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Sancton Hill Wind Farm Community Fund

The Sancton Hill Wind Farm Community Fund currently receives an annual donation from the developer. Find out more about funding information for communities here.

What is the Sancton Hill Wind Farm Community Fund?

Sancton Hill Farm is operated by REG Windpower.  As part of the developments planning permission granted in 2011, a commitment was made by the company to create a community fund.

The Sancton Hill Wind Farm Community Fund receives an annual donation from REG Windpower of £35,000 per annum. The first donation was made in July 2013.

What is the area of benefit for the Fund?

The Fund supports initiatives for the benefit of the community within a three-mile radius of Sancton Village which includes the parishes of Sancton, Newbald, South Cliffe, Market Weighton and Hotham.

What type of activities will the Fund support?

The purpose of the fund is to promote community, charitable, educational, and not for profit activities for the benefit of the communities within the area of benefit and for activities prioritised in the parish plans of the parishes 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.

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 council, 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?

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 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?

There are no upper limits on the amount of money that can be requested, however applications over £7,500 will be considered by the fund panel as exceptional.  

Applications for over £500 should be made, online, to the main fund (please see 'deadlines and timescales' section below).

Applications for up to £500 should be made to the fund's Small Grants fund.  This is a simpler application process for very small one-off projects, and, unlike the main fund, is open year-round to receive applications.

Please also see section below 'How do I submit an application?'

Will the Fund support 100% of the project costs? 

Although the fund panel has not set a specific level of match funding from applicants, the panel will wish to see evidence of the applicants own contribution to the project costs.  This could include cash from fundraising, donations and/or volunteer time.

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 Sancton Hill Wind Farm Community Fund Panel. The Panel is made up of representatives of Sancton and Newbald parishes, the landowner, the operator and a representative from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

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 2020 is as follows:

  • Fund opens for applications from: 3 August 2020 
  • Fund closed to applications: 30 October 2020 
  • Fund Panel Decision making meeting: 26 November 2020. 

What is the outline process from start to finish?

  1. For the main fund, 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? section below.
  2. For the Small Grants fund, the applicant downloads and completes a paper based application using the link in the How do I submit an application for funding? section below.
  3. The online system acknowledges receipt of application.
  4. The Administrator carries out a technical appraisal (does the applicant have ability and permissions to carry out the project, does the project meet the fund criteria, has all the necessary information been supplied?).
  5. The application is sent to fund panel for scoring.
  6. Fund panel meet and make a decision (full award, part award or decline).
  7. Administrator writes to unsuccessful applicants stating decision and reason.
  8. Administrator writes to successful applicants offering funding and explaining any conditions that may apply.
  9. Successful applicants write back accepting the offer of money and conditions.
  10. Successful applicants can submit a single invoice in advance for up to a total grant value of £10,000.  If the total grant is over £10,000 two payments will be made - one in advance and one on project completion.  Please note: normal payment terms are 30 days.
  11. Successful applicants complete the project.
  12. Successful applicants submit End of Grant report plus supporting evidence along with any final invoice as appropriate.
  13. Administrator includes report on the project in Fund Annual Report.
  14. Fund annual report presented at the annual review meeting.
Subject to Government instructions at the time, the Annual Review Meeting, to which members of the public are invited, will be held on 18th June at 6pm in the Methodist Chapel in Sancton.

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 visit the Flexi-Grant website:

Flexi-Grant System (external East Riding website) 

There are two options on the system to choose from:

  • For medium sized grant applications - select up tp £10k form
  • For larger grant applications - select over £10k form.  

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

Smaller applications for up to £500 should be made on the Small Grant Fund Application Form which, along with Guidance Notes, can be downloaded below

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

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