Each Elected Member has access to a small community grant fund of up to £1,000 per councillor.
This scheme is designed to support smaller projects, individual residents (up to £250), and informal local initiatives that may not meet the requirements of the main Grants Scheme.
The aim is to give councillors the flexibility to respond directly to local needs and help grassroots ideas get off the ground.
This fund is allocated annually for the duration of the Council’s term. Any unspent funds will be carried over and added to the Members’ allocations for the following year.
Who Can Apply
This scheme is open to a wider range of applicants than the main grants programme. Eligible applicants include:
- Individuals (maximum award £250)
- Informal or unconstituted community groups
- Small local volunteer-led initiatives
- Constituted groups, charities, or community organisations
- Residents organising one-off community activities
Applicants do not need to be a formally registered organisation.
What This Fund Can Support
The Councillor Small Grant Scheme is intended to help with low‑cost, community-focused activities such as:
- Small-scale neighbourhood projects
- Local events, gatherings, or activities
- Materials or equipment for community-led initiatives
- Minor improvements to community spaces
- Creative, arts, or wellbeing activities
- Start-up support for emerging ideas
- Costs to help individuals make a positive contribution to their community
Your application should show how local residents will benefit and how the activity contributes to community life in Spennymoor.
Funding Limits
- Up to £1,000 may be awarded per councillor per year
- Individuals may receive up to £250
- Councillors may jointly fund a project by pooling their allocations
What We Cannot Fund
This scheme will not support:
- Projects that benefit only one individual without wider community impact
- Activities promoting political parties or campaigning
- Retrospective funding for activities that have already taken place
- Alcohol, hospitality, or general fundraising costs
- Large capital items or ongoing organisational costs
- Projects that would be more suitable for the Main Grants Scheme
- Projects where the supporting councillor has a disclosable pecuniary interest in the applicant or proposed activity. *
*This includes situations where the councillor is connected to the applicant through employment, trusteeship, close family involvement, or any other relationship that could reasonably be perceived as influencing their decision. Councillors declaring such interests must not allocate funds to, or participate in decisions relating to, that application.
Project Timelines
To ensure funding is used effectively:
- Projects must begin within 12 months of receiving the award
- Grants cannot be awarded retrospectively — no costs incurred before approval can be covered
- Please ensure your planned start date is at least four weeks after you submit your application, to allow time for assessment and decision-making
Acknowledging Spennymoor Town Council
Successful applicants are required to acknowledge Spennymoor Town Council (and the supporting councillor) in any publicity, social media posts, event materials, or announcements relating to the funded activity. Grant recipients are required to present the outcomes of their project at the Annual Meeting of Electors in the budget year following the award of the grant.
Support with logos and wording can be provided on request.
How Decisions Are Made
Applications are considered directly by the councillor(s) supporting the project and shared at Council meetings. They may request additional information if needed.
All funded applications will be recorded for transparency and reported to Council in line with governance requirements.
When to Apply
Councillor Small Grant applications can be submitted at any time. Decision will be made at monthly Council meetings once due diligence is complete on individual applications. Please do not start your project until funding is granted as we cannot fund retrospectively.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted using the Councillor Small Grants application form (see next pages).
We prefer applications to be submitted electronically.
Applications should be submitted by email to: info@spennymoor-tc.gov.uk
