Every year the Community Council accept applications from local not for profit groups and charities. Over £20,000 is allocated to groups throughout the four wards to benefit the local community. Grants are given to sporting groups such as the local rugby, football, sub aqua, tennis and bowls clubs. Craft groups such as artists, patchworkers and felt makers. Children and young people groups like the Brownies, Scouts, dance groups, Air & Army Cadets and youth clubs. Adult groups like the Over 50’s group, WI, OAP groups, Choirs and the Ramblers. Charities like Wales Air Ambulance and Marie Curie Cancer Care have also received grants in the past.
2026 GRANT APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE
Electronic Grant Application Form via Google Forms.
Grant Application printed form for those who prefer pen and paper
Please complete all the questions on the form and ensure you attach a recent balance sheet.
The number of applications being received by the Community Council is increasing each year, so please ensure you provide correct membership figures and take time to find out where your members come from; as this may support your application. Priority is given to applications from groups based within the Community Council area. Other groups may apply and Council will take into consideration the number of their members who live within the Community Council Wards when deciding to allocate a grant.
Please also provide details of what the money will be used for and the difference this makes to your organisation.
Each organisation need only submit one application form – for all of their sessions/groups. As long as numbers of members in each ward and ages of members is noted on the form – this will be taken into consideration when considering amount awarded.
The closing date is 31st July 2026 and applications will not be accepted after this date. Ward members will work through the applications before decisions to allocate are made at a special meeting in September. Organisations will be notified mid September as to whether they have been successful in their application and how much they have been awarded.
COMMUNITY GRANT POLICY
Grants will not be made to individuals or commercial organisations.
Grants will normally be made at a meeting in September. Applications must be received by 31st July. Applications will not be considered at any other time of year.
Grant applications must be made on the official application form. Applicants must set out how the community in the Community Council area will benefit from the work funded by any grant. This is particularly important where an application is made by an organisation working regionally or nationally.
Applications must be accompanied by a copy of the organisation’s most recent balance sheet.
Grant recipients receiving over £1,000 should submit a report after 31 March showing how the funding has been used.
PRINCIPLES OF COMMUNITY GRANTS
The system aims to:
- Help the wards voluntary groups to improve their effectiveness
- Help to ensure the provision of services needed by the residents via the voluntary sector
- Support organisations which meet the needs of people experiencing social and economic difficulties and
- Ensures that there is equality of access and opportunity for all residents to the services and funds it provides to increase community inclusion.
The Community Council values the diversity and strengths of the local voluntary sector and acknowledges its independent role in the community as:
- A source of valuable services
- A means of enabling people to work together
- A channel for campaigning and advocacy
- To reduce loneliness in all ages in our community
The Community Council defines a voluntary group as a ‘not-for-profit’ organisation, set up and run by a voluntary, management committee.
This document gives the Community Council’s general funding principles and details its expectations of all groups in receipt of a Community Grant.
GROUPS APPLYING FOR A COMMUNITY GRANT AID SHOULD NOTE:
- Grants are restricted by law to applications made by groups only and on matters that benefit a majority of ward residents.
- Grants are made to meet deficits on future running costs, to encourage new groups or new projects, or to help with the costs of some one-off expenditures
- Grants will only be made to groups which need financial help. Accumulated reserves will be considered when grant levels are decided.
- Grants are made for one year’s expenditure at a time and should be spent within the year for the purpose for which they were given. They should not be added, wholly or partly, to reserves unless part of a previously approved programme of funding for a particular project.
- Grants will not be made to groups, which operate for private gain.
Organizations may be required to return the Community grant or a percentage of it, if they cease to function during the 12 months following allocation of the grant.
VOLUNTARY GROUPS RECEIVING A GRANT FROM THE COUNCIL ARE REQUIRED TO:
- Ensure efficient levels of administration, hold regular meetings, keep minutes and circulate information to group members.
- Keep proper accounts. Grants may only be made to groups, which have submitted satisfactory accounts, unless the group is recently formed.
- Report back as required to the Council on their activities
- Involve group members and users in policy-making and in the management of activities and services
- Be open to eligible users, as defined by the group’s constitution
- Establish and monitor equal opportunities policies and practices
- Meet the legal responsibilities of an employer where appropriate; adopt, implement and monitor good employment practices and procedures
- Recruit and support volunteers where appropriate
- Acknowledge the Community Council’s support in annual reports.
Application forms to be returned by the 31st July 2026