Leicestershire County Council
Big Society Grant Fund 2013-14
‘Helping communities to help themselves’
Guidance Notes for Applicants
Introduction
Leicestershire County Council’s ‘Big Society’ Grant Fund intends to support grassroots,
community and voluntary groups to develop projects which help to make the Big Society a
reality at a local level.
The ‘Big Society’ Grant will make funds available for projects which:
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enable communities to identify and meet their own needs – “helping them to help
themselves”
provide the best local solutions to tackle local problems
demonstrate local community commitment and involvement
create active and empowered citizens
Projects which also meet the following key Leicestershire Together and Leicestershire
County Council strategic priorities will be considered strong contenders for funding:
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An ageing population (including vulnerability and mental health)
Troubled Families
Unhealthy lifestyles
Economic Growth (including worklessness/unemployment)
However, grant applications which reflect identified local issues (supported by evidence of
need/demand) will also be considered for funding.
What sort of projects are we looking for?
In particular, we are looking to support the following projects:
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Workshops/training/consultation events for communities to discuss issues and agree
priorities together
Specialist support for the preparation of a community/parish/neighbourhood plan (or
other community participation process) to identify community needs, resources and
priorities. Applications for funding to support Neighbourhood Plans will be limited to
£10,000. Where applicants are already in receipt of Central Government funding it should
be clearly demonstrated what this funding will be used for and therefore how the Big
Society Grant will contribute to the overall project
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Technical/legal advice on the most appropriate structure to establish and/or run a new
community enterprise
Specialist advice on running a specific service or facility e.g. a community shop, transport
scheme or volunteer supported library, or museum service
A feasibility study (or business plan) to establish the viability of a project, service or
facility. Applicants are advised that feasibility studies are encouraged, as these provide
strong evidence of need for the sustainability of new projects.
The development of a Business Plan to ensure the longevity of a project, service or
facility
Assistance with the purchase of public or private assets (for example advice, legal costs,
feasibility studies) when they come up for disposal (community right to buy) or for
community right to build projects
Specific in-depth funding support e.g. assistance in writing a large funding bid
Advice and support/training to help respond to tender/procurement processes
Piloting a particular service or activity in order to establish its effectiveness and
sustainability
Set up costs associated with starting a project, service or facility (up to £15,000)
Contributions towards larger capital projects will be considered (up to £15,000), although
these must be part of a package of funding that demonstrates the overall benefit to the
community, as well as sustainability of the project
Training and development/mentoring/support for volunteers supporting a project or
service
Community Defibrillator Projects
Costs towards re-structuring, merging or planning processes associated with moving
towards a different business model
What Outcomes or Benefits do projects have to demonstrate?
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Projects should demonstrate the empowerment, involvement and participation of
community members
Projects should be able to demonstrate that they play a role in building active citizenship,
social capital, and community cohesion and/or in supporting key community
services/facilities
Projects should be able to show evidence of the benefits of the scheme for local
communities
Projects/schemes will need to demonstrate that their aims and objectives are realistic
and achievable, as evidenced through the application process
Applications from projects/schemes which work inclusively within their community,
including with marginalised groups are encouraged
Projects should aspire to become an example or model for other organisations in
Leicestershire to follow
What area is covered by the Big Society Grant Fund?
Grants will be available for projects based in the County of Leicestershire (all
Districts/Boroughs). Leicester City based organisations are eligible to apply to the Big
Society Grant Fund, but the project must be partly or wholly for the benefit of Leicestershire
County residents (if partly the anticipated take up from County residents should be specified
within the application).
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What is the value of the Big Society Grant Fund
A total of £340,000 per year is currently available through the grants programme.
The maximum amount organisations can apply for is £15,000 (in one application). If your
organisation is requesting a maximum grant of £15,000, the assessing panel will need to see
clear and demonstrable evidence of need, along with assurances around the viability and
sustainability of any such project.
We can fund up to 100% of the costs of a project, but your project is more likely to be
successful if you have additional/alternative sources of funding, or match funding, to
demonstrate commitment from the community/and or other external funders. ‘In kind’
contributions, (e.g. volunteer time/input) will also be considered by the Panel when assessing
applications.
