Mid Ulster District Council: Capital Discretionary Grant

Overview

Capital Discretionary Grant (Threshold £50,000)

To recognise that there are times when a modest amount of capital investment in our community can create the potential for a much larger project to happen. In such circumstances Council could potentially be a discretionary funder of last resort to allow projects to happen and maximise investment to our areas and communities. Any contribution would be a percentage towards a much larger project.

Capital funding – Council will consider providing financial support for capital projects, which are defined as projects which will provide benefit to the community for a period in excess of five years, examples of which may include a new building or refurbishment/renovation of an existing building. It will not provide support for acquisition of land, buildings or other assets such as equipment other than fixed plant for example permanently installed elevators/lifts

1. The project funded must be in community ownership (satisfactory evidence of legal title or an appropriate long term lease will be required.
2. Not for Profit - Funding will only be considered for not for profit constituted community and voluntary groups which are involved in progressing a major community capital project which will provide significant benefit to the community within the Mid Ulster District Council area -Groups/organisations must able to demonstrate that the majority of project beneficiaries (>80%) live within the Mid Ulster District Council area.
3. Community Benefit – A Project Plan must be in place to show community need and benefit and to avoid any potential issues of duplication.
4. Funder of Last Resort - The majority of funding at least 60%+ should be in place and that all funding avenues have been exhausted. Evidence of this will be required.
5. Statutory Requirements - The project must be at a state of readiness 6 months after letter of offer; with planning permission, land acquisition or lease agreement (if required), and other statutory permissions in place along with accurate costings.
6. Mid Ulster District Council Corporate Aims – The project must clearly demonstrate how it is achieving on Council corporate aims and objectives.
7. The project is a minimum value of £150,000, with Council funding to a maximum contribution of £50,000.
8. The Project must complete within 18 months of Letter of Offer; phased delivery and invoicing of expenditure can be accommodated.

A Group can only submit one application per project for this Capital Discretionary Funding Support and an application will only be considered by a Group once every 3 years.

Groups/Organisations would be required to formally present their application / submission to a Special Development Committee of Council.

Eligibility

1. Groups applying for a grant must be a not for profit constituted community or voluntary organisation with an annual AGM, individuals can apply to the sports representative grant only.
2. Funding cannot be allocated for a project or venue where an existing SLA exists with Council for a project, building or facility.
3. Groups will only be able to apply for a grant as per the categories, this is to maximise the funding allocation to as many groups as possible.
4. The same project cannot be split across different grant categories.
5. Statutory and ‘for profit’ organisations, activities and recipients (including activities that receive statutory core provision are not eligible for grant)
6. Regional groups/organisations are not eligible to apply.
7. Applications that are not completed accurately and in full will not be considered.
8. Religious or political activity cannot be funded under any grant.
9. All applicants must present a project that will take place within the Mid Ulster District Council area (exception Sports Representative Grant as detailed within this section).
10. Applicants must present a project that will be delivered between 1st April - 31st March each year.
11. Evidence of good management practices/policies, including annual AGM, Group bank account, financial management practice, insurances, etc. will be required.
12. Once the Form of Acceptance is completed and submitted online, an advance payment of 50% of the award will be generated automatically (some grant exclusions may apply) with final verification of all expenditure.
13. Group recipients should not have a membership charge for its users accessing its community provision greater than £250.
14. Group recipients should have no element of profit gain to any member or individual of its Committee (community interest companies not included due to director contribution).