1.         The annual deadline for receipt of grant applications is 31^st October. Grants to successful

applicants will be made in the following financial year. (The financial year is from 1st April to 31st

March.)

 2.         Up to 90% of the grants budget will be allocated to applications received by this deadline. At least 10% of the budget will be retained for emergency applications. Organisations which apply

for financial assistance after the deadline will be required to indicate why they could not meet

the deadline, i.e. explanation of unforeseen financial requirements.

 3.         Applicants are required to complete the Council’s application form to apply for financial assistance, and to provide all the information requested.

 4.         Grants are not restricted in the purpose to which they may be put, and applications can be

made for capital or revenue expenditure or special projects.

 5.         In considering applications for financial assistance, the Council will take into account the

purpose for which the grant is required, the organisation’s accounts, how the grant will benefit

the residents of Thaxted, other bodies to which applications for financial assistance have been

made, and any other supporting information.

 6.         Organisations are not restricted to the number of grant applications which may be made over a period of time. However the history of previous applications will be considered in the decision-making process.

 7.         Grants awarded for purchase of goods or services will be paid on receipt of a receipted

Supplier’s invoice. Special arrangements may be made to pay the grant on receipt of an order

for the goods or services if an organisation can demonstrate that its cash flow prevents it from

paying the invoice before receiving the grant. The grant must be requested for payment within

twelve months of notice of the grant being made. After this time the offer will lapse.

 8.         Where a grant is offered for a project still in the planning stages the Council may pledge to grant a certain sum which will become payable when the project is under way. In this case, the offer will only be kept open for a limited period; the project must have commenced, or a firm

commitment made to a start date e.g. by placing contractually binding orders to start imminently, before the grant can be claimed, and this must be within twelve months of notice of the grant being made. After this time the offer will lapse.

 9.         There is no maximum figure set for grants awarded within the budget for grants set annually by the Council. However you are advised to check the budget available before submitting your application.

 10.       Applications will be considered at a meeting of the Finance and Assets Committee

and applicants will be informed of the outcome after that meeting.

 11.       The Council policy is that financial assistance will only be made to small-scale local projects and not national or county appeals. However, this does not preclude local branches of national organisations from applying.

 12.       The Council is prevented by statute from giving financial assistance to individuals, charities

operating overseas or to a fund established to help persons outside the UK.

 13 As a condition of receiving a grant, organisations will be required to acknowledge the Council’s support in their publicity material. The application form, accounts and other information may be copied and placed on the public agenda for the meeting, so please ensure the information is clear and legible.