Grants Support Scheme

Grants Support

Scheme

Contents

1. Purpose

Page 3

2. Background

Page 3

3. Scope

Page 3

4. Grant Categories and Level of Support

o Funding for Community Groups

Page 4

o Funding for Sports Clubs

Page 5

o Funding for Arts, Culture & Heritage Groups

Page 6

o Funding for Events

Page 7

o Miscellaneous Funding

Page 8

5. Specific Conditions

Page 8

6. General Conditions of Grant

Page 8

7. How to apply

Page 10

1. PURPOSE

This policy sets out how Mid & East Antrim Borough Council will consider support for any constituted community or voluntary group undertaking activities within its statutory and civic remit where there is a benefit to the Mid and East Antrim Area.

2. BACKGROUND

A budget of £400k has been identified for reinvestment back into the Mid & East Antrim Borough Council community via funding for projects, events and festivals allowing them to become more sustainable, attract more visitors and tourists and support the local business and economy.

The Grants Support Scheme, as allowed for within this policy, provides a basic model to which new categories can be added and existing ones can be amended to suit the needs of the relevant sectors.

3. SCOPE

To qualify for a grant under this Scheme, applicants must meet the following criteria:

a) Community organisations should be formally constituted with a current committee (appropriate details are requested in the Application Form) based in the Mid & East Antrim Borough Council area or provide a service that is a clear and direct benefit within the Mid & East Antrim Borough Council area.

Or

b) Individuals who live within the Council area who qualify under the appropriate categories of this scheme. Individuals are only permitted to apply for funding once per financial year.

Mid & East Antrim Borough Council will not fund the following under this scheme:

a) Commercial ventures/organisations; b) Venue hire of a Council facility;

c) Single issue organisations whose primary focus is campaigning or lobbying; d) Creation or upkeep of websites;

e) Parades;

f) Fundraising events;

g) Umbrella groups not represented in the Mid and East Antrim Area;

h) Activities in a sphere, which is principally the remit of another public sector body; i) Subscriptions and membership fees;

j) Activities forming part of an approved course of learning, gap year or outward bound activity for students;

k) Fun days or festivals which are eligible under the Community Festivals Fund when it is open for applications;

l) Projects that have already commenced and expenditure incurred prior to making application to this scheme; and

m) Events and projects outside of Mid and East Antrim area (excluding civic representation).

While administering the Grants Support Scheme, Mid & East Antrim Borough Council will ensure the promotion of equality of opportunity between:

a) Persons of different religious belief, political opinion, racial group, age, marital status or sexual orientation;

b) Men and women generally;

c) Persons with a disability and persons without; and d) Persons with dependants and persons without.

In addition due regard will be given to the promotion of good relations between persons of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group.

4. GRANTS CATEGORIES AND LEVELS OF SUPPORT COMMUNITY GROUPS (Defined at section 5)

Groups are permitted to apply for only two grants (individuals one grant) from the following categories per financial year:

Seeding/new group (maximum funding up to £300)

Groups making application for a seeding grant for a new group will be considered for funding to cover running costs for the first year which may include initial outlay costs and administration. In order to be eligible under this category groups should be established for not more than one year.

Equipment (50% funding up to a maximum of £2,000)

Grants will be considered for the purchase of items of equipment that will promote and develop the work being carried out by locally-based groups.

Promotion of projects (50% funding up to a maximum of £300)

Grants will be considered to help promote the running of community-based projects within the Council area.

Eligible expenditures in this category are limited to advertising and marketing costs for that particular project.

Public liability insurance (maximum funding of up to £300)

Financial assistance is available for groups in obtaining either annual or ad hoc Public Liability Insurance.

Audit of Community Group Accounts (maximum funding up to £300)

Financial assistance is available for groups in having its annual accounts audited by a qualified accountant.

Environmental Projects and Equipment (50% funding up to maximum of £1,000)

Funding towards the purchase of shrubs, trees, baskets, fixed boxes, troughs etc. will be considered, restricted to one grant per electoral ward per financial year.

Village Christmas Lights (maximum funding up to £2,000 for large villages and maximum funding up to £1,000 for small villages)

Grants will be considered towards the purchase of Christmas festoon lighting, decorations and trees.

Funding is subject to Northern Ireland Electricity approval, Road Service licensing, Competency Certification and appropriate Public Liability Insurance.