Please bear in mind that the grant fund will be allocated to support communities across the
whole of the County area and therefore demand is likely to be high. The more complete your
application - including strong evidence of need and completing all sections of the application
form in as much detail as possible – the more likely its chance of success.
Who can apply for funding from the Big Society Grant Fund?
Projects will be able to demonstrate their success in enabling local communities to
help themselves.
The key principles to be considered when applying for a Big Society grant are as follows:
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Applicants need to operate a ‘not-for-profit’ business model, i.e. charitable organisation,
social enterprise, community interest company, or any other organisation which reinvests any income back into the social aims of the group/community. Parish/Town
Councils are also eligible. Applicants will need to submit evidence which clearly defines
the status of their organisation, i.e. constitution, rules, articles of association, etc.
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The aims of the organisation will include meeting the needs of, and making a positive
difference to, the local community
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Funding will only support the development of ideas for new projects/activities, or ways of
providing existing activities in a new or different way
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Evidence of local need and community support for the project must be comprehensively
demonstrated in the application
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It is generally expected that applications will be supported by the relevant local County
Councillor(s). This support should be evidenced by a letter or email. For details of your
local County Councillor, go to:
http://www.leics.gov.uk/index/your_council/local_democracy/county_councillors/countyco
uncillors/councillorindex.htm
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It is recommended that your project is discussed with your local Parish/Town Council
(where relevant). We will also be looking for evidence that your project meets needs
identified in a Parish Plan, where applicable
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Applicants need to have a bank account, with at least two unrelated signatories
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Applicants requesting more than £1,000 from the Big Society Grant Fund should be a
formally constituted voluntary or community group or registered charity.
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Applications from non-constituted groups for less than £1,000 will be considered but it is
advisable to ensure your organisation is formally constituted if you are looking for funding
from other sources as, in most cases, other grants/funding programmes will only accept
applications from formally constituted organisations
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Applications for costs related to the direct implementation of new projects/activities will
only be considered if there is sufficient evidence that the project is needed and viable and
then only up to a total of £15,000. Applicants will otherwise be supported to pursue
alternative funding mechanisms for implementation costs
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Organisations with an annual turnover/income of over £500,000, are not eligible to apply
for funding from the Big Society Grant Fund
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Applications from private, profit making businesses or commercial enterprises are also
ineligible
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Applications from a partnership of two or more organisations (i.e. joint applications), e.g.
for mergers, will be considered. However, one of the organisations will need to act as a
‘lead applicant’, to which any grant monies would be paid. The Panel will however need
to make a decision whether or not to accept partnership applications if the annual
turnover of the organisations combined is over £500,000, depending on evidence of need
demonstrated and overall viability/feasibility of any such project
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The grant can be used to "top-up" grants received from other funders, provided that it
does not lead to double funding or the project/scheme generating a surplus
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It is expected that a minimum of at least 3 competitive quotes will be obtained for any
element of the project/work which is of a value greater than £5,000. It is advisable and
will be seen as good practice for projects under £5,000 to seek comparable quotes for
the work
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All necessary consents and approvals should have been obtained for any work proposed
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What activities can’t be supported?
The Grant cannot be used for any of the following:
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delivering activities which are existing and ongoing – the grant is designed to support
development of new activities/initiatives
staff salaries (unless these are costs related to feasibility studies, research or
consultation processes or for a time limited pilot period, usually no more than 6 months)
general running costs – the focus of the fund is on preparing or developing ideas for
future projects/activities and the structures which may be needed to establish these,
rather than the ongoing delivery of services.
projects or activities which benefit only an individual person
funds to build up reserves or a surplus
repair work or maintenance
costs for activities which have already taken place
Furthermore:
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Schools, academies, colleges, universities or other academic institutions are not eligible
to apply, although applications from PTA’s may be considered. Applications from PTA’s
which are for projects located in school grounds or where the school is ultimately
responsible are not eligible.
