Burton Pidsea Wind Farm Community Fund

What is the Burton Pidsea Community Wind Farm Fund?

The Burton Pidsea wind Farm is owned and operated by EnergieKontor UK Ltd who make an annual donation of c. £20,400 per annum to a community fund.  The Burton Pidsea Wind Farm Community Fund was set up to distribute this donation and the first grant payments were awarded in 2015 to support a wide range of projects of benefit to the local community. 

For further information on EnergieKontor UK Limited visit:

EnergieKontor UK Ltd (external website)

What is the area of benefit for the fund?

The area of benefit of the fund is the electoral wards of Mid-Holderness, North Holderness, South East Holderness and South West Holderness in the East Riding of Yorkshire, with a preference for appropriate initiatives within the proximity of the development. The fund panel defined proximity to the development as a 5-kilometre radius of Burton Pidsea Post Office, HU12 9AX.

What type of activities will the fund support?

The fund is designed to promote initiatives for public benefit within a defined area (the area of benefit).  The following types of projects are eligible for help from the fund:

• Educational Initiatives
• Environmental Initiatives
• Energy-efficiency Initiatives
• Community initiatives. 

Who can make an application?

Applications are welcomed from community groups, community organisations, charities, parish councils, schools and churches. New groups or ideas for projects where a group does not currently exist can be considered.  Applications cannot be accepted from individuals.

For further advice please contact the fund administrator:

 Email: ruralfunding@eastriding.gov.uk

Are there any activities that cannot be funded?

The following activities cannot be supported by the fund:

• Activities detrimental to the commercial operation of the wind farm
• Political or religious campaigns
• Statutory duties of the public body including the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Humberside Police, Fire and Rescue Services, the Coastguard, the Health Authority or Parish Council.

How can the fund distribute money?

Payments from the fund will usually be made in form of grants.  Subject to appropriate governance measures as required, other forms of financial assistance (e,g, commisioning, loans, donations) can be considered by the fund panel.  For further details contact the fund administrator at:

Email: ruralfunding@eastriding.gov.uk

How much money can be applied for?

Applications for over £500 (and up to a maximum value of £10,000) should be made online to the main fund. 

Applications for under £500 should be made to the fund’s Community Chest. This is a simpler application process for very small one-off projects. Unlike the main fund (which is open to receive applications for three months), the Community Chest is open year round. 

Please also see the answer to  'How do I submit an application for funding' answer below:

Will the fund support 100% of the project costs?

In certain circumstances, up to 100% funding is available however, projects that show their own contribution to costs will be viewed more favourably. As a guide the fund panel suggest 20% of total projects costs as a contribution. The contribution can be cash, donations, equipment loans, free use of land or buildings and/or volunteer time.

How is the fund managed and who makes decisions about how it is spent?

Decisions on how the money is spent are made by a fund panel made up of  representatives from the following organisations:

• Burton Pidsea Parish Council
• Burstwick Parish Council
• Elstronwick Parish Council
• Halsham Parish Council
• Roos Parish Council
• A member of the Burton Pidsea Community
• East Riding of Yorkshire Council

• The Developer.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council is the Accountable Body for the fund and provides the secretariat and administration service through the council's Rural Policy and Partnerships Team.

What are the deadlines and timescales?

The main fund is open from 6 January 2020 and closes 31 March 2020 with a decision-making meeting in late April 2020.

Applications to the Community Chest can be made at any time.

What is the application process from start to finish?

1. The applicant completes an online application form and submits it electronically with supporting evidence (including quotes, permissions, accounts and bank statements).  These forms can be accessed using the link in the last section below.
   
2. The online system acknowledges receipt of application.
3. The administrator carries out a technical appraisal (does the applicant have power and permissions to carry out the project, does the project meet the fund criteria, has all the necessary information been supplied?).
   
4. The application is sent to fund panel for scoring.
   
5. Fund panel meets and makes a decision (full award, part award or decline).
   
6. Administrator writes to unsuccessful applicants stating decision and the reason.
   
7. Administrator writes to successful applicants offering funding and explaining any conditions that may apply.
   
8. Successful applicants write back accepting the offer of money and the conditions.
   
9. Successful applicants submit an invoice for 50% of the money (unless the total grant value is £2000 or less which can be invoiced in full). Please note: normal payment terms are 30 days.
10. Successful applicants complete the project.
    
11. Successful applicants submit the End of Grant report, supporting evidence and invoice for remaining 50% of grant.

How do I submit an application for funding?

Applications to the main fund (over £500) should be made online within the Flexi-Grant system. To access this system click on the link: 

Flexi-Grant System (external council website)

There are two options on the system to choose from:

• For small grant applications – select up to £5k form
  
• For larger grant applications select over £5k form. 

Both forms have guidance notes to help you complete the form. 

Applications for up to £500 should be made on the Community Chest Form which, along with Guidance Notes, can be downloaded from the documents box below. 

If you have any queries please contact the fund by email: ruralfunding@eastriding.gov.uk