Grant Awarding policies

 

EASINGWOLD TOWN COUNCIL

 

GRANTS POLICY AND PROCESS

 

Policy Statement

A Grant is any payment made by the Council to be used by an organisation for a specific purpose in the furtherance of the wellbeing of the local community, either generally or for a specific purpose, and which is not directly controlled or administered by the Council.

 

1. Policy

Easingwold Town Council awards grants, at its discretion, to community organisations which can demonstrate a clear need for financial support to benefit the town by:

• Providing a service

• Enhancing the quality of life

• Improving the environment

• Promoting Easingwold in a positive way

 

The organisation must be either non-profit making or charitable. Grants will not be made to individuals. Grants will not be made retrospectively and only one application for a grant will be considered from each organisation in any one financial year.

The Council will expect to be informed of requests for grants exceeding £250 by 30th September of the financial year prior to the funds being required in order that budget provision can be considered.

 

2. Process

The Clerk to the Council will receive all applications in the first instance. The

designated Councillor will then collate all the necessary information ready for

presentation and discussion at the appropriate Council meeting.

• The Grants budget will be set annually as part of the general budget setting

process.

• Applications will be invited from 2 January to 30th September in each financial year for consideration by the Council

• The scheme will be publicised through the Town Council newsletter and Council web-site www.easingwold.gov.uk

• Organisations will not automatically be written to on the basis of previous

expressions of interest.

• Applicants will be required to complete an application form.

• The Council will make the decision on which grants to award and its decision on each individual award is final.

The Council reserves the right to accept late applications.

• All applicants will be contacted following the Council’s decision.

 

3. Grants

• The administration of and accounting for any Grant shall be the responsibility

of the recipient.

• There is a limited budget each year and guidance will be given to applicants

as to how much money is available in a specific financial year.

• All questions on the application form should be fully answered and additional

appropriate information, which supports an application, should be provided.

 

CONDITIONS OF FUNDING

• Applications WILL NOT be considered from Private organisations operated as a business to make a profit or surplus

• Applications WILL NOT be considered from “Upward funders”, ie local groups whose fundraising is sent to their central HQ for redistribution.

• Applications will not normally be considered from national organisations or

local groups with access to funds from national “umbrella” or “parent”

organisations, unless funds are not available from their national bodies, or the

funds available are inadequate for a specified project.

• Applications will only be considered from organisations and groups whose

membership is open to the whole of the Easingwold community and where clear benefits to the wider community can be demonstrated without discrimination on grounds of race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, creed,  occupation, religion or political opinion.

• All applications must demonstrate clearly how the grant will be of benefit to

the local community within the Parish.

• An organisation is required to submit audited accounts, or accounts that have been independently examined by a suitably qualified person, for the previous two financial years or, in the case of a newly formed organisation, a detailed budget and business plan.

• An organisation is required to have a bank account in its own name with two

authorised representatives required to sign each cheque.

• Ongoing commitments to award grants or subsidies in future years will not be made. A fresh application will be required each year.

• Each application will be assessed on its own merits and will be considered

along with other applications at a meeting of the Council’s Finance & General

Purpose Committee, prior to being heard at full Council, where the matter

will be decided.

• To ensure as fair a distribution as possible, the F&GP Committee and Council will take into account the amount and frequency of previous awards.

• The Council may make the award of any grant or subsidy subject to such

additional conditions and requirements, as it considers appropriate.

• The Council may make the award of any grant or subsidy as it considers

appropriate in the event of any unforeseen urgent event.

• Nothing contained herein shall prevent the Council from exercising, at any

time, its existing duty or power in respect of providing financial assistance or

grants to local or national organisations under the provisions of Section 137 or the Power of Wellbeing Act

• The Council reserve the right to have publicity photographs where it is considered by the Council to be appropriate

 

Grants Policy adopted Minute No: 09/277

Signed:                                                            Signed:

 

Name: W. Brian Taylor                                   Name: Claire Armitage

Position: Chairman of Council                        Position: Clerk

Date:    7/5/10                                                  Date: 7/5/10