceed the grant monies available in a financial year, then councillors will select projects which fit the Parish Council’s sustainability criteria, and which can be proven to benefit as many people as possible within the parish.
9. Applicants may not bid for funding to support groups/ projects which are run outside of the Parish, and which benefit the population at large.

Grant Conditions

1. Grants will not be awarded to fund:

• Individuals or appeals supporting individuals
• Organisations which support or oppose political parties
• Organisations that discriminate on the grounds of sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief, or age
• Religious Organisations (other than the grant of funding which meets any statutory obligation)
• Activities considered to be the responsibility of the principal authority
• Organisations that make, or attempt to make, profit for the benefit of members or owners over and above revenue expenditure.

2. Grants will not be made retrospectively.

3. Only one application per year per organisation will be considered.

4. Organisations applying for a grant should be properly constituted, with appointed officers.

5. Grants will only be considered accompanied by sufficient and appropriate documentation, including financial records, and evidence of a bank account in the name of the organisation, with at least two signatories being required to authorise any payment. Where insufficient documentary evidence is submitted, the application will not be considered.

6. The grant must be used for the purpose for which the application was made. If the organisations / body is unable to use the grant for the stated purpose, monies must be returned to Maker with Rame Parish Council.

7. Any applicant receiving a grant is required to acknowledge Maker with Rame Parish Council’s contribution and explain how this will be done.

8. All applicants receiving a grant must provide an End of Project Report, including a breakdown of expenditure, together with (copy) receipts within 3 months of the project completion. (Unless agreed otherwise, projects should be completed within 1 year of a grant offer).

9. Failure to comply with the above may result in the rescinding of the grant and a request for its return.

10. These conditions will be included in a letter offering a grant from Maker with Rame Parish Council. The applicant must sign and return to the Parish Council, a copy of this letter, to indicate they will comply with the conditions before the grant is issued.

11. All grants are awarded at the Parish Council’s discretion. Maker with Rame Parish Council’s decision is final and there is no right of appeal