Sancton Hill Wind Farm Community Fund

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 section 106 Agreement defines how the Fund can be used as to promote, develop, support and deliver initiatives and projects which are determined by the Fund Panel (acting in accordance with the rules of the Panel Constitution) as being of benefit to the Local Community and for no other purpose. The constitution states that the following types of activities can be supported:

• charitable activities
• educational activities
• community activities
• Not for profit activities
• 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?

The Fund panel can distribute 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, however applications over £7,500 will be considered by the fund panel as exceptional.  The minimum amount that can be requested is £250.

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 2019 is as follows:

• Fund opens for applications from: 1 August 2019 
  
• Fund closed to applications: 31 October 2019 
  
• Fund Panel Decision making meeting: 28 November 2019. 

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 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 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. 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 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.
   
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 report on project in Fund Annual Report.
    
14. Fund Annual Awards Report presented at Annual Review Meeting (scheduled for 2020).

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 Larger 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