Routh Wind Farm Community Fund

What is the Routh Wind Farm Community Fund and who is it for?

The first planning permission was granted in 2011 for the building of Hall Farm Wind Farm.  As part of this section 106 agreement the Routh Wind Farm community Fund was created and it received its first donation in March 2014.

The wind farm is now owned by John Laing plc who is continuing with the original commitment to the Community Fund and provides an index-linked annual donation to the Fund of around £40,000/annum.

John Laing plc (external website) 

What is the area of benefit for the Fund?

The area of benefit of the fund is the East Riding of Yorkshire with a preference for applications for projects within the proximity of the wind farm. 

What types 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:

• Charitable activities

• Educational activities

• Community activities

• Energy efficiency activities

• Environmental activities

• Community amenities.

Who can make an application?

Applications are welcomed from community groups, community organisations, charities, parish councils, schools, churches, firms and societies.

New groups or ideas for projects where a group does not currently exist can be considered (please contact fund administrator for further advice).

Individuals may not apply.

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:

• grants - where conditions on use are placed on the money given to a project with timescales, milestones and reporting arrangements in place

• 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
• loans - where the money is spent and repaid at a later date.

How much money can be applied for?

Applications for over £500 should be made to the main fund. There are no upper or lower limits on the amount of money that can be requested, however, the fund panel has indicated that applications above £15,000 would be considered exceptional.

New for 2019/20

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?'

Will the fund support 100% of the project costs?

The fund panel will generally support up to 80% of the costs of a project. However, in certain circumstances higher or lower limits may be applied.

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

Decisions are made by a fund panel made up of the representatives from the following organisations:

• Tickton Parish Council
• Routh Parish Council
• Leven Parish Council
• East Riding of Yorkshire Council
• East Riding Voluntary Action Services
• John Laing plc.

The Fund is open to receive an application for funding for a five-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 through the council’s Rural Policy and Partnerships Team.

What are the deadlines and timescales?

The Fund’s timetable for 2019 is as follows:

• Fund opens for applications from 1 November 2019
  
• Fund closes to applications on 27 March 2020
  
• Annual Review Meeting on 20 April 2020 at 7pm at Tickton Village Hall
  
• Fund panel decision-making meeting on 19 May 2020. 

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).  Online Application Forms and Application Form Guidance Notes are located on the Flexi-grant site which can be accessed using the links in 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 meet and make a decision (full award, part award or decline)
   
6. Administrator writes to unsuccessful applicants stating decision and 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 conditions
   
9. Successful applicants submit an invoice for 50% of the money (unless the total grant value is £1000 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 End of Grant report, supporting evidence and invoice for 50% of funds
    
12. Successful applicants submit any final receipts and bank statements
    
13. Administrator includes a report on the project in Fund Annual Report
    
14. Fund Annual Report presented at the Annual Review Meeting.

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

The 2018/19 Annual Review Meeting will take place on Monday 20 April 2020 at Tickton Village Hall.

How do I submit an application for funding?

Applications to the main fund (over £500) should be made on the online application form within the Flexi-Grant system. 

To access this system visit the Flexi-Grant website:

Flexi-Grant System (external council website)

There are two options on the system to choose from:

• Small Project applications - select 'up to £2k' form
  
• Larger Project applications  - select 'over £2k' form.

Both forms have Guidance Notes to help you complete the form.

Applications for less than £500 should be made on the Community Chest Form which, along with Guidance Notes, can be downloaded from the table below.

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