Mid Ulster District Council: Pitches & Recreational Spaces Strategy Feasibility Development Grant

Overview

Pitches & Recreational Spaces Strategy Feasibility Development Grant – Maximum £10,000

The Pitches & Recreational Spaces Strategy Feasibility Development Grant will offer a grant of up to 50% of eligible costs with a maximum grant award of £10,000. It aims to support Technical Assistance costs for clubs that will assist in the delivery of a Clubs Development Plan - specifically in the preparation of future capital funding applications that require Economic Appraisals/Business Cases, Feasibility Studies/Professional Design/Planning Consultant fee. It aims to support clubs in their aspirations to enhance community outcomes for the 5 identified sporting codes within the Councils Pitches and Recreational Spaces Strategy that was approved by Council in February 2022 (Association Football, Gaelic Games, Hockey, Lawn Bowls and Rugby. Projects must be completed, and expenditure incurred and grant claim made within 18 months of Letter of Offer.

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.

1. Application must be from a sports club (affiliated to a Sport Northern Ireland recognised governing body of sport); or Community sports organisations in one of the following sporting codes: - Association Football, Gaelic Games, Hockey, Lawn Bowls, Rugby.

2. Not for Profit - Funding will only be considered for not for profit, locally constituted Sports organisations/clubs within the Mid Ulster District Council area. The Sports Club/community sport organisation/infrastructure must be based within the Mid Ulster District Council area and/or groups/organisations must able to demonstrate that the majority of project beneficiaries (>80%) live within the Mid Ulster District Council area.

3. Sporting Club/Organisation Benefit – A Project must show Sporting Club/Organisation need and benefit (evidence based) to avoid any potential issues of duplication.

4. Sports Club/organisation 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.

5. Mid Ulster District Council Corporate Aims – The project must clearly demonstrate how it is achieving on Council corporate aims and objectives to include how it links to the Mid Ulster District Council Pitches and Recreational Spaces Strategy.

6. The Pitches & Recreational Spaces Strategy Feasibility Development Grant will offer a grant of up to 50% of eligible costs with a maximum grant award of £10,000

Grant Eligibility

These conditions are applicable to applications made in all grant categories.

• 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.
• Funding cannot be allocated for a project or venue where an existing SLA exists with Council for a project, building or facility.
• 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.
• The same project cannot be split across different grant categories.
• Statutory and ‘for profit’ organisations, activities and recipients (including activities that receive statutory core provision are not eligible for grant).
• Regional groups/organisations are not eligible to apply.
• Applications that are not completed accurately and in full will not be considered.
• Religious or political activity cannot be funded under any grant.
• All applicants must present a project that will take place within the Mid Ulster District Council area (except Sports Representative Grant as detailed within this section).
• Applicants must present a project that will be delivered between 1 April - 31 March each year.
• Evidence of good governance; including annual AGM, Group bank account, financial management practice, insurances, etc. will be required.
• Successful applicants will draw down grants retrospectively based on vouched expenditure, with procurement adhered to. Advance payments will be 50% up to £1500 and 25% up to £10,000 with final verification of all expenditure.
• Group recipients should not have a membership charge for its users accessing its community provision greater than £250.
• Group recipients should have no element of profit gain to any member or individual of its Committee.