Ards & North Down Borough Council: Sports Development Capital Grants

Overview

The Sports Development Capital Grant Programme provides financial assistance to eligible Sports Clubs for the delivery of capital projects and the purchase of capital equipment. ‘Capital Expenditure’ is defined as expenditure for purchase, improvement, restoration and construction of an asset directly related to the applicant organisation. It should have ‘physical substance’ i.e. be a tangible asset that can be listed on an asset register or a company’s balance sheet (e.g. equipment, buildings) for use in the delivery of an organisation’s activities; and it should have a useful life of more than one year.

Projects must be completed, and expenditure incurred prior to March 24th, 2025.

Examples of Capital Projects that funding has previously part funded:

• Renovation of Changing facilities
• Conversion of old changing facilities into gym/ training area
• Installation of new drainage scheme for pitches
• Equipment/Machinery e.g. Lawnmower/ tennis ball machine/ radios
• Support/ Rescue boats/ribs
• Ball stop fencing/ perimeter/boundary fencing
• Installation of disability ramp to improve access to club house
• Storage units/containers
• Flood lights + Bulbs

General Guidelines

• This is a competitive scheme and funding will be determined on the basis of merit. Applications will be assessed against the criteria outlined.
• All applications must be completed in full, submitted with all necessary supporting mandatory information. Incomplete and/or late applications will not be assessed. Applications must be signed prior to submission.
• Retrospective funding will not be considered and therefore the project must not have commenced prior to receipt of Letter of Offer.
• Only one application can be submitted per organisation.
• Project must be completed, expenditure incurred, and all claim documentation submitted no later than Monday 24 March 2024. Failure to submit proof of payment may result in funding being withdrawn.
• Applicants may be able to utilise other sources of funding to enhance their application. However, applicants must ensure that funding from the Council is additional and is not used to fund any element of the application which is funded from other sources.
• Where other sources of grant aid are available applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have approached the other relevant source(s) and indicate the status of that application.
• Successful applicants must notify the Council of any additional funding secured after the submission of their application.
• Successful applicants must agree any changes to the project and its funding arrangements with the Council, before implementation. It is a prime responsibility of Council to be accountable for public monies. To this end, successful applicants will be required to provide relevant supporting information when claiming funding e.g. original receipts, original invoices and bank statements.
• Organisations in receipt of public funding must comply with all statutory obligations regarding the delivery of their projects.
• The Council reserves the right to inspect the equipment/ project funded through this scheme and the Club will be required to complete a Monitoring Form as part of the Monitoring Process.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements. Should an application be received that does not meet the minimum requirements below, the application will not proceed to the assessment stage of the process.

• The applicant (sports club) must provide sporting activities recognised by Sport Northern Ireland through the UK Sports Council’s recognition policy and be affiliated to a recognised governing body.
• The Sports Club must be based within the Ards and North Down Borough.
• The Sports Club is engaged at amateur level.
• The Sports Club must currently be affiliated to the Ards and North Down Sports Forum and newly affiliated clubs must be outside the 3 month waiting period.

And

• Sports Clubs must be properly constituted and good governance in place. The following documentation must be submitted with Application:
  • List of Clubs office bearers
  • Copy of current and signed constitution or Memorandum & Articles of Association
  • Last 3 years’ financial statements/accounts or life of club if less than 3 years
  • Evidence of partnership funding being in place e.g. Most recent Bank Statement
  • Full Safeguarding Policy (The full policy must be submitted. In addition, if you have adopted your Governing Body (GB) Policy then you must provide a copy of Committee minute of its adoption and the full GB policy)
• Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they are encouraging the promotion of equality of opportunity as identified under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. Club’s Equality Policy must also be submitted with Application.
• Sports Clubs are required to have an up to date 3-year Club Development Plan in place. The Club Development Plan must be submitted with Application and demonstrate the contribution which the grant would make towards the development of the club and/or wider community.
• Clubs must have adequate level of Public Liability Insurance in place; a copy must be submitted with Application.
• If applicable, the project must have received planning approval or building control approval at time of submission of application and approval documentation must be submitted.
• For capital works, evidence of land / facility ownership must be submitted with application. Applicants applying for equipment must demonstrate and will only be considered, if the equipment to be purchased has a permanent base, and will remain in use for at least 5 years. It is not to be used by an individual for personal use. Permission to store equipment on property must be submitted with Application.

Purchasing

The Club must adhere to the Council’s Procurement Control Limits:

• Up to £3,000 No quotation necessary
• £3,000 - £15,000 Seek three written quotations
• £15,001 - £30,000 Seek four written quotations
• Over £30,000 Public Tender