Parish Council Grants

Introduction

A grant is payment made by Old Basing & Lychpit Parish Council to be used by an group or organisation (which is not directly or jointly controlled or administered by the Council) for a specific purpose that will benefit the Parish, or residents of the Parish. The Council awards grants, at its discretion, to groups or organisations which can demonstrate a clear need for financial support to benefit the Parish by:

1. Providing a service
2. Enhancing the quality of life for residents
3. Improving recreation and/or sports
4. Improving the environment
5. Promoting Old Basing & Lychpit Parish Council in a positive

[Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 empowers local councils to make such grants to voluntary bodies and charities, where no specific grant making power exists in other legislation and where, in the council’s opinion, the grant will benefit any part of its area or any of its inhabitants.]

Old Basing & Lychpit Parish Council adopted the General Power of Competence at the Full Council meeting held on 3^rd September 2024.  Under the GPC, the Council has powers to do anything legal which an individual can do, rendering the s137 Power of Last Resort redundant.

Grant Application Process

• Funding for grants will be determined by the Finance & Resources Committee when setting budgets for the coming year.
• Applicants will be required to complete an application form, available on the parish council website. All questions on the application form should be answered fully and additional supporting information should be provided as appropriate. Completed forms should be sent to the Parish Clerk.
• In addition to the application form, organisations will be required to provide the following supporting information:

1. A copy of their written constitution or details of their aims and purpose
2. Full details of the project or activity which the grant is for
3. An explanation of how the grant will be of benefit to the local community within the Parish
4. The proportion or number of beneficiaries living in the electoral area
5. Demonstration of a clear need for the funding request
6. Full accounts or an income & expenditure statement with opening and closing cash/bank balances if full accounts are not legally required.

• Grant applications will be considered at the first full Parish Council Meeting following receipt of the application (meetings usually held on the first Tuesday of every month).
• Applicants for grants will be advised of the meeting at which the application is to be discussed and invited to attend. Applicants present at the meeting may be asked to give additional background information on the organisation and the purpose of the grant to that already provided and to clarify any points raised.
• Funds available are limited and advice can be given to applicants by the Clerk where required, although this is for guidance purposes only and is not an indication of support or of the actual funds

Conditions of Funding

• The applicant must be a non-political, not-for-profit group or organisation, educational establishment or charity, or operate in this spirit in the interests of the local Grants are not awarded to commercial enterprises.
• Grants will not be made to projects that discriminate on any grounds.
• Grants will not be made to individuals.
• Grants will not be made retrospectively.
• An organisation should have a bank account in its own name. Payment will be made to the named organisation.
• Grants will not be made to local groups whose fund raising is sent to their central headquarters for redistribution.
• The administration of and accounting for any grant shall be the responsibility of the recipient body.
• All awards must be properly accounted for, and evidence of expenditure should be supplied to the Council where requested.
• Applicants must acknowledge the Council in any publicity relating to the grant and agree to the Council publicising details of any grants it makes.
• Only one application for a grant will be considered from each applicant in any single financial year.
• An ongoing commitment to award a grant in future years will not be made. A fresh application will be required each year.
• Each application will be assessed on its own merits.
• The Council may make the award of any grant subject to such additional conditions and requirements as it considers appropriate. The Council reserves the right to refuse any grant application which it considers to be inappropriate or against the objectives of the Council.
• Any grant must only be used for the purpose for which it was awarded unless the written approval of the Council has been obtained for a change in use of the grant Any unspent portion of the grant should be returned to the Council by the end of the financial year in which it was awarded except where, by agreement of the Council, the monies may be carried over to the following financial year.

Grants Awarded in 2025-26 (48KB, PDF)

Grant Application Form 2025 (104KB, PDF)