Small Parish Councils will now be able to apply for the Community Grant Scheme

Following a review of the criteria, Parish Councils that serve fewer than 100 dwellings will now be able to apply for up to £20,000 to help deliver or enhance projects.

Funding from the Community Grant Scheme cannot be used to support Parish Councils’ core activities, and applications will still be subject to the normal conditions and priorities.

Projects that are successful in receiving funding will demonstrate that there is a local need for them and how they contribute to one or more of the District Council’s Community Plan objectives.

Extra weighting will be given for projects whose applications can show they:

• contribute to overcoming the cost-of-living crisis,
• contribute to public protection by reducing crime or anti-social behaviour,
• improve biodiversity or contribute to reducing climate change.

In 2024/25, the District Council was able to support 31 groups in delivering a range of projects, from updating local sports provision to providing equipment and materials to help residents get out in the great outdoors and enjoy nature via their local allotment. In addition, the Community Grant Scheme has supported organisations that needed to make vital updates to their community facilities so they could reach more people and funded new training sessions that allowed residents to gain new skills and qualifications.

Applications for the next Community Grant Scheme are open from Monday 7 April 2025. More information about the scheme is available on the District Council’s website: https://www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/communityfunding/

Councillor Paul Taylor, Portfolio Holder for Public Protection and Community Relations at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to expand the criteria of our Community Grant Scheme to include smaller Parish Councils. I have worked with Councillor Jack Kellas to bring this idea to the table, and I wish to thank him for all of his hard work for helping with this important update to the Grant Scheme.  This Scheme was created to help local charities, organisations, and groups obtain funding that they perhaps wouldn’t be able to get through traditional routes or national grant schemes, and therefore it is only right that we reviewed our criteria to include these smaller Parish Councils.

“The Community Grant Scheme has done so many great things for residents across the district, and the first round of the 2025/26 Scheme will be open in the next few weeks. Information will be available on our website and social media.”

Councillor Jack Kellas, ward member of Farndon and Fernwood and Leader of the Conservative Group at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “It is fantastic news that we have been able to implement this vital update to the criteria of the Community Grant Scheme. This new criteria – which Councillor Taylor and I have worked hard to implement - will mean that Parish Councils that serve fewer than 100 dwellings will now have the opportunity to apply for funding via the District Council. This important change will mean that more of our residents will be able to enjoy those all-important community projects and initiatives the Grant Scheme funds.”