Lissett Wind Farm Community Fund

What is the Lissett Wind Farm Community Fund?

Lissett Airfield Wind Farm is owned and operated by Ventient Energy one of the country’s leading wind energy producers. As part of the developments planning permission, granted in 2007, a commitment was made to create a community fund.

The Lissett Community Wind farm Fund receives an annual donation from Ventient Energy of approximately £80,000 per year which is index-linked to inflation. 

What is the area of benefit for the Fund?

The Fund supports initiatives for the benefit of the community within the East Wolds and Coastal Ward in the East Riding of Yorkshire.

What types of activities will the Fund support?

The Fund is able to support community, charitable, amenity, and environmental initiatives for the benefit of the communities within the area of benefit. 

Who can make an application?

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

Are there any activities that cannot be funded?

The following activities cannot be supported by the fund:

• Any campaigns (e.g. political, religious or other campaigns)
  
• Statutory duties of public bodies including parish councils, local authority, police, health, fire, coastguard and national government
  
• Activities detrimental to the commercial operation of the wind farm. 

How can the Fund distribute money?

The fund panel can distribute the money as:

• Commissioning - where the fund panel devise a public benefit project and employ a group to deliver it
  
• Donations - where no conditions are placed on the money given to a project
  
• Grants - where conditions on use are placed on the money given to a project with timescales, milestones and reporting arrangements in place
  
• Loans - where the money is spent and repaid at a later date 

How much money can be applied for?

There are no upper limits on the amount of money that can be requested.

Will the Fund support 100% of the project costs?

The fund panel will look for applicants to contribute a minimum of 30% from their own resources (or other funding) towards the total cost of the project. This can include in kind contributions (e.g. from volunteers).

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

Decisions about how the annual donation is spent are made by the Lissett Wind Farm Community Fund Panel. The Panel is made up of representatives of the seven parishes in closest proximity to the wind farm. These representatives are appointed by the Parish Councils. In addition representatives from East Riding of Yorkshire Council and the operating company also sit on the Panel.

The Fund is open to receive application for funding during a three month window each year. The Fund has finite resources that can be over-subscribed. Applications go through a Technical Assessment process and the Fund Panel makes decisions using a scorecard approach based on the Fund criteria. 

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

What are the deadlines and timescales?

The Fund’s Timetable for 2018 is as follows:

Fund opens for applications from: 2 April 2018

Fund closes to applications: 31 July 2018 

Fund Panel Decision making meeting: 4 October 2018 

What is the outline process from start to finish?

• The applicant completes an online Application Form and submits it electronically with supporting evidence (including quotes, permissions, accounts and bank statements). Online Application Forms and Application Form Guidance Notes are located on the “eastriding4communities” website which can be accessed using the links in last section below.
  
• The online system acknowledges receipt of application.
  
• 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?).
  
• The Application is sent to Fund Panel for scoring.
  
• Fund Panel meet and make a decision (full award, part award or decline).
  
• Administrator writes to unsuccessful applicants stating decision and reason.
  
• Administrator writes to successful applicants offering funding and explaining any conditions that may apply.
  
• Successful applicants write back accepting the offer of money and conditions.
  
• Successful applicants submit invoice for 50% of money (unless the total project value is £1000 or less which can be invoiced in full). Please note: normal payment terms are 30 days.
  
• Successful applicants complete the project
  
• Successful applicants submit End of Grant report, supporting evidence and invoice for 50% of funds.
  
• Successful applicants submit any final receipts and bank statements.
  
• Administrator includes report on project in Fund Annual Report.
  
• Fund Annual Report presented at Annual Review Meeting. 
  

The Annual Review meeting is an opportunity to celebrate successful projects and for the Fund Panel to receive feedback from applicants and the community about the Fund. 

The 2017/18 Annual Review Meeting will take place on Thursday 1 November 2018.

How do I submit an application for funding?

The applicant completes an online application form within the Flexi-Grant system and submits it electronically with supporting evidence. 

To access this system click on the link Flexi-Grant System (external East Riding website) where you will also find Guidance Notes to help you complete the form.

Please Note:

For Small Project applications please use the applications for funding up to £2k form

For Medium and Large Project applications please use the applications for funding over £2k form

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