Spaldington Wind Farm Community Fund

What is the Spaldington Wind Farm Community Fund?

The Spaldington Wind Farm started operating in 2016 which subsequently saw the establishment of a community fund which received its first donation in 2017.  Falck Renewables, the wind farm operators, make an annual donation to this fund enabling it to support a wide range of projects of benefit to the local community.

The annual donation from Falck Renewables is c.£19,000 per annum.

Falck Renewables (external website)

What is the area of benefit for the Fund?

The parishes of Spaldington, Bubwith, Foggathorpe, Holme on Spalding Moor, Eastrington, Howden and Wressle in the East Riding of Yorkshire and in particular initiatives within the proximity of the wind farm. 

What types of activities will the Fund support?

Who can make an application?

Applications are accepted from community groups, community organisations, charities, parish councils, schools, and churches. New groups or ideas for projects where a group does not currently exist can be considered.

Applications cannot be accepted from individuals.

For further information please contact the fund administrator at:

Email: ruralfunding@eastriding.gov.uk

Are there any activities that cannot be funded?

The following activities cannot be supported by the fund:

• Political, religious or other campaigns
  
• Anti-renewable energy/wind farm activities
  
• Activities normally understood to be the exclusive responsibility of public bodies including Town and Parish Councils, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Humberside Fire and Rescue Services, Humberside Police, Internal Drainage Boards, the Environment Agency and Health Authority.

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 can be requested by contacting the Fund administrator at:

Email: ruralfunding@eastriding.gov.uk 

How much money can be applied for? 

Applications to the main fund must be over £500 and no upper limit has been set. Applications should be made on the online application forms - please see section below How do I submit an application for funding?

Applications for under £500 should be made to the Fund's Community Chest fund - please see section below How do I submit an application for funding? 

Will the Fund support 100% of the project costs? 

The fund panel will prioritise applications that show evidence of an organisations contribution towards the costs. The contribution can be cash, donations of materials, loan of equipment, free use of land or buildings 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 Spaldington Wind Farm Community Fund panel. The Panel is comprised as follows: 

• One representative from East Riding of Yorkshire Council
  
• One representative from the developer
  
• 3 – 7 individuals nominated by parish councils in the area of benefit.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council is the Accountable Body for the fund and provides the secretariat and administration through the council's Rural Policy and Partnerships team. 

What are the deadlines and timescales?  

The main Fund's timetable for 2019 is as follows:

Fund opens for applications from 1 April 2019

Fund closes to applications: 28 June 2019

Fund Panel Decision -making meeting: 23 July 2019

Please note that Community Chest applications made from March to July 2019 will also be considered at the Fund Panel meeting (23 July 2019).

Annual Review Meeting: 7pm, 9 October 2019 (venue to be confirmed)

What is the application 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 the last section below
   
2. The online system acknowledges receipt of the application
   
3. The Administrator carries out a technical appraisal (does the applicant have power and permissions to carry out 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 the 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 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. Administrator includes a report on the project in Fund Annual Report
13. 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.

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. 

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 System 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 - sect '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