130 likes | 263 Views
Big Society Grant Fund. Noel Singh Policy & Partnerships Manager Leicestershire County Council. Big Society The Government aims to put power into people’s hands closer to where they live “shifting power from politicians to people”. ( Decentralisation) There are 3 main planks to Big Society:
E N D
Big Society Grant Fund Noel Singh Policy & Partnerships Manager Leicestershire County Council
Big Society The Government aims to put power into people’s hands closer to where they live “shifting power from politicians to people”. (Decentralisation) There are 3 main planks to Big Society: • Empowering Communities • Opening up Public Services • Promoting Social Action
Leicestershire approach to Big Society • Big Society is nothing new – we can build on what is already in place • 4 local aspirations developed and agreed • Everyone can be involved in their community • Everyone has opportunities to influence decisions that affect them • Local people are able to shape and deliver public services • Local people and organisations grow the Big Society together • Priority = “helping communities to help themselves”
Big Society Grant Fund – Eligible Activities • Workshops/Training/Consultation events • Support producing community/parish/neighbourhood plans • Technical/legal/specialist advice associated with setting up a new project, service or facility (including architects, surveys, legal fees, insurance) • Production of a Business Plan/Feasibility Study • Piloting a service or activity to assess viability • Set up costs associated with starting a service • Contributions towards larger capital projects
Big Society Grant Fund 2012-13 LCC Strategic Priorities • An ageing population/older people (including vulnerability and mental health) • Troubled Families • Unhealthy lifestyles (e.g. smoking, obesity, physical exercise) • Economic Growth (including worklessness/ unemployment)
Big Society Grant Fund – Eligibility • Funding to support development of new projects/activities that meet local needs • Applications must demonstrate need/demand, community support and sustainability • Applicants need to be “not for profit” organisations (includes Parish and Town Councils and school PTAs) • Annual turnover of less than £500k per annum • Non-constituted groups can apply for less than £1,000 • Minimum of 3 competitive quotes for work of value greater than £5,000 • All applications must be supported by local Elected member
Big Society Grant Fund 2011-12 • £340,000 annual budget • 5 Grants Panel meetings held in 2011-12 • 115 applications considered by the Panel (Total amount applied for = £1,026,661) • 70 applications awarded funding (Total: £358,776)
Big Society Grant Fund 2011-12 Examples of projects awarded funding • Expansion of Birstall Parish Council’s youth facilities and activities • Expansion of a music recording studio at the Sir John Moore Foundation • ‘Good Neighbour Scheme’ pilot in Melton • Expansion of the Carpenter’s Arms service for homeless people/with substance use problems • Business Plan for Melton Mencap, to help respond to the Personalisation agenda
Big Society Grant Fund 2011-12 Examples of projects awarded funding • Feasibility study for Market Harborough Historical Society to develop a business plan to explore options of making the Museum more community-led in future • Contribution towards costs associated with Hermitage FM acquiring new premises/expansion of activity • Surface footpath between Anstey & Thurcaston villages – works undertaken by community volunteers • Contribution towards the costs of refurbishing space within a local Church to run a volunteer-led community library in Huncote
Big Society Grant Fund • Projects who have had funding approved have effectively demonstrated: • Evidence of need/demand from the community themselves • Evidence of social action/community empowerment • Evidence of feasibility and viability of the project/activity • The development or delivery of new projects/activities, or a way of extending previous/existing activities to meet the needs of a wider range of beneficiaries
Big Society Grant Fund 2012-13 • 2012-13 round of Grant Fund launched earlier this year • Revised criteria • Two Grant Panels held in 2012 (July and October) • 33 projects awarded funding (total £146,760) • Next Grant Panel scheduled for December 2012 • Further Panels next January and March 2013
Big Society Grant Fund – Contact Details • More information is available on the website www.leics.gov.uk/bigsociety • Contact us by e-mail on bigsociety@leics.gov.uk • Telephone 0116 3057269 • Main contact is Andy Hayes (Communities & Places Officer)