Issue - meetings

Decision

The Cabinet approved the proposed changes to the SK Community Fund which included amendments to grant levels and eligibility criteria. The proposed changes allowed for the Fund to re-launch for the 2026/27 financial year. It was also agreed to delegate authority to the Deputy Leader of the Council, in consultation with the Assistant Director for Leisure, Culture and Place, to make inconsequential amendments. 

Reasons for decision

The recommended changes would improve opportunities offered by the SK Community Fund.

Establishing an appropriate delegation to allow for the decision-making authority of the Assistant Director would ensure suitable governance.

The proposals for change were fully supported by the Rural and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting of 24th March 2026.

Other options considered

The Fund’s criteria could have remained unchanged. The proposed amendments, however, allowed for increased opportunities which would greatly benefit civil society within South Kesteven.

UK Shared Prosperity funding had proven a need for grants which supported larger projects; hence the reasoning provided around the proposed introduction of the Large Grants Fund. Statistical information from the existing SK Community showed that, in the previous two years, 69% of awards had been for grants of £2,000 and less, therefore providing evidence of need to continue the Small Grants Fund as proposed.

Purpose of report

To approve the proposed changes to the SK Community Fund which included amendments to grant levels and eligibility criteria. The proposed changes would allow for the Fund to re-launch for the 2026/27 financial year.

Decision

The Cabinet approved the proposed changes to the SK Community Fund which included amendments to grant levels and eligibility criteria. The proposed changes allowed for the Fund to re-launch for the 2026/27 financial year. It was also agreed to delegate authority to the Deputy Leader of the Council, in consultation with the Assistant Director for Leisure, Culture and Place, to make inconsequential amendments.  

Other options considered

The Fund’s criteria could have remained unchanged. The proposed amendments, however, allowed for increased opportunities which would greatly benefit civil society within South Kesteven.

UK Shared Prosperity funding had proven a need for grants which supported larger projects; hence the reasoning provided around the proposed introduction of the Large Grants Fund. Statistical information from the existing SK Community showed that, in the previous two years, 69% of awards had been for grants of £2,000 and less, therefore providing evidence of need to continue the Small Grants Fund as proposed.

Reasons for decision

The recommended changes would improve opportunities offered by the SK Community Fund.

Establishing an appropriate delegation to allow for the decision-making authority of the Assistant Director would ensure suitable governance.

The proposals for change were fully supported by the Rural and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting of 24th March 2026.

The SK Community Fund was introduced by the Deputy Leader of the Council.

The fund was currently allocated across two schemes:

• Small Grants Scheme: £100 - £2,000

This was available to smaller groups with a maximum financial resource of £10,000. Groups could apply for 100% of project costs to the maximum £2,000

• Projects and Events Fund: £500 - £5,000

Groups could apply for up to 80% of project/event costs to a maximum of £5,000. A minimum of 10% match funding was required, and the remaining 10% contribution could be in-kind contribution and volunteer time if relevant to the project or event.

At the time of the report’s publication, £855,651 of grants had been provided to Parish and Town Councils, voluntary, community, faith and sports-related groups across South Kesteven.  The SK Community Fund was often used by groups to secure match funding for larger projects.

A growth bid of £100k was agreed by Full Council on 26 February 2026 increasing the SK Community Fund to a total of £200,000.

It was also timely to refresh the governance arrangements around the SK Community Fund given that these have been in place since 2015. It was therefore proposed that the Small Grants Fund remains in place, continuing to operate in the same manner save for two changes:

• To be eligible for support the maximum financial resource held by a voluntary or community group should be reduced to £5,000.  This would ensure that funding is targeted to those community groups that have a genuine need and that newly established groups can be supported.

• The eligibility criteria be amended to include items requiring revenue funding. Small, newly formed groups often require financial assistance with basic running costs until they are established, e.g. utility bills, venue hire, office supplies, insurance premiums, volunteer training costs etc. Funding provided would be for one-off support and groups would be required to become self-sufficient as they become established.

It was proposed that a Large Grants Fund be introduced to replace the existing Projects and Events Fund with the maximum grant value being increased. It is further proposed that the groups and organisations eligible to apply should have financial resources of no more than £100,000.  The minimum grant available would be £2,000 and the maximum £10,000 for community events and £20,000 for projects which support parish and community assets.  Match funding of a minimum of 10% would be required against all large grants.

During discussions, the following comments were made:

-       Members expressed pride in the fund and its impact on the district.

-       It was reiterated that a new cap was proposed for funding eligibility depending on the level of an applicant group’s bank reserves.

-       It was queried if there was a contingency plan should the community fund run out. It was confirmed that this had not happened before and officers were actively seeking to promote the relevant administrative dates to applicants via workshops and the Communications Officer.

-       It was confirmed that the funding  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64