Projects to enhance existing community buildings for current/existing use are also
ineligible, unless there is clear evidence that the development will enable the building to
expand on its current provision for the benefit of the wider community.
If your project is for improvements to a community building there are other grants
available from the County Council which may be more appropriate. Please contact one of
the grants officers to discuss your project.
For any applications proposing to deliver Community Transport Schemes:
i. Organisations proposing to run Community Transport schemes need to have
undertaken an initial feasibility study into the viability of any proposed scheme.
ii. Organisations need to be able to demonstrate evidence of partnership working with
an existing provider of local community transport (i.e. to ensure proposals do not
duplicate any existing provision, and will effectively either complement or enhance
existing provision).
How will the application be assessed?
Applications will be considered by an independent panel which will meet bi-monthly until all
the funds have been committed.
Applications will be assessed by giving due consideration to the evidence of need and
proposed project outcomes demonstrated, in line with the eligibility criteria defined above.
The Panel may decide to (a) offer a grant at the level sought; (b) offer a lower level of grant
funding; (c) defer (for further information for assessment) or (d) refuse the application.
Evidence of additional/subsequent funding in place/in the process of being applied for (which
helps to ensure the viability/sustainability of the project) will also be considered by the Panel
as part of the assessment process.
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For new initiatives, the Panel will expect to see appropriate evidence (e.g. a feasibility study
or a business plan) to demonstrate viability and sustainability of the project beyond the
funding provided by the Big Society Grant Fund. Projects can, of course, seek initial funding
from the BSGF to conduct a feasibility study or business plan and then submit a further
application to support implementation/project delivery.
Organisations can make a maximum of 2 applications to the Grant Fund in a single financial
year. However, this cannot be for the same project/activity, although a second bid may be
made for a different element of a previously approved project/activity.
Support and guidance will be available throughout the application process from the Grants
Officers at Leicestershire County Council. Please contact the Grants Officers to discuss your
application and to confirm dates of Panel meetings, along with any relevant closing dates for
applications or supporting documents.
How will the grant be paid?
You should notify the Communities and Places Officer (0116 305 7269) at County Hall by
letter, fax, telephone or e-mail when the work is complete.
Grant payments will normally be released on completion of the project/activity for which
funding has been approved, and on receipt of invoices. However, exceptions to assist with
cash flow may be considered. Interim advance payments (of up to 50%) may also be
considered, on receipt of copies of orders or pro-forma invoices.
Applicants should note if their final project costs are less than originally estimated, the
amount of grant aid paid will reflect the actual costs incurred for the project, and will not
exceed the amount stated in the offer.
Further, staged, interim payments may be possible on larger schemes or those which run
over a longer period of time.
Where the applicant has stated on the application form that they can reclaim VAT, the grant
offer is based on the net value of the eligible scheme costs.
Disclaimer
Leicestershire County Council reserves the right to vary the terms of the grants.
Monitoring & Evaluation
Successful applicants will be expected to provide feedback/evidence of spend (e.g. letter,
short report, photograph, visit from funder) to confirm the project activities have taken place.
An end of project report form will be sent to successful applicants to assist with collating the
appropriate information required.
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Further Information
Website: www.leics.gov.uk/bigsociety
Email: bigsociety@leics.gov.uk
Telephone: (0116) 3057269
Contact
Andy Hayes
Communities and Places Officer
Communities and Places Team
Leicestershire County Council
Room 300 B, County Hall
Glenfield
Leicestershire
LE3 8RA
Tel: (0116) 3057269
Email: andy.hayes@leics.gov.uk
Sarah Carter
Policy and Partnerships Manager
Policy & Partnerships Team
Leicestershire County Council
Room 300 B, County Hall
Glenfield
Leicestershire
LE3 8RA
Tel: (0116) 3058098
Email: sarah.carter@leics.gov.uk
Suzanne Kinder
Policy and Partnerships Manager
Policy & Partnerships Team
Leicestershire County Council
Room 300 B, County Hall
Glenfield
Leicestershire
LE3 8RA
Tel: (0116) 3055692
Email: suzanne.kinder@leics.gov.uk
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