BRETBY PARISH COUNCIL

Grant Award Policy

1.     Introduction

A grant is any payment made by Bretby Parish Council to an organisation for a specific purpose that will benefit the Parish, or residents of the Parish, and which is not directly controlled or administered by Bretby Parish Council.

By documenting this policy, Bretby Parish Council aim to ensure that the process is:

• Open
• Transparent
• Fair
• Supports local organisations

2.     Parish Council Powers and Section 137

The Localism Act 2011 allows Parish Councils more flexibility in how they spend money within the local community by use of the General Power of Competence.  In order for the Council to use this power they must have a Certificate in Local Council Administration qualified clerk and at least two thirds of the Councillors have to be elected rather than co-opted or appointed.  Bretby Parish Council does not hold the General Power of Competence.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has notified the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) that the appropriate sum for the purpose of section 137(4)(a) of the Local Government Act 1972 (the 1972 Act) for local (parish and town) councils in England for 2025/26 is £11.10 per elector.[1] Amount for 2026/27 is £11.60 per elector[2].

Bretby Parish Council has no obligation to spend all or any of the money available under this power to them.  The money will have come into them via the precept which has been made on South Derbyshire District Council and will have been reflected in the resident’s council tax bills.

3.     Who Can Apply

Applications will be considered from any properly constituted, voluntary, not-for-profit organisations, charities, societies and clubs.

Grants will not be made to the following:

• An individual
  • Commercial organisation
  • Political parties
  • Projects that are the prime responsibility of other statutory authorities
  • For projects that discriminate on any grounds

4.     What can be funded

The project should be something that makes the local community a better place in which to live, work or visit

It should benefit the people who live in the parish

There should be evidence that local people support the project and are involved in carrying it out

Applications do not have to be from groups that already exist

Each group may only make one application per financial year

5.     Conditions of Support

Applicants must demonstrate how the grant will bring benefit to all or part of the parish of Bretby.

The grant must be used for the purpose for which the application is made and within twelve months of receipt.  If not, or the applicant is for any reason unable to use the grant for the stated purpose, then all monies must be returned to Bretby Parish Council.

The organisation must have a bank account in its own name into which payment can be made. 

For all grants awarded the applicant must provide a written report to Bretby Parish Council on how the money has been used within twelve months of receiving the grant.

A public acknowledgement of any grant awarded should be made by the recipient.

6.     Application Procedure

All applications must be made in writing to the Clerk; via email or post. 

All applicants must complete an application form, available online or on request from the Clerk.

 All requested information must be supplied for an application to be considered.

Bretby Parish Council may as it sees fit, request the following information from organisations applying for grants:

• Copies of their last year end accounts (if appropriate)
  • The number, or percentage, of members that belong to the organisation and that live within the parish
  • Details of any restrictions placed on who can use/access their services.

7.     Assessment Procedure

Grant applications will be considered at the Parish Council meeting following receipt of the application.

The Council’s decision on the application will be communicated to the applicant within two weeks of the Council meeting at which it was discussed.

Bretby Parish Council reserves the right to request any further information which it deems necessary in order to complete the decision making process.

Applications will not be considered retrospectively.

•  Process Review

This process will be reviewed annually by the Clerk and any changes noted below and when this has been agreed by the Council.

Version Number	Date of Review	Revisions Made	Date of Next Review
1	17th March 2026	Adopted

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[1] https://www.nalc.gov.uk/resource/section-137-expenditure-limit-for-parish-and-town-councils-announced-for-2025-26.html

[2] https://www.slcc.co.uk/section-137-expenditure-limit-confirmed-for-2026-27/