Grant Application Policy

                       Horningsham Parish Council

Grant Awarding Policy

Introduction to Policy

A grant is any payment made by the Council to be used by an organisation for a specific purpose that will benefit the Parish, or residents of the Parish, and which is not directly controlled or administered by the Council. The Council awards grants, at its discretion, to Parish organisations which can demonstrate a clear need for financial support to benefit the Parish by:

•         Providing a service

•         Enhancing the quality of life

•         Improving the environment

•         Promoting the Parish of Horningsham in a positive way

Grant Application Process

1.      The Clerk to the council will receive all applications in the first instance. A
designated Councillor will then collate all the necessary information from the
applicant ready for presentation and discussion at the appropriate Council meeting.

2.      Applicants will be required to complete an application form. All questions on the
application form should be fully answered and additional appropriate information,
which supports an application, should be provided.

3.      In addition to the application form organisations will be required to provide the
following supporting information:

•        a copy of their written constitution or details of their aims and purpose,

•        full details of the project or activity,

•        demonstration that the grant will be of benefit to the local community within
the Parish,

•        the proportion or number of beneficiaries living in the electoral area,

•        demonstration of a clear need for the funding,

•        a copy of the previous years accounts or, for new initiatives, a detailed budget
and business plan.

4.      The Council will expect to receive in writing to the Clerk any expression of interest
for a possible grant application exceeding £100 by 30 September of the financial year
prior to the funds being required in order that budget provision can be considered.
Submission of applications is required by 31 November of the financial year prior to
the funds being required.

5.      The Council will make the decision on which grants to award. All applicants will
be contacted following the Council's decision.

6.      The Council has a limited budget each year and guidance can be given to applicants
as to how much money is likely to be available in a specific financial year.

Conditions of Funding

1.   The organisation must be either non-profit or charitable. Applications will not be
considered from private organisations operated as a business to make a profit or surplus.

2.   Grants will not be made to individuals.

3. Grants will not be made retrospectively.

4. 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 in
adequate for a specified project.

5.   An organisation should have a bank account in its own name with two authorised
representatives required to sign each cheque.

6.   The administration of and accounting for any grant shall be the responsibility of the
recipient. All awards must be properly accounted for and evidence of expenditure
should be supplied to the Council as requested.

7.   Only one application for a grant will be considered from each organisation in any
one financial year.

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

9.   Each application will be assessed on its own merits.

10.  The Council may make the award of any grant or subsidy subject to such
additional conditions and requirements as it considers appropriate. The Council
reserves  the  right  to  refuse  any grant  application  which  it  considers  to  be
inappropriate or against the objectives of the Council.

11. Any grant must only be used for the purpose for which it was awarded unless the
written approval of the Council has been obtained for a change in use of the grant
monies, and that any unspent portion of the grant must be returned to the Council by
the end of the financial year in which it was awarded.

12.  The Council may make the award of any grant or subsidy as it considers
appropriate in the event of any unforeseen urgent event.

13. 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 the Local Government Act 1972,
Section 137.