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

Overview

Pitches & Recreational Spaces Strategy Infrastructure Development Grant – Maximum £50,000

The Pitches & Recreational Spaces Strategy Infrastructure Development Grant will offer a maximum grant award of £50,000, with a match funding requirement of £100,000, to deliver schemes of a minimum £150,000 value. It aims to support clubs in their aspirations for improved facilities that will 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). The annual available budget will be £150,000 per year for the duration of the 5 year Pitches and Recreational Spaces Strategy.

This grant aims to provide financial assistance to eligible Sports Clubs for the delivery of capital projects. ‘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 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 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. 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. The project funded must be in community ownership (satisfactory evidence of legal title or an appropriate long term lease - minimum 10 years - will be required.

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

5. Statutory Requirements - The project must be at a state of readiness at time of application; with match funding, planning permission, land acquisition or lease agreement (if required), and other statutory permissions in place along with certified accurate costings.

6. 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.

Applicants cannot apply for this grant and the Mid Ulster District Council Capital Discretionary Grant within a 3-year grant timeline and are also ineligible if anapplicant has applied for or received a capital grant from Mid Ulster District Council within the last 3 years.

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.