SPORTS CLUBS

In order for clubs to be eligible to apply for a grant they must fall into one of the categories defined by SportNI as a sport.

A list of recognised sports for the purposes of this policy is available at Appendix 1.

Groups are permitted to apply for only two grants (individuals one grant) from the following categories per financial year:

Seeding/new groups (maximum funding up to £300)

Groups making an application for a seeding grant for a new group will be considered for funding to cover running costs for the first year which may include initial outlay costs and administration. In order to be eligible under this category groups should be established for not more than one year.

Equipment (50% funding up to a maximum of £2,000)

Grants will be considered for the purchase of sports equipment (excluding items of personal clothing/equipment e.g. kit, gum shields) for general club use at a junior, senior or veteran level. The equipment must be directly related to the main activities of the group.

Coaching courses and First Aid training (maximum funding up to £1,000 for clubs, or maximum funding up to £250 for individuals)

Sports clubs and individuals who wish to improve their coaching and first aid capacity through attendance at courses.

Clubs/individual must be based in the Council area or affiliated to a club in the Council area; must be involved in the chosen sport in an amateur capacity; and be recognised by SportNI.

Public Liability Insurance (maximum funding up to £300)

Financial assistance is available for groups when obtaining either annual or ad-hoc public liability insurance)

ARTS, CULTURE AND HERITAGE GROUPS

Groups are permitted to apply for only two grants (individuals one grant) from the following categories per financial year:

Seeding/new groups (maximum funding up to £300)

Groups making an application for a seeding grant for a new group will be considered for funding to cover running costs for the first year which may include initial outlay costs and administration. In order to be eligible under this category groups should be established for not more than one year.

Equipment (50% funding up to a maximum of £2,000)

Grants will be considered for the purchase of equipment that will promote and develop the work being carried by arts, cultural and heritage groups. The equipment must be directly related to the main activities of the group.

Promotion of projects for Voluntary Arts and Heritage Groups and Individual Artists (maximum funding of up to £300)

Grants will be considered to help promote the running of arts, cultural and heritage projects within the Council area.

Eligible expenditures in this category are limited to advertising and marketing costs for that particular project. Projects must be in line with Council policy and strategic objectives.

Public Liability Insurance (maximum funding up to £300)

Financial assistance is available for groups when obtaining either annual or ad-hoc public liability insurance)

EVENTS

Council will consider funding events which fall under the following categories:

Major (50% funding up to maximum of £5,000)

Events with more than 2,000 but less than 10,000 people in attendance (participants and attendees combined)

N.B Funding for the event will be reduced on a pro-rata basis if profit** exceeds £1,000.

Medium (50% funding up to a maximum of £2,500)

Events with more than 500 but less than 2,000 people in attendance (participants and attendees combined)

N.B. Funding for the event will be reduced on a pro-rata basis if profit** exceeds £500

Small (50% funding up to a maximum of £500)

Events with up to 500 people in attendance (participants and attendees combined) N.B. Funding for the event will be reduced on a pro-rata basis if profit** exceeds £200.

** Profit is defined as surplus revenue generated by the event through ticket sales and admission fees. This surplus is restricted and can only be used for the development of future events organised by the applicant organisation. At no point will the applicant be permitted to forward this profit to a third-party, e.g. a nominated charity.

Hire of public conveniences for events (maximum funding of up to £500)

Groups may apply for funding towards the cost of hiring portable public conveniences for events throughout the Council area. Those applying for funding under the Events category are not permitted to apply for additional funding under this category.

MISCELLANEOUS

This section is open to all eligible groups. Groups are permitted to apply for only two grants (individuals one grant) from the following categories per financial year:

Civic representation (maximum funding up to £200 per individual and up to £1,000 per group) The purpose of this category is to give special recognition to groups and individuals within the Council area who will act as effective ambassadors for Mid and East Antrim in their chosen activity. To be eligible under this category, applicants must be competing or representing at least at

regional level in activities under Council’s remit for support. Good Relations Projects

TO BE CONFIRMED

Other distinctive projects (funding up to a maximum of £500)

Council, at its discretion, may consider grants for any project within its remit not covered by this scheme.

5. SPECIFIC CONDITIONS

Applications will be accepted for up to two grants per financial year (one for individuals) providing they are distinctive and applied for under a different category.

Successful applicants of the Community Festivals Fund will not be permitted to apply for additional funding under this scheme for that particular project. However, these groups may apply for funding for a different activity that qualifies in one of the listed categories of this scheme.

Groups in receipt of funding from other sections of Council are ineligible to apply for additional funding for that project under this scheme. However, these groups may apply for funding for a different activity that qualifies in one of the listed categories of this scheme.

A community organisation is defined as a group constituted to undertake specific duties and

responsibilities as confirmed in their constitution for no private or commercial gain. There are a number of ways in which to constitute a community group and this can include groups that have a memorandum and articles of association as long as any profits are reinvested and not for private gain. This includes faith based groups and single identity organisations undertaking community activities.

6. GENERAL CONDITIONS OF GRANT

Applications will only be approved for funding if there is evidence that the applicant demonstrates a clearly defined need for the project and for Council funding.

Any assistance offered by Council must only be used for the purpose stated on the application. If not, Council has the right to ask you to repay the grant. You may be asked to repay any grant if there is a failure to deliver the activity for which funds are allocated.

Retrospective activities will not be considered i.e. those activities that have taken place before Council has received or considered the application.

Award of grants will be strictly limited to a maximum of the sum offered by the Council. No supplementary grant will be allowed.

Group applicants must have a bank/building society account and must declare details of their account/s to the Council. Groups will be required to provide evidence of their financial position with their application.

It is the Group’s responsibility to ensure that any individuals or organisations it engages prior, during or post project/event activity, are adequately insured. The Group must be completely satisfied that all insurance documents are up to date and adequate liability cover is in place for the duration of the project/event. Evidence of this will be required.

The Council can choose to interview a representative of the group or organisation making the funding application, and we can deal directly with the applicant’s parent organisation or governing body (as applicable).

Previous funding does not guarantee further funding.

If the activity involves publicity Council funding should be acknowledged in all publicity material relating to the event through display of the Council logo, which will be forwarded with any relevant letter of offer.

The Council will only accept applications via official application forms/online application process.

CERTIFICATION

Central government financial directions require Mid & East Antrim Borough Council to obtain from award applicants whatever information may be necessary to safeguard Council funds, and to carry out random validation checks. Proper records should, therefore, be maintained and correct details given. Records should be made available to the Council subject to reasonable notice being given.

Any misleading statements (whether deliberate or accidental) given at any stage during the application process will render the application invalid, and you will be liable to return any money already paid out as an award.

All cases of suspected fraud involving Council funds will be reported to the police.

Information on applications is stored on computer and processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act. Government bodies/agencies that disseminate funds share information stored on a computer database to enable them to prevent fraudulent applications and to co-ordinate processing of complementary applications.

Any inappropriate approach, be it direct or indirect by an applicant, its officers, servants, contractors, personal or professional representatives or advisors made to members of the Council, its Committee or officers which, in the view of the Council or their advisors, constitutes an attempt in any way to influence the outcome of an application will, at the absolute discretion of the Council, render the application ineligible for further consideration.

DISCLAIMER

It will be a condition of the application to Mid & East Antrim Borough Council that the applicant has read, understood and accepted the following:

Council’s policies on funding are subject to change from time to time, including variations required to comply with government directions on the distribution of Mid & East Antrim Council funds. The Mid & East Antrim Council reserves the right to amend, supplement and/or discontinue at its absolute discretion, for whatever reason, any or all of the policies, criteria and application procedures set out in its

All applications are made entirely at the applicant’s sole risk and Council shall not be liable to any applicant or any other party in respect of loss, damage or costs of any nature arising directly or indirectly from:

 the application or the subject matter of the application or any part thereof and/or;

 the rejection for any reason of any application or any matter arising there from and/or;

 any delay in processing any application however arising.

All decisions as to the acceptance or rejection of applications are at Mid & East Antrim Council’s sole discretion.

Mid & East Antrim Borough Council has used its best endeavours to provide clear and helpful guidance for potential applicants to the fund. Council, its servants and agents shall not, however, at any time in any circumstances be held responsible or liable in relation to any matter whatsoever or howsoever arising in connection with the development, planning, construction, operation, management and/or administration of individual projects.

7. How To Apply

Before completing an application, applicants should make sure that they are eligible to apply and have read these guidance notes in full.

Applications are made online by going to www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk.

Further Information on the grant process is available by contacting the Grants Office at:



Guidance Notes

SPORTING ACTIVITIES AND GOVERNING BODIES RECOGNISED BY SPORT NI

Notes:

1. Sporting activities with integrated disability in red 2. Sporting activities with no governing body in blue

ACTIVITY DISCIPLINES

AIKIDO AIR SPORTS

Royal Aero Club of UK

Flying

Aero model Flying Ballooning Gliding Hang/ Paragliding Microlight Parachuting Popular Flying AMERICAN FOOTBALL ANGLING Federation Coarse Game Sea ARCHERY Target Field ARM WRESTLING ATHLETICS Mountain/Fell Road

Track and Field Cross Country AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALL

BADMINTON BASEBALL BASKETBALL BATON TWIRLING BIATHLON

BILLIARDS AND SNOOKER BOBSLEIGH BOWLS Crown Federation BOXING CAMOGIE CANOEING Marathon Polo

Wild Water Racing Freestyle

Sea Kayaking Slalom Surfing Open Canoeing

CAVING Cave Diving

Pot Holing Mine Exploration CHINESE MARTIAL ARTS

CRICKET CROQUET CURLING ACTIVITY DISCIPLINES CYCLING BMX Mountain Biking Road Racing Cycle Speedway Track Cyclo Cross Downhill Stunt DARTS DISABILITY SPORT See end DODGEBALL

DRAGON BOAT RACING

EQUESTRIAN Dressage Horse Driving Endurance Vaulting Show Jumping Harness Racing Polocrosse Eventing Reigning Mounted Games Horseball Horse Racing

EXERCISE AND FITNESS Yoga

Keep Fit Medau

Margaret Morris Movement

DANCE Ballroom Latin Highland Dancing Scottish Country Folk Dance FENCING FIVES Eton Rugby FLOORBALL FOOTBALL Futsal

GAELIC GAMES Handball

(non Olympic) Football Hurling GOLF GYMNASTICS Artistic Recreational Rhythmic Sports Acrobatics Sports Aerobics Trampolining Tumbling HANDBALL Olympic HIGHLAND GAMES HOCKEY Field HOVERING ICE HOCKEY

ACTIVITY DISCIPLINES

ICE SKATING Short Track

Figure Synchronised JUDO JU-JITSU KABBADI KARATE KENDO Iaido Jodo

KITE SURFING Kite surfing

KORFBALL LACROSSE LIFE SAVING LUGE

MODERN PENTATHLON

MOTOR CYCLING Road Racing

Trials Enduro Motocross Track Racing Super Moto Drag / Sprint Speedway Rallying Sidecar Racing Hill Climbing

MOTOR SPORTS Autocross

Autotests Car Racing Drag Racing Hill Climbs Karting Rallycross Rallying Sprints Trials MOUNTAINEERING Abseiling Bouldering Climbing Trekking NETBALL ORIENTEERING PETANQUE POLO POOL QUOITS RAMBLING

Long Distance Walking REAL TENNIS

ROLLER SPORTS Speed

Inline Hockey Artistic Skater Hockey Freestyle Roller Hockey ROUNDERS ROWING RUGBY LEAGUE

RUGBY UNION Tag

Sevens Touch ACTIVITY DISCIPLINES SAILING Sailing Sportsboats Powerboating Windsurfing Personal Watercraft Motor cruising Inland boating SAND&LAND YACHTING SHINTY SHOOTING Federation Clay Target Pistol Rifle Muzzle Loaders Small-bore Rifle SKATEBOARDING SNOWSPORT Skiing Snowboarding Telemark SOFTBALL SOMBO

SQUASH Squash Racketball

STOOLBALL

SUB AQUA Underwater Hockey

SURFING Short board

Kneeboard Long board Body board Skim board Standup Paddle Body Surf SURF LIFE SAVING

SWIMMING Swimming Diving Synchronised Water Polo Open Water Long Distance TABLE TENNIS TAEKWONDO TANG SOO DO

TENPIN BOWLING Skittles

TENNIS TRIATHLON TUG OF WAR ULTIMATE VOLLEYBALL

WATER SKIING Barefoot

Cable Ski Kneeboard Racing Tournament Wakeboarding WEIGHTLIFTING Olympic Powerlifting