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 £85,000 per year which is index-linked to inflation. 

For more information on Ventient Energy please visit the website:

Ventient Energy (external website)

What is the area of benefit for the fund?

The area of benefit for the fund is the electoral ward of East Wolds and Coastal in the East Riding of Yorkshire with a preference for appropriate initiatives in the proximity of the wind farm.  The area of benefit can be downloaded from the table below.

What types of activities will the fund support?

The legal agreement and constitution define the fund criteria as, to promote:

• educational initiatives
• community initiatives (activities)
• environmental initiatives
• energy efficiency initiatives
• community amenity initiatives (infrastructure). 

Who can make an application?

Applications are welcomed from community groups, community organisations,  charities, parish councils, schools and faith based groups. 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:

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

How can the fund distribute money?

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

Email: ruralfunding@eastriding.gov.uk 

For information on other funding opportunities please visit Finding a grant.

How much money can be applied for?

Applications for over £500 should be made, online, to the main fund. No upper limit has been set by the fund panel. Applications can be for more than one year in duration.

Please also see the How do I submit an application? answer below.

Will the fund support 100% of the project costs?

The fund panel will look for evidence of a project's own contribution towards the costs and will prioritise applications that show a 30% match funding. 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 on how the money is spent are made by a fund panel made up of representatives from the following organisations:

• Barmston and Fraisthorpe Parish Council 
• Beeford Parish Council
• Burton Agnes Parish Council 
• Foston on the Wolds Parish Council
• Kelk Parish Council
• Lissett and Ulrome Parish Council
• Skipsea Parish Council
• East Riding of Yorkshire Council 
• A representative from 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 1 February 2023 and closes 30 April 2023, with a decision-making meeting in late July 2023.

What is the outline 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 How do I submit an application for funding? answer below
   
2. The online system acknowledges receipt of application
   
3. The administrator carries out a technical appraisal (does the applicant have the ability 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. The fund panel meet and make a decision (full award, part award or decline).  Panel members are required at meetings to declare any interests that they have in particular applications and, where this is the case, take no part in decisions relating to that application (they leave the room whilst this application is discussed)
   
6. The administrator emails unsuccessful applicants stating decision and the reasons
7. The administrator sends an offer letter electronically to successful applicants offering funding and detailing how payments will be made and any conditions that may apply to the award
   
8. Successful applicants accept the offer by sending back a signed and scanned copy electronically via a link supplied by the administrator
9. Awards up to £10,000 are payable by invoice supplied on return of the signed offer letter.  For awards over £10,000 an initial invoice for £10,000 can be submitted with a copy of the signed offer letter with the balance being payable on a second invoice which can be submitted with the end of grant form.  For awards over £20,000, an individual payment plan will be approved by the panel when the award is made.  Please note: normal payment terms are 30 days
10. Successful applicants complete the project
    
11. Successful applicants submit an end of grant report (again electronically using a link supplied) plus supporting evidence along with any final invoice as appropriate
12. The administrator includes a report on the project in the fund's annual report.  The annual report is a document that records the awards made during that year and profiles all the projects supported.

How do I submit an application for funding?

Applications should be made online within the Flexi-Grant system:

Flexi-Grant System (external council website)

There are two options on the system to choose from:

• For smaller grant applications - select up to £10k form
• For larger grant applications  - select over £10k form

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

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

For information on other funding opportunities please visit: Finding a grant