Updated Windfarm Trust Criteria
Argyll and Bute Council · 22 September 2022
Back to Argyll and Bute Windfarm and Renewables Trust — 22 September 2022 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Criteria Updated July 2022. RANGE OF CRITERIA FOR GRANTS FROM THE COMMUNITY COUNCIL WINDFARM TRUST The Criteria outlined in this document have been developed in line with the Scottish Government Good Practice Principles for Community Benefits. The Criteria aim to reflect the principles of:- Lasting Legacy Trust and Transparency Flexible Approach Community Action Plan Local Decision Making Fair Process between Renewable Industry and the Community Grants awarded will be in line with the Community Council Development Plan and/or Action Plans and will be aligned with meeting the priorities identified in these documents as well as meeting obligations of the legal agreements in place with each windfarm operator . 1. What can be funded? (a) Grants awarded will normally be considered for the purposes of:- (i) community facilities, (ii) skills and employment, (iii) community or local events, (iv) sport and recreation, (v) environmental improvements, (vi) youth and education, (vi) , community wellbeing (vii) heritage and/or (viii) net zero/emissions reduction initiatives. (ix) offsetting community energy costs, 2. What needs to be provided before an application will be considered? (a) Documentary eEvidence that the organisation is properly constituted or is a recognised charity (OSCR registration).
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Criteria Updated July 2022. (b) A copy of your organisations constitution (c) A copy of the most recent (audited) accounts and an up to date bank statement or an up to date bank statement if newly formed. (d) Applications from individuals may be considered at the discretion of the Trustees. 3. What will the Trustees consider in your application? (a) The area in which the grant is to benefit would normally be the Area of ‘The Community Council’. (b) The grant will be used to provide benefit for the community.whether the grant will benefit a section of the community or the community at large. (c) The grant will be used for proposals that further the ambition of helping to achieve Net Zero and have a positive climate impact in the area. (d) The grant will be used to benefit tourism, or the scenic or historic value of the area. (e) The grant will benefit the community at large. (f)(e) Has Whether other funding been applied for/approved and evidence of this. (g)(f) The ongoing sustainability of the project – ie. evidence of how ongoing costs (including revenue costs) will be met. 4. What will not be funded? Community Benefit funds cannot be used for: (a) political or religious purposes (without excluding religious buildings (such as church halls) if these provide a key community facility; (b) giving a gift, offering payment, offering hospitality or entertainment with the expectation or hope that an advantage will be received, to award an advantage already given or to facilitate or expedite a procedure; (c) to acquire, invest in, or otherwise fund any legal entity, enterprise or project where the purpose for which such funds are to be applied would not, in the reasonable opinion of the Community Council; demonstrate a significant benefit to the local community; (d) Activities contrary to the interests of the Windfarm Trust or its subsidiaries or adverse to the renewable energy industry or the electricity industry; (e) Activities that are generally understood to be the exclusive responsibility of a statutory authority;
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Criteria Updated July 2022. (f) Retrospective applications where works have already commenced or been completed; or (g) to advance a loan or to advance credit – unless a clear business case is provided in support of the application and this is permitted by the fund provider. 5. Further Information Grants for Revenue Costs Grants are available for Revenue or running costs for the following: (1) A village hall or other community building:- (a) Where there has been reasonable fundraising to match the amount of the grant. (b) With reference to a set of accounts and a current bank statement. (c) With the proviso that the money does not simply increase the general balance. (2) The provision of administrative support to community councils, trusts and charities in each community council area. Grants for Capital Costs Grants are available for Capital or Project costs with the following considerations: (1) That the project has been identified through community consultation and features in the Community Council Development Plan and/or Community Action Plan, Local Place Plan. (2) That the project may only be totally funded by the Trust when there is evidence that all other funding sources have been exhausted. (2)(3) That there is sufficient detail on what is to be delivered and that at least two quotes, preferably three, are provided in support of the application 6. Revision of “Range and Criteria” The range and criteria can be reviewed by the Trustees as necessary with agreement of all parties.