GrantRadar

East Cambridgeshire District Council

Facilities Improvement Grant

Capital grants of up to £10,000 from East Cambridgeshire District Council to build or improve village halls, community centres, sport and leisure centres, play facilities and public open spaces in the district. It is open all year, but only where the parish's Section 106 or Community Infrastructure Levy money is already spent or allocated, or falls short of the project's cost. Applicants must put in at least 15% match funding.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
Up to £10,000
no fixed round
Deadline
Rolling
apply any time
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • Organisations with a facility in East Cambridgeshire, typically parish or town councils in East Cambridgeshire, charities, companies limited by guarantee, industrial or provident societies and community interest companies
  • The project needs a minimum of 15% match funding from the applicant or another funder, and the written endorsement of the local parish council
  • A parish whose unallocated S106 or CIL receipts cover the full cost is not eligible; where those funds fall short, the grant can make up the balance to £10,000
  • Applicants that are not parish councils must check with their parish council that S106 and CIL money has been spent or allocated before applying
  • An organisation can apply once in any financial year
  • Leased facilities need a lease of at least 25 years, and the landowner's permission is needed if the applicant does not own the asset

What it funds

Capital projects that develop and improve community facilities, in one of these categories:

  • Community centres or village halls (for example a new kitchen or the addition of solar panels)
  • Multi-purpose sports and leisure centres which serve the general public (for example a new sprung floor)
  • Play facilities
  • Open spaces

Eligibility depends primarily on evidence that an assessment has been made of local community needs.

What it will not fund

  • Ongoing project running costs
  • Minor repairs, maintenance, redecoration and movable equipment items
  • Projects in a parish whose unallocated Section 106 or CIL money covers the full cost of the project
  • More than one application from an organisation in the same financial year
  • Volunteer time or cost savings as match funding (match funding must be money)

How to apply

  1. Check whether the parish has S106 money (email FIG@eastcambs.gov.uk or call 01353 665555) or CIL receipts (ask the parish council)
  2. Get written endorsement from the local parish council
  3. Obtain three written estimates for the works and secure at least 15% match funding
  4. Apply online through the council's form, or email the completed PDF form and supporting documents to FIG@eastcambs.gov.uk
  5. An officer assesses the application and another officer approves it; you are told by a formal grant offer letter

The budget is limited each year, so check the council's webpage that funds remain before applying.

Have ready

  • Written endorsement from the parish council, such as meeting minutes or an email
  • Written confirmation from the parish council that its S106 or CIL money is allocated to other projects, where that applies
  • Written evidence of your organisation's status, such as its constitution or charity number
  • Business plan demonstrating the need for the project
  • Copies of documents evidencing need for the project
  • Evidence of the landowner's permission, if you do not own the asset
  • Copies of three written estimates, with your preferred quote highlighted

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