Transcript The Big Society in Leicestershire

Big Society Grant Fund
Noel Singh
Policy & Partnerships Manager
Leicestershire County Council
Big Society
The 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
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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
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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 2012-13
LCC Strategic Priorities
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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
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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
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£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 2011-12
Examples of projects awarded funding
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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 2011-12
Examples of projects awarded funding
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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
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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
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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
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More information is available on the website
www.leics.gov.uk/bigsociety
Contact us by e-mail on [email protected]
Telephone 0116 3057269
Main contact is Andy Hayes (Communities & Places Officer)
Any Questions?