Living Here

Our Local Projects Fund is a grant scheme that helps communities deliver their ambitions. Here's the guidance you need to apply for funding.

Introduction

• The District Council’s Local Projects Fund enables Derbyshire Dales District Councillors to support community led initiatives, in the area they represent.
• Each year £900 is allocated to each Councillor to grant aid to projects or initiatives in their Ward that will benefit the local communities and be valuable to the area.
• The Fund provides for a wide degree of flexibility and can be used to support one off projects, ongoing activities and the development of sustainable longer term projects.

Who can apply?

Applications can be made by local groups that are based within the Derbyshire Dales area providing they can demonstrate community benefit. For example:-

• Parish/Town Councils (for specific projects only)
• Young people's groups
• Locally based charities
• Benevolent societies

• Political parties and organisations with political aims
• Any organisation that raises funds for national distribution
• Single issue pressure groups
• Any group formed to oppose any proposed or likely District Council policy
• Other public sector bodies that deliver core services, includes schools
• Individuals

What types of projects / initiatives are covered by the scheme?

• Groups and organisations can apply for funding for both revenue (one-off) and minor capital projects.
• Revenue grants should generally be used to support short term project related costs such as equipment, transport, advertising, goods and materials.
• It is expected that the grants will benefit a wide range of groups/activities.
• Bids should be focussed on outcomes that benefit the wider community where possible, rather than just small sections of communities.
• The Fund may be used to facilitate match funding from other organisations although match funding is not a requirement.
• Examples of previous grant aid has included funding towards village hall improvements, sports equipment & kit, staging events, activities for the elderly & isolated, arts projects, environmental & heritage projects and youth based activities.

The application process

Organisations/groups applying for a grant must complete the online application form which will then be forwarded to the relevant local Councillor(s) and a decision is likely within two weeks.

How will applications be judged?

• Applicants must demonstrate that their project will have a positive effect on the inhabitants of their local community and be within the Derbyshire Dales area.
• The applicant must also be in a position to sign that in the event of a grant, all terms and conditions will be complied with.
• The relevant Councillor(s) will judge the application in liaison with officers and will make a decision on whether to award a grant.

How much can be awarded?

The minimum grant payable is £100 and the maximum grant payable is £1,000 which can only be achieved for multi seat Wards or where an application spans across more than one Ward. Payment of grant will be made by BACS and bank account details will be requested once a grant award has been confirmed.

Terms and Conditions

Derbyshire Dales District Council retains the right to reclaim, at any time, all or part of the awarded money which was not spent for the purpose it was awarded.   Any grant awarded is subject to:

• The availability of funds within the respective Councillor’s Local Projects Fund allocation
• It being used for the benefit of residents of the Derbyshire Dales and particularly the residents of the Councillors electoral Ward;
• It being used for the specific purpose for which it was requested and granted;
• It being spent within the financial year the grant was awarded. Any request to vary this condition will need to be submitted in writing and agreed by the Head of Resources
• Derbyshire Dales District Council being publicly recognised in any and all publicity regarding the Local Projects project organised by the District Council or applicant
• It being recorded in any records or accounts which will be made available for inspection by the Council if required
• An acknowledgement that the grant award is a one off and does not imply a commitment to any future funding. It should be possible for the same organisation to receive a grant each year, but not guaranteed. Repeat requests within the same financial year will not be considered.
• The applicant providing an End of Grant report to the District Council on how the money has been spent and what outcomes were achieved
• Applicants are also asked to note that the District Council is not able to undertake feasibility work to assess the merits of an initiative/project, nor to assist applicants in making their bid beyond advising on the application process.
• Please note that there are no rights of appeal against decisions made by Councillors.

For further information email localprojects.fund@derbyshiredales.gov.uk, telephone 01629 761392, Community Development Officer, Community & Environmental Services, Derbyshire Dales District Council, Town Hall, Matlock, DE4 3NN

A Disabled Facilities Grant is a grant made by the District Council to help towards the cost of adapting your home to enable you to continue to live there. In order to help decide what adaption would be most suitable for you the District Council works in partnership with occupational therapists from Derbyshire County Council.

Who can apply?

An applicant must either be the owner of the dwelling or be a tenant (including licensees), and be able to provide to the District Council the necessary 'owner's certificate' or 'tenant's certificate'. This will not necessarily be the disabled person for whom the works are required. In such cases the applicant should make it clear on whose behalf the application is being made.

You should not assume that you will automatically qualify for a grant, as they are means tested. The maximum amount of grant that a council can pay is £30,000 per application, less any assessed contribution from you.

What is a grant available for?

A grant can be used for adaptations to give you better freedom of movement into and around your home and/or to provide essential facilities within it.

If you are disabled, acceptable types of work include:

• widening doors and installing ramps
• providing or improving access to rooms and facilities - for example, by installing a stair lift or providing a downstairs bathroom
• improving or providing a heating system which is suitable for your needs
• adapting heating or lighting controls to make them easier to use
• improving access to and movement around the home to enable you to care for another person who lives in the property, such as a child.

An occupational therapist from Derbyshire County Council will look at your circumstances and can recommend the type of adaptation(s) needed.

How to apply

For further information please contact the Environmental Health section.

Further information

Communities and Local Government: Disabled facilities grant

Derbyshire County Council - Adapting your home

Derbyshire County Council - Disabled facilities grant

Direct Gov: Disabled Facilities Grants

Charity No. 518884

The Ernest Bailey Charity considers requests for financial assistance annually.  In 2018, £1,500 was awarded between 18 local groups and individuals.

The Charity is required to ensure that funds must be applied for the general benefit of the inhabitants of Matlock and district (Matlock, Matlock Bath, Bonsall, Cromford, Darley Dale, Northwood and Tinkersley, Rowsley (part) South Darley, Starkholmes and Tansley) in one or more of the following ways:-

• For the relief of the aged and poor
• For the relief of distress and sickness
• To support facilities for recreation and other leisure time activities
• To support educational facilities
• In such other way as the Trustees think fit

Applications will next be considered at a meeting to be held 28 November 2019.  The deadline for applications for 2019 has now closed.

For further information please contact Emma Mortimer, Community Development Officer:

• email: grants@derbyshiredales.gov.uk
• phone: 01629 761392

• · Friday 30th August 2019
• · Friday 8th November 2019
• · Friday 14th February 2020

https://ddcvs.org.uk/projects/better-derbyshire-dales-fund/

Or if you would like copies emailed or posted to you please ring 01629 812154.