At the Executive meeting on 20th October 2020, the Council agreed unanimously to introduce a grant scheme to provide an allocation for each ward councillor.
For the financial year ending 31 March 2025, this has been set at £1000 per ward councillor
For applications to this scheme please complete the online form, and attach the required documents for verification. Any incomplete applications will be returned.
The completed forms will be emailed to the relevant Councillor for endorsement.
Any application that is either unclear or questionable will be referred to the Portfolio Holder or Leader of the Council if either is conflicted for a final decision.
All applicants will be notified by email as to the outcome of the application, together with any conditions and an indication of when the bank transfer payment will be made.
For any further information contact: Community.Development@surreyheath.gov.uk
Surrey Heath Borough Ward Councillor Grant Scheme
Applicant Criteria
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The scheme is designed for ‘Not for Profit’ groups that have a formal constitution, are a registered charity or CIO.
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The applying organisations must have a bank account with at least two signatories on that account.
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Applicants must provide clear evidence of the expected costs for their project or event (e.g a quote or estimate) and awards will not be made retrospectively.
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In exceptional circumstances, where a ‘for profit’ organisation is part of the application chain, a maximum of one Ward Councillor grant per financial year may be made.
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The maximum grant per application is £500 and must be for the direct purchase of an asset, a resource, or a cost directly related to putting on an event.
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If an application is for an indirect action such as marketing, then a maximum of one Ward Councillor grant is available at £250.
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Applications are to be for the Surrey Heath area only and must demonstrate a clear benefit to Surrey Heath residents, in particular groups or residents in the community who might otherwise face challenges in accessing resources or support.
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Applications should be able to demonstrate clearly the number of residents impacted by the award of the grant and show that consideration has been given to inclusion and accessibility for all.
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Priority will particularly be given to applications which demonstrate how vulnerable or marginalised residents or groups will be supported by the award of the grant and to organisations which can show that they will support the council in its key aim of ‘Promoting Healthier and More Inclusive Communities’.
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No event or organisation will be awarded more than three Ward Councillor grants in any financial year
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The organisation must acknowledge the contribution of SHBC in any publicity or communications relating to the event or resource/asset funded.
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Applications may not be submitted on behalf of other organisations.
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Applications will not be accepted for activities promoting specific religious or political beliefs.
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Applications will not be accepted from statutory authorities, schools/colleges, or individuals.
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Ward Councillor grant funding is provided at the discretion of SHBC and may be removed at any time. The decision of SHBC in relation to the award of grant funding is final and there is no right of appeal.
Endorsing Councillor Criteria:
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A Councillor can make awards outside their ward, but the home Ward Councillor must be advised of the application and award.
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A Councillor cannot fund a group or activity for which they are a trustee, or any organisation in which they or any member of their household or immediate family including parent, child, brother, sister or stepfamily are directly involved in the decision making or running of that organisation.
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Any unused funds cannot be carried over to the next financial year.
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At the beginning of Quarter 4 of the financial year (January), unspent funds will become available for award by all ward councillors, up to a maximum of two additional awards of £500 - the above criteria will still apply to any application.
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The applications are to be administered by the Community Development Manager and the Head of Performance, HR and Communications before being processed for payment.
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Any application that is either unclear or questionable will be referred to the Portfolio Holder or Leader of the Council if either is conflicted, for a final decision.
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The budget will be monitored by the Head of Performance, HR and Communications in consultation with the finance department.
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All successful bids will be reported to the Portfolio Holder on a monthly basis, and annually to the Executive and the Performance and Finance Committee. The annual report will highlight multiple applications (both successful and unsuccessful) by organisations across a three-year period to ensure that appropriate governance has been followed.
2024/2025 - £1000 per ward councillor