Big Society Grant FundNoel Singh

Policy & Partnerships ManagerLeicestershire County Council

Big SocietyThe Government aims to put power into people’s hands closer to where they live “shifting power from politicians to people”. (Decentralisation)

There are 3 main planks to Big Society:

– Empowering Communities– Opening up Public Services– Promoting Social Action

Leicestershire approach to Big Society• Big Society is nothing new – we can build on what is already in

place• 4 local aspirations developed and agreed

– Everyone can be involved in their community– Everyone has opportunities to influence decisions that affect

them– Local people are able to shape and deliver public services– Local people and organisations grow the Big Society

together• Priority = “helping communities to help themselves”

Big Society Grant Fund – Eligible Activities• Workshops/Training/Consultation events• Support producing community/parish/neighbourhood plans• Technical/legal/specialist advice associated with setting up

a new project, service or facility (including architects, surveys, legal fees, insurance)

• Production of a Business Plan/Feasibility Study• Piloting a service or activity to assess viability• Set up costs associated with starting a service• Contributions towards larger capital projects

Big Society Grant Fund 2012-13LCC Strategic Priorities

• An ageing population/older people (including vulnerability and mental health)

• Troubled Families• Unhealthy lifestyles (e.g. smoking, obesity,

physical exercise)• Economic Growth (including worklessness/

unemployment)

Big Society Grant Fund – Eligibility• Funding to support development of new projects/activities

that meet local needs• Applications must demonstrate need/demand, community

support and sustainability• Applicants need to be “not for profit” organisations (includes

Parish and Town Councils and school PTAs)• Annual turnover of less than £500k per annum• Non-constituted groups can apply for less than £1,000• Minimum of 3 competitive quotes for work of value greater

than £5,000• All applications must be supported by local Elected member

Big Society Grant Fund 2011-12

• £340,000 annual budget• 5 Grants Panel meetings held in 2011-12• 115 applications considered by the Panel (Total

amount applied for = £1,026,661)• 70 applications awarded funding (Total: £358,776)

Big Society Grant Fund 2011-12Examples of projects awarded funding

• Expansion of Birstall Parish Council’s youth facilities and activities• Expansion of a music recording studio at the Sir John Moore

Foundation• ‘Good Neighbour Scheme’ pilot in Melton• Expansion of the Carpenter’s Arms service for homeless people/with

substance use problems• Business Plan for Melton Mencap, to help respond to the

Personalisation agenda

Big Society Grant Fund 2011-12Examples of projects awarded funding

• Feasibility study for Market Harborough Historical Society to develop a business plan to explore options of making the Museum more community-led in future

• Contribution towards costs associated with Hermitage FM acquiring new premises/expansion of activity

• Surface footpath between Anstey & Thurcaston villages – works undertaken by community volunteers

• Contribution towards the costs of refurbishing space within a local Church to run a volunteer-led community library in Huncote

Big Society Grant Fund • Projects who have had funding approved have

effectively demonstrated:– Evidence of need/demand from the community

themselves– Evidence of social action/community empowerment– Evidence of feasibility and viability of the project/activity– The development or delivery of new projects/activities, or

a way of extending previous/existing activities to meet the needs of a wider range of beneficiaries

Big Society Grant Fund 2012-13

• 2012-13 round of Grant Fund launched earlier this year

• Revised criteria• Two Grant Panels held in 2012 (July and October)• 33 projects awarded funding (total £146,760)• Next Grant Panel scheduled for December 2012• Further Panels next January and March 2013

Big Society Grant Fund – Contact Details

• More information is available on the website www.leics.gov.uk/bigsociety

• Contact us by e-mail on bigsociety@leics.gov.uk• Telephone 0116 3057269• Main contact is Andy Hayes (Communities & Places Officer)

Any Questions?