Community Grants Scheme

Cherhill Parish Council is empowered under the Local Government Act 1972 to spend some of it’s money, subject to limits and regulations, on purposes that it considers to be ‘in the interests of, and will bring direct benefit to, their area, or any part of it, or some or all of it’s inhabitants’.

Applications for grants must be submitted on the attached application form and will be considered by the Parish Council, subject to statutory guidelines. Council grants for small awards are awarded at 3 stages each year. Application forms will be available for applications being made from 1st April to 31st July, from 1st August to 31st November and from 1 st December to 31st March. Applications for larger grants must be received by 31st September.

Grant Criteria – to be applied to ALL applications

1. The purpose for which the grant is requested must be in the interests of Cherhill Parish, or any part of it, or all or some of the residents of Cherhill parish. Cherhill parish is defined by the boundaries of the parish as expanded and established in May 2025.
2. Grants will not be given for community improvement ideas that are the prime responsibility of other statutory authorities.
3. Grants will not be given for community improvement ideas that improve privately owned land or property.
4. Grants will not be given to political parties or to applicants seeking to further the aims of such organisations.
5. Grants will not be given to groups or organisations that have a closed or restricted membership.
6. Community groups may not normally make more than one grant application each financial year.
7. Grants will not be given to places of worship.
8. The application must relate to some specific item of capital expenditure or project, and not to any regular item, or maintenance, or other revenue item such as utility or staffing costs.
9. The benefit to the area or inhabitants must be commensurate to the level of expenditure.
10. Groups or organisations within the area of the parish may apply, those outside of the parish who can demonstrate the potential for direct benefit to the parish, may also be eligible to apply.
11. No financial assistance can be given to individuals under this scheme.
12. No grant will be payable to, or for, any commercial venture or for private gain.
13. A Community Interest Company with a clear community interest statement is eligible to apply for grant support for a project of benefit to the community.
14. A copy of the most recent audited accounts and a current bank balance must accompany the application. If the applicant does not prepare annual accounts, copies must be disclosed of bank statements covering the previous 6 months.
15. Retrospective applications will not be funded, ie where expenditure on the project has already been carried out or the event has already taken place.
16. No grant will be given for the repayment of loans or the cost of services, equipment or provisions in anticipation of receipt of a grant.
17. Any previous grant made to a group or organisation may be taken into account when considering the application.
18. Preference may be given to projects which can be completed within one year of the funding being awarded.
19. Each application will be considered fairly, on it’s merits, and the amount of grant will be at the discretion of Cherhill Parish Council.
20. On approval, the applicant must agree to provide a report for Cherhill Parish Council’s annual meeting in May, no later than the second May after approval of the funding.
21. On approval, the applicant must provide receipts of the agreed funding items, and this to be sent before the end of the second financial year after approval, otherwise the funding must be returned to Cherhill Parish Council.
22. No application will be considered unless it is accompanied by confirmation of public liability insurance cover, if required.

The Grant Application form can be found under Documents below.

For best results Cherhill Parish Council recommends using Adobe Acrobat Reader when completing the